Irina“Irina, sweetheart, Miss Sally left that money for you.” I knew my parents would see what I did as charity, but I also knew that eventually they would accept it. For now, at least, they could breathe and they didn’t have to worry about losing their home. I also decided not to sell Miss Sally’s old place. What just happened with my parents made me realize that anything could happen. We didn’t wish for it, but sometimes life took a turn for the worse and then you needed back-up of some kind. I was also wondering if I should move in with Hunter. It was clear that my parents needed my help, but my father must have guessed where my thoughts were going.“Irina, you have to start living your own life. You can’t hang around here until you are eighty and have thirteen cats to keep you company. We appreciate your help and I will pay you back, but you have to think about your own future now. Hunter is a good man. He will look after you.” To say that I was surprised was a complete understat
IrinaHunter picked me up at my parents’ house. We drove into town and I laughed when we pulled up outside the only restaurant in town. At least, this was something I imagined would happen with my future husband. Having dinner at the only restaurant in town each year on our anniversary after having dinner here every time he took me out on a date. We sat down and placed our order and after the waiter brought our drinks, I took a deep breath and decided to get it over with.“Hunter, would we be able to have children if I’m still … Human.” I almost whispered the word. I didn’t want people around us to hear me and when Hunter burst out laughing, I rolled my eyes. “Great, now you are laughing at me.” I sighed, feeling like an idiot.“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be laughing. It’s just I thought I was rushing you. I was scared I might be going too fast after asking you to marry me.” He looked relieved and I grinned. If only he knew the truth! Dangit! I was already packed and ready to move in! “Ye
IrinaHUNTER ALMOST SEEMED RELIEVED to be rid of Emily when I mentioned I wanted her to help me in the store permanently. I knew he wanted someone close to me at all times to protect me whenever he wasn’t around, and this was the best solution.We had a romantic dinner for two and after, he drove me out to the pack house where we told an elated Emily. She wasted no time in saying yes, and that was that. Emily was my new shop assistant, on top of being a secretary to the pack. I stayed with Hunter for the night and when we made love, it felt as if we were reconnecting again.In the morning, he and Isiah drove me and Emily to the store. This was not the life I dreamed I would have. It was much better. I didn’t have a white picket fence in front of my home, but I had an entire forest. Who could ask for more? Over the next couple of weeks, we were incredibly busy at the store with all the different holidays and each time, Emily loved helping me to change the display window.My parents and
IrinaNEW YEARS FLEW BY LIKE a whirlwind and I could feel things changing desperately after Valentine's Day! We had decided on the menu and Hunter’s staff were going to prepare everything. Since I didn’t have any other family besides my parents and very few friends, our guest list consisted mostly of the pack. Which made sending out invitations incredibly easy because they went to one main address!I found the flowers I wanted pretty easily as soon as they came back into season, which left only one thing. My dress. When we were little, it was so easy. We found mom’s old dress in the attic and that was that. It was our dream wedding dress. I realized that in all the time I had imagined this dream life of mine, I never spent any time thinking about the actual wedding.As we walked into the boutique just two doors down from the flower shop, I frowned. All along the walls there were wedding dresses of all shapes and sizes. There were different fabrics and some had really intricate detail
IrinaI had to tell my parents the truth after my outburst, but how could I tell Hunter’s secret without having his permission? I was just so shaken up when I first arrived, that I wasn’t thinking straight. The sheriff arrived and my parents luckily gave us some time alone to talk. He suggested that I call Hunter and as soon as he was on speaker phone, we sat down and I told them what happened.I didn’t have to see Hunter to know that he was growing furious. This was the second time I had been attacked by rogues and it was slowly becoming clear that rogue attacks weren’t that strange around the outside of town, but now they were coming for me inside town.They were coming for me where there were humans that knew nothing about the supernatural world. Not only did they risk the exposure of the pack, but they risked the exposure of the entire supernatural world. Something about that scared Hunter, and I had never heard him sound this scared. The sheriff left and Hunter stayed on the line
Irina“You look breathtaking.” Hunter whispered, sending a shiver down the back of my spine and as soon as his eyes shot down to my breasts, I remembered I was completely naked under the dress! It was the first thing he noticed and he grinned from ear to ear.“Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself.” I felt my cheeks turn bright red as the pastor cleared his throat to start the ceremony.“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Hunter and Irina. Love is not a bond people should enter into lightly and, after my limited discussions with the two of you, I can say for sure that you have given this union some serious thought. Ladies and gentlemen, Hunter and Irina have asked to make their own vows to each other and I will now give them the chance to make their everlasting promises. Irina, you first.” He smiled and nodded at me and I took a deep breath and looked into Hunter’s eyes.“Hunter, when we first met, I wondered what an old guy like you would be wanting w
IrinaIT FELT A LITTLE strange to wake up in his bedroom and not think about everything I had to do when I got back home. This is my home now. I turned around in Hunter’s arms and kissed him on the nose before wriggling out of his steel grip and making my way to the bathroom.“You have to get up! We’re going to be late!” I giggled, rushing into the bathroom, and opening up the shower. I was still naked after our wedding night. For once, I didn’t feel self-conscious about my body. I remember the first time I walked naked and noticed him watching. I very quickly covered myself and he took the cover away. Hunter told me that he loved my body. He loved every curve and every little spot. It changed something inside me and, since then, I don’t mind running around naked in our room. I popped my head around the door and grinned at him.“Come on, sleepy head!” We had to leave the house within the hour or we were going to be late for our flight. Of course, we couldn’t take a shower together wit
IrinaI could deal with the nightmares … Most of the time, but it did put one thing in the spotlight. Hunter still hadn’t marked me the way that wolves do with their mates. We talked about it … A lot, but Hunter was scared that if he marked me, he would lose me. It was frustrating that he thought I wouldn’t be strong enough to survive the transition.I was also scared because if I did turn, I would be one of them. A monster like the wolf that came after me. There were just too many variables. Thankfully, now that we were married and having loads of sex, I no longer got the fever, which was a good thing. If I had to spend one more night in hospital with a fever no doctor could explain, people would start asking questions.Anyway, life had to go on and so did we. I grew used to having meals with the pack in their enormous dining room, and omegas tending to my every need. Sometimes, before I even realized I had one. I grew used to taking care of the pack business while running the flower