Chapter 94: Sixteen.

Colt held back the sigh that wanted to escape her lips, she was bridal gown shopping, and it was utterly against her better judgement. She regretted agreeing as soon as the words left her mouth. Of course she had declined as delicately as possible at first, but the arguments that had been used to persuade her were fool proof it seemed, and now here she was, in a shop surrounded by all things white, lace, and surprisingly sparkly tulle.

She hated to admit it with how she was feeling, but the dresses were stunning. Of course, there was the odd one that made her visibly cringe, but everyone's tastes differ, she thought forgivingly. Each dress was exquisite in it's own way, even the ugly ones, although that was more to do with the craftsmanship Colt decided, than the actual style.

It hadn't been long from when Colt had first entered the store, that she had lost her self to the hindsights, and the what ifs of life. As she thumbed through the layers of tulle, satin and lace that were on display, a different barage of emotions hit her in succession, ranging from regret to downright despair.

Eventually though, she came to one particular dress, that gave her pause. It was so her. A backless, off white lace gown. It had full length skin tight sleeves, and a deep plunging neck line. The lace top, was belted with a wide swathe of satin, before the lace continued on to the floor, giving off an almost translucent appearance. The fabric was light weight and delicate, perfect for a beach wedding.

This, she thought, yes this would have been how I looked marrying Elijah.

Suddenly she had a vision of their wedding in her head. They would have had a small ceremony, on the beach behind his home in Georgia. Close friends and family only. Of course, as this was a fantasy, Nora was still alive, and present in Colt's mind, proclaiming her importance as chief flower girl, and keeping everyone in line. Colt and Elijah both would have been barefoot, and she would have worn a garland of flowers on top of her free flowing hair. Her bouquet would have been filled with sunflowers and giant daisies. Elijah would have looked so handsome in a linen suit, with a pale blue, open collared shirt, which would naturally highlight those striking blue eyes of his. They would have said their vows under a standing archway of flowers, and after the ceremony, he would have kissed her, like she was the only thing in the world at that moment. Everything and everyone would have faded from existence as their tongues danced, and they held one another, in a solid unbreakable embrace. They would have only faltered, when one of her brothers made a lewd comment, or more likely, threw something at her new husband, just to burst their bubble and move things along to the eating part of the celebration. She could hear her Mom, telling them off so vividly in her head. For food, they would have fired up the grill, on the entertainment deck, the fairy lights embedded in the wooden pergola style beams would have been utterly magical as they shared their first dance together after sunset, spending their time as newly weds do, in that hazy bliss with their faces aching from smiling all day long. After everyone had left, Elijah would have carried Colt to their bedroom, and there wasn't one single doubt in her mind, nestled into his embrace after their day, Colt would have fallen fast asleep. Meaning their marriage most likely wouldn't have been consummated till the following morning. But, it would have been their official beginning, husband and wife, and in Colt's eyes it would have all been so perfect.

Colt discreetly wiped a stray tear from her face, as her mind snapped back harshly into reality, again. Ever since seeing that stupid dress, her head was filled with hers and Elijah's special day, that would never be, and she couldn't seem to stop herself from spacing out on that one fantasy. What if Nora hadn't died, and when she came home, Elijah's warm embrace was waiting on her. He wouldn't have cheated in his drunken stupor, and she wouldn't have died as a result during her first shift, because of him.

What ifs, really were a bitch.

Suddenly, hearing the sound of the sales assistant's voice her eyes snapped up, and she refocused on the task at hand, finding a wedding gown.

"So then, what do we say to this one?" She asked.

Colt's eyes scanned down the dress. It was a Princess style gown, with a large multi layered tulle skirt, the final piece overlaying it all had sparkling glass beads sewn on, matching the sweetheart neckline, where the satin material there was also encrusted with the same small crystals.

"Colt, what do you think then?" Iona reiterated, curious as to what Colt thought.

"Sorry sweetie, it's a no from me," Colt answered, "It just isn't the right fit."

"Aye, but we can always get it altered." Maureen stated.

"Believe me, that won't help." Colt snapped back, annoyed at her grandmother's dismissive tone. "Besides, it looks like a frosted margarita glass."

Iona sighed, "I think Colt is right. The dress just feels like I'm trying too hard, it's not very me."

Robert smiled, mouthing a silent "Thank you." to his niece.

Colt nodded, her uncle and she were of the same opinion, Iona's determination to go through with this farce of an engagement, all the way through to being wedded, was an absolute joke.

Maureen on the other hand scowled at her elder granddaughter, but for the moment, was at least wise enough to keep her mouth shut.

Colt, inwardly rolled her eyes, she didn't believe it was the dress that was the wrong fit. The thing holding Iona back was the groom. Samuel was lovely there was no doubt about it. But, Iona's true mate was her perfect fit, and Colt genuinely was starting to think that Iona would only find her "perfect dress" when she woke up and realised, she needed her perfect match first.

Sighing, she rubbed her temples as the stuffy heat in the shop began to get to her. She wished she hadn't agreed to be Iona's bridesmaid, but unfortunately it was too late to back out now. She swore, she had watched her cousin parade in no less than fifty dresses, throughout the past fortnight alone, as she tried to find "the one," and it was beginning to grate on her. Especially when her grandmother kept deciding to interact with her.

