Page 55 of Ascension of the Pack

A ghost of a smile danced across his lips. ‘I’ve been better.’

‘That’s just because you know you’re going to have to swallow your pride and go cap in hand to Amber,’ I teased.

He grimaced. ‘Not today. Today is all about Jessica Sharp.’

‘And a little bit about me,’ an amused voice said from behind him. Bastion moved to the side so that we could see the groom. He looked breathtakingly handsome.

‘Hey, Emory.’ I gave him a cheerful wave.

‘Everything okay?’ he asked. ‘I know you’d move heaven and earth to be here for Jess. That you’re not here says some shit has been going down.’

I grimaced. ‘It has, but try to keep Jess from reaching the same conclusion. I want this day to be perfect for her.’

It was Emory’s turn to grimace. ‘Today hasn’t exactly been perfect, but we’ll make it end that way.’

‘Damn right we will! I’m so happy for you both. You deserve this.’

Emory’s sudden grin was youthful and filled with joy. ‘We absolutely do.’ He shifted his gaze to Greg. ‘Hey, Manners.’ He gave a fake fist-bump to the camera.

‘Hey, man,’ Greg replied, fist-bumping him back. ‘I’m happy for you, too.’

‘Thanks. So am I!’

Then the music changed and Emory’s mouth dropped open as he stared at a bride I couldn’t see. I didn’t want to speak and ruin the moment, so I widened my eyes at Bastion and twirled my finger in the air. He caught on quickly and turned the camera so that I could see Jess walk down the aisle. Amber preceded her, but it was my best friend that I focused on.

Jess’s dark hair fell in tousled, natural waves. She had bright-purple runes painted onto her hands and arms; they were intricate and beautiful and led perfectly to the bouquet of wild flowers she was clasping. She was wearing the same dress she’d worn to the interrupted wedding – magic, Amber or a platinum credit card had saved the day. If anything, she looked even more beautiful than she had before.

Gato was next to her wearing the amulet around his great head. Jess’s hand rested on him as she walked, andthe wonder in her eyes told me that it was working. Tears threatened me and I hastily hit the mute button so my sobs wouldn’t interrupt the ceremony. Greg passed me a tissue and I carefully dabbed at my eyes.

Jess walked down the aisle at a dignified pace then, with a wicked laugh, she suddenly belted down the rest of it. Emory caught her and swung her round before giving her a long slow kiss.

‘Go Jess!’ I yelled.

Jess’s head whipped around – and that’s when I realised that at some point, Greg hadunmuted us. Oops!

Emory led her over to us and I couldn’t help screaming as I got to see her up close – she looked fan-bloody-tastic! ‘You look amazing!’ I gushed. ‘I love those cute flowers in your hair!’

Jess’s blue eyes welled with tears. ‘You’re here!’

‘Of course I am. Did you think that I’d miss it?’ I winked.

‘Thank you both so much for coming,’ Jess beamed.

‘Thank goodness for video calls! We didn’t have time to drive all the way to you and Emory was selfishly using all of his helicopters – so here we are! Virtually attending.’

‘Thank you so much for virtually attending,’ Jess said effusively. ‘And thank you for Gato’s amulet.’

‘We’ve been working on it for weeks. Now I’m going to shush and cry a lot because Reynard is super-nervous and he’s been rehearsing over and over again. Let’s put him out of his misery.’

Jess blew me a kiss and returned to the end of the aisle where Emory was waiting for her with a visibly sweating Reynard, who was dressed in suit trousers and shiny leather shoes. His chest was exposed, muscled and proud, and his black wings stretched behind him.

Jess flashed him a wide smile. ‘Thanks for doing this.’

‘It is my honour,’ he murmured. In a much louder voice he called, ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Jessica Sharp and Emory Elite.’

I slid a glance at Greg as I linked my fingers through his. I hoped he’d bought more tissues with him because I was about to bawl.

Jess and Emory’ssecondwedding went off without a hitch, but with that and Tristan’s funeral, I was emotionally drained, all out of tears and both happy and sad.

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