Cougar's Luck (Pacific Northwest Cougars Book 2) (17 page)

H
er wedding dress
was hanging on a hook against the wall. The soft fabric looking like a cloud. She’d loved it in the store, but when she tried it on, Layla knew it was her perfect dress.

She wouldn’t have thought she’d be nervous. She was already married after all. She was mated, bonded, and settled.

But the idea of walking down the aisle towards Everett had her heart skipping a beat. She knew his eyes would be on her, burning bright. That love and devotion that he would always have for her shining through.

It had been two months since they met, give or take a few days. The Vincent problem was a memory. Everett’s mother had been on her best behavior. Effie even called to thank her for it after hearing the story.

Everett agreed to move into the family compound until they decided to move out. Neither seemed to be in a hurry.

They worked, they played, they spent hours upon hours loving each other. They were happy.

Now they had a wedding and a pack ceremony to get through. This was big, Everett had decided to change packs. He did this with Dax’s blessing. He didn’t have to make that choice, but he felt since he was in Vegas, he needed to add his strength to their pack. His family would always have his support, but he was Klein pack now.

“Knock, knock,” came a call from outside her room.

“Come in,” she answered, shaken out of her revere.

The swung open and Effie came in. She was wearing a skin tight, knee-length red dress. Her hair was up in a smooth chignon and she looked amazing.

Effie started calling her regularly after Dax had allowed her to travel for a visit. Of course, her friend Cassie came along. Boy was she a trip, but super sweet.

It was great to be able to be close to her sister-in-law. She was also able to give her some insight on shifters.

“Sweetie, do you need any help?” Effie asked, striding over to her.

“I’d love some. I kicked my mom and sisters out. They were giving me a headache.” Layla loved them, but she needed some quiet to find her zen.

Effie walked over to the dress and picked it up off the hook. She helped slip it over Layla’s head. Her hair was down and wavy just like Everett liked it.

“Damn, girl! You look like an angel. A sexy, smoking hot, angel,” Effie exclaimed.

“Do you think he’ll like it?”

She was nervous that he wanted something more traditional. Something that made her look like a cupcake with fluffy frosting. This dress was soft and body hugging. It just skimmed the floor so she could dance the night way and not trip over the train.

“He’ll love it. He’ll love even more taking it off you later,” Effie teased.

“I hope so,” she whispered.

“Ready?” Effie said, giving her a big hug.

“Let’s do this.”

“
F
uck me
, she’s an angel.”

This was whispered quietly near Everett’s ear from Stryker. As he stood next to him as his best man, his brother was obviously as stunned as he was at the vision coming towards him.

His mate was beautiful, this he knew. He had no idea what she would look like walking towards him, dressed in white, with all of the love in the world directed straight at him. It was indescribable and something he would never forget. This moment would be burned into his mind until the day he died.

Layla was on her father’s arm, smiling brightly, eyes only on him. She was carrying her favorite yellow roses. Her hair bounced as she walked, the lights in the tent reflecting off her curls. Fuck him, she was his.

As they made it up to him, he shook himself out of the daze she’d put him in. Shaking her father’s hand, he grabbed hers, turning her towards him.

“Duchess,” he whispered.

“Baby,” she answered back.

The minister started in on the traditional wedding speech. Both mothers had asked for this and they’d agreed. It wasn’t a big deal to them. They recited the standard vows, similar to the ones at their little chapel in front of Elvis. But they both added their own feelings at the end.

“Everett, I am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with you. You are my best friend, my lover, and my soul mate. The love we possess is genuine and true. The fates united us with the intent that we belong together. I believe this with all my heart. I promise to love and support you all the days of our lives.” Layla said these vows through tears in her eyes.

Everett picked up their joined hands and kissed the backs of each of hers before repeating the vows before adding his own.

“Layla, in the presence of the fates and our families, I pledge myself to you. Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here that this love will be my only love. I will make my home in your heart from this day forward.”

Everett was so proud he got through that without choking up. Then Layla lifted their hands and kissed the backs of his like he had done to her. He smiled at her wobbly as the tears gathered in his eyes.

The minister continued, rings were exchanged and cheers erupted from those gathered underneath the tent.

T
he party went
on for hours, the guests ate, drank, and danced until they wore out the band. Everyone enjoyed the lemon chiffon cake, but the Storm Trooper cake was the big hit. Everett was totally surprised at his mate’s thoughtfulness.

All of the humans had left. The shifters pretended to leave then returned for the pack ceremony.

Everett and Layla stood again at the altar, their packs on either side of the aisle all smiling up at them. This time, John the Klein Alpha and Dax, the Hayes Alpha were standing with them.

“Thank you all for staying, or coming back as the case may be,” Dax started. “Some of you might think that this is a sad day. Everett leaving the Hayes pack. Instead, I want you all to rejoice in the fact that we now have a bigger family. The Hayes pack is small and loyal and we will all benefit from having the relationship with the Kleins to better all of our futures. I would never let my baby brother go, if I didn’t know that the Kleins would love him as much as we do,” Dax said, pausing to stare at his shoes and regain his composure.

