Page 102 of Deadly Wolf Bite

It’s my cue.

Forcing myself to breathe deeply, I adjust my dress and smooth it with clammy palms before starting forward. A few short steps later, I emerge into the crowded sanctuary then stop again, overwhelmed by the weight of this moment. Every head turns to watch me. But their faces are a blur as I sweep my gaze past them and down the long aisle to the front.

The sight of Grey standing there in a dark suit threatens to bring me to my knees.

He’s here.

At the altar.

His eyes find mine, and I stop breathing.

The organ pauses on the last note of its song then starts again, this time louder—with emphasis for the bride to get her ass in gear, no doubt.

I start walking.

With shaky hands, I grip my bouquet and try not to trip.

There are murmurs as I pass, comments I don’t bother to tune into. Whatever they’re saying, it’s not for my ears. The only thing I care about is the man waiting for me at the altar.

So I keep my eyes locked on him and put one foot in front of the other.

When I finally reach the dais, he holds out a hand and I take it, stepping up until we’re standing side by side. He turns to face me, and a thousand emotions rise inside me as my gaze fastens on his. The crowd disappears. Everything else falls away. There’s only him.

His dark, depthless eyes that silently promise to protect me no matter what. The fullness of a mouth so readily capable of making me forget everything but his kiss. Arms that have held me, fought for me. Shoulders I’ve cried on. And his beautiful tattoos peeking out from beneath his cuffs.

My heightened senses drink him in like I’m seeing him for the first time.

Relief slams into me so hard, my throat constricts with the effort not to burst into tears.

“You look so beautiful,” he says, his voice full of wonder.

I attempt a watery smile. “You do too.”

His lips twitch. At the direction of the priest, he takes both my hands in his and holds tightly. His touch sends a shudder through me, like my senses are on overload.

Grey’s eyes narrow in concern. “Are you okay?” he whispers.

“I’m not sure,” I admit, wishing there’d been time to explain what I’ve done. The serum. My bargain with Vincenzo. He won’t like it. But I made my decision, and there’s no going back now.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” he murmurs. His lips quirk up in a secret smile that feels more reassuring than I could’ve expected. Like he knows something. Or has done something.

Like everything really will be okay.

“Your father—” I begin, darting a look at the faces in the front row. I glimpse only Mia and Razor before his next words call me back.

“Isn’t a threat to us anymore,” he whispers, eyes gleaming with confidence.

The priest clears his throat.

Grey ignores him, all his attention on me. Like we’re the only ones in this crowded church. He lifts our joined hands and brushes a kiss over my knuckles. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you we’re mates,” he says quietly. “Can you forgive me?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “Can you forgive me?”

“I know what happened, and there’s nothing to forgive. Now, all I want is for you to know that this is real for me.”

My heart swells. Hope turns to something more. Elation, exhilaration, love. “It’s real for me too,” I whisper back.

He grins, his entire face lighting up.

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