Misguided Wolves

16. Veils and Vows

The wedding loomed, with Deborah and her half-sister Jody expected to arrive any moment. Omegas scurried about the castle, frantic to perfect every detail for their future Luna and queen. Their nerves buzzed, unable to settle. Sumner paced his room, unable to see his bride until the ceremony—a Vintr tradition that drove him mad. Elliott lounged in a corner chair, chuckling. “You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor, brother.”

“I’m a mess,” Sumner groaned, raking his fingers through his hair. “Apollo’s pacing in my head, furious about tomorrow.”

“Chill,” Elliott said, his tone light but sympathetic. “Who knows? Maybe she’s your mate.”

Sumner froze, scowling. “Fenrir would never curse me with someone who shares Castiel’s blood—worse, his womb!”

Elliott shrugged, hiding his doubt. “Maybe she’ll surprise you.”

He couldn’t feed Sumner’s turmoil, but he wasn’t hopeful. “How about I greet her with the others and describe her to you? I’ll let you know if you’re cursed.”

Elliott joined Kate, Castiel, Sol, and Mahni at the castle entrance. He offered Kate his hand, and she took it shyly, her cheeks pink in front of the others. Elliott chuckled, charmed by her sudden bashfulness. Carriages rumbled up, four in total, surrounded by Vintr warriors on horseback. The lead carriage, intricately carved with moon motifs, stopped before them.

Its door flew open, and a young girl with reddish-orange hair bounded out, her tiny frame swamped by a voluminous pink tulle dress. Freckles danced across her cheeks, her green eyes sparkling with energy. Kate giggled, instantly smitten with her vibrance. The girl, Jodie, rushed to Sol and Mahni, pulling them into a tight hug. “Oh my goodness! Thank you for letting me stay!”

A tall, slender woman emerged next, her snow-pale skin glowing against a tight maroon mermaid dress that accentuated her curves. A black veil hid her face, but long black hair peeked out. “Jody! Mind your manners!” she snapped.

Jody's light dimmed, and she stepped back, her voice shaky. “I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me.” She bowed deeply to Sol and Mahni.

Mahni smiled warmly, like a mother comforting a pup. “It’s okay, little one. We’re thrilled to have you.”

The veiled woman, Deborah, clicked her tongue in displeasure but spoke politely. “Thank you for welcoming us to your lovely home. I apologize for hiding my face—it’s our tradition that the groom be the first man to see me.”

Sol’s expression soured, but he stayed silent. Mahni waved dismissively. “No need to apologize, dear! We respect your customs and look forward to hosting a traditional Vintr wedding.”

Deborah curtsied gracefully. “I’m honored. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought my personal stylists, and my father insisted on a unit of warriors for safety on the roads.”

“Not at all,” Sol said stiffly. “Come, settle in. A maid will show you to your rooms.”

Kate noticed Jody’s face fall when her eyes landed on her, a flicker of jealousy in her gaze—likely due to Elliott. Deborah’s veiled stare, though unseen, felt heavy, unsettling Kate. She squeezed Elliott’s hand, seeking comfort.

Once the women departed, Elliott leaned close, his breath tickling Kate’s ear. “Let’s give Sumner that gift you got him.”

Kate smiled, her nerves easing. They retrieved the wrapped tome and headed to Sumner’s room. Kate lingered behind Elliott, suddenly shy around his family, despite Mahni’s warmth. Doubts crept in about her gift. Tove stood tall in her mind. “Straighten up, Kate. He’ll love it, trust me.”

“How do you know, Tove? You don’t know him any better than I do!”

“Just trust me,” Tove insisted, her tone firm.

Sumner’s room was a stark contrast to Elliott’s cottage, its walls lined with bookshelves rivaling the castle library. A cozy fire crackled in the seating area, well-worn from use. Sumner paced, his hair disheveled from running his hands through it. Elliott plopped into a chair, motioning for Kate to sit on his lap. Her cheeks burned, and though she knew Elliott’s “punishments” for defiance were playful—and thrilling—she chose a nearby chair, too embarrassed in front of Sumner.

Elliott smirked, catching her blush and guessing her thoughts wandered to his teasing “punishments.” “She should have our mark,” Leo growled in his mind. “I want to talk to Tove already!”

“Patience, bud,” Elliott soothed. “Sumner’s wedding first, then ours. She’s not going anywhere.”

