she smells delicious,” he growled.

“You can scent her over the roses?” Miko asked Ridge.

Ridge nodded.

They stayed standing until the rest of the wedding party made it to the front and the priest instructed them to have a seat. Ridge had to adjust his dick, which was extremely difficult in the tight confines of his jeans. He toward the males standing with the groom, not liking the way one kept staring at Noelle. His leopard raked at him to remove the interloper. From where he sat, he could tell the male was human and could see his interest in Noelle was more than just that of a groomsman. His mate didn’t seem to notice; her eyes stayed on the priest or her sister. There was tension in the air, but he couldn’t figure out the reason. What he did know was he wasn’t going to allow the male anywhere near his mate.

He thought he’d relax when the priest announced Merry and Carlton husband and wife, but then it was time for Noelle to head back down the aisle. She had to walk with the fucker who kept eyefucking her. The unease she felt with the male was clear, her posture stiffer than if she’d been prodded with a rod. Ridge instantly knew Noelle didn’t like the male for some reason. His leopard didn’t appreciate the male’s hand on her, and then he nearly leapt out of his seat at the possessive way the human jerked Noelle back to him when she tried to move away.

“I’ll kill him,” he vowed.

“Easy, Ridge. He’s human.” Miko put his body between Ridge and the aisle.

“Get out of my way, Miko. You don’t want to fuck with me right now.” Ridge glared down at his friend.

Miko shook his head. “I don’t want to fuck with you, but I also know you don’t want to kill a human in front of all these humans,” he whispered close to Ridge’s ear.

Ridge took a deep breath. Knowing Miko spoke the truth didn’t make it any easier to swallow the fact his mate was walking away with a male she didn’t want to touch her. “I don’t care what rules there are. We are following, now.”

After the last of the bridesmaids and the groomsmen trailed down, Miko moved out, allowing Ridge to stalk after the group. There were murmurs from the aisles. An elderly woman tried to stop him, but Ridge nodded at her and said, “Gotta piss,” and kept moving.

Miko’s snort was accompanied by the woman’s words of, ‘Why I never.’ But he gave no care to any of them. His mate needed him.

Chapter Five

NOELLE GRIT HER TEETH until they got out of the church. She allowed Jerard to hold onto her arm through the procession even though it was like being bitten by a rattler. Once they were outside, she shook him off of her, ignoring his glare. She pretended to smooth the fabric of the too-floofy dress. Her sister thought she was being crafty or bitchy making her wear a dress that would’ve been better on a child, but Noelle didn’t complain, not once. The pink confection was fine. She wore it without complaint, just like the green-puke dress. Merry was being a total bridezilla, and again, it was fine. She had a couple hours left of the wedding festivities and then she could escape. Goddess, she was tired of fake smiling and pleasantries.

“Why are you such a tease?” Jerard asked, standing too close for her comfort.

Noelle stared up at him, shocked at his question. “A tease? How have I teased you?” she asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to upset the wedding party while her sister and Carlton took some pictures.

Jerard lifted his hand, one finger trailing down her arm. Noelle slapped him away, ignoring his frown.

“Don’t,” she bit out.

“You should really be nicer to me. I’m going to be family, Noelle.” Jerard lifted his arm again.

“I think the lady asked you not to touch her, asshole.”

Noelle tried not to sigh too loud, but it had been too long since she’d heard that sexy voice. “Ridge, what are doing here?”

“Excuse me, but who the fuck are you?” Jerard tried to shake Ridge’s hold off of him.

Ridge laughed. The sound made her body react in a way it never had to any other man. “I’m her date and the man who will break your damn arm if you so much as think to touch her again, feel me?”

Jerard took in Ridge and Noelle. “Really, Noelle. You sunk pretty low, but I guess that’s due to your...upbringing.” He turned away from her.

HE WATCHED NOELLE’S lip quiver before she straightened her shoulders. “Really, Ridge, what’re you doing here?”

Before he could say anything, a woman who appeared to be in charge clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone, get in a line so you can greet the guests. Come on, people. Afterward you can head to the hall and have fun.”

Merry and Carlton were kissing and laughing while Jerard the dick was glaring daggers at Noelle.

“Do you have to stand by that asshole?” He nudged her chin up, making her meet him in the eye.

“I don’t think so. I just want this over.” Noelle licked her lips, taking the gloss off.

Ridge ran his thumb over her bottom lip, loving the moisture he felt. “I’ll stand behind you. Trust me, Katjie. He won’t fuck with you in my presence.” He didn’t tell her he’d make damn sure he never fucked with her ever again. That would come. For now, he’d reassure her in a way she’d accept.

“Come on, Noelle. I need you to do your job. God, you’re the worst maid of honor, ever.” Merry tossed the words out, complete disdain coloring her tone and face.

Ridge wanted to bite the older girl as he saw the way her words hurt Noelle. What an utter bitch.

It took forever for the guests to file out. Noelle smiled, hugging those who came by. Merry accepted the congratulations like they were her

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