“Okay, so if you’re not calling me to convince you away from your upcoming nuptials, then whydidyou call?”
“I need you to spread the word. I went to a private and secluded spot to clear my head after Michael’s betrayal, and there, I met Alice. My wife. She is the alpha mate, and I want the alpha mate rooms to be made up at the manor. I want you to tell everyone we like, dislike, hate, trust, distrust … I don’t care how you do it, but make sure all of the paranormal world knows that Alice Gatlin Dawson is the alpha mate and under the Dawson dragon thunder’s protection.”
John whistled low again, something he only did when he was truly shocked by something. Cooper was in the habit of shocking his oldest friend, but surely, this one was a doozy. “You’ve got it, Cooper. Anything else?”
“Make up the nursery,” he added on a whim.
“A nursery?” John sputtered. “But you said the wedding was fake. That it was on paper alone. How can you ask me to get the nursery ready?”
“It’s for the optics alone. Michael ran his whole campaign on the fact that I don’t have an heir or a wife like him. Well, now, one of those things has been remedied.”
“Well, sure, but what about the other? I’m pretty sure that, in nine months, Michael will realize your new wife hasn’t given birth to your heir. He’s dumb, but he isn’t that dumb. This could refuel the whole issue.”
“Michael isn’t dumb at all,” Cooper corrected. “He’s actually pretty smart to get the one up on me. I don’t want to underestimate him again. For now, the nursery is a trick, but who knows what the future holds.”
“Huh,” John mumbled.
“What?” Cooper asked.
“Well, if I didn’t know any better, I would think that you have already fallen for your future wife. You like her. You do want her to bear your child one day.”
Be brought back to life by a force like Alice, then tell me if you can keep from falling in love. Not easy. Not easy at all.Cooper shook his head, only realizing too late that he was on the phone and that John couldn’t see him. “Maybe, maybe not. We’ll see. I’m letting her call the shots.”
“Fuck me. You must be really taken for that to be true.”
Cooper chuckled. “Keep that to yourself, will you?” He frowned. “Actually, no. Scratch that. You tell everyone you can that I am smitten and that I am choosing to lead with Alice by my side.”
“Are you trying to start a war?” John grumbled.
“No. I am trying to save my wife’s life.”
“She’s not your wife yet,” John pointed out.
“Might as well be,” Cooper said. “I have a life debt, and you know I always pay my debts.” It just so happened that this one was a bit closer to his heart than he was used to.
“I’ll see it gets done. Happy wedding day, Coop. See ya soon.”
Cooper ended the call, pleased that things were turning out decently so far.
SEVEN
ALICE
Before her mother was killed for the power of the coven, before Alice grew up alone and on the run, she had images in her mind of what her wedding day might look like. Her mother was always there, walking her down the aisle. She wore a pretty white dress, and there were all kinds of people gathered to help her celebrate her wedding day.
This was so far removed that Alice couldn’t help but laugh at her reflection in the mirror.
Portia had brought over a white dress, but the style wasn’t what Alice preferred. It showed too much leg and was a little too snug, but Portia and the army of imps and other paranormal creatures had somehow managed to cram into her suite to help her get ready. It wasn’t until she was face to face with Cooper outside one of the ballrooms where they would be exchanging vows that Alice thought her wedding attire suited her enough for her wedding.
Her future husband took one look at her, and his jaw dropped. She barely had time to take in how handsome he looked. “Holy shit,” Cooper whispered, his eyes going wide.
“What?” she asked, smoothing her hands down her knee-length dress. Her silver and white strapped high-heels were a little bit uncomfortable, but that was nothing compared to the butterflies in her stomach. And now, there was her future husband, gaping at her. “What?” she repeated, looking down at herself.
“You’re stunning,” he murmured. “Truly, Alice. I have never seen a more beautiful bride.”
She blushed and looked away. “You don’t have to flatter me.”
“Flatter you?” His voice turned a little harsher. “What do you mean, flatter? There is nothing fake or flattering about my words. It’s all honesty. You look divine, Alice. Like the angel you are.”