Wild at Heart

I could feel Nick’s eyes on me when they should have been more concentrated on the task at hand. This was Daniel and Alex’s re-do; he couldn’t afford to mess up the ceremony. I tried to keep my eyes locked on Alex in front of me, but Nick undressing me with his eyes made it difficult to focus. My original dress was ruined thanks to Stephan and his war on my pack, but everything had been silent. No sign of Stephan, no sign of the West, no sign of the South, no sign of trouble. Nick insisted there was no need to hold off the wedding and made sure the Omegas who were healed from battle recreated Daniel and Alex’s special night. Nick even left a box on the bed for me, tied with a silk ribbon. I unwrapped my present with care only to find a replacement dress. It was shorter than my original dress, but long enough to be respectful. It tied at the nape of my neck and hugged my curves in all the places Nick would want it to. It was a silky black dress with red fabric underneath, red heels to match. I instantly thought of Natalie when I stood in front of the mirror, staring back at my reflection. It was something she would pick out for me when I’d call her in a fashion crisis. I prayed to the Moon Goddess that she was okay.

The pack burst out in an uproar and I jumped. I slapped my hands together in an applause to match theirs; not realizing I had zoned out for the ending of the ceremony. As my eyes focused back into reality, I couldn’t help but smile at Daniel and Alex in front of me; their lips locked in a romantic kiss. When they finally pulled away from each other Alex turned to me and wrapped his arms around me, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“Congratulations, Alex.” I whispered in his ear. He thanked me and switched positions so that Daniel was now in my arms. I extended my congratulations to our Beta and watched them as they entered the crowd of our pack, accepting more affection. I felt Nick’s hand slide down my bare skin of the open-back of my dress.

“You look beautiful.” Nick said with a grin.

“I have you to thank for that.” I responded.

“Not at all, little wolf.” He leaned down and kissed me gently. “The dress has nothing to do with it.”

“How do you do that?” I questioned.

“Do what?”

“Make me melt from the inside out.”

“Hmm.” His hands hugged my hips as he turned me to face him. “It must be magic.” I chuckled and rolled my eyes at him. He pulled me in closer and pressed his lips against the top of my head.

“How does it feel?” I asked.

“How does what feel?” He asked as he rocked my body side to side with his.

“Tonight.” I answered. “Everything.” I rested my head on his chest to allow the beating of his heart pulsate against my ear.

“Unified.” He answered. “I feel like for once in a long time I don’t have to worry about the pack.”

“What about Stephan?” I asked.

“We’ll find him.” He said with a light nod. “I know he’s out there, but he’s wounded, and he has no one to help him. He won’t get far.”

“What about the West and South pack?”

“The West will go back to their own business. Stephan threatened them, without him in the picture they have no reason to go to war with us again. And the South? I think Grayson will become more of an ally than an enemy.” I didn’t have to speak to agree with him. Grayson would turn the South pack around; I had no doubts about that. It would take time and hard work, but I had confidence that he could do it in time.

“Octavia?” I questioned.

“Jake caught her scent around the cemetery, but he lost it in the woods.” Nick sucked in a breath. “You worry too much, Emma, she’ll be found when she wants to be.” I couldn’t help but feel like he was holding something back, but this wasn’t the time or the place to question him.

“It’s hard not to worry when there’s so many people I need to worry about.” I admitted.

“Then make yourself one of those people.” I couldn’t help but laugh at him.

“You should take your own advice.” Now it was Nick’s turn to laugh.

“I have done nothing but worry about everyone in this pack for almost ten years.” He lifted one of his hands from my hip and began stroking my hair with it. Although the room was full of the entire pack dancing to the slow song that blasted over the speakers, it felt as though Nick and I were the only ones in the room. “And you, my little rebel, have been the cause of most of my worry for almost the entire time.” I smiled at him, knowing he was damn right.

“I tried to be boring.” I said. “I thought I was doing a damn good job of it for a while there too.”

“You’ve never been boring, Emma.” Nick said with a chuckle. “You’re far from ordinary and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I closed my eyes as his lips fell onto mine. Everything about being with Nick always felt so natural. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stop being an idiot and be with him sooner, but for now I will cherish every moment we have together.

I met up with Chloe and stole her from Kyle to get a few dances in while Nick occupied himself with his Beta and a few Omegas. I forgot what it was like to feel so carefree and actually have some fun.

“Here!” Chloe passed me a mixed drink from the open bar, and I took it without hesitation. I slipped the straw through my lips and sucked the liquid into my mouth. I shuddered at the sour taste and Chloe laughed. “It’s basically pink lemonade.”

“Is the basically part the alcohol?” I asked.

“Pretty much.” She said with a giggle. She took her own drink from the bartender and took a long gulp. Chloe wasn’t much of a drinker, she was usually the responsible one in our group of friends, so seeing her let loose was refreshing. We sat at the bar and laughed over our drinks for almost an hour before Nick returned to me. Kyle came with him and instantly wrapped an arm around Chloe’s shoulders.

“I hate to break up the fun, but we really should be getting home.” He said trying to hide a grin. I knew they were trying to start a family and by spoon-feeding Chole drinks all night long, I was cock-blocking, and I took the hint.

“No, it’s fine.” I waved it off. “I think we’ve had enough fun tonight.” I stood up from the chair and wrapped my arms around my good friend. I bid them goodnight and turned my attention back to my mate. “Has the clock struck midnight, Cinderella?” I asked him.

“I was just going to take Daniel and Alex home.” As Nick spoke, something caught my eye behind him, and I tilted my head to get a better look. Nick noticed my lack of attention towards him and turned to see where my eyes were locked. A beautiful mocha-skinned woman stood in the shadows of the far corner, but I knew better. While I wished it were Octavia staring back at me, it was only her twin. “Go ahead, I’ll see you at home later.” Nick kissed my cheek and I smiled at him as he walked away from me. I made my way to Ophelia in hopes of finding answers.

“I’ve been looking for your sister.” I said.

“Funny, so have I.” My heart sank; she didn’t know where she was. “I was hoping she’d be with you.”

“Why would she be with me?” I asked.

“Because she’s looking for him, and you know where he is.” I raised a confused brow at her.

“Who?”

“Derek.”