Gage paced his office while Logan sat back comfortably on the couch.
“Nervous?”
“Of course I’m not nervous,” Gage growled.
“She sure is something.”
“Yes, she is. Everyone loves Elizabeth.”
“I wasn’t talking about her.”
Gage stopped in front of him, noting the smug look Logan had. “What?”
“Have you talked to Marissa about staying longer?”
Gage went back to pacing. He’d tried to talk to her about Pack life. After all, committing to the Pack wasn’t committing to him. But she changed the subject every time he brought it up. She was due to leave the next day. Every time they were alone together, he broached the subject. And she successfully distracted him.
“So you’re just going to let her go?” Logan shook his head.
Gage knew he was only trying to help. There was a reason Logan was his second. The Pack respected him because he was fair, and Logan was like a dog with a bone. Never giving up on something he believed in.
“Maybe you don’t deserve her then if you’re just going to let her go.”
“Watch your step, Logan,” Gage warned.
“Excuse me, Alpha, but you are more than just my leader. You’re my friend. I haven’t seen you this relaxed…this happy in years,” Logan pleaded. “And we both know it’s because of her.”
Gage walked across the room to stare out the window. He knew it was true. Marissa gave enough of herself to be intriguing yet held back, making her a challenge. She would spend time with him every night—sharing her body with him—yet she insisted on returning to her sister’s house to sleep. She kept a distance between them and he wasn’t sure how to push the issue without sending her running.
“It would be a mistake to let her go. Not only does she need a Pack to protect her, but you’re in love with her.” The last was said quietly, but to Gage’s ears, it might have well been yelled.
Gage spun around, denial on the tip of his tongue. Then he felt the change in the house, in him. Elizabeth and Marissa had arrived. “They’re here.”
Logan nodded. “So let’s get started.”
They greeted the two women outside the door. Marissa smiled up at him and Gage felt his heart swell. He was in love with her. Even if it had only been a week, even if he hadn’t told her yet. The wolf inside him had chosen her and the man couldn’t have picked better. But Gage knew she would be harder to convince.
“Hi,” Marissa greeted, looking beautiful in her short summer dress.
“Hello.” Gage leaned down and kissed her mouth. The blush that stole her face would have been cute if it didn’t tell him what he already knew. She was okay with what they did in private, but publicly, she still shied away.
“I…um…” She nervously shifted from foot to foot. “Thanks for doing this.”
Gage nodded and hugged her to his side. “You can thank me later,” he whispered into her ear.
She gasped, and Elizabeth and Logan laughed out loud.
“Most of the guests have arrived and Greg is already outside,” Logan, ever the peacemaker, announced.
The look of relief that crossed Marissa’s face was comical. “She’s ready,” she responded, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
Gage laughed, letting go of Marissa. He knew he shouldn’t tease her in front of others, but now that he had admitted to himself that he was in love with her, he wanted to shout it from rooftops.
But first, he had a ceremony to perform.
“You look beautiful. Greg is very lucky,” he told Elizabeth, kissing the top of her head.
“No. No. I’m the lucky one. I know that. He has been so patient with me for all these years.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I love him.”
“I know you do, honey. And it’s time to do this.” Marissa hugged her sister.
Logan offered Marissa his arm. “Allow me to take you to your seat, my lady.”
Shyly Marissa put her arm through Logan’s. She liked him. He’d never treated her differently even after the embarrassing scene in the woods.
Logan led her out the back door to where the ceremony would take place. Gage would follow when it was time for the ceremony, escorting Elizabeth. As they headed to where the chairs had been set up, Marissa looked around, taking in the full picture. White lace and ribbons had been hung up. Her sister and Greg would stand under the arch while Gage performed the ceremony.
Light-hearted, Marissa smiled at the guests and Logan escorted her to the front.
She felt the unsettling sensation of eyes on her before understanding who stared at her. Turning her head, she met the pair of dark brown eyes, eyes she knew so well. Eyes that had haunted her dreams for more years than she wanted to remember.
Almost stumbling in surprise, she was glad Logan was there.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered.
“Nothing,” she lied. He would know it was a lie. Not only could he smell it, but also she had started to tremble. She didn’t know what Brandon was doing there but it couldn’t be good. She watched Logan look over also and knew she wouldn’t have a choice in telling Gage.
“Who is he?”
Tearing her gaze from Brandon’s, Marissa held onto Logan. “My old Alpha’s son,” she whispered.
Logan got her to their seats in the front row. He would sit next to her for the ceremony—that had already been decided. She was now grateful for the arrangement as she could feel the other man’s eyes on them as they sat.
When the music started, announcing Gage and Elizabeth, Logan placed his arm around the back of Marissa’s chair. She tried to relax as she concentrated on her sister.
The ceremony was beautiful, and watching her sister commit to Greg brought tears to Marissa’s eyes. It also served to take her attention away from the other guests. She watched Gage as he stood with pride and presented Greg and Elizabeth to the Pack and guests.
When his eyes met hers, Marissa felt a shiver of excitement through her entire body. He was like no other man she’d ever met. While he was domineering and demanding, he still remained calm and kind. She would have never thought that all the traits he carried could be found in one man, a wolf, and a Pack Alpha.
She felt Logan’s arm nudge her, reminding her it was time to stand and walk to the reception. Marissa purposely kept her gaze straight ahead, avoiding any guests. She didn’t know why Brandon was here and she should have no fear from him now, but years of fear were hard to just replace. The promises and threats he’d made were still fresh in her mind.
Logan led Marissa to her sister, and as they hugged, he motioned for Gage to step aside. Marissa held her sister, then Greg took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.
“I always wanted a sister. My mother had eight boys.”
Laughing through happy tears, Marissa tilted her head back. “Well, you got one now. You have no idea what you’re in for.”
Also laughing, Greg kissed her cheek. “I’ll hold you to that, Marissa.”
Marissa understood the warning. She wasn’t done with this Pack. Greg considered her family and wouldn’t let her disappear out of Elizabeth’s and his lives.
“What is it?” Gage asked, never taking his eyes off Marissa as he saw tears sparkle in her eyes. He knew she was thrilled for her sister, but he just wanted to hold her.
“I believe we have an unwanted guest,” Logan kept his voice low so only his Alpha would hear.
Gage watched Greg kiss Marissa’s cheek in a brotherly gesture. “Who?” he asked, distracted.
“Marissa’s ex. The Alpha’s son.”
Shock had him giving his full attention to Logan. “Where? What did she say?”
“She was upset, although she tried to hide it.”