"Colt, Dear," Maureen began, all false affection and compassion, while Iona went to get changed again. "Have you thought anymore about young Angus' proposal? He would make a steady and proud husband, you know?"

"Mother," came Robert's warning response. "Leave her be, you know she can't stand the lad. Frankly, I don't blame her either," he added, throwing a wink at his niece, and making her snigger.

"No one asked you, Bobby!" Maureen snapped, annoyed at her son for his interference.

Colt rubbed between her eyes briefly, before responding, "I won't be marrying anyone, Granny. I have a mate, he has marked me, I am not available. Regardless of whatever legal technicalities or marriage certificate evidence is missing. It won't be happening." Colt explained, desperately hanging on to her cool.

"But, you came here for a fresh start. You said so yourself, Dear." Maureen tried, in as much of a consoling manner as possible. "Angus could be that fresh start you're craving. Just think about it, that's all we ask." She finished by patting Colt's hand affectionately.

Colt could taste blood in her mouth, she was biting her tongue that hard, in an effort to stop herself from making a dreadful scene. Then, removing her teeth from her tongue she was struck with a brainwave. To play her grandmother at her own falsely sweet game.

"Granny, you are right I did come here for a fresh start," she began, watching the hope light up in her grandmother's eyes. "A fresh start away from men. I didn't leave my mate, to replace him with a sorry excuse for a man, who couldn't even live up to the caliber of class Elijah had in his little finger, on his best day. Angus is a pathetic excuse for a.. well for anything really, he is truly worthless," she stated, managing to maintain a happy tone of voice throughout. "Oh, and the only way I will ever allow him near my body, is if I have already vacated it, and he digs up, my cold, lifeless corpse," she said, maintaining a sweet smile the whole way through her speech.

Robert was laughing in the corner at his niece, as she put his mother squarely in her place. No one had dared speak to her like that since Isla was around, and it was so refreshing.

Meanwhile, Maureen was busy sputtering around for a comeback to prove Colt wrong. She knew Angus was a wimp with a big mouth, who had no capacity for learning or personal growth. But a deal was a deal, and after Isla reneged on her engagement with his Uncle Arthur, the Campbells owed them Colt. Plus, Arthur had specifically demanded it years ago, when word of Colt's birth had reached their ears, that since he couldn't have his original bride, he would take the wolf's daughter as compensation for his clan. But, Colt was just being so stubborn about it all.

Iona, came back from the changing rooms at this point, trying not to laugh along with her father. This time she was wearing a simple grecian style gown, almost Edwardian in fashion, with puffed sleeves and a high bust bust level waistline.

"Granny, close your mouth, you will catch flies," Colt condescended concluding their conversation, before turning to her cousin. "Very elegant," she said, "But not, very you," she then added with a wink, earning a scowl from Iona, and a snigger of laughter from Robert.

"Thanks, Bitch." Iona retorted, playfully sticking out her tongue as she turned around to go back to the changing room, before even stepping up on the dais this time.

"Colt?" Maureen began, still desperate to have the last word somehow.

"Yes, Granny?" She smiled in response. Dana only knew where the woman was going to go with her line of persuasion this time, Colt thought.

Maureen sighed. "Well you see, I am curious, and a little confused. If you are so certain that you're here, for a fresh start away from men, then why is that lion still hanging around?" She asked in triumph. Challenging Colt with a raised brow.

"Granny, don't challenge a wolf. You won't win." Colt snarled back aggressively, She really had had enough of the woman. "And, Felix is a friend. Plus he is the only reason your precious, Mr. Bruce, isn't missing his windpipe."

"What?" Both Maureen and Robert asked shocked.

"There has been more than one occasion in the past three weeks since Felix's arrival that he has stopped me from murdering, your would be grandson in law. The moron keeps turning up at my home, mouthing off, and there is only so much disrespect a she wolf will take." Colt explained, partially warning her grandmother, as much as explaining her motives. "I suggest you speak to his Uncle, get him to behave himself, or one day Felix won't be around to stop me, and I will personally deliver him a new pair of fur slippers," Colt threatened.

Iona rounded the corner at this point again, before Maureen could respond, not that she had much to say at the moment anyway.

Robert took one look at his daughter in the high necked, heavily laced antique gown, and stated, "If you pick that monstrosity, you can pay for the wedding yourself, Iona."

Iona's eyes lit up as she looked at her father. Her Mom died when she was nine in a car accident. Her younger sister and brother lost their lives on that horrendous evening as well. A drunk driver fell asleep at the wheel one winter's night, plowing both vehicles off the road, and down a cliff. Since then, although if she was truly honest, she had always been a bit of a Daddy's girl, but from then they became so much closer, and she could see this was killing him. He had made his view very clear. Samuel wasn't who she should be with, he wanted her with Alasdair, her true mate, clan loyaltie be damned. But, Iona had made a promise to her best friend, and she wouldn't break it, no matter how much she longed to.

