“Let them. It won’t come close to the magnificent reality.”

  Victoria’s face turned red.

  I ran my thumb across her lips. “You’re so fun to tease, you know that?”

  Her luscious lips curved upward. “Wonderful. But I bet you’re just as much fun.”

  “Unfortunately not.” My lips quivered, giving away my fib.

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re a terrible liar.”

  “Only to you.”

  “I suppose that’s a good thing.” She ran her fingers through my hair. “We do need to get that lipstick off you.”

  “And we should fix your makeup. It would appear I smudged it.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Victoria leaned close and kissed me deeply.

  “If you keep doing that, we’re never going to make it upstairs.”

  “Is it bad that I don’t care?”

  I wrapped my hands around her sides and spun her around. “Only if it’s bad that I don’t, either.”

  She laughed. “We really should at least make an appearance.”

  “True. We can’t have our guests eat our cake without us.” I took her hand and led her into the hall. We managed to find a bathroom. I splashed my face with water and rubbed to get the lipstick off.

  Victoria rubbed around her eyes. “This isn’t working. I’m going to need some makeup.”

  “Don’t look at me,” I teased.

  “Can you find Soleil? She’s the one who put it on me earlier.”

  “You want me to leave your side?” I pouted.

  “I’m not going upstairs looking like this.”

  “Well, I’ll just call her.” I dug into my pants pocket, found my phone, and sent Soleil a quick text.

  A knock sounded before I’d even put the phone back. “Hello? Did someone call for a makeup artist?”

  Victoria and I exchanged an amused expression, and I opened the door.

  Soleil rushed in, carrying two black bags and a multi-colored one under her arm. She looked the two of us over. “Looks like you both had a good time. Let’s get you fixed up.”

  I stepped out of the cramped bathroom.

  “Not so fast, hickey-boy.”

  “Hickey-boy?” I arched a brow.

  “Get in here.”

  I went back in and glanced at the mirror, turning to both sides. Sure enough, a plethora of red marks decorated the sides of my neck. I looked at Victoria. “You were going to let me go out there like this?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “I’d better see if Tap has a scarf.”

  “Sit.” Soleil gestured toward the toilet.

  “There? It has no lid.”

  “I have faith in you.” She pulled out a thin rectangular box and a round brush. She opened it and brushed flesh-colored makeup all around Victoria’s face.

  I pressed myself against the wall, not allowing myself to sit on the toilet. Curious, I watched as Soleil used a variety of products on Victoria’s face. Somehow, she blended everything perfectly and there were no signs of the makeup ever having been smeared.

  She turned to me. “You don’t listen very well.”

  “I’m your alpha. I don’t take orders from you.”

  “Really, now?” She put her hands on her hips.

  “Yes, really.”

  “Get over here so I can hide your hickeys.”

  I went over to the sink.

  She snickered. “You just obeyed my order, alpha.”

  “You’re lucky you’re an angel of death.”

  “Hold still.” She pulled out a tube of something a little lighter than flesh-colored and smeared it on my neck.

  It was cold and wet. I couldn’t help jumping.

  Soleil rubbed it into my skin and turned to Victoria. “Men are such babies.”

  She giggled.

  I shook my head. “I’d deny it, but I’m clearly outnumbered.”

  “Exactly.” Soleil pulled out something round with a powder slightly darker than the icy liquid she’d smeared all over my neck. She reached for an angled brush and applied the makeup, this time giving me the chills. “Would you hold still?”

  “If you’d quit putting weird stuff on my skin.”

  “Sorry, but that’s Victoria’s job. I’m merely applying makeup.”

  I turned away from her and studied Victoria’s reflection in the mirror. She held out her hand, admiring the ring. It was nice to see her appreciating a stone other than the wolf one. She glanced up and caught me staring. Her face lit up and she blew me a kiss. I winked, not daring to move, and thus annoy my makeup artist.

  Victoria made faces, clearly trying to get me to laugh. I fought to hold still, and did a commendable job, considering the lengths my wife was going to in order to make me laugh.

  “You two are worse than children.”

  Apparently, I hadn’t been holding still as well as I’d thought.

  “I’ll be good,” Victoria promised. She turned her attention back to the ring, holding it at different angles. The wolf essence stone glowed brightly for a moment before returning to normal.

  My heart leaped into my throat. It had happened so fast, I almost thought it was my imagination. Maybe it was. It had to be. I shoved the thought from my mind and turned my attention back to my makeup artist.

  Soleil stepped back and pinched her mouth, looking at my neck. She moved my chin to the right and then the left before craning her neck around to look at the back from the mirror. “Not bad, if I do say so myself.”

  Victoria fluttered her eyelashes. “You’re so pretty with makeup.”

  I pretended to fluff shoulder-length hair and fluttered my own lashes. “Why, thank you. I try.”

  “You do very well,” she said in a sultry tone.

  “Not nearly as well as you.” I stepped around Soleil and kissed Victoria deeply.

  Soleil grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Victoria. “If you guys mess up your makeup, I’ll kick you so hard your one-hundred-years-in-the-future selves will cry.”

  I reached for Victoria. “That sounds like a challenge, don’t you think?”

  Soleil threw her head back. “Do what you want. I’m going upstairs. The party of the century is there.”

  “Or is it down here?” I took Victoria’s hand and kissed her fingertips.

  “Goodbye.” Soleil hurried out of the room.

  I burst into laughter.

  Victoria leaned against me. “It’s kind of fun to rile her up.”

  “It’s more fun to tease you, though.” I kissed her nose and headed out into the hall. Music and happy conversation sounded before we reached the staircase. I turned to Victoria and pressed her against the wall for one more passionate kiss before joining the festivities.

  She gasped for air. “You make it hard to want to see our reception.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but the door at the top of the stairs opened. “Get up here, you two!” Soleil shouted.

  “We’re right here,” I said. “No need to yell.”

  “Everyone keeps asking about you.”

  “You win.” I scooped up Victoria and hurried up the stairs, carrying her into the Faeble. The main part of the bar had been turned into a dance floor and the other rooms into banquet halls. I set Victoria down and the entire place broke out into applause. Loved ones crowded around us, offering their congratulations.

  Jet and Ziamara ushered us to a long table where the rest of our wedding party sat. Victoria and I took seats in the middle. Tap came over and filled our champagne flutes.

  He stood on a stool and raised his glass high into the air. “We’re here to celebrate the union of Toby and Victoria. It’s rare to see a love so deep and pure as theirs, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say I’m honored to be part of their lives—now life. May the rest of their days be filled with love, laughter, blessings, and all the happiness they can handle.”

  Everyone spoke their agreement. Glasses clinked all around. Victoria tipped hers toward me and we tapped our flutes together. I leaned over and kissed her. Friends called out for more. Who was I to deny them? I cupped her chin and gave her the most toe-curling kiss I could in front of everyone.

  Whoops and hollers sounded all around, followed by cheers and more glasses clinking together. Victoria looked a little dazed as I pulled away, but then she rose, took my hand, and bowed. I followed, bowing.

  Once the noise settled down, some called out that it was time to eat. My stomach growled at the mention of food. Victoria poked me and grinned. “We’d better feed the hungry alpha.”

  Soleil waved us over to the food tables. “Bride and groom eat first!”

  I looped my arm through Victoria’s, and we headed over. Everyone offered congratulations and high-fives as we crossed the room. My heart soared. For once, everything was perfect. Victoria and I were now married, all of our enemies were dead or otherwise taken care of, and we had the Faeble full of loved ones, celebrating with us.

  The music picked up, playing a cheerful tune as we filled our plates—I piled mine high. We went back to our table and ate, laughing and enjoying our time together and with the others. People continued coming up to us, offering heartfelt congratulations and thanks for taking care of Fen. My phone buzzed in my pocket with similar texts until I finally turned off all notifications.

  Food gave way to dancing. Victoria and I danced the night away in each other’s arms, only occasionally switching partners. I danced with Laura while Victoria danced with Tap. Then Soleil and Quinn, followed by some of the witches and pack members. Finally, Victoria and I had a stretch of dances together.

  I gave her a quick kiss. “Are you ready for a break? It looks like the sun’s starting to come out.”

  She shook her head. “This celebration can go on forever, as far as I’m concerned.”

  “It sure can.” I stared deep into her eyes.

  Someone cleared his throat next to us. “May I dance with the lady?”

  I turned to see Carter. “Of course.”

  “Where have you been?” Victoria asked.

  “Just staying out of the limelight. My highest congratulations to the happy couple.” He bowed and held out his hand to Victoria.

  “Thank you.” I gave Victoria a quick kiss and stepped back to allow them the dance.

  “Can I have this dance?” came a familiar feminine voice.

  I turned to see Gessilyn. “It would be my pleasure.” I took her hand, and we stepped into position.

  “You’ve never looked happier.” Gessilyn’s eyes shone.

  “I can’t say that I have been. There isn’t a thing I could ask for in addition to everything I already have.”

  She arched a brow. “Not even to break the moon’s curse?”

  “Details.” I shrugged.

  “I’ve been reading about similar spells in my books—the vampire’s daylight blessing, for one. It’s not exactly the same, but at the core, they’re essentially the same. I think once I tap into that and draw from the stone’s power, we’ll be set.”

  Excitement raced through my already soaring heart. “Really?”

  She nodded, her eyes wide. “I might have to focus the spell into jewelry. You might need to wear rings to control your shifting.”

  “I can’t picture anyone having qualms with that.” I imagined everyone in our pack being able to shift whenever they want, and finally being able to meet the wolfborns in human form. Victoria and Ziamara had taken pictures for the rest of us, but that was all we had.

  Gessilyn grinned. “Glad to hear it. I’ll keep researching while you and Victoria honeymoon.” She glanced over at my bride. “Do you think she’ll be willing to part with the stone?”

  “I know she will. She wants everyone else to be able to shift at will—her heart breaks for the wolfborns. I haven’t seen her stroke or hold it since you guys took care of Fen. Getting rid of him must’ve somehow played into her draw toward it.”

  Gessilyn gave me a knowing look and shook her head. “It’s because you two are married—she now has everything she’s ever wanted or needed.”

  Chapter 135

  Victoria

  Carter smiled at me as we spun around the dance floor. “I’m really happy for you, Victoria. I know we have…” He paused, clearly struggling to find the right word. “Our past, but I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy. I can’t lie and say I didn’t want that to be with me, but it’s obvious you two are meant for each other. And he treats you like gold, which you deserve. If he didn’t…” Carter’s expression stiffened.

  “I’m so glad you’re part of the pack. Your friendship means the world to me. I wish my love for Toby hadn’t hurt you, though.”

  “We have our fathers to thank for that. Anyway, onto happier topics. Are you guys traveling after this?”

  “Somewhere,” I said. “But it’s a mystery to me. When Toby wants something to be a surprise, it never slips.”

  “Well, I hope you have the time of your life. Meanwhile, I’ll be trying to figure out a mystery of my own.”

  I tilted my head, curious. “The jaguars you’ve smelled around town?”

  He nodded. “It worries me, even though nothing has happened yet.”

  “You can’t tell who they are?”

  “One. A lone female. Jaguar shifters never travel alone, especially females. Something has to be wrong.”

  I squeezed his hand. “Our entire family has your back.”

  He smiled. “I appreciate that.”

  The music stopped as the song ended. Carter smiled at me and kissed the back of my hand. “My most heartfelt congratulations to you and your husband.” He stepped away and disappeared into the crowd.

  “How’s he holding up?” Toby asked from behind.

  “He seems genuinely happy for us.”

