Chapter 94

A/N: Sorry for not uploading so long! The High King’s Bride is uploaded and free to read for a little while. I love you guys and it is a struggle to maintain work, school, writing, editing, and all the while doing it alone. Is it an excuse…? Yea…. It is. But Am I being honest? Also Yes. I really am. If you’re reading this thank you for hanging in there with me. I focused so much energy into getting that book ready to go, that I neglected allot of the others… so I’m publishing what I have because you guys waited too long and deserve too much to wait like this.

Also I gave up on waiting for Chapter 94 to get fixed I'm so sorry.

Autumn

“Oh my god when you texted me I had to come!” Squealed Lady Rain, hugging me tight. She was accompanied by her mate, as well as the others. This was a shopping district within neutral territory, because everyone thought it was best. Malls, airports, shopping centers, busses, and bus stations were all safe areas.

“I agree!” Yelled Yuki. We drew a bit of attention, but no one else seemed to mind.

“When is the ceremony?” Asked Saiyoken, sipping his coffee silently.

“Well, the private ceremony for my people is in a few days, but I was going to plan the wedding for Oliver’s people in the spring.”

“Ah yes, your family is mostly human… wouldn’t want that to get out.” Said Reginald.

“Exactly. If you guys want to come though… I wouldn’t mind.” I said a little sheepishly, but Fledge shook her head.

“We invited you to our private gathering because my bonded gave you his blessing. However, it would not be right to leave our eggs for something that will be repeated here.” She said getting agreement with Yuki.

“We are vampires. We would be the only in a town filled to the brim with food, but not allowed to eat it. I’d rather not.” Said Reginald.

“As a wolf I am welcome, but I don’t think it would be right to leave… Knowing the location of your home pack could make me and my mate targets.” Said Angela.

“I know, it’s why I asked you guys to come meet so we could discuss plans.” I smiled.

I had no plan, but their ideas were helpful. The men chose not to say anything, giving me the reins. I was the one getting married, and ultimately, after breakfast and coffee we decided to meet up next month on the 9th so everyone could have time off to come help me.

We got up, leaving the café too, and Oliver had a bit of a peacock contest with Reginald and Saiyoken to pay, but we did while they squabbled. We all said our goodbyes, getting in our cars.

“I’m not going too fast am I?” Asked Oliver, driving around to find a better parking spot. There wasn’t one. It was getting close to Winter Solsticemas, so people were out shopping. It was one of the few holidays all creatures celebrated.

“No Oliver.” I smiled. He let out a breath, kissing me on the cheek, and paying for parking.

“Good… But please, don’t think I have an ulterior motive… I’ve wanted to see you in a wedding dress since I found the ring.” He smiled.

When I got out, we were parked in front of a bakery. It looked good, but we’d already eaten. “I know you don’t. I know you said it on impulse because they gave you the idea.” I shivered when the wind picked up, and he ushered me inside. It helped having a large mate… he really could block allot of the gusts.

“Yup… and because you shook, we’re finding you something fluffier than the bubble coat.” He grinned.

“Oliver!” I complained but I knew him. He meant it… If we weren’t in a bakery, I knew he would have immediately bought me more things to put on.

“Ah, there you are Lord Grey!” Said a fairy. She had glittering white hair, and nearly violet eyes. To someone who wasn’t supernatural, she would look young and pretty, but I could see her nearly translucent wings. “My brother runs this store, and I run Emily’s…. I’m Emily.” She giggled. “You texted me about catering your wedding in a few months?”

“We’ll need allot of food… along with probably extra since the dragon lords will be invited. Don’t worry about the cake though, I have a surprise in mind.” Said Oliver with a sly smile. The fairy nodded in agreement.

“We’ve catered nearly every party the Lords have hosted within the state of New Apple, save the vampires in accounts that they tend to be so secretive.” She said chipperly. “I also know of a Satyr who knows all the old songs and stories if you want a traditional DJ?” She asked, passing Oliver a business card, and he nodded.

“I’ve used Melidus before. But he isn’t allowed to play his flute cane.” He chuckled, and he looked at me. “Satyrs are known for their sexuality and perversion. I asked him once at one of my father’s parties to ‘play anything’… and like the fea he was, he played anything…. ” He said with a smug smile, and the fairies giggled.

“Would you like the Song of Venus played at the end of the reception then?” She asked, but he shook his head.

“She’s too human for that, and my wolf is too wild.” He said with a chuckle, and I blushed.

“No we wouldn’t want your beast too excited.” She giggled before putting her hands to her lips, and he chuckled as if they both knew something I didn’t. I frowned at him a little.

