Vane came forward and pulled Bride into his arms. "Thank you," he said, hugging her close. "When Kyle told me my mother was up here with you…"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and let the love she felt for him wash over her. "I wasn't about to let her hurt you."
Ash shooed everyone out of the room so that they could kiss in private.
After a few minutes, Vane flashed them from Carson's office, back to Sanctuary. Stefan was sitting up in a chair, looking a bit dazed and still bleeding.
The poor wolf. But he would live.
Someone started playing "Sweet Home Alabama."
"You're too late," Colt shouted. "We already know Ash is here."
"So," Ash said, strolling over to Vane and Bride. "Who are you going to support to take over your pack?"
"Not my concern. I was exiled."
"Yeah, but since Markus will be gone in about, oh, an hour, they'll need someone to lead them."
Vane looked at Stefan, who had wanted the pack for years. Unfortunately, the wolf was an idiot, hence his attempted pact with Vane's mother.
His gaze went to Fury and Cujo.
"Fury?" Vane called out. "How do you feel about leading a pack of wolves?"
A sly smile spread over his face. "I'd love to."
"Bullshit," Stefan snarled as he tried to rise to his feet. He was still too weak. "He's not strong enough to hold the pack."
Vane looked at his brother, then Stefan. "Yes he is. Because I know my brother is going to relocate the pack back here to New Orleans."
"I'll never stand for it," Stefan snarled.
"You can't stand at all, dickhead," Fury retorted.
Vane ignored Fury's outburst. "Yes you will. If you don't, you and I are going to go the distance." Vane withdrew his spell and let his markings show on his face.
Stefan turned even paler.
"Any questions?"
Stefan turned to Fury and shook his head. "Do you want me to start the move back?"
Fury's grin turned wicked. "I would say yes, but you look like the only thing you can start is bleeding. I'll take care of the pack. Carson, want to help Stefan upstairs before he collapses?"
Carson nodded, then flashed out of the room with Stefan.
Fury came forward. "Thanks, Vane."
"No problem. You've earned it and you definitely deserve it more than any of the others."
Bride couldn't have been prouder of Vane than she was at that moment.
"Food!"
Bride turned at the happy cry from a voice she recognized.
Ash's friend Simi came through the door with a beaming smile. Her long black hair was plaited on each side of her face and she had a shiny pair of red horns on her head. She wore a short black PVC skirt with purple and black striped thigh-high leggings that vanished into a pair of scuffed combat boots. She had on a fishnet shirt and a tight red bodice.
Bride noticed that several members of the bear clan had strained looks on their faces.
"Okay, Vane," she asked quietly. "What is Simi? Animal, vegetable, or mineral?"
"Other," he said with a laugh. "She's a demon. Literally."
"Someone count the cubs," Dev shouted.
"Oh pooh," Simi said to him. "I'm not going to eat no furry food while you gots the good stuff." She opened up the large black tote bag she carried and pulled out an extra large bottle of barbecue sauce.
Simi bobbed her way through the crowd until she saw Bride. She shrieked in happiness. "You play here now too, Bridie? You got any of those great sparklies with you?"
"No, Simi. They're in my shop."
The girl pouted, then turned to Ash. "Akri? Can we go visit Bridie's shop again?"
"Sure, Simi. But not today. Bride's here and not there."
"Oh. Okay. Can the Simi buy everything she wants?"
"Of course."
Simi grinned widely, then jumped up and down like a small child. "Okay, everybody dance! You, too, akri."
Suddenly, the Macarena started to play. Everyone in the bar groaned, except Simi, who laughed happily. She grabbed Ash's hand and pulled him to the dance floor.
"Everybody now!" Simi said.
Slowly the rest of the bar's inhabitants made their way to the dance floor.
Bride was stunned when Vane took her hand to lead her to the floor.
"Vane…"
"When Simi says dance, everybody dances."
"Like hell," one of the surlier brunette men snarled from his chair at the table beside them. "I dance for no one."
No sooner had he spoken than he jumped up and started patting at his groin as if it were on fire.
"Damn you, Ash," he snarled.
Ash smirked. "The lady says dance, Justin. Get your panther ass out here."
Bride laughed as everyone, including Ash, started doing the Macarena. This had to be the strangest moment of her life.