Page 102 of Hunted

“I love your sister more than the air I breathe. Which is why I’d never do anything to hurt the ride or die sisterhood. I know what you went through taking care of her when your dad couldn’t. I respect the hell out of you for it. Trust that I’m in her corner and yours, Hayden. Give me a chance like you have the rest of my brothers.”

Ethan came around me with a handkerchief, which he handed to Hayden, kissing her cheek.

“She loves you.” Hayden dabbed at her eyes. “And when Ellie loves someone, she loves them fiercely. Never take that for granted.”

“You have my word.”

Hayden drew a shaky breath. “Take care of her.”

And I knew in that moment, Hayden Crowe and I were going to be okay.

Ellie reached me. I took her hand, saw my initials tattooed on her ring finger where we’d had the ink done the night before. She traced her thumb over the E.C. on my fourth finger, next to a tiny white rabbit, and smiled as the music stopped and we turned to face Brody.

Proud of you, Riv, he said silently, before addressing the crowd.

“I’m honored to be officiating Ellie and River’s mating ceremony today, and even happier to be officially welcoming Ellie into our family and pack. When I think about family and pack, about strong marriages and matings, what comes to mind is our commitment to stand by each other not only when times are good, but also when our allies come to us in need. In sickness and in health. In troubled times and in times of celebration.”

I lifted Ellie’s hand to my lips.

Brody continued. “I know many of you are aware of the announcement that is coming later today. I couldn’t be prouder to offer my official blessing as Alpha of the Blood Moon pack to this mating.”

* * *

AS WITH ANY CALDWELL FAMILY FUNCTION, the food was completely over the top. The Spoke had done the catering. Dallas had personally slow smoked black Angus beef brisket, tender pork ribs, and grilled tofu burgers topped with his signature aged smoked gouda and The Spoke’s house barbecue sauce. I had two. They were absolutely delicious. For sides, there were red potatoes drizzled in olive oil and roasted with Italian herbs, fresh green beans cooked in butter, plus fresh crusty sourdough bread Blair’s Bakery had baked that morning. And as an appetizer—

Ellie: Dallas, the spinach artichoke dip is so good.

August: It actually is. And by good, I mean that you can hardly taste the kale.

West: Much better than last month’s attempt. What was that, kale pesto?

Ellie: I loved that one!

Dallas: River, I’ll say it again. You married up.

River: Damn straight.

Vlad: You’re thinking of the kale lasagna, which everyone kept trying to feed Major under the table until Brody went all scary Alpha and threatened to send London to hunt us down if the golden menace got sick.

Lacey: Babe, I’m with Ellie. The spinach artichoke dip is really good. It should definitely go on The Spoke’s rotating specials as an appetizer.

Dallas: Thanks, y’all. Excluding those of my brothers and unnamed vampires who can bite me.

Vlad: Anytime.

Having Ellie’s fingers laced through mine as we mingled our way through the large tent set up outside to host the reception for our friends and family was the best feeling in the world. Fallon stopped by briefly to congratulate us.

“You look absolutely gorgeous,” she said, hugging Ellie. “I love that dress.”

“Thank you.”

“Mommy.” An impatient Jonah tugged on her hand, clawing at the neck of his button down. “You promised.”

“Please don’t yank on my arm. That hurts.” Fallon flashed us an apologetic smile. “Cal was going to take him to run off some energy and feed Angus and Petunia apple slices before it’s time for cake.”

“Well, can’t miss that.” I smiled at Jonah. “And Angus and Petunia really love apple slices. Brody has them so spoiled they’ll barely eat grass.”

Angus and Petunia were two of the Caldwell longhorn cattle. They’d been bottle raised as calves and were sweet as kittens. Petunia had the cow-sense most days to remember she was twelve hundred pounds of big animal and sharp scary horns, and could hurt someone even if she meant well, but I had to constantly remind Angus he couldn’t just moo and charge into my lap for a cuddle whenever I came over to the fence to pet him.