Alpha's Moon: A special forces shifter romance Renee Rose (universal ebook reader .txt) 📖

of our room and down to the lobby to meet up with the bridal party. I put on my game face and air kiss all the bridesmaids. Deke remains at my side, a tall, silent shadow. Eventually we head out to run through the ceremony. There’s an air of excitement, and when Jenn, the bride to be, arrives, we all squeal and clap.

“This is it,” I remind myself. “This is why we’re here.” For my friend’s big day.

Everything goes smoothly, but I can’t help turning my head to check on Deke every few minutes. He sits in the audience on the bride’s side, staring off into the distance. Playing the part of bored boyfriend, except he’s not bored. This is Broody Deke. His mood reminds me of how he acted after our kiss in the alley way, when the clam-jamming biker came by.

He stirs a little when Scott escorts me down the aisle, but Scott behaves himself. I’ll bet he senses the unspoken threat from Deke if he doesn’t.

When I take my place, I search Deke out. I can’t see his eyes because he’s still wearing his badass aviator shades, even though the sun’s almost down behind the mountains. I make a note to tease him about wearing his sunglasses at night and give him a smile. Deke lifts his chin in response.

I’m going to figure out what put him in this broody mood. Seductive Sadie is making her debut tonight.

Rehearsal ends, and we all head off to dinner. A few people mention the helicopter, and Deke finds himself briefly the center of attention. I’m able and willing to step in to deflect questions, but Deke handles it. “Teddy’s Helicopter Tours,” he says, handing out business cards. “Check ‘em out.”

“Quite the impression your man is making,” Elana purrs in my ear as I stand by watching Deke talk to the curious crowd about helicopter tours. He is patient and calm, even leaning down to converse with Jenn’s grandma, who’s in a wheelchair. She pats his cheek, smiling up at him.

“He’s a good man,” Elana tells me, her eyes glued to Deke’s ass as he’s bent over. When he rises, he’s a full head taller than everyone.

“Mmm,” I murmur into my champagne.

Elana stops ogling Deke and faces me fully. “Way better than your ex. What did you even see in him?”

“I don’t even know. Thanks. I thought it’d be awkward with you here.”

“On no, hun, I’m just here to make him look good. He made it worth my while, if you know what I mean.” Her eyes twinkle over her vodka tonic. “But I'd never hurt a sister. We’ve got to stick together.”

I clink glasses with her. She looks around swiftly and leans in close to whisper a warning, “Scott wanted to try to ambush you at the hot tub. But the rate he’s going, he’ll pass out tonight. At least, I hope.” Elana wrinkles her nose. “Does he always snore?”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, I’ve got earplugs.”

Deke turns, looking over the crowd at me.

“Go, get your man,” Elana waves me away.

I cut through the crowd and thread my arm through Deke’s. “Come on, honey,” I say loudly for everyone to hear. “There’s something I need to show you.”

Deke

Sadie grabs my hand and tugs me out of the crowd. I follow willingly, feeling relief as she leads me out of the room.

“Everything okay?” I ask as she pulls me into a side hall. She glances around and pushes me into an alcove before gazing up at me.

“You looked like you needed a break.”

The tension in my spine ebbs away. She’s right. For a moment, I was close to losing it. Too many people around. My wolf was agitated, but just being near Sadie helps.

I let my head drop and press my forehead against hers, breathing her in. She’s my calm in the storm.

Leaving her is gonna suck. My wolf is already frantic, imagining it.

“I want to thank you,” she whispers.

“Sadie.” I don’t mean to touch her—not after my conversation with Rafe, but I find myself rubbing my thumb along her lower lip. My cock wants in that lush mouth again.

But I can’t. This is so fucked up.

I drop my hand and rub the back of my neck. Rafe’s last words ring in my head. You’re a danger to her. Get out as soon as you can, before it’s too late.

He’s right. I’m a monster. I destroy everything I touch.

My wolf howls in my chest. I groan, pressing a hand to my chest. I feel like I’m having a fucking heart attack. But I’m not. It’s my wolf, grieving like it’s lost its mate.

Could Sadie actually be my mate?

I’m an idiot for not realizing it sooner. I’ve had the urge to mark her every time we get sexual, but I chalked it up to my wolf being nuts.

Wolves don’t usually pick humans for mates, but I do know it happens. Especially with our species’ dwindling numbers, I hear of it more and more often these days.

Sadie’s touch brings me back to her. “What is happening? What’s wrong?”

Even just the thought of her being my mate brings my wolf roaring to the surface, my teeth itching to descend and mark her. “I shouldn’t be here,” I mutter.

“No,” she says. “Don’t say that. You’re here to help me. You’re doing great. I’m sorry I had to drag you into this.”

“Babe.” I let my head drop to her shoulder, into the curve of her neck and breathe in her scent. It helps. My wolf calms. “It’s not that. I’m glad to be here. I’d fight to be by your side.”

She inhales quickly and brings her small hand to cup my neck, holding me against her. “You don't have to fight. I’m right here.”

Fuck. I can’t fight this any longer. I lift my head, cup her cheeks and kiss her, hard.

A loud group of party-goers passes the hall, and I tuck her deeper in the alcove.

They’re right around the corner, anyone could walk down the