Skye’s POV
‘Absolutely not, Adrian said, ‘I can’t allow you to drive to Boring alone, not to mention staying there overnight.
“It’s just a two–hour drive, Adrian. I’ll be fine. I’ve survived three years on my own before joining Oasisborn.
We stood in his office, morning sunlight streaming through the windows, illuminating dust particles dancing between us. The past six months had been oddly peaceful despite the constant vigilance, and now, on the eve of Jessie’s wedding, this felt like an unnecessary battle.
And during those three years, you didn’t have enemies who specifically knew your identity or connection to us, Adrian countered, “Things are different now.”
‘I promised Jessie I’d be there,” I insisted. ‘She’s held a bridesmaid spot for me. I can’t let her down.
‘I understand that. I’m not saying you can’t go–just that you shouldn’t go alone.”
I’ll go with her,” Ryder said from the doorway. “I can keep a low profile at the wedding.”
Adrian’s expression darkened immediately. “No,” he said flatly, not bothering to elaborate.
“I think I should be the one to accompany Skye,” Nadia’s voice joined the conversation as she stepped into the office.
Her relationship with me had gradually shifted into a cautious alliance over the past months, our shared commitment to Oasisborn’s security creating a bridge across the chasm of our earlier tensions.
“You?” Ryder sounded genuinely surprised. “Don’t you have training sessions scheduled for tomorrow?”
Nadia shrugged with practiced nonchalance. “You can cover them. Besides, I haven’t been to a human wedding before. I’m curious.” She turned to me. “If that’s acceptable to you, Skye?”
I nodded, recognizing the olive branch she was extending. “That would be perfect. Thank you.”
Adrian studied us both for a moment before nodding his agreement. “It’s decided then. Nadia and Skye will attend the wedding together.”
The next morning found us driving through the desert in my small red car. After an hour of companionable silence, Nadia finally spoke.
“It’s been a long time since I attended a wedding, our pack didn’t have a single union last year.”
I glanced at her, surprised by the wistful tone in her usually pragmatic voice. “Maybe werewolf marriages are just harder to come by than human ones.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed. “Humans don’t have our mate system or our longevity to consider. Their unions can be so… fragile.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “But there’s also a certain freedom in that, isn’t there? Their choices are truly their own, not dictated by fate or biology.”
The observation struck me as unexpectedly profound coming from someone as traditionally minded as Nadia.
‘I’ve been wondering, I ventured carefully, keeping my eyes on the road ahead, “why I’ve never heard about your mate. Have you just not encountered them yet?
A flicker of something–alarm? discomfort?-passed across her face so quickly I might have imagined it.
“That’s right,” she replied with practiced casualness. “I haven’t met them yet.” She straightened in her seat, shoulders squaring. “But why should finding a mate be the only path to a complete life? I have purpose, respect, meaningful work. Isn’t that enough?”
“It absolutely is,” I agreed softly, thinking of my own complicated journey. “A-mate doesn’t define your worth.*
We exchanged smiles, and in that moment, we finally reached an understanding.
1/3
Chapter 60
The Boring Community Center had been transformed with an enthusiasm that perfectly matched Jessie’s personality. Paper lanterns in varying shades of pink and white hung from the ceiling, while twinkling lights wrapped around potted cacti created a uniquely Southeastern ambiance Hand painted signs directed guests to the “I Do BBQ and the Whiskey & Wedding Cake table.
“Oh my God, you came!” Jessie’s shriek cut through the pre–ceremony bustle as she spotted
me
entering the hall.
white cocktail apron artfully sewn into the bodies of a
She rushed toward me in what had to be the world’s first bartender–uniform–turned–wedding–dress–a princess ballgown, with tiny liquor bottles decorating the hem.
“You look amazing! And your hair–it’s silver now!‘ ller gaze shifted to Nadia, curiosity replacing excitement. “And who’s this?”
“Jessie, this is my friend Nadia,” I said, “Nadia, this is Jessie, the bride and my former coworker from The Watering Hole.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” Nadia offered with polite formality, extending her hand.
Jessie bypassed the handshake entirely, pulling Nadia into an enthusiastic hug that left the Beta wolf wide–eyed with surprise. Any friend of Skye’s is family to me! Come on, I’ll show you where to change. Your bridesmaid dress is hung up and ready!”
Twenty minutes later, I stood examining my reflection in the makeshift dressing room, hardly recognizing myself in the modified bartender uniform that now functioned as a bridesmaid dress–black pants swapped for a skirt, white shirt tailored to fit perfectly, and a bow tie in shocking pink that matched Jessie’s wedding theme.
“Only Jessie would turn work uniforms into wedding attire,” I muttered, adjusting the bow tie.
After the ceremony, I made my way through the reception, searching for a familiar face. I found Buck near the buffet table, his weathered face lighting up when he spotted me.
“There’s my best bartender!” he called out, arms opening wide for a hug.
I embraced him gently, noting with concern how much thinner he felt, how his once–robust frame seemed diminished. Time had not been kind to him in the year since I’d left.
“You look good, darlin‘,” he said, though his breathing seemed labored even from our brief embrace. “That new place treating you right?”
“It is,” I assured him, choosing not to correct his assumption that I worked at another bar. “But what about you? How have you been feeling?”
He waved away my concern with a dismissive hand. “Ah, just getting old. Doctor says I need to take it easy, cut back on the hours at The Watering Hole.” His eyes crinkled with his familiar smile. “But enough about me. Been meaning to tell you–that fella who was looking for you a few months back, he left his card in case you ever turned up.”
My blood ran cold. “What did he look like exactly?”
“Big guy, reddish hair, fancy watch. Buck shrugged. “Said he was an old friend from up north.”
An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. The description sounded troublingly familiar, but I couldn’t be certain. Had someone from my past been looking for me? A werewolf from Frostshadow perhaps? Or someone more dangerous?
Before I could press Buck for more details, a commotion near the entrance drew my attention. Three men in expensive suits stood surveying the reception, their presence jarringly out of place among the casual wedding guests.
My stomach dropped as I recognized the tall figure in the center–rust–colored hair, emerald eyes, and that same predatory smile I remembered from our first meeting.
Kane had found me.
2/3
