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
IrinaWHEN HUNTER RETURNED, I found myself running outside and straight into his arms. Was this what real love felt like?! I felt as though I couldn’t breathe when he wasn’t around, and as soon as he was back, I took my first breath in forever! Emily called it the mate bond. That mysterious destined bond gifted to them by the moon goddess.We had dinner with the pack and finally had some alone time as soon as we went to our room. I loved making love to Hunter. He had more stamina than I could have imagined and, thanks to his experience, I was never left unsatisfied. We were lying in bed in each other’s arms just basking in the glow of being together when I took a deep breath.“Hunter, if we have children, will they grow up in this house?” I frowned, circling his muscles with the tip of my finger.“Of course. This will be our family home. You know I can’t leave the pack.” I nodded. I was going to talk to him about moving into Miss Sally’s old house. I really wanted a home for our child
IrinaOVER THE NEXT couple of days, I kept having awful nightmares about wolves chasing me. They became so bad, that Hunter took me to the pack doctor. I didn’t want to sleep, and I couldn’t eat. My fear had completely taken over. I knew I was being ridiculous and that was the worst part. I knew I was safe with Hunter around, but I just couldn’t shake the intense fear coursing through my veins every second of the day. I tried to hide it, but it was as though Hunter could smell it on me.The medication the doctor gave me helped me to get some sleep and once I had a good night’s rest, I was able to eat something. I could physically feel my strength returning to my body and the fear subsided as the days passed by. I was still scared and I still wanted to know why we had to live like this, but it was as though acceptance finally set it.The pack would protect me, and when there were no attacks for a couple of weeks, I started to relax again. Sadly, the pack house still didn’t feel like ho
IrinaI SAT THERE GAPING AT HUNTER. I couldn’t believe he had actually changed his mind. I was hoping if he bit me and I turned I wouldn’t be so scared anymore because I would be able to protect myself more. I was also hoping that since these attacks were happening because I was human, they would stop the moment I was no longer a human.I was hoping for a lot, I know, but if we didn’t have hope, what did we have? It would mean that I would be bound to Hunter for the rest of my life, so if it didn’t work, there would be no out. No divorce and I’m free … I was being paranoid. Why on earth would I ever want to leave Hunter?! My fears were NOT going to ruin the best thing I had in my life. I loved Hunter more than anything. I just had to keep my eye on the ball. Breathing in deeply, I looked into his eyes.“I want to mark you with every fiber of my being, Irina. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, but I don’t want to do it if you might die.” His eyes filled with tears as he said it and I jumped up