Francesca crossed her arms. "I'm a stay-at-home wife Marci, exactly when and where would I see a shifter."
"I've failed as a mother." Her heels clicking as she walked around the front hall. "I'll take the blame for your slightly sheltered lives, but after Jeff came home blubbering about a shifter stealing his fiancé, I had to admit I was a bit curious. It turns out Caleb is a highly decorated veteran in the magical segments of the military. He saved some very powerful warlocks and has quite the reputation."
Marci looked up at him, confused. He looked down at his shoes. Alright, he might have a lot more to tell her, but they'd only known each other a few weeks.
"Caleb dear, Marci's been a little modest about her new catch. I can't say I'm thrilled that she broke from tradition, but I also looked into a bit more about shifters and well, perhaps I've been a little prejudiced."
He nearly fell back as Marci lost her balance into him. Quickly she stood up and straightened her already pristine shirt.
"Uh, Mother? Are you okay?"
Her mother nodded.
Hmm. Marci was right, her mother's hair didn't move at all.
"Quite dear. He's a very well known man. Imagine my surprise when Jeff made the announcement publicly to our coven and the head warlock burst out laughing. I was mortified at first, and then he stood up and said 'well I'm glad someone finally found that grumpy old bear.'"
Her mother ran a finger along the entry table and inspected it.
"We were all shocked, and then he stated that you, Caleb, had gone off the radar for a few years. Missed a few award ceremonies, a meeting with the President that kind of thing. He acted like Marci was the newest celebrity. Didn't you check your email for the electronic version of Witches Weekly? Indeed, dear, you are."
Caleb looked down at Marci and then back at her mother.
"I see." Her mother put her bag on the table and grabbed out her phone. She scrolled through something and finally looked up, holding up the device.
Marci leaned forward and stared at the screen. "You announced my marriage?"
Her mother rolled her eyes. "No. The head warlock did. I, of course, approved the photo of you. But I never would have said my daughter had eloped. That's a bit of an issue with me. So I assume," she paused.
Caleb squirmed again. These women made him feel naked and not in the good way. He felt more like prey or something. His Marci-shield didn't deter them. Right now he wanted her to protect him, an odd feeling.
"I assume now that I've seen Caleb that the marriage is resulting in grandchildren?"
"What?" they shouted in unison.
"Good Lord. I've been married before -- multiple times. I think I understand what people do. At least please tell me there's a ring? I hired a photographer as well, oh and a wedding planner will be here in a few days."
"Excuse me?" Marci choked out.
"Pregnant or not, there need to be wedding photos for the society pages. I figure we'll have a small reception. This place is a lot nicer than I'd anticipated. The planner will be quite happy since she seemed to be a bit aggravated at having to drive out here. So now, the ring? Oh, and a dress. I saw a small shop in town; perhaps they have something acceptable."
He realized Marci had pressed her left hand behind her back.
"Marci, don't be shy. Let's see the ring," said Francesca in a baiting tone.
Shaking her head, she said, "that's not how shifters mate. They, uh. There isn't a ring. And I'm not pregnant. God."
Caleb gripped her shoulder a bit tighter than he'd meant to, but suddenly he had an audience. His nerves caught up and his palms were instantly sweaty. He hadn't had time to let nerves hit him in the forest. Hell, he figured this was the easy part since she had already said yes to him.
"Marci?"
"What, Caleb? Don't let them get to you," her tone curt.
"No," he said. "I. Well. I drove into the city a few days ago and, well, I wanted to do this right. Do this your way and my way. So..." he stopped and reached into his pocket.
Fuck. What if she hated it? What if her mother hated it? He felt like he'd just earned her approval; he didn't want to make Marci's life any worse.
He pulled out the small velvet box. Annie had sworn that this shop was where all the witches and wizards who were anyone shopped. So, he'd taken every penny he'd had and gone without second-guessing.
"Marci, for better or worse I'm yours. You accepted me for who I am, and I accept you for who you are. I love you, and well, you deserve to have every happiness I can give you. You're my mate, my wife." Holding it out, he opened the top and took the ring out. "I think this has been missing."
Her eyebrows lifted.
"Caleb, I don't need a ring. I don't even need a wedding. I need you."
He couldn't suck in any air. So, she wanted him, that was good. But, she didn't want this public symbol that she was taken? He'd admit that there was a part of him wanting her to wear a ring. It told the world to back the fuck off, just like his mark and his scent said to the shifter world.
"Marci dear. Take the ring. It's actually very nice." Her mom or well, his mother-in-law turned to him. "Caleb, you'll excuse my daughter. She's a bit of a stubborn girl. Fights tradition every chance she can."
Just then Marci shouted. "Good Lord, Mother, shut up! I don't fight tradition. I fight stupid rules and since when do you not hate me? God. Fine, Caleb, I'll wear your stupid ring."
She grabbed it out of his hand in a blink.
"Marci McIntyre don't you dare." He grabbed her wrist before she could
