Page 83 of Bruised MC Bear
12
Sonya
Isaidwhat I had to. Mind-blowing sex with Vincent was one thing. Letting myself get bound to him was another. He was an intelligent guy, so I was sure he knew not to cross the line, and uttering that one demand did the trick to wake him up. Still, a small hidden part of me said it for other reasons. I was always the rebellious one, and way too curious. A part of me wanted to know for sure whether a vampire bite would really bind us together as mates, curse me for the full length of my life, and cut me off from my pack.
He didn’t bite, and I probably should have thanked him for leaving, but I was sure he got my point when I sent the text message. As expected, he didn’t reply.
Angel was ready to start the day about an hour later. The rest of Saturday morning and early afternoon flew by, which was normal whenever Angel and I hung out together. Our first stop was the chapel. It was perfectly decorated in an autumn harvest theme, with jack-o-lanterns in the foyer, fall-colored ivy in the aisles, and gothic skulls and cobwebs as accents virtually everywhere. From there, we checked the hotel ballroom. The décor was similar, with classic place settings, but there were the cutest little black cauldrons on each table, holding a votive candle inside and with Halloween candy scattered around it.
The hotel’s event manager showed us the wedding cake in the caterer’s kitchen at the back. It was spectacular. A three-tiered chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and milk chocolate drizzled over the sides, embellished at the top with a skeleton bride and groom on a motorcycle, holding a sign that read “Ride with Me Till Death Do Us Part.”
Perfect.
No detail was missed and more importantly, Angel was happy.
We ended up skipping the massages, but by the time we left to get dressed, our up-do hairstyles, makeup and manicures were all done, and I was feeling a whole lot better. Hot sex with the cute vamp didn’t hurt my mood, either. After a quick bite to eat, we met up with Angel’s mother in her suite. I wasn’t surprised at all that she took charge from there on out. Mrs. Kessler insisted that she didn’t need my help getting her only baby girl ready for her wedding day. She shooed me off, pointing out that I needed to get in my maid of honor dress as well.
Fatigue washed over me when I made it back to my room. It was only around noon, but my internal clock had not swung back to the Nevada time zone yet. My body felt like it was time for bed because it was ten at night in Bulgaria. I had two hours to spare, and putting on the dress would take all of twenty minutes. Grabbing a towel from the bathroom, I spread it out on my pillow to avoid smearing my makeup everywhere. I set my alarm clock to wake me up in ninety minutes, and crawled into bed for a power nap.
* * *
“Don’t you look stunning!”
Angel’s mother complimented me when I returned to her suite. I was wearing my flowing, floor-length, sapphire blue chiffon dress.
“Thank you.”
“The sweetheart neckline and halter straps, and goodness, the fitted bodice is like it was made just for you. Blue has always suited you, Sonya.” She tilted her head as though something was out of place. “And your eyes … my God, they’re almost glowing, love.”
I got that a lot, but just in case, I placed my sapphire beaded clutch purse on a nearby counter and walked over to the foyer mirror to see for myself. Phew! She had me worried there for a second. My eyes glowed a brilliant otherworldly blue whenever I was in wolf form, and at times, just before I shifted, but that wasn’t the case right now. It was just the light reflecting up from my dress and hitting my irises.
“Thank you, Mrs. Kessler. You look lovely too.”
“You’re such a dear,” she told me, pulling me in for a hug. “You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here with us for Angel’s special day.”
“Me too. I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Is Angel all finished?”
“Yes, she’s in the second bedroom.”
“Great,” I told her, stepping carefully into her sunken living room to get to the bedroom.
“You go on and keep her company. I need to get a bracelet from my car … and a bottle of whisky to calm my nerves. All that fruity stuff in the minibar won’t cut it at a time like this. I’ll be right back.”
Smiling, I headed in.
I was speechless when I saw Angel. She stood beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the Vegas Strip skyline and mountains in the distance. I wished I had my camera right this second. She was exquisite from head to toe. Diamond drop earrings, a tiara-styled comb holding up her veil, the most gorgeous mermaid gown made of satin, lace and tulle, hugging every curve on her body. A row of covered buttons down the sheer back accentuated the style, and a structured bow at the back of her waist made it all the more perfect. Even her skin seemed to shimmer, and it was not the makeup.
Angel turned to me when she noticed I was in the room. “Do you like it?” she asked timidly.
A wave of emotion flooded over me. “Like it? Awww, honey. You’re perfect. I have never … ever … seen a more gorgeous bride. And you know what?” I started fanning my eyes. “Goodness, I think I’m gonna cry!”
I hurried back out of the room to find some facial tissues. I had not shed a tear since my mom passed when I was eleven. That was thirteen years ago, so I took comfort in knowing I broke the dry spell for my dearest friend. Which reminded me that I’d brought a gift for her. Grabbing my clutch purse, I returned to the room.
“I have something for you.” I pulled out the last-minute gift. “It’s old, borrowed and blue, but I promise you it’s exactly what you want.”
Her eyes widened when she saw it. “Oh my God, don’t tell me that’s—”
“It is,” I beamed. “The blue moonstone necklace my grandmother left me. I remember how much you loved it when I wore it to the prom.” I stepped up behind her and placed it around her neck, clasping the closure. “And it’s good luck, too.”
