Page 54 of A Malicious Menagerie (Fangs & Fables #1)

My dress is simple, with a sweetheart neckline and lace overlay. Certainly nothing that Mathis would have chosen for me to wear to one of his galas, which makes it all the better. Plus, it has pockets.

The town square is alive with activity, everyone turning out to be part of our big day, which is especially touching when you remember that werewolves have absolutely no sentimental attachment to weddings.

There are chairs set up for people to sit and watch the ceremony, but several guests have decided to attend in wolf form.

I like that they add a touch of something wild and otherworldly to the proceedings.

There’s an arch trellis set up in front of the town hall, its frame teeming with a rainbow of wildflowers whose names I’ve committed to learning since making Alaska my home over the past six months.

Not native but a concession to my own tastes is the English ivy that twines and dangles between the flowers like jade beads.

And beneath that trellis, waiting in the suit that I know he hates but have never once heard him complain about, is my husband-to-be.

And maybe it’s not quite the wedding I dreamed of when I was young, but that’s just fine, because this… It’s infinitely better.

Nan has the picture of my mother and one of my father’s old flannel shirts under my bouquet in her lap, our way of having them both with us today. It’s a little unconventional, walking her down the aisle instead of the other way around, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My bridesmaids, Chase’s sisters Laurel and Tori, file down the aisle ahead of me in their green gowns, a perfect match to the ivy overhead.

Laurel gives one of the groomsmen, her mate, a saucy wink before taking her place.

Tori, as always, is full of boundless energy and enthusiasm, and she bounces on her toes in her low heels while giving her parents a quick wave.

As I follow behind them, my eyes can’t help but gravitate to Chase.

He may be wearing a suit, but he forewent the tie.

Still, I like the view of the hollow of his throat a lot more than I would have liked a silk knot.

He shaved for the occasion, which is rare for him, and I trace his jawline with my eyes the way I want to with my lips later.

When I glance up, his gaze is heated, and I know he’s having similar thoughts.

I give him a knowing smirk before turning my attention back to the task at hand.

When Nan and I reach the end of the aisle, I lean down to kiss her cheek.

She gives mine a fond pat before an elderly werewolf named Beau stands to maneuver her chair into the space left open beside his seat.

The dapper older man gives her a wink, and she beams at him, her blush pronounced against her fair skin and white hair.

Seeing them together always makes me smile.

You’re never too old for love. Besides, a wise woman once told me that love is rare and precious, and it needs to be protected at all costs.

It seems only fitting that same woman should find her own happily ever after.

Once I take my bouquet of wildflowers and trailing ivy from Nan, I take my place across from Chase, unable to keep from grinning up at him.

I always thought I would be nervous on my wedding day, but I’ve never felt more at peace.

If the fond way Chase is looking at me is any indication, he feels the same.

Our officiant is Chase’s friend Garrett, who got ordained specifically for this event. He clears his throat and peers down at his notes. Since he’s never attended a wedding before, I know he’s nervous about doing a good job, but his voice is smooth and confident as he reads out, “Dearly beloved…”

The vows are short and sweet, which is good, because I’m a little worried that Chase might melt my dress off my body with the heat in his gaze. Honestly, as hot and bothered as I am, it takes me a beat longer than it should to remember my line. “I do.”

We exchange rings, a simple rose gold band for me and black tungsten for him. I like the look of them together, so different but somehow complementary, just like us.

“Then, with the power vested in me by the state of Alaska, I now pronounce you wolf and wife.” He grins, and I laugh, delighted at the turn of phrase. “You may kiss the bride.”

The words are barely out of his mouth when Chase swoops me up and captures my mouth in a searing kiss. There’s clapping and wolf whistles, and I’m both laughing and blushing when I pull back to tell my husband, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he murmurs, leaning down to kiss me once more before hands tug us away to start the dancing and dinner.

* * *

A few hours later, I find myself standing at the edge of the square with a glass of champagne forgotten in my hand.

I’ve spent the past few minutes just watching our guests chatting and laughing together.

This is our pack— mine, Chase’s, and Nan’s.

And I can’t help thinking of the pack of sorts that I left behind.

Is everyone from the menagerie okay, or did Mathis find them? Did Nathan get fired from FABLE for helping me? Are Delia and Fionn safe? Did Colby and Ciara find a way to be together? And did Rory ever find the woman he was looking for? So many questions with no answers.

Then, I think of my letter. As Nan and I settled into the pack six months ago, the secrets I learned at the gala that last night in the menagerie began weighing on me.

Finally, I decided that I had to find a way to get the information to Nathan.

I still had the card he gave me that day at Sunny Shores.

I couldn’t risk anyone intercepting the information — after all, Mathis is still out there.

So, I spent a couple of weeks encrypting what I’d learned before sending it as a letter .

Here’s hoping Nathan has some fancy tech through FABLE to decode it faster than it took me to write it. And also that Nathan actually read those classics that decorated his office.

Suddenly, Chase appears in front of me. I blink up at him, trying to pull myself from my dark thoughts. “Hey,” he says softly. His expression is gentle. “What are you doing all the way over here by yourself?”

“I’m fine,” I reassure him, sipping some lukewarm champagne to prove my point. “Just thinking.”

He doesn’t need to ask about what. “I’m sure they’re all safe.”

“You can’t know that,” I sigh, the uncertainty eating away at me.

“You’ve done all you can do,” he says softly. “You got them out. You got me out. You sent the information to Nathan. And you know he and Colby will do what they can to keep them safe.”

“I know. Still.” I shrug. “I wonder.”

Suddenly, his smile grows into a smirk, one deep dimple coming out to play. “What I wonder is if the wedding night is actually a thing. Isn’t that a big human ritual?”

I roll my eyes, knowing he’s trying to distract me and grateful for it. “Saying ‘ritual’ makes it sound like we’re going to be sacrificing chickens, not having sex. Besides, every night is a wedding night with you.”

“Then why break tradition?” Before I can blink, Chase scoops me up into his arms. I squeak as I throw my arms around his neck, then laugh as he carries me toward our cabin, heedless of the cat calls and cheers. “How much wolf do you want?” he murmurs huskily in my ear.

“Surprise me,” I whisper back, and his low chuckle promises all kinds of debauchery.

This close, I can smell his familiar scent, pine and fur, and see his scars peeking out from his open collar.

Before, looking at his scars would make my chest feel tight, remembering the night Mathis tortured him for his guest’s entertainment.

Now, they’re just a part of him, somehow dear for the fact that every moment, good and bad, led us to now.

Like the way I once described the werewolf shift: gruesome, but kind of beautiful.

Maybe that’s just life.