“No waiting! Screw tradition—mark her now. I’ve got a bad feeling!”

“You’re just thinking with your tail, not your head. Chill.”

Leo huffed, retreating. Elliott rolled his eyes—his wolf was never patient, always chasing what he wanted with relentless charm. Refocusing, he gestured to Kate. “The princess got you a gift—not for the wedding, but to lift your spirits.”

Kate squirmed, hesitant. “It’s nothing special,” she blurted, handing Sumner the package. “I heard you like books and found this at the market.”

Sumner, stunned by the rare gesture, unwrapped the worn, untitled tome, its carved cover intricate and familiar. Apollo wagged his tail in Sumner’s mind, eager to see. Sumner smiled, recognizing the book from a distant memory, though it wasn’t in his collection. He set it carefully on a table and approached Kate, offering his hand.

Curious, she took it, and he pulled her into a quick hug, whispering, “Thank you.”

Elliott growled, surprising himself. He waved it off, chuckling. “Ignore me—Leo’s just jealous.”

“Leo, what’s wrong with you? It’s our brother, just a hug!”

“Nobody touches her—she’s ours!”

Sumner raised his hands defensively. “Don’t worry, Leo. I’m not stealing your girl.”

“Anyway,” Elliott said, shifting focus, “updates on your bride. We couldn’t see her face—black veil, Vintr tradition—but…” He paused, glancing at Kate, then mind-linked Sumner privately. “She’s got a killer body, brother. No complaints there.”

“She’s a stickler for rules,” Elliott added aloud. “You two might get along.”

Sumner laughed, playfully punching Elliott’s arm. Their banter eased his tension, and after more chatter, Kate and Elliott left for his cottage.

The moment the cottage door closed, Elliott pounced, pinning Kate against it, her wrists captured above her head in one strong hand. His lips grazed her neck, lingering on the spot where his mating mark would go, his warm breath sending shivers through her. “Defying me again, princess?” he growled, his voice low and teasing, his cedarwood-mint scent enveloping her. “Mark her now!” Leo urged, but Elliott resisted, nipping her sensitive skin, drawing a soft whimper. With a flick of his claws, he snipped her dress straps, the fabric pooling at her feet, leaving her bare and flushed.

Kate’s breath hitched, her apple-cinnamon scent spiking with arousal, her eyes wide but burning with desire. “Elliott,” she whispered, half-protest, half-plea, her body trembling under his gaze. He smirked, trailing a finger down her jaw, across her collarbone, and between her breasts, teasingly slow. “Ready for your punishment?” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, his voice dripping with promise.

She stayed silent, knowing he didn’t expect an answer, her cheeks pink as her arousal grew. He guided her to a chair, pulling her across his lap, her stomach against his thighs, her curves exposed. His hand caressed her rear, warm and deliberate, before delivering a light s***k, the soft c***k echoing in the cottage. She yelped, a mix of sting and pleasure rippling through her, her cheek pinking under his touch. “Naughty girl,” he teased, his voice husky, s******g her again, each tap gentle but firm, drawing breathless moans as she squirmed, her wetness evident against his thigh.

Expecting another s***k, she gasped when his fingers slipped between her thighs, plunging into her slick core, curling against her sensitive spots with maddening precision. “Elliott!” she moaned, her hips bucking, but he slowed, stopping just short of her release, chuckling at her frustrated whimper. “Not so fast, minx,” he murmured, his lips grazing her shoulder, nipping lightly. “You don’t get to win that easily.”

He leaned back in the chair, feigning disinterest, his eyes glinting with mischief. Kate stood, flustered, her skin flushed, biting her lip as need pulsed through her. “Don’t wait,” Tove huffed, her voice thick with desire. “They’re playing with us—take what you want!”

Surprised by Tove’s impulsiveness, Kate let passion override her shyness. Her eyes blazed as she sauntered to Elliott, her fingers slowly unbuttoning his shirt, brushing his chest with deliberate, teasing touches. She nipped the spot where her mating mark would go, earning a deep growl of approval. “My turn,” she whispered, her voice bold yet playful, as she kissed a trail down his chest, lingering on his abs, her breath hot against his skin. Sinking to her knees, she gazed up through her lashes, undoing his pants with deliberate slowness, freeing his hardened length.

She nipped his inner thighs, her teeth grazing his jewels, making him growl impatiently. “Punishment,” she teased, her voice a sultry challenge, echoing his earlier taunt. