Page 5 of Hunted Bride

“I have never really given a wedding any thought. What is traditional for you?”

“Me in a black kimono, you in a red one. White is becoming more traditional, but I like the red. Flower petals falling, you looking at me like I am the only male in the world. Friends and family there to witness and celebrate with us. Of course, we will need new kimonos, which will take months. This is going to be torture, but it will let me court you as you deserve.”

“Court me? As if there is an option in this?” She chuckled.

“No, court you, as in make you used to me, and perhaps, you will look forward to seeing me when I return to our home.”

She ducked her head. “So, how many months will the courtship be?”

“It depends on the artisans, but four to six months. We have wedding planners who work with our hotels, but if you have a preference for someone you think you would enjoy working with. We can have a conversation about this when I return home in a week. Make any notes for what you would like, and we will try and fuse the two paths together.”

They walked slowly past small rivers and surprising waterfalls, and he covered her hand resting on his sleeve as they paced slowly down the path. They reached a path that led out onto a calm lake, and he turned to hold her hands.

She smiled shyly. “You are taking things really slowly.”

He nodded. “Once I get inside you, I will remain as long as I can. So, several days. But now is not the time for that. My parents are across the ocean, so we can have our meeting with them when I return.”

“Oh, fuck.” She blinked.

“And the cursing might need to be taken down a notch.” He stroked her cheek with his finger.

“It is how I blow off stress. That was the tip of the four-letter iceberg in my mind.”

“Well, what else do you need to say?” He tilted his head.

She looked into his red eyes, opened her mouth, and let loose a cascade of cursing that made his eyes open wide and his horns flick in and out of vision.

When she finished, he stared for a moment, and she began to think she owed him another apology.

He leaned down and stroked her hair before pressing his mouth to hers in a devastating kiss. When she was swaying in his arms, he lifted his head. “I had to find a better use for that charming mouth of yours.”

She blinked. “Am I supposed to apologize for that? I still have the outfit on.”

He grinned. “Next time you irritate me, and I am sure you will, you can wear one and make the formal apology.”

Polly winced. “That is going to get pricey.”

He smiled. “Mine is the requirement; I shall bear the cost.”

She blushed. “I think that one kimono would be fine.”

He turned, and they headed back to the inn. “Let me tell you about my family and how long they have waited for me to choose a partner. There have been trans-pacific introductions. Lines of omegas who all run for it when they see the red eyes, not to mention the horns. They didn’t remember what they had seen, but it was disheartening to my family when they realized I would never find someone. They will be delighted with you. You have experience with an ayakashi alpha. You didn’t run screaming when you saw my full form. Loki wishes to do business with us, so my family will consider themselves to have the upper hand.”

She paused. “I am not a member of Loki’s family.”

“I know. He is a second son but a high-ranking alpha. That you manage to work with him indicates your patience and capabilities. He is clever, so you obviously have intelligence.”

She walked carefully and swallowed. “How are you sure your family will not object?”

“Oh, pretty sure. They have been blowing up my phone since Loki shared the images of us together.” There was a smile curving the edges of his mouth.

“I haven’t heard anything.”

“You will pick up on energy signatures over time. It comes with the hunting abilities.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “They will show up soon.”

“Why?”

He turned her palm and licked it. “Because I marked you. It was gentle but will grow over time.”

---