But what stunned her most was how incredibly attractive everyone there was. Jeez! It looked like a model revue.
Bride felt extremely intimidated.
"Vane," a tall, gorgeous blond man said as he came over to them. "We were wondering if you'd make it."
"Hey, Dev."
Bride noticed two more "Devs" who entered the room, carrying more food.
"We're quadruplets," Dev said with a wicked grin. "You can tell me by this." He pulled his T-shirt sleeve up to show her a bow-and-arrow tattoo, then he pointed out his brothers. "The mean-looking one holding the gumbo is Remi. The bashful one over there with the bear cub in his lap is Quinn, and Cherif is the one holding the platter of crab legs. Don't worry if you can't remember who's who, just yell 'quad' and we'll answer."
He seemed very friendly and open.
"I'm Bride," she said, holding out her hand to him. "Nice meeting you."
As he shook her hand, another attractive blond man appeared behind Vane. He growled low in his throat, reminding her of a wolf.
"Don't even think about it, Sasha," Vane growled back, giving the man a lethal stare. "I'm in no mood for your shit."
"Wolves," Dev said to Bride. "The alphas have to do that dominance crap whenever they see each other. See, me, I'm a bear. We get along with most anyone. Unless you mess with us, then we rip your head off."
Dev inclined his head to Sasha. "Why don't you go help Papa bring out the kegs?"
Sasha came over and sniffed at Bride. He appeared to calm a degree before he looked back at Vane. "Sure, Dev. I wouldn't want to embarrass Vane in front of his mate by defeating him."
Vane took a step toward him until Dev cut him off.
"Go, Sasha," Dev said sternly.
Sasha finally left.
Dev took a deep breath and grinned at her. "You should have tried a bear, Bride. Then you wouldn't have to worry about this."
"It's all right. I'm rather fond of wolves." She watched as Sasha neared Fury.
Fury came instantly to his feet with a snarl so sinister that it actually scared her. Always easygoing and a bit inept, she'd had no idea that Fury could look like that.
He was truly frightening in his wolf persona.
"Wolves apart!" a tall, slender woman said in a French accent as she came between them. "Or else I shall throw water on you both."
Remi appeared by her side. "Do you need help, maman?"
"Not from you, cher," she said, patting him kindly on the arm. "Go and help Jose in the kitchen."
Remi gave the wolves a warning glare before he obeyed his mother.
Once Sasha and Fury had some distance between them, the woman came over to her and Vane.
"There you are at last." She kissed Vane on his cheek, then turned to Bride. "I am Nicolette, but most people call me Mama."
"Bride," she said, shaking the bear's hand.
Nicolette smiled up at Vane. "She is beautiful, mon petit loup. You have done well for yourself."
"Merci, Nicolette."
"Come," she said, gesturing them further into the room. "Vane, introduce your mate to our people while I make sure my sons do not fight. And have no fear if you can't remember our names, Bride. There is but one of you while we are many. You will learn them all in time."
Bride thanked her, then Vane took her around the room and introduced her to lions, tigers, bears, hawks, jackals, and leopards. Even a couple of humans were there.
Nicolette was right. She couldn't keep straight who was who or what. Since there were only a handful of women, most of them mates for the men, they were easier to remember. But the men… it was enough to make her head spin.
"Where's Fang?" she asked as Vane finished introducing her to the people in the kitchen.
"He's upstairs. C'mon and I'll introduce you to him next."
Vane led her through a door that opened out into a grand Victorian parlor.
Bride paused at the sight of it. Plush and decorated with antiques, the house was stunning.
"This is Peltier House," Vane explained. "The Were-Hunters live on this side of things where we're safe from discovery."
"It's beautiful."
"Merci," Nicolette said from behind them. "It has been our home for more than a century now. It is our goal to keep it so."
"How can you do that without anyone finding out who and what you are?"
"We have our ways, chérie," she said with a wink. "Magic does have its benefits." She handed Vane a small votive candle.
Vane saw that the glass container had the name "Anya" engraved on it. His heart ached at the sight of it.
"We always remember our loved ones who are gone," Nicolette explained. "Since Fang cannot honor Anya, I thought you might want to."