“I guess we’ll see.” I smile and look down.
“The heart wants what it wants, right?” Jessi lifts my chin with her hand and looks into my eyes. We don’t speak, there’s no need to. Jessi is my oldest friend and knows me almost as well as I know myself. Deep in the pit of my stomach, the truth is I want Ian. I want Ian and I to have the kind of love Jessi and Adam have… the kind of love that Alpha Ezekiel and Luna Scarlett had. The kind of love that moves mountains, with a passion that would make one lay their life down for the other. I swallow my emotions down before they form into tears and nod. Jessi smiles and nods along with me, “And that’s why I’m rooting for the two of you.” She smiles, “I’m glad you’re giving him a last chance… one that he doesn’t deserve. You deserve to be happy, and I know he can… if he pulls his head out of his ass, he can make you happy. We know that the mate bond still binds you to Ian, and Darren never stood a chance. You would have never been able to give yourself to him fully. Not being excited about marrying Darren should have been a huge red flag.”
“Yeah…” I sigh.
“Oh, and didn’t I tell you years ago to punch that bitch Nikki right in her stupid, ugly face?” Jessi scowls. “I should have done it for you. I hate her.”
“I have missed you… missed talking to you every day.” I hug her.
“Me too… me too.” She squeezes me back.
Spending time with Jessi is so easy. We can go months, even years, without speaking, but the moment we can talk it’s like no time was ever lost. We turn back into the same crazy girls we have always been. That’s what I love about Jessi.
Chapter twenty
The White Chapel
**March 2004**
Ian
“Youready,Kelsey?”Iask, looking out the window of the SUV as the cross on top of the tall white steeple comes into view.
“Ready to get this shit show over with. I hate human media; they always make a big deal out of nothing.” Kelsey grumbles from the back seat as we drive down the long driveway that leads to the little white chapel in the center of the city.
“It’s not that bad.” Zane stops in front of the walkway that leads to the chapel. “Just think of the honeymoon. It makes up for all the craziness,” he laughs as he puts the SUV in park.
I can understand where Kelsey is coming from. All eyes on him is not really his thing. Not that Kelsey is shy or anything like that, he’s just not a fan of the way human media acts sometimes. That and wedding ceremonies are not normal in our culture. Many don’t see the need for human formalities like this. We are bound by the mate bond, which is much stronger than the average human marriage. Since Zane, Kelsey, and I are the next to lead our pack, it is our custom to have a very public wedding ceremony in the city. The Alpha and Beta from different packs will be in attendance, but this event is mostly for the human world associates to witness.
Big events like this bring media in from all around. Local media leaves us alone, mostly. It’s the outside media that is the problem. They push their flashing cameras in our faces, forcing their way through the crowd, shout questions, block our paths; some can be real dicks. Since weddings are not normal in our culture, it can be a bit of an annoyance to deal with human tradition and human media. It’s not all bad though, through my father I’ve enjoyed the many perks, like free meals and gifts.
Zane’s wedding was a circus, which is understandable since he is the future Alpha. His father sent out a ton of press releases, mostly to introduce him to the business world since he will take over for his father. The three of us, much like our fathers, will have lots of interaction with the human world. Kelsey’s father sent out press releases, but not nearly as many as Alpha Nathaniel did for Zane. I think Kelsey secretly asked his father to scale everything back. Like I said, he’s not shy, he’d just rather move a little more conspicuous. Like Zane, I won’t have that luxury.
“That’s the only thing I’m thinking about. One week held up in a mountain cabin with my mate… hell yeah.” Kelsey laughs, “Looks like it will be your turn soon, Ian.” Kelsey and Zane both look at me.
“I can only hope.” I nod my head. Thinking back to the way Kate reacted to a rumor that I was away on a boys’ trip and realizing that I’m the one who is responsible for her distrust in me. It was painful for me to see her so angry. I’ve done more damage than I ever realized. Honestly, I’m not too sure if she will ever fully trust me.
“The paparazzi doesn’t look that bad,” Zane looks out the driver’s side window. “The warriors should be able to handle them.”
“Let’s do this. I have a plane to catch and a mate to ravage.” Kelsey laughs before jumping out of the SUV on the driver’s side. As expected, they immediately met him with cameras clicking and questions being shouted by the media. Kelsey adjusts his tuxedo jacket, flashes his pearly whites, and waves at the paparazzi. I wonder how long the cheesy bastard stood in front of his mirror practicing.
I step out the passenger door and am hit with the sweet smell of jasmine mixed with the spicey musky notes of roses. Kate’s favorite scents. I stand quietly and take in the scene in front of me, while paparazzi shout at Kelsey behind me.
“Kelsey! Kelsey, right here! Look right here, please?” A female reporter shouts.
“Kelsey, how long have you known Sonia?” A male reporter shouts.
I look at the white chapel and think about Kate. Jasmine vines and small white star-shaped flowers cover the archway at the beginning of the cobblestone path that leads to the simple white building. Jasmine reminds me of Kate’s sweet floral scent, something I didn’t realize until Kate ran away to New York. They lined the cobblestone path with single black Victorian style lamp posts that are spaced out about ten feet apart. The black lamp posts are ornate, which is a contrast to the simple white building they lead to. The building has two steps that lead to a covered entryway. Both the roof of the building and the porch match and are steep, reminding me of upside-down triangles. The white chapel has clean simple lines, except for the double doors, which are ornate circles within circles. Looking between the Victorian lamp posts and the front doors, I realize that the patterns of both match.Kate would appreciate details like this.I look up at the cross on top of the massive steeple that sits high in the sky. The steeple has to be at least twenty feet tall, with a bell at the base.I wonder if it still works.
Each side of the pathway is rows of roses with neatly cut grass pathways in between. The rows of roses are so full, they look like short walls. I wonder if Kate has had time to walk around the rose garden and smell each variety of roses in front of the white chapel. She has taken me through the rose garden behind the packhouse, showing me her favorite roses and making me smell each of them. The details she knows about each plant and their smell characteristics, which she calls notes are astounding. Many of the varieties are ones that Luna Scarlett planted years ago. Kate explained to me they’re now heirloom varieties and how rare they have become during modern times. The beauty in front of me reminds me of Kate and how special she is to me.
The sound of the SUV pulling away snaps me back to reality. I turn to see the other two standing in front of the roped off media area, with warriors positioned nearby. I walk over and join them, adjusting my tuxedo jacket as I walk. It’s hard to make out what is being said since the paparazzi and reporters are shouting over each other. I have to give it to Kelsey; he is doing a great job fielding the questions. I smile while the three of us pose for pictures before turning to walk away.
“Ian!” A female reporter shouts, “you’re the only one who’s still an available bachelor. How does it feel?”
Normally I wouldn’t answer questions, especially since this is Kelsey’s show. But I really feel the need to show the world what Kate means to me. A small part of me is hoping that she is watching the coverage on the television.
“Actually,” I turn to the reporter, “I’m not a bachelor. I’m engaged. My fiancée, Kate, and I grew up right next to each other. She was the girl next door. That’s the things romance books are written about.” I smile at the reporter before turning to walk away. I take notice of her swooning at my words, letting her microphone fall to her side.