Pacific Northwest Werebears(103)

“You’re having a baby?” Conner whispered to his brother.

“We’re having a baby,” he said laughing.

Conner grabbed his brother and gave him a huge hug. He knew how much Wyatt wanted to start a family and now he was going to be a dad.

“I’m gonna be an uncle, twice!” Conner yelled. He saw his parents turning from the pastor to laugh at him.

“Yes dear, we’re all very excited,” his mother chided.

Conner turned and swept Jinger up in a hug, swinging her around.

“Hey be careful with that!” Wyatt called out.

Conner set a laughing Jinger down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations,” he said to her quietly.

“Thank you,” she said blushing. “Please don’t tell anyone else. This is Sophie’s day and I don’t want any attention taken from that.”

Jinger, always the sweet one. “You bet, but later we are celebrating my little soon-to-be niece or nephew properly,” Conner said.

“Sounds like a plan,” Wyatt said, slapping his brother on his back.

Mackenzie had moved off towards his parents and he didn’t have a chance to talk to her until after the ceremony.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The little chapel was packed to the brim with bears and a few humans thrown in. They had closed the doors as the town car pulled up. Both Conner and Wyatt were standing as best men, while Jinger and Mackenzie were Sophie’s bridesmaids.

Cage, Conner noticed, had started to sweat. Conner thought this was strange as they were already mated and bonded. This was just a human ceremony. One that could actually be broken legally if both parties changed their minds. Unlike mating which there was no turning back from.

As the doors at the end of the aisle swung open. Conner started to figure it out. Floating down the aisle, on the arm of her father, was a vision. Sophie had chosen an ivory colored off the shoulder lace gown that fit over her curves and showed off the little bump of her belly. Which her parents just assumed was weight gain. Sophie was going to let them think that for a while longer.

She’d chosen a sheer veil edged in lace and covered her down to her waist. She’d left her chocolate brown hair down in curling waves around her shoulders. But what made her truly beautiful was the look in her eyes as she looked at Cage.

The pure love, absolute devotion, and an uncompromising promise were all shining out from her. And Conner understood when he heard his brother’s breath hitch more than once. He glanced way from the bride to see his brother grinning bigger than he’d ever seen. He also couldn’t ever remember his brother having tears in his eyes.

The big Kodiak Alpha was laid low by his bride.

After the final I do’s they all gathered for pictures outside the church as the rest of the guests mingled with cocktails. There was a large white tent set up in a grassy area where most of the guests had migrated to.

Once the pictures were finished the party really started. A band was set up at one end of the tent and after everyone had stuffed themselves on Sophie and Cage’s eclectic menu, the dancing began.

Conner kept his eye on Mackenzie as the night progressed. She mingled through the crowd, talking to most of the clan. Some of them she’d met years ago. When finally a slow song came up, Conner took a chance.

Walking up behind her, she turned sensing him as he approached. He held out his hand to her and she hesitated before she took it.

Conner walked her out to the dance floor and wrapped her in his arms.

Mackenzie really, really wanted to resist, but he smelled so good and felt even better. She sank into his embrace, hoping she wouldn’t regret it later when she had to work him out of her system again.

Breathing in her scent, he let his cheek rest against her hair tucking her into his chest. Speaking quietly to her he said, “I’ve missed you.”

She didn’t say it back, but her grip on him tightened.

“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I wish I could take it all back. I think about what my life, or your life, would be like right now if you hadn’t come up with your brother. I know that sounds bad, but at least I know you’d be happy still. Wondering who your mate might be. Planning for your future. Instead, you got me,” he said.

“I was planning for my future, Conner. I was dreaming of what could be. The problem is you think I’ve stopped. You think I’ve given up on you. I haven’t. I’m willing to give you my future. But you have to want it. You have to fight for it. I can be strong, but only for me. I realize now, I can’t be strong for you. This will never work unless I have a mate that I can count on to be there for me. You can’t do that right now, I understand. But don’t think for a minute that I’ve given up,” she said, looking up at him so he could see how much she meant her words.