Page 63 of Jayce

“Yes, I do.”

Willow skips the rings. Maybe our guests will notice. Maybe they won’t. Any ring we’d wear wouldn’t last long with our shifts. Both women understand and felt Helios’ mark meant more than a man-made band.

“I am proud to pronounce these two couples—man and wife. Anjal—Jayce—you may now kiss your brides.”

As Willow’s words linger, a hushed anticipation envelops the room.

No one else exists as I lean in toward Shay.

I tenderly press my lips against hers. My bubble doesn’t last. The room erupts in applause led by Nikolaos and Damian. Their shouts and whistles drown out the crowd.

I’m already planning payback.

Chapter 42

Shay

We’re separated by our friends and loved ones as Dylan Gossett’s song “Beneath Oak Trees” ends.

My determination to keep Jayce by my side, despite all the warnings that newlywed couples barely see each other after the ceremony, fails with every purposeful step I take in his direction. I keep getting pulled into congratulatory hugs by family members I haven’t seen in years.

At least Lisabeth maintains the drink in my hand. Cill asked her to make sure the wine kept coming for both of us.

I’d nearly reached Jayce’s side when my sister’s hand stops me to look at a picture Elena is passing around.

“It’s a boy. Hopefully, he’s the spitting image of Jamie.” My new sister-in-law shoves the sonogram in my hand.

One look at the black-and-white photo of a shape that looks nothing like a baby and Elena’s words trigger a flicker of a thought. What would a tiny Jayce made from our love look like?

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Shit. Damn it. Fuck no. All the words Priscilla deems trashy screams in sync with the tick-tock.

Jayce’s eyes find mine from across the room. I’m certain there’s a look of panic written on my face.

His eyebrow raises with a hint of mischief behind his eyes as he brings a glass filled with whiskey to his lips.

Jayce pushes his way through the throngs of people, demanding our attention.

This doesn’t change how I feel about babies, I mouth before he gets to me.

His lips crash against mine once he reaches me.

The taste of whiskey on his tongue mingles with the wine on mine. He doesn’t pull away until I’m breathless.

“My promise stands. I’ll never push you to change. I want you for you and not someone I mold you into.”

The truth in his words is clear in the sparkle in his eyes. “How much longer do we have to endure our friends and family?”

Jayce sniffs the air over the pulsing of my pussy. “I think we have to wait for the big send off my cousins have planned.”

“Is there a signal or something you can give, telling them we’re ready?”

My new husband, my mate, tosses his head back and laughs as my need for him has me nearly begging to get him alone. Jayce grabs me by the hand as we search for Damian and Nikolaos.

Emjay stands off in the corner by herself.

Tomorrow, Jayce and I are escorting her to her old herd. Along with Damian, Anjal, Cill, and a few other volunteers. The women need to know they’re free. We put this wedding together in a week because these heifers freedom is important.

I’m not ready to let her off the hook for abandoning us without trying to keep us. Maybe one day.

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