A Cursed Embrace

just in time for their kiss. The small group of guests stood and applauded. After the kiss to end all kisses, Shayna skipped down the aisle, easily keeping up with her mate’s long strides. They were followed by Liam and Emme, then Aric, Taran, and Gemini.

Aric glanced at the newlyweds before meeting my eyes as he’d done so many times. He couldn’t hear my thoughts. But he knew my heart. Knew I loved him. Knew I always would. And it still didn’t matter. The demon lord’s destruction hadn’t dissolved the strain between us. It had only solidified Aric’s place in the resurrection of his kind.

My tears dripped faster as Aric followed the happy couple inside the chateau, where the reception was about to begin. I didn’t want to know a life without him. I didn’t want to wake without those powerful arms swathing me in protection. And I didn’t want a day to pass without meeting his grin with mine. But I would. Because I had no choice, and neither did he.

Danny squeezed my hand and kissed my cheek. He was gentle and sweet, unlike Bren, who grabbed me in a choke hold and dragged me down the aisle. “Come on, Ceel. Time to have fun!”

* * *

“If Helen of Troy’s face launched a thousand ships, Koda’s mug sank them.”

My muffled laughter joined the rest around the hall. Liam continued his toast unaffected, despite Koda’s narrowing eyes. “Koda was the baddest wolf around, well—next to me, of course.” Liam hiked up his pants before pointing around the room. “And Aric, and Gemini, and Heidi . . .” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Oh! and maybe that little girl in the pink dress in the back.”

Even Koda chuckled at that comment.

Liam’s eyes darted over to Shayna, his voice growing soft. “Then he meets this little thing who forever changed his world. Shayna, you smiled and skipped your way into his heart. And that is where you will remain for eternity. Thank you for coming into his life. . . .” He sighed and covered his eyes. “But most of all, thank you for finally getting him housebroken.”

Shayna’s kiss to her groom was probably the only thing that saved Liam’s ass. The couple had abandoned their seats at the head table to hang with us. We laughed a lot. It was just like the great moments we’d had at our house . . . once upon a time when Aric and I were still together.

I’d sat on Bren’s lap after Shayna and Koda chose my seat to make out on. They hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other. I supposed their near-death experience had brought them ever closer.

“You do realize the honeymoon hasn’t officially started?” Liam joked.

Koda growled at him, but then ignored him to continue kissing Shayna. From the bar, Heidi waved enthusiastically, happy to have been invited to the wedding. But how could we not have? After all, she’d saved Taran’s life.

“I’d like to butter her bun,” Bren muttered as he took a bite out of his roll.

“I think she can hear you,” Danny warned.

Bren rolled his eyes. “That’s the point, man.” He finished his meal, then hauled me onto the floor to slow- dance. We’d barely taken two steps when Aric asked to cut in. Bren shoved me into Aric’s arms when I hesitated. He also slapped my butt for good measure. I growled at him. He’d pay for that.

When Aric first held me, it felt awkward. It was like being thirteen at the seventh grade dance again. But as the familiar warmth encompassed us, I relaxed into his arms. I kept thinking we’d just dance until a fast song played. But then another slow song came on, followed by a few more. I used it as an excuse to hold Aric one last time. I guessed his thoughts mimicked mine, because he pulled me closer and caressed my back. Peace and security filled my soul once more, until one of the servers approached. “Excuse me, sir. There’s a woman outside who wants to see you. She claims to be your fiancee.”

I braced myself against Aric’s chest, waiting for him to release me for the last time. He continued to hold me as if the server hadn’t interrupted our dance, speaking in a soft murmur that carried the weight of our regret. “I never apologized to you about Barbara.”

I cringed from the sudden stab in my heart. “Aric, please don’t say her name. Knowing you’re with her every night is killing me.”

“Celia, I swear I haven’t touched her.” He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, placing his forehead gently against mine. “How can I make you understand?” he whispered. “I’m with her only because I have to be. I don’t get a choice. If I did, I’d choose you.” His lips brushed over mine. “You’re the one I want to marry. You’re the one I want to bear my children. You’re the one I want to grow old with. I love you, sweetness. I always have. I just can’t actually have you.”

And at those words my tigress wept. Aric’s tears fell on my cheeks, mixing with mine. I didn’t think the pain could get any worse, but then he kissed me.

What started out slow and tender quickly turned passionate and desperate.

“Aric!” Barbara yelled from the front of the hall.

I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, and our kiss intensified.

“Excuse me. This is a private party, and you are not invited,” Emme scolded.

“Get out of my way, little girl,” Barbara warned.

High heels stormed across the dance floor. I knew they were Taran’s even before she wigged out. “Wag more, bark less, bitch!”

Gemini spoke calmly. “Barbara, Aric is busy at the moment. I’m sure he’ll be with you soon enough.”

“I can see he’s busy, Gemini!”

I tried to pull away, not wanting a fight to break out at my sister’s wedding. Aric realized we couldn’t be together. And I did, too. This was our moment of weakness, one I clung to as long as I could. But now it was time to let go.

I broke away from his grasp and stepped back, though my arms ached with the need to hold him. “Things have changed, Aric. Not just for you, but for me as well.” I shuddered, dreading what I had to say. “I’ve made a decision. One I hope you’ll respect, and one I hope you’ll someday forgive me for.”

His ardor fused me in place while he struggled to control his ragged breaths. “What did you do?”

I stepped forward to touch his face. “I can’t explain it all now. Just know that I love you, no matter what happens.”

I kissed his lips quickly and shifted before he could stop me. I surfaced in the coat closet, although not alone. Heidi was there, naked. And so was Danny.

I slapped my hands over my eyes. Damn. She wasn’t even a librarian.

“Oh. Hi, Celia,” Heidi mumbled.

“Um, it’s not what you think,” Danny stammered.

“Oh, I think it is.” I bolted, not bothering to wait for Heidi to rise from her knees. The hostess grabbed me when she caught me sprinting red-faced from the closet.

“Eh, um. It is time for the bride and groom’s departure.”

I waved in acknowledgment and rushed outside, with Danny and Heidi tugging on their clothes behind me.

The guests had gathered on the front lawn. Shayna smiled upon seeing me and jumped into my arms. Her voice shook when she told me she loved me. As the oldest, I knew I should have told her something meaningful, but I couldn’t gather a single thought. Instead I simply told her I loved her, too.

Koda bent to kiss my cheek when I released her. I ambled back into Emme’s and Taran’s awaiting arms. Together we watched the ivory limo disappear past the swan-shaped bushes and into the late October sunset.

I kept my gaze ahead, trying my best to avoid eye contact with Aric, despite feeling the strong presence of his aura behind me. The moment had arrived. And though I’d asked Aric to forgive me, I knew he never would. Nor did I know whether I could forgive myself.

A black Hummer limo pulled in along the circled drive. Misha stepped out, strands of his long mane falling over sensual gray eyes. He leaned his newly regenerated arms on the doorframe. “Are you ready, kitten?”

I nodded and gave my teary sisters one last hug. There was scuffling behind me as the wolves struggled to hold back Aric. He called to me, but I couldn’t turn back. So instead I hurried into the limo to begin my new life with Misha.