The Wedding Rehersal

“Okay, and Alexus, you’re with Sterling,” Rachel said as they stood inside the massive church.

Alexus shook her head. “What the heck is he going to carry me in his pocket? I can’t reach my arm all the way up there.”

“Your sister somehow finds a way,” he said, winking.

She laughed at the redness of Morgan’s cheeks. “Okay, I’ve decided I like you, even after the bullcrap you pulled in Baltimore.”

“You hear that, old man? I got her to like me first.” Jordan glared at him but remained silent.

“And Morgan, you’re with Jordan,” Rachel said, continuing to pair everyone.

“Are you okay with that?” he asked Morgan.

She smiled sweetly. “Of course.”

“Perfect. You hear that baby face? I get to walk down with Morgan.”

“We have the same face.”

“Perhaps, but my distinguished maturity makes mine look better.”

“…shut up,” Sterling grumbled.

Morgan laughed. She couldn’t help but enjoy their brotherly banter. After all the placements were set, everyone took their time to mingle.

Elijah found himself cornered by the two Alpha twins. “You owe us money,” Sterling said.

He grinned. “Sorry, Rachel’s been keeping me pretty occupied.”

“You gloat one more time about getting some, and you’re going to be at your wedding with a black eye.”

Elijah laughed and pulled a thousand dollars from his wallet. “Five hundred for you and for you,” he said, passing out the money.

Sterling licked his finger and counted his portion. “I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but I don’t play about my money. It’s all here.” He smirked. “Let this be a lesson. You can’t make bets with your boys when your lady runs the show. You’ll always lose. Now see, unlike Rachel, our little psyc—fuck!” he screamed, seeing Morgan under his arm glaring at him. He waved his hands frantically. “We weren’t doing anything, and I wasn’t about to call you a psycho!”

Jordan scoffed. “Remind me to never commit a crime with you.”

Extending her hand to Sterling, she patted her palm with her finger. “Gimmie, you bully.”

He slapped the five hundred in her hand. “I didn’t want it anyway,” he muttered and stalked off.

Seeing her glare, Elijah left. She arched her eyebrow at Jordan. “Well?”

“You know, there was a time when you wouldn’t dare talk to me like that.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “You’re not punishing me anymore. I guess not getting some makes me a little mouthy.” It came out so fast she hadn’t realized she said it until she saw his eyes shift slightly in color. She rolled her eyes, and his jaw twitched. He grabbed her by the arm, leading her out of the room.

Backing her against a secluded corner, Jordan leaned his muscular frame against her. He tapped his nails against the bare inside of her thigh, and she groaned. “You know, Ms. Pierce, I may have grown gentle with you, but don’t get it confused. I love punishing you more.” She swallowed her spit in both excitement and fear, and he smirked as her eyes slowly blued. Reaching under her chin, he lifted her head and whispered, “Honey?”

“Yes, *Alpha*?”

He yanked her to him, his eyes completely yellow, and placed the money in her hand. He ran his thumb roughly against her bottom lip. “Be careful, Morgan. Remember the last time you provoked me? You passed out from the orgasms.” Her chest rose and fell against him as her body betrayed her and reacted to his pheromones. Straightening his tie, Jordan smirked again, and he walked away, leaving her breathless.

*****

“Hello Mrs. Pierce. I’m Sterling.” Sterling said as he looked down at Morgan’s mother. Even though Morgan was adopted, he couldn’t help but think that somehow she looked just like her. She was as gorgeous as her daughters, with bright brown eyes that, like theirs, held both determination and mischief. Her chocolate hue resembled Rachel’s complexion, her long curly hair reminded him of Alexus, and her demeanor suggested that, like Morgan, she could sling a cutthroat insult if needed.

“Ahh, so you’re one of the twins that has Morgan’s heart,” she replied.

His face reddened. “Oh, she uh—you—uh…”

“Know they’re two of you to her one? I’m sure you know by now that Morgan is a handful. If your brother looks like you, that might be enough.”

Sterling laughed loudly. “Oh, I like you!” he said, and pulled her in for a hug.

“Diane, you over here getting fresh?” Martin asked as he approached.

“And if I was?”

“I was just asking,” he grumbled.

She kissed his cheek. “Relax Martin, this is one of Morgan’s boyfriends, Sterling.”

Sterling linked to his brother, *“Bring your ass! Morgan told her parents we were her boyfriends!”*

“Goddamn boy, what are they feeding y’all up here?! I get that you all are werewolves, but gotta be something in the water around here too,” Martin said, chuckling. Before Sterling could respond, Doris and Gerald joined them.

Diane extended her hand and Gerald kissed it, his eyes twinkling. “Sterling, and who is this?”

Sterling frowned at his father’s suggestive manner until he noticed the way his mother and Morgan’s father were also looking at one another. He pointed from pair to pair. “What’s…what’s happening here?” Ignoring him, they introduced themselves to one another.

“Doris.”

“Gerald.”

“Diane.”

“Martin.”

Sterling didn’t like the flirty voices. “Uh, mom and dad, these are Morgan, Rachel, and Alexus’s parents,” he said.

Gerald winked at Diane. “Three daughters and you still look amazing.” Her face flushed, and Martin grabbed Doris’s hand.

“And look at you, pushed two mountains out and still—” He looked her over and grinned. Sterling wasn’t sure what he was looking at, but it made him uncomfortable.

Gerald put his hand to his lips, and Martin tilted his head.

“Is that the star?” Martin asked. The men extended their wrists, showing the same small, penned tattoo.

“You know, Doris and I were thinking about going to a resort after the wedding. Maybe you two would like to come?”