“Send me the invoice once you get a rough idea of what we’ll need.” He said taking my hand to the next window store.

There were fashionable clothes with prices that were over the top, but they were very busy. I couldn’t tell if they were supernatural or not, but by Oliver’s relaxed demeanor I could only assume they were. He didn’t trust humans, something he was raised as a child to understand. He didn’t trust other supernaturals either, but he liked being around them much more than the alternative.

“What are you doing? Pick what you want.” He smiled, nudging me gently, and handed me a black card.

“Alright, but I’m not going crazy in here.” I said with a small smile, looking at a sweater that was damn near $400 and it was discounted… it was cute though. It was a light brown and coffee striped sweater, but it wasn’t a straight line, it had wide points, dividing the segments.

“That isn’t the Master’s wife?” Mumbled someone the next isle over.

“If it is, leave her alone; she’s busy.” Mumbled another.

“I know what I’m talking about, let’s help her.” She hissed. I saw a woman with black hair approach me with a wide smile and bright almost pinkish purple eyes. She must’ve done that to show me that she was supernatural, because they soon turned a dark brown. Her eyes however were unnaturally dull, like she was dead now, as whatever she did to protect her identity took with it the life and mischief that went with it. Her friend however had had normal looking hazel eyes that almost had a yellowness to them and somehow I swear her black hair was darker compared to her pale complexion. She sported fangs, so I could only guess that maybe she was a vampire?

“I see you are used to…. Less savory encounters with women, but we’re here only to help.” Beamed the woman with fangs. She shook my wrist, as did the other. “I’m Mary, and this is Debbie. We’re witches of the Ruby Coven.” She smiled, though Winter didn’t like magic. She growled at them, but thankfully I didn’t have to try too hard to stop myself from growling.

“I’m fine, my mate’s over there talking with I can only assume is my security. But it was nice to meet you.” I smiled, slowly shimmying my way a little closer to Oliver.

“We’re heads of the Memory Department, Lord Oliver works with us all the time. Please relax, we are sworn to the Lord and Lady of the coven. We wouldn’t be able to shop here if not for the promotions he gave us.” The other said happily.

I didn’t let my guard down, but we shopped together, looking at clothes. There were others that soon flocked to me, and I started to feel a little crowded without my mate. He was my protector, but also I had never interacted with witches no more than when I was with him. Winter’s alertness made me feel terrible too, like something was going to happen, but they wouldn’t be dumb enough to do something in the middle of the store right?

------Oliver-------

“Alpha.” Said Shadow Warrior Echo. “I have your package. Where do you want it?”

…They were fast…

“Place it in Packhouse D’s penthouse. No calls. No one goes in or out. No one but a shadow is allowed in or around that floor. Tell Dotty to lock the elevator and give you the key.” I commanded, and he bowed.

“Shadow Warrior Winston was also caught attempting to eat the rabbit shifter this morning, and has been placed in a cell in the red room.” He said quietly.

“What a fucking mess…. I’ll add her to the pack registry on my phone, and Conventional reprimands don’t work on Shadows. I gotta get creative. Tell him that he can’t smoke a week.” I mentioned, and the Warrior nodded, though he didn’t seem like he cared what happened to his fellow warrior too much.

“Of course Sir.” He said respectfully, and I left him to it. She would be there while I was on vacation, and Brutus would be torn apart. He would feel what he gave to others. He gave others stress, pain and unnecessary grief. Let him have a small taste for now.

I felt my mate’s anxiety.

I scanned the room for her, but I saw so many women crowding her, it probably panicked her wolf, because she looked fine outwardly. If it turns out to be otherwise, I’m going to have to pay for allot of blood stained clothes. I walked over to them somewhat casually, just in case.

“Alright girls, my mate’s trying to be polite, but give her some space.” I said a little sternly, but grateful that the fea put up barriers to separate human and supernatural shoppers. They couldn’t see us, but I could see them just fine.

“Lord Gray.” Bowed one witch who had fangs. She beamed a smile, doing as I commanded, and my mate was revealed from the center of the impossibly taller women. She had a ton of clothes, most likely all picked out from the other women who wanted to help, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Oliver help!” She complained, and I took the load off her hands, feeling a little guilty. This must have been heavy for her, and she didn’t have magic to help her make it light, nor shifter strength.

I let her pay for it, but I didn’t understand why she tried giving me the card back.

“Oliver take it back.” She commanded, but I chuckled.

“No little mate; that one has your name on it.” I didn’t understand how she was confused, but she smiled when she caught on.