“I know I will see him just as often as I do now. But I will miss him in our pack. I wish you the best in your new pack, brother,” Dax said, grabbing Everett and wrapping him in his arms. He hugged his brother tight, then hugged and kissed Layla before stepping back.

John stepped forward next. “The decision to switch packs is never something anyone takes lightly. But we as shifters know that the freedom of choice is something we all have fought long and hard for. Our pack should be humbled at the sacrifice that Everett is making tonight for his mate. We will be a better and stronger pack with him amongst us.”

John turned back to the couple and asked them to hold out their hands. Dax walked up with a small knife and nicked the palms of both his brother and Layla before handing the knife to John. John nodded accepting the knife and cut his own hand. He let a drop of blood fall into each of their palms, then placed their palms together.

Everett looked at John and said in a solemn voice, “John Klein, I accept you as my Alpha. I swear fealty to the Klein pack. I will bring honor to the pact, never causing it disgrace. I will protect and fight for the pack whenever called upon. By my blood, I swear.”

The cheer than rang up was deafening in the tent. One side was cheering and shouting, the other smiling and clapping, most with tears in their eyes.

“I think this calls for a run!” John called out.

Most of the guests started walking out of the tent before finding a dark spot to disrobe. A few had shifted and walked back into the tent as the rest of the packs mingled to get out.

The sight of large mountain lions amongst the fancy dressed guests, combined with the freak show display of some old dude turning into a giant cat caused a voice to screech out from the back of the tent, “Holy fucking shit balls!”

The crowd turned and everyone spotted Cassie standing in a purple and orange paisley dress, black combat books and purple hair to match. Her expression was shock, fear, and something else.

Assessing the situation, Dax came from behind Everett and Layla to try to get to Cassie first.

Seeing him come towards her she called out, “Down Simba!” This halted Dax for a moment. He didn’t want to scare her.

“This explains so much. You guys are freaking were-cats! Or were-panthers? What the hell are you? Were-linxes? No that can’t be right. Seriously you guys are like supernatural, voodoo, after-school special, don’t do drugs or you’ll see freaky shit, cats!”

“Cassie, why don’t we go inside to talk huh?” Dax tried to herd her towards the house.

“Does Effie know?” she asked, looking past Dax to the large cats that were still watching her.

“Of course, sweetie lets go inside,” he said softly.

“Oh hells to the no! She kept this shit from me? It’s on like Donkey Kong. She’s got some explaining to do! You all have a nice night, enjoy your catnip or mouses or whatever you were doing, peace out!” Cassie said turning back to the house to find Effie. Effie was supposed to be keeping her in the house and occupied so she wouldn’t see the pack ceremony. Clearly she’d fallen asleep on the job.

Everett walked up to Dax and slapped him on the back. “Well, that’s one way for her to find out. Now you don’t have to have that awkward conversation when you guys start having kids,” he said with a laugh.

“Har-har. Oh man, it’s going to be a long night,” Dax sighed and headed towards the house to track down Cassie and his wayward mate.

Layla came up and wrapped her arms around Everett. “Psst.”

Twisting his head to see behind him he raised an eyebrow.

“I can change into a cat too,” she admitted.

Laughing, he turned and wrapped her in his arms. “Good thing I can too. Let’s go for a run before I take you to our room and tie you to the bed. I bought new white silk scarves just for our honeymoon,” he growled low at her.

“Tease,” she purred back. Taking his hand, she walked him out into the darkness. Their cats ran through the desert, reveling in the joy of their new lives together and the future ahead of them.

I
hope
you enjoyed my PNW Cougar’s Luck! There are more stories to come so be sure to sign up for my New Release Newsletters or follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

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“
W
ill
you stay tonight with me? Please, sweetness?” he asked between kisses.

Effie had no intention of moving away from the sexy man on top of her. No way, no how.

“I’ll stay, but there better be pancakes in the morning. I get very cranky without my morning carbs,” she warned.

“Duly noted,” he growled and kissed her hard again. Sliding his hands down he reached for both of her hands and drew them above her head. He wrapped her fingers around the slats in the headboard.

D
ax Hayes knew
what it meant to be the Alpha of a cougar pack. He also knew that his responsibilities to family were his first priority. But Dax wanted more. He’d been around a long time and he simply wanted to find his One. His one true mate to start a family with. A temporary break and a fresh start was just what he needed.

Life had a way of kicking you when you were down. At least that’s what Effie Parks had come to believe. Growing up with a mother in jail and foster parents who weren’t cruel, but weren’t kind, left her fighting for every scrap of happiness. She didn’t ask for much, her needs were simple. Until she met Dax.

Do opposites attract or are some hurdles, human and shifter, too big to overcome?