Trudging back to the dressing room, she had had enough. Maybe she could just wear jeans and a t-shirt. White ones obviously, she inwardly mused.

After putting her sundress back on, she made her way out again, giving her Dad a warm smile and a hug, when he stood up to meet her.

"Now that's more like my beautiful daughter," he said warmly, as he looked at her in her floaty pale green dress. "Can't you just find this dress in white?" He asked, smiling down at her.

"That's not such a bad idea, Old Man," Iona responded, stepping up and wrapping an arm around him.

"Don't you dare," scolded Maureen. "A bride needs a bridal gown."

Iona smirked, suppressing her eye roll. "Yes, Granny."

"Good." Maureen nodded. "Now, I need to head to the supermarket. Robert, be a Dear, and drive me?" She asked, claiming her son.

"Aye of course, Mother," he dutifully replied. "Iona, tell Colt goodbye from us please." He stated, pointing at her cousin, who seemed to be off in her own little world again.

"Of course, Daddy." She smiled giving him a peck on the cheek, and releasing him.

With that, Robert led his mother out of the bridal shop, and Iona turned to find Colt still staring off into space.

Walking over, she snapped her fingers in front of Colt to get her attention. "Earth to Colt? Come in, Colt. Do you read me?" She asked, laughing.

Colt jumped, as her ever wandering mind pulled her starkly back into reality, again. "Sorry, Iona, I was in a world of my own there," she admitted, "What's happening? "

"Thinking what could have been, if you had accepted your lion?" Iona teased.

Colt laughed, "No. Felix meant well, but a fake marriage wouldn't solve anything, and he knows it too. He just gets carried away, with his need to fix things sometimes."

"So, why don't we go grab a coffee down the road then, and you can tell me all about it. Like what made you go so vicious on Granny? Not that I don't approve, she had it coming. But still, normally you're so controlled" Iona stated, pulling Colt to her feet and dragging her out the door.

"Hmmm," Colt shuddered, "Speaking of, where did they go?"

"Just shopping, Dad agreed purely to save you, I think," Iona responded playfully.

"What, from a murder charge?" Colt retorted.

"Most likely," Iona laughed, as they reached the coffee house, a couple of stores down the street. "Sit in, or take away?" She asked pulling open the door.

"Take away. I have to get ready for work later." Colt stated, genuinely looking forward to her shift at the pub later.

"Well, in that case I might have to come see you. I hear there's likely to be a rare Scottish occurrence tonight." Iona teased. "Plus, you still have to tell me what's got your head all a fuzz."

Colt laughed, "Who said I'm going to tell you?" She stated, widening her facial features in mock surprise, and sticking out her tongue.

"Because, we both know if you don't, I will just annoy it out of you eventually anyway." Iona smirked, in victory.

Colt smiled as they reached the front of the queue, turning to the barista she requested, "A large hot chocolate please, and..." she waited for Iona to fill in her order.

"Medium latte, please, both to take away," she replied politely.

"Whipped cream and marshmallows on the hot chocolate?" The girl asked.

"Please, thanks." Colt responded, handing over the ten pound note, and pocketing her change.

"So?" Iona asked, "What's up, Buttercup?"

Colt sighed, waiting till they had collected their drinks and were back on their way till she answered.

"I suppose, I was just lost in what ifs, concerning Elijah," she stated, absentmindedly stroking her mating mark, through her coat. "Specifically, if Nora hadn't been killed, we would likely be married by now, and building our life together, instead of picking up the pieces of what's left, when it all fell apart."

Iona nodded knowingly, "So, Granny couldn't have picked a worse time to harp on about the Almighty Dingbat, then?"

"Pretty much." Colt affirmed as they reached her truck. "You coming back with me or heading home?" She asked.

"And give up a chance to to torment the lion?" Iona asked, with a wicked grin. "Of course I'm coming back with you," she laughed getting in the truck with Colt. "So, what time is your shift tonight?"

"Three till late. Jimmy normally let's me off early, if it's quiet. Which, with it being a Tuesday and all, it will be quiet." Colt responded starting the engine.

Iona smiled. "That's good, because I heard about something through the grapevine, and someone you have yet to meet, is apparently back for good now. He will likely pop in, and I so want to be there when you meet. I'm thinking fireworks, personally."

Colt shook her head at her hyped up cousin. "No more caffeine for you, Lady," she laughed.

"He hates Angus too. So my bet is you will either click, and have a friend for life, or want to rip his throat out as well. He's a wildcat too, by the way."

"Then probably the latter." Colt stated, "Is there a reason you aren't saying his name, out of interest?"

"Yup." Iona stated, popping the "p" on the end.

Colt just laughed, brushing off her cousin's silly behaviour, thankful to her for managing to lift her spirits, while they drove back home.

Author's Note: Did I get you? 😉 I hope you enjoyed Colt's imaginary wedding. I did....and in the other side I now have Eminem stuck in.my head for what's coming..."guess who's back..."

P.s. on the Facebook page @Bethanyriverwrites I will be uploading a couple more songs which have inspired me in some way while writing and planning Desired. If you look, I hope you enjoy them.