Page 17 of Wolf Duty

Bay wanted to shake him, but he’d need more than one person to move this mountain of a man, and the elder didn’t look like he’d be much help. He counted to ten and then asked in a calm and measured voice, “How did you know to give her a ring?”

“She wanted one.” Ulf winked and flashed a big grin. The fucker had been messing with him from the start.

“Give me that.” Bay snatched the box from the Viking’s hand. Ulf’s left eyebrow rose. “Thank you,” Bay muttered.

A burst of music sounded from the speakers, and the so-called guests rose and turned toward the door in the back of the room. Nora walked down the aisle, tall and regal as usual. She wore a long green dress that matched her eyes. When she saw Ulf, she smiled big.

“Min vackra älskling,” the Viking whispered. Bay didn’t have time to ponder what that meant, because, behind Nora, a vision appeared.

Sonya had spun gold into a dress that showed off her sexy curves, yet came across as demure. A blush made her cheeks glow as she walked, holding Karim’s elbow. The little dude wore a mini version of Bay’s suit. A big grin adorned his face as he strutted toward the dais.

When they arrived in front of the arch, Karim placed Sonya’s hand in Bay’s. The familiar sizzle charged up Bay’s arm as his skin touched hers. “If you hurt her, I will kill you,” Karim told him. The smile had left the kid’s face, and his ebony eyes were bottomless pools of seriousness.

“Noted,” Bay said. His wolf rumbled quietly. A yip sounded in response, and Karim’s beast peeked out momentarily through the kid’s eyes. Sonya’s little brother raised his chin and stepped up to stand next to Ulf.

“Good speech,” the Viking told him, earning a dimple-flashing smile.

“Who are you?” Karim asked.

Ulf pointed at Nora. “I’m with her.”

“She’s pretty,” Karim said.

“She’s taken,” the Viking grumbled. Karim just smiled back.

The elder started talking, but Bay couldn’t follow the ceremony because his vision had narrowed to include only Sonya. The elder read some sort of statement, and then there were words Bay had to repeat, and then words that Sonya repeated.

Ulf nudged him at one point and whispered, “Ring.” So Bay retrieved the black velvet box from his waistcoat pocket and placed a diamond band that miraculously was the correct size on Sonya’s finger. The number of glittering gems on the band told Bay he’d have to make a big dent in his savings to pay the Viking back, but the glint of appreciation in Sonya’s eyes made it all worth it. Plus, wolves lived for a long time and Bay had done well on the stock market during his decades as a shifter.

Then the elder said some more words, and the Viking nudged him again. This time, he didn’t whisper. Instead, he pursed his lips and made a weird sound. Finally, Bay understood he was mimicking kissing.

He lowered his head until he was a breath away from Sonya’s lips. She gazed up at him, her pupils dilated. “Are you all right?”he whispered against her luscious mouth. It took all the strength he had not to devour her lips.

“Kiss me already,” she said, and leaned forward to do just that.

Her lips against his were the best thing he’d ever tasted. They were firm and warm, and he couldn’t get enough of them.

When her tongue darted into his mouth, Bay groaned and pulled her tight against his chest. He wanted more. Needed more.

Someone tapped his shoulder.

“Go away,” he growled, and continued to devour Sonya’s mouth.

“Dude, save some for the wedding night,” Ulf whispered in his ear.

Bay froze, remembering where he was. He slowly straightened up, making sure he supported Sonya until she was standing on her own. “I got carried away. I’m sorry,” he whispered against her mouth.

“Don’t be.” She nipped his lower lip with sharp teeth. “That was one hell of a first kiss.” His bride grinned.

His mate.

Our mate, his wolf rumbled.

CHAPTER 10

Sonya gazed out the window of the motel room, touching her lips, which still burned from the spectacular kiss. They’d definitely put on a show in front of the pack. Normally, she’d be embarrassed, but that kiss had been worth being stared at.

After the ceremony in the community center, Nora and Ulf had insisted they’d stay with Karim at the house and for Sonya and Bay to go to his motel. She’d asked her brother if that was okay, but he’d been too busy peppering Ulf with a million questions about Vikings to listen.

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