Page 10 of Backstage at the Freak Show
“What’s his shift?” Gabe grumbled.
“Smile for me, honey!” the photographer cajoled. “Thank you!”
“No idea.” I flashed a smile when instructed, throwing my arms over both of my brothers’ shoulders.
“You’re fucking useless,” Gabe whined.
“Whatever. I guarantee it wouldn’t have gone any better if you talked to him. We’d have to kick your ass out for brawling.”
“Hey,” Hunter thumped my chest. “Seats are filling up, we’re getting started. Don’t kill each other before you walk down.”
“Not me you have to worry about,” I muttered, following Gabe inside the house to line up. He’d be walking out first with Mel’s sister, Jeanie. I was to follow him with Miriam.
“Holy shit,” I breathed, stunned for a moment when I saw Mel at the far end of the room.
Her ivory gown had purple accents and pooled around the floor in silky waves like a magic potion. Even her veil was a gradient of white slowly transitioning to a deep, purple hue for a dark, almost gothic vibe.
She was far from a traditional bride, four grooms notwithstanding, but still added her dark touches to the classical bridal look.
“Mel, you look stunning,” I told her. “They’re going to be fighting over you before you finish walking down the aisle.”
“Thanks, Colt,” she smiled shyly under her veil. “I hope they like it.”
I spotted Miriam near the front door and took my place at her side.
“Doesn’t Mel look amazing?” she asked, wrapping her slender hand around my bicep.
“She’s not the only one,” I growled under my breath, not-so-subtly letting my eyes roam over her bridesmaid’s dress.
The strapless style accentuated the feminine curves of her neck and shoulders, the fabric clinging to the rest of her body like a glove.
“You’re shameless,” she teased, quirking a smile up at me as the music started. Gabe and Jeanie walked arm in arm as the grooms and guests looked on.
“And you love it,” I told her as we stepped up to our spot. “By the way, I talked to the big guy. He seems harmless. Even nice, I’d say. Of course, that was just my first impression but who really knows.”
“Thanks,” she squeezed a little tighter around my arm. “Something feels off to me though, and it has to do with him. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
Gabe and Jeanie reached the archway where the grooms stood and it was our turn to walk out.
“We’re staying vigilant, Mir,” I whispered as we stepped out. “Both of us,” I added.
She nodded curtly before flashing a bright smile for the photographer and wedding guests. Even if he was an ass sometimes, I felt it was important for her to know Gabe was watching out for her too. He’d protect her with his life if it came down to that.
Connor and Hunter stood to one side of the archway, the officiant in the middle, and Raz and Arjun on the other side.
I kissed Miriam’s cheek before reluctantly removing her hand from my arm and went to stand with Gabe, while she went with Jeanie. Everyone immediately stood asHere Comes the Bridekicked on, and let out a soft collective gasp as Mel began her walk.
She held the arm of her little brother Joey, who barely came up to her shoulder, but he stood tall and proud as he prepared to give his sister away to the new men joining their family.
They turned to each other and hugged tightly upon reaching the end of the aisle. Wedding guests were already dabbing their eyes as Mel handed her bouquet of white and purple lilies to Miriam.
She reached out with both hands to take those of her four grooms, who were stunned into breathless silence at their bride.
“My fellow shifters and friends of all walks of life,” the officiant began. “Today is one of many new beginnings. For these five people, today marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to not only care for and comfort their one partner, but each other. Today, these people acknowledge that together they are greater than the sum of their individual parts. As a single unit, they have the strength to overcome all obstacles, both internal and external.”
“Today also marks a new beginning for all shifters,” he continued. “As the first wedding between shaman and shifters in generations, this holy union represents a new age of love and tolerance. May this proclamation and commitment of love between human and shifter inspire all of you here today, so that we may look toward a brighter future.”
Mel pulled her hands away from her guys to start clapping, and the grooms quickly followed. In moments, everyone stood up and joined in thunderous applause for the officiant.