  Toby draped his arms over my shoulders and rested his head against mine. “I hope he finds love. He really is a good guy.”

  I kissed his cheek. “I’m glad the two of you can get along so well now.”

  “It’s easy for me—I won the prize.”

  “Prize?” I exclaimed, stepping away. “I’m not a prize to be won.”

  He laughed, appearing thoroughly amused.

  “Stop teasing your wife.”

  Toby threw his head back. “Don’t expect that to stop anytime soon.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Let’s dance.”

  We spun around the dance floor for the next hour, laughing and losing track of time. The music stopped and the band gathered at the bar.

  “Time for cake!” Soleil clapped. “Everyone gather around.”

  Toby and I headed for the table. People cheered—some calling for us to smash cake in each other’s faces. I glanced at Toby. Would we do that, or feed it to each other sweetly?

  “Hey.” He laughed. “I’m not sure I like that look in your eyes.”

  I tilted my head. “And I can’t say I trust your devious expression.”

  “I don’t have—”

  Soleil grabbed our arms and yanked us behind the table. She held up an intricately decorated knife. “You two cut the first piece together. Then feed it to each other, or smash it, or whatever. Ready?”

  Toby took the knife from her. “I am.”

  “Cameras?” Soleil glanced around the crowd.

  Cell phones shot up into the air.

  Excitement and nervousness both pulsated through me as I placed my hand on top of Toby’s. Together we sliced through the bottom layer of the tall, beautiful flowered cake.

  Were those real flowers? I’d told my mother what I had in mind, but she hadn’t mentioned anything about fresh-picked flowers. Either way, it was breathtaking.

  Toby and I sliced again, carving a fairly large piece.

  Soleil reached over and slid a plate next to it. “Forks or fingers?”

  The corners of Toby’s mouth twitched. Was he planning to smash it in my face, or thinking I might? I couldn’t let him get me first. I reached for the slice, pulled off some off the top with a good amount of frosting. His eyes widened. Not giving him a chance to react, I smashed it over his mouth and nose. Frosting pressed between my fingers and dripped onto the floor, some getting on his tie.

  I doubled over in laughter, covering my mouth with my frosting covered hand. He wiped his mouth and laughed before grabbing the entire rest of our piece of cake. I gasped and stepped back, still laughing. He took a large step, aiming the fistful of cake at me. I shrieked and hid behind Soleil.

  “Oh, no you don’t!” She ran to the other side of the table.

  Toby stood in front of me, laughing and holding the cake like a pitcher ready to strike out his opposition. I held my hands up in surrender. “You win.”

  “Not until…” He reached for me, and all I could do was close my eyes. But instead of cool, gooey icing, I felt the warmth of his lips on mine. I kissed him back, tasting the sweet vanilla. He pulled away, and I opened my eyes.

  Toby winked and took a bite of the cake in his hand. He held it out to me. I stepped closer, hoping it wasn’t a trick, and took a bite. He didn’t smash it. In fact, he took another bite. Our mouths met again, and he gave me another kiss.

  “At least one of us is nice,” he teased.

  I burst out laughing.

  Soleil handed us damp hand towels, and we got cleaned up before cutting the rest of the cake and passing it out to our guests. Before long, dancing resumed.

  After a while, Tap’s sisters brought out a breakfast spread, full of every imaginable morning food and beverage.

  “Hungry?” Toby asked as we glided across the dance floor.

  “I think I filled up on frosting.” I tapped his nose and gave a playful smirk.

  “Actually, I think I’m the one who did.” He wiggled his nose. “In fact, I still have some way up my nose.”

  “Saving it for later?”

  He snorted. “Ow. Yeah, saving it for you.”

  “Nice.” I gave him a playful shove.

  Toby grinned at me, his eyes shining. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”

  “I definitely haven’t.” We stared deep into each other’s eyes until the smells of bacon, eggs, sausage, muffins, syrup, and a mix of pastries grew to be too much. “I think I am hungry.”