Pacific Northwest Werebears(84)

“Nope, not too happy,” Dax agreed.

Down the hall, the ladies were all swirling around Mackenzie who was sitting on the bed. They were all talking over each other and answering each other at the same time. It was very confusing.

“You have to help with the wedding plans!” Sophie squealed. “Cage and I are bonded, but we still need a wedding. My parents are flying in a few weeks early to get acquainted and let’s just say they are going to be in for a culture shock. Plus I’m doing a lot of the catering for the wedding so we’re having some big cooking days leading up to it. I would sure love an extra set of hands.”

“Uh, sure, I mean I’m no chef, but I can stir and chop,” Mackenzie offered lamely.

“Perfect! I’ll take anything I can get. Connie is all over the decorations and party rental stuff. Because we are having it here, I was able to keep most of my family back in England. Trust me, it’s better that way. Anywho, we are having it at the sweetest little chapel not far from here. Cage said it was built at the turn of the century as a place for the loggers to spend their Sundays. They haven’t had a regular minister there in years, but it’s available to use. We are setting up tables outside under the trees. I think it will be perfect!” Sophie chattered excitedly.

“It will be perfect. Of course if it had been a double wedding, we’d only have to rent the tables once,” Connie sighed.

“We’ve talked about this, Wyatt and I will let you know when we feel the need for a ceremony,” Jinger said. She was more than happy being mated to Wyatt. Enjoying their time together gave her parents the feeling of them just dating. Explaining a quickie marriage would have them freaking out.

Sophie’s family wasn’t at all surprised to get the call that she was marrying her boss. They sounded properly resigned to their non-conformist daughter’s shenanigans.

“I’d love to help out Sophie, if I’m still here,” Mackenzie couldn’t help but add.

“Of course you’ll be here sweetie, don’t you worry. We’ll get everything sorted in no time,” Connie assured.

Mackenzie nodded. “I’m really tired, it’s been a long day. If you don’t mind I’d like to go to sleep.”

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. Here we are yapping your ear off. Poor thing has had more than enough excitement. Let’s go girls; we’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well Kenzi,” Connie said, leaning over and giving her a motherly kiss on her head.

Sophie and Jinger called out their goodbyes and left her to her thoughts. Her cat was anxious and upset. She didn’t blame her. She wanted to head outside and let her animal run, but she didn’t know the area, and to be honest, she was exhausted. Maybe after a good night’s rest, Conner would come to his senses.





Chapter 8




The next morning brought fluffy pancakes as big as a plate, covered in lemon juice and powdered sugar, but no Conner.

The family tried to keep up a light banter, everyone ignoring the fact that Conner was markedly absent.

Mackenzie insisted on heading out to the base camp with Dax. They both scoured the area, trying to pick up the scent of Tony. They got nothing. Wyatt offered to take them up to the current cut site and Dax agreed that they were getting nowhere at the current location.

The drive up the mountain was helpful. Mackenzie rolled down the window and let the fresh pine-scented breeze wash over her.

“Wyatt, where is a good place to run? My cat sure could use a break,” she asked.

“Anywhere around our cabins is good. We have two hundred acres that butts up against government land. There is no hunting out here, but I’d be careful just the same. It’s not unheard of for someone to poach out here,” Wyatt warned.

“We’ll go together, huh sis,” Dax said looking back at her.

“Sure, that’d be nice.” Heading off for a hard run with Dax did sound nice. It was something to look forward to later.

“It’s nice here, smells good,” she remarked.

“I’m sure California is nice too,” Wyatt offered.

“Oh it’s nice all right. But sometimes it all feels a little too….” She searched for the right word.

“Tame?” Dax offered with a knowing smile.

“Yes brother, tame,” she said with a small chuckle.

“Oh, I see, so you’re the wild one in the family?” Wyatt teased.

“Hmm, not so much wild as unwilling to be squashed into a mold not of my making,” Mackenzie offered.

“Ahh, very diplomatic response. Mother would be proud,” Dax snarked.

“Speaking of mother, oh great and mighty Alpha, have you called her?” Mackenzie decided to poke the lion so to speak.