Page 144 of Forbidden Moon
The music swelled, the crowd clapping and hooting at the happy husbands as they and the wedding party made their way to the back. While Derek hustled them off to a side room for photos, the others made their way to the ballroom to continue the celebration.
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GUESTS FOUND THEIRseats at the beautifully laid-out tables, busy with conversation and meeting new people. Instead of a western motif, the tables were decorated with three shifter-related items. Across the white tablecloth were randomly placed wolf paw prints. Centerpieces of small potted plants sat next to framed photo prints of Katrine’s wolf artwork. The human guests assumed the centerpieces were a nod to RJ’s position as a DNR agent and Jonah’s work at the LRC office. The shifters in attendance knew otherwise.
Conversation stopped abruptly as the wedding party entered the ballroom and took their seats. RJ immediately leaned over to nuzzle Jonah’s neck, inhaling deeply with a soft groan. What was this? His scent revealed an enhanced curiosity and desire, entirely centered onhim. Except for being married now, nothing else had changed. Without any privacy, Jonah couldn’t ask, and he set the thought aside for later.
Lunch began as soon as the wedding party took their seats. Given shifter metabolism, Robert requested additional personnel to serve the meal. He assured the kitchen manager that the copious amounts of food he’d ordered wouldnotgo to waste. The wide-eyed wait staff kept busy with a constant stream of heavy platters, serving not only seconds but thirds and fourths. Some of the human guests took notice but said nothing as the meal finally petered out, and the time came for speeches and toasts.
Once the staff poured champagne, Ben rose to speak.
“I knew the day would come when someone captured Jonah’s heart. I’m excited to have a new brother-in-law and look forward to telling him embarrassing stories about his husband. Guys, I can’t tell you how happy I am for the two of you, and whatever life brings, I’ll always have your back. To happiness!”
The crowd heartily echoed Ben’s toast, and Rosa stood to take his place.
“I met RJ as a shy, skinny six-year-old, stopping in after school to see his mama at work. He and Lottie shared the kind of relationship you don’t see every day, and he grew up to be a respectful, loving son to my dear friend. I know in my heart his Ma and Pa would be as proud of him as I am today. For the happy couple, I wish you a lifetime of love!”
The guests imbibed another draught of bubbly, watching as the new grooms now rose to speak. RJ went first.
“It means so much to have all of you here to celebrate with us. Some people have wondered how we got to this day so fast. I’d like to share something my Ma said to me before she died.
“You deserve someone who will love you so much it hurts. He’s gotta be crazy about you from the start, and if you don’t feel the same, then it’s not meant to be.”
“She was right, as usual. When I met Jonah, I justknewthere was something exceptional about him. I don’t mind telling you—I’ll be crazy about this man until the day I die.”
Jonah nearly fell over as RJ grabbed him for a heated kiss, and the crowd went wild with clapping, catcalls, and the clinking of glassware. When RJ released him, he swayed on unsteady legs as his mate handed over the microphone. Jonah went full tomato, stalling with a sip of water before trying to speak.
“We’re blessed with such wonderful friends and family, and RJ and I have a special thank-you for those who traveled far to be here. If you’d asked me a few months ago what I would be doing on mybirthdaythis year, I would never have guessed I’d be changing my last name! Marrying Rascal is the best gift I could ever receive, and believe me, I’m going to have fun unwrapping it tonight.”
It was RJ’s turn to wish the floor would open up and swallow him, but the raucous guests demanded another kiss before he and Jonah were allowed to continue. The couple made their way over to cut the cake, and after Derek snapped the desired images, a member of the kitchen crew showed up with a litbirthdaycake. Someone in the crowd began to sing, joined by everyone else as Jonah attempted to die of embarrassment once more and failed.
A bevy of servers swooped in to deliver dessert to the tables, sparing Jonah from further humiliation. The multi-layered confection, a mix of white and chocolate, teased tastebuds all around the room. It was so good, Jonah noticed Robert snapping pictures and recording notes on his phone while Ash returned for seconds. When Jonah and RJ finished eating, they gave the disc jockey a thumbs up, and the sound system came to life.
“All right, folks, it’s time for the happy couple to provide the first dance this afternoon. Presenting RJ and Jonah Wilson!”
The overhead bulbs dimmed, leaving the pair bathed in a spotlight. Rather than being nervous, they were eager to dance, having practiced under Robert’s tutelage. A simple sway soon turned into more difficult turns, dips, and other complex maneuvers, eliciting ooohs, ahhhs, and scattered applause. As the music came to a stop, Jonah hauled his mate in for a blistering kiss.
Next up were the mother and son dances. Jonah went to retrieve Anita while RJ led Rosa out on the floor. Neither of the ladies was particularly confident, but the boys took care to make them look good in front of everyone. Halfway through, they changed partners—enjoying easy conversation as they glided across the floor. The dance ended with more applause, and the floor filled with eager couples: Ben and Evan, Jack and William, Donna and Lou, Katrine and Mandy, Royce and Perdy, along with a host of others.
With some trepidation, Jonah spotted Nolan and Garrett getting ready for the next song. He, and others who understood the joke, began laughing when they noticed Garrett had wrapped a yellow and black CAUTION tape around Nolan’s waist. Fortunately, they remained on the outside fringe of dancers to minimize potential injuries.
Jonah and RJ were soon parted by others cutting in, and they ended up dancing with most of the pack. They both took turns with Lilly Howell, Evie Rae, Robyn, and even Darlene—Jonah’s favorite waitress from the Dewdrop. Off to one side, Lance oversaw the younger kids who were having a blast trying to imitate the grownups with energy-packed gyrations, twirls, and fancy footwork—all with a generous dose of delighted giggles.
As expected, no one seemed bothered by the number of same-sex couples on the floor. Easy-going Chad Glupker didn’t bat an eyelash when a gay man from Cooks asked him to dance. His wife stood on the sidelines, trying hard not to laugh as they bopped to the beat. When the song ended, Chad thanked the man and returned to his wife’s side with a curious grin.
“Well, that’s one I can check off the bucket list!”
Jonah and RJ decided to take a breather, rehydrate, and mingle with the guests. The first people they ran into were Carol Jo and her husband, standing with a younger couple. Now clad in a colorful fall dress, she received hugs from both men and a hearty thanks from RJ.
“The service was everything we wanted, Carol Jo! We’re so glad you were available.”
She flashed him a smile and winked.
“I feel honored to have been part of your special day. There’s no way I would have missed seeing the two of you married! I believe you’ve met my husband, Larry, and this is my nephew Dominic and his girlfriend, Serena. I hope you don’t mind, but they so much wanted to meet you.”
Jonah reached out to shake their hands, wondering if RJ would remember to act as if he didn’t know the man. Dominic looked relaxed and content, a far cry from when they’d last seen him on packlands. A quizzical expression crossed his face as he shook RJ’s hand.
“Do I know you? It seems like we’ve met before.”