Diane placed her hand on his arm. “Maybe we would.”

The four laughed, and Sterling finally caught on. His stomach turned, and he removed his leather jacket, slamming it repeatedly into the ground. “This. is. straight. bullshit!” he steamed.

“What is the matter with you?” Jordan asked as he joined them.

Snatching the alcoholic drink from his hand, Sterling tried to get the images out that were whirling around in his head. Swishing the drink around in his mouth, he drowned it and put his head on Jordan’s shoulder. He sobbed. “It’s not enough. It will never be enough. Come on, please, hit me over the head with your cane. Please, I can’t take living anymore.”

Pushing Sterling away, Jordan growled. “Knock it off,” he said. Extending his hand, he greeted Diane and Martin. “Hello, I’m Jordan. Please excuse my brother.”

“Two mountains and a redwood. Way to go Morgan and Rachel,” Diane said.

Jordan’s face reddened, and he looked at Sterling whose face was almost green. “What’s going on with you?”

Gerald scoffed. “He’s being immature as usual. Freaking out as if you two aren’t doing the three-way tango with their daughter.”

“We have not been doing that with her!” he shouted way louder than he intended.

“Well shit, that’s the problem. You’re all backed up. You’re frowny. No one likes a frowny Alpha, Jordan. Your mother and I have had about six three-ways this year alone! It really clears the pipes.”

Sterling doubled over. “Oh God, Oh God. Here I come. I’m coming home, Lord, whether you’re ready for me or not.”

“Dad!”

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re as immature as your brother. Getting ready to throw up because we invited Diane and Martin here to come with us on the playground.”

“What’s the playground?”

Sterling threw his jacket down at Jordan’s feet. “Clean your hearing aid, Gramps! They’re swingers! Mom and dad, and soon to be mom and dad are swingers! They do the sex with other couples!”

“You’re swingers?!” Jordan shouted.

“You’re going to propose to Morgan?!” Martin shouted back, just as surprised. Unsure of what to do with the two revelations, each member of the group stared at one another before parting ways.

After their horrifying experience with Morgan’s parents, Sterling and Jordan could hardly look at one another. Jordan sat at one of the tables talking on his phone, while Sterling sat at the bar drowning his third drink.

“Excuse me, everyone?” Elijah called from the microphone. “First, we would like to thank everyone for being here. It means a lot to us to know that you will join us on our special day. Second, Rach thought it would be nice for us to have a little entertainment.” He waved his hand at the band, and they played the tango. Sterling slammed his head onto the bar counter but stayed silent. “Do we have any takers?” A devious grin found his face. “How about you, Sterling? I’d love to see you woo someone into dancing with you. You know how to do the tango, don’t you?”

Sterling sucked his teeth. “Yes I do smartass.” Standing, he dusted off his hands and grabbed a lily from the table. He made his way over to Morgan. “No problem. I’m about to woo the hell out of my Little Red.”

Elijah’s grin widened. “Ah, Ah, Ah, my wedding, my rules. I get to pick who you have to charm, and I pick Jordan.” Jordan shot daggers at him with his eyes but continued his phone conversation. Covering her mouth, Morgan stifled a laugh and shrugged.

Sterling fumed at Elijah. “You little shit.”

“So, does that mean you’re not up for the challenge?” he replied, putting on his most innocent face.

“As if we could get Gramps to take part.” He walked over and shoved the lily in Jordan’s face. “Come on, hot stuff, let’s dance,” he schmoozed. Jordan rolled his eyes and swatted the flower, ignoring his brother. “See, I told you. Zombies are more fun than Jordan.”

“I’ll call you back in a few minutes,” Jordan said, and hung up the phone. Standing, he shoved his hands in his pockets. He strolled towards his brother, his manner cool and almost alluring. “I ignored you, not because I’m not fun as you say, but because your ask was extremely lackluster. It was void of any genuine attempt at courting me, and honestly downright pathetic. Do you see what’s in front of you? I mean, have you really taken a good look? Once you do, maybe then you’ll understand why a second thought lily from a table would do nothing to engage my attention. Frankly, I’m appalled, Sterling. I mean truly, is that the best you can offer? You may have a decently attractive face, but if you think that’s all it’s going to take to get under this vest you’re sadly mistaken.”

The room fell into complete silence as Sterling’s mouth sat on the floor. Out of nowhere, Alexus shouted, “Burnnn!” and everyone erupted into laughter.

Jordan gave a twisted grin and Sterling grumbled under his breath, “Yeah, like you can do better.”

Chuckling, Jordan waved his hand. “Elijah, restart the music, please.” The tango’s tempo reset, and he grabbed a red rose from the table, effortlessly placing it in his mouth. Wrapping his arms around Sterling, he pulled him close. “Dear brother, the tango is a demanding dance. One can’t be flimsy with it. Your partner requires you to lead their body.” He spun him, in stepping, and gracefully glided him across the floor. “You may know how to tango, but your body has to exude so much sensuality that your partner will physically accept your offer to dance way before the words can leave their lips.” Jordan led a wide-eyed Sterling around the dance floor, ending the dance by dipping him. He caressed his face. “And when you come to the infamous dip, if they’re not starry-eyed, then you’ve definitely done it wrong,” he said, locking their eyes.

“I-I love you,” Sterling said breathlessly as the blush on his face grew by the second.

“What?”

“I don’t know I-I got confused! There are a lot of emotions flowing through me right now!” Jordan scoffed and dropped him, letting him land hard on the floor.

He jumped to his feet. “You see that, Little Red? He dropped me!”

“And you threw a person at him. Don’t think I didn’t see you in Baltimore.”