Alpha's Moon (Shifter Ops 1)

Jenn pulls me aside the first chance she gets. “Sadie, I’m so sorry. I thought you were still with Scott.”

“No, it’s okay. We broke up a while back. I didn’t want to dump on you while you were planning the wedding,” I say. “I’m sorry, I guess I hoped Geoff would tell you.”

“Oh, girl, you’re fine. I didn’t mean to assume you were with Scott. I paired you off for the whole ceremony. Oh no,” her hand flies to her mouth. “Are you guys in the same room?”

“No, I called the hotel and got my own room,” I assure her. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about me. This is your big weekend.”

“I know!” she squeals and throws up her arms. The diamond glint on her finger catches her eye, and she holds out her hand to gaze adoringly at her ring.

I try not to worry about the mixed messages of Scott walking me down the aisle. But then I glance at Deke, and I hardly care.

A few feet away, the flock of bridesmaids shriek with laughter. I look over and Deke’s there, his tall form towering over the giddy women. His eyes are on me not them. Like he’s ready to jump in and protect me in case Jenn suddenly assaults me or something. He nods at me, and I smile back, feeling warm inside.

Deke’s here. It’ll be fine.

Deke

I get a whiff of Douchebag Cologne and stifle a cough.

I walk away from the tipsy women without a word. One of them calls, “Come back soon” to my back. As if I would ever look at another woman when I have Sadie.

I sidle up to Sadie and hook my arm around her. “Missed ya, babe,” I mutter and the human she’s talking to—the bride—gives me a big grin.

“Aww, you too,” Sadie says.

“You two are so cute together,” the bride sighs. “Which reminds me, I should go see what my guy is up to. See you at dinner?”

“Yes,” Sadie agrees, and I keep my expression blank. I guess we have to eat sometime, but my wolf is already on edge in this confined place. There are too many people here. Too much noise. My wolf wants me to drag Sadie back upstairs and feast on her pussy instead.

The bride glides away, and Sadie pokes me in the side. “Did you see?”

She means Scott and his new arm candy. “Yep.”

“Oh my God,” she whispers. “He really is dating someone new.”

“Or he’s paying for her company.”

Sadie wrinkles her nose. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

She laughs, and my wolf preens a little. I’m so fucking glad she doesn’t give a shit about that guy.

Across the room, Scott sees us and heads right over. I pull Sadie closer. “What’s up with her lips? She looks like she’s been stung by a bee.”

“Those aren’t natural. There’s some filler involved in there,” Sadie whispers back.

She sips her champagne, surreptitiously watching her ex approach. “I can’t believe he dialed a date. At least she’s not half his age. Ugh, what did I see in Scott?”

“I have no fuckin’ idea.”

“Sadie.” Scott finally arrives in front of us. I wonder briefly if Sadie would protest if I punched the smirk off his face. “This is Elana.”

Elana looks me up and down and angles herself to show off her cleavage as she offers her hand. “Charmed,” she says in a husky voice.

I give Elana a nod, and let Sadie shake her hand.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Sadie says sweetly. “You probably heard that Scott and I broke up a month ago. I’m so glad he’s found someone.”

“Your loss, my gain,” Elana says.

“Definitely.” Sadie looks relieved. “Just to warn you, the bride thought Scott and I were still together, so we’re partnered during the wedding. But Scott is all yours.” Sadie puts up her hands in Scott’s direction like she’s pushing him away. “I don’t want him at all.”

“Got it,” Elana says.

“Good! We can all be adults about this. I don’t want things to be awkward.”

“Oh, I think we can all get along,” Elana winks at me.

Sadie notices and angles in closer to me. I fucking love it. She’s claiming me. She may not seem like an alpha female, but she has the potential.

“Whatever makes things easy for Sadie,” I say with extra emphasis on her name. “She’s my priority.”

“Aww that’s so sweet,” Elana says and turns to Sadie. “Looks like you got a good one.”

“I did. Hey, did you want some champagne?” Sadie waves Brigit over to get Elana a glass.

“Absolutely.” Elana lights up. “Would love a glass.”

Scott stands by with a half grimace on his face. If he hoped for a catfight between Sadie and Elana, he’s SOL.

“To weddings,” Sadie and Elana toast and clink glasses.

“How is everybody doing?” An overly perfumed woman sails over and inserts herself into our group. Beside me, Sadie stiffens.

“Sadie, is that you?” The woman is middle aged with frosted blonde hair. She leans in to invite Sadie to give her a kiss on the cheek and a wave of her intense perfume nearly knocks me out. I duck my head and half turn, wanting to bury my face in Sadie’s hair, so I can draw a clean breath. My wolf whimpers.