the drama had dwindled to just Grandmammy and the pack’s weird, toothless dog, Fang. Raven stayed annoyed at the dog because it constantly barked at him every time he entered the same room. He wished he could say he hated the dog, but the truth was, he had developed a liking for the whistling canine.
Rose’s parents didn’t allow her to spend time alone with Raven at his living quarters, so most of their time was spent at her home and with her family. They had fully accepted him, and this pleased him more than anything else.
A few months later, one night after dinner with her family, Raven took Sophia to the library where they could be alone. He had made sure everyone knew to clear out beforehand. He was nervous, and he thought she could sense it.
Sophia took Raven’s hand in hers, rubbing it softly with her thumb. “Raven, is everything okay? You seem anxious about something. Is it Eli? I’ve noticed that he’s been sneaking off a lot lately. Have you noticed too? Is that what’s bothering you?”
He shook his head. “No. I mean, yes, I have noticed, but I am not worried about him. I think perhaps he has set his sights on a particular young woman. Although, I cannot be totally sure.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s good. I guess.”
Raven found his nerve. He faced Sophia and knelt in front of her, his eyes becoming moist instantly. “Sophia, you must know that I adore you with all that is in me. I felt dead inside before I met you, but now I feel alive again. And that is all due to you. I want to spend every moment of my future with you. Please, say that you will become my bride—my real bride. Sophia Rose Jameson, will you marry me?”
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes growing wide as she processed what he was asking. She swallowed hard and then squealed. “Yes, yes, yes! Of course, I’ll marry you!”
Raven pulled her up into his arms and swung her around. Before she could say a word, he was kissing her with all the passion he had held at bay since their very first meeting. His lips moved over hers with purpose, but he somehow managed to restrain himself, although it was the hardest thing he had ever done. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted anyone, but their time would come…and soon.
Rose felt him restraining himself from giving in to her fully. He knew she wanted to wait until their wedding day to be intimate, and she knew he would honor that at all cost. He was an amazing man; a man with so much tenderness and vulnerability that he hid very well, but she knew it was there. She didn’t allow herself to worry too much about her future with him. She wanted children, but that was an unknown when it came to them. She also knew he was immortal and she wasn’t. Yes, she would age slower after mating, but no one really knew anything about what would happen with the mating of a vampire and a werewolf. Most things they would just have to discover together. And for now, that seemed just fine with her.
Chapter Ten
Raven’s dreams were coming true. In a few hours Sophia Rose Jameson would finally become his bride. He hadn’t believed this day would ever come. There was a time when he thought he was destined to live this cruel life alone—forever. But, as Charity’s God, and now his God, would have it, fate had dealt him a sweet hand, and one he would cherish with all he possessed. He would not mess this one up, and he would protect this woman, and his new life, with his own.
Rose had finally, but reluctantly, agreed to an outdoor/daytime wedding. Eli had let it slip that she’d always dreamed of a lovely, sunny outdoor wedding. He knew she had changed those dreams to accommodate him—to protect him. But he couldn’t have that. It was his job to protect her, not the other way around. Besides, they would actually be safer from his old coven of vampires if the wedding was during the daytime hours. His new, crazy wolf pack were sparing no expense in shielding him from any and all sun rays, including plans to drive him to the ceremony, located in the lovely Windrake Mountain Park, in the darkest tinted car he’d ever seen. Was it even legal for them to be that dark? He didn’t really care. As long as he made it to the site on time to marry the woman of his dreams.
Raven smiled as he thought of his new family. He never would have imagined this new life of his. He used to think that maybe he was crazy for even considering joining this pack, but now he knew better. He was just blessed, plain and simple.
He was still smiling, adjusting his tie in the mirror, when Charity burst into his room without even knocking. “Raven!”
He spun to face her, recognizing the fear possessing her lovely face. “What is it?” His gut twisted with dread.
“Rose is gone!”
He stiffened. “What do you mean ‘gone’?”
“I went into her room to help her finish dressing and she was gone! We’re searching the facility now!”
She flew from the room with Raven hot on her heels. She was fast, with her new powers given to her by the triplets within her, but too soon Raven blurred past in a whirlwind that caused her dark hair to whip around her.
Moments later, Levi and Eli had caught up to both of them and they were all searching every closet, corner, and doorway. They were just running through the lobby when they all came to an abrupt stop, recognizing laughter coming from the wing to the left. They peered around at each other in confusion before the realization dawned. In unison, they bolted down the hall and into the room, freezing at what they saw next. Rose was sitting at a table with, of all people, Grandmammy, laughing hysterically while Grandmammy topped off her tiny shot glass with a dark liquid they all recognized. And before any of them could stop her, she downed her drink with eagerness.
Raven turned paler, if that were possible.
“Grandmammy! What are you doing?” Levi, Charity, and Eli shouted in unison.
“Oh, just givin’ her a somethin’ to calm her nerves. She was shakin’ worse than a bloody stump in an alligator pond, she was. My moonshine will cure anythin’ from a cough to the flu, it will.”
Rose burst into a fit of giggles as she shoved her glass in for another refill.
“Oh no you don’t!” They all said, racing in to take her glass.
Raven finally snapped into action, taking Rose by the arm and pulling her up and into his arms. “Let us get you out of here.”
She stumbled, giggling as Charity took her other arm and together they led her out.
Rose peered up at Raven. “Oh, Raven, you look so handsome.” Then she did the unthinkable—she burst into tears.
Chapter Eleven
“Here, take this,” Charity said, shoving a bowl of popcorn in Raven’s arms. She knew he was addicted to the stuff.
Staring blankly into space, he shoveled the tasty snack into his mouth—one handful after another.
Okay, so the situation seemed serious, but Charity had been through worse. She could help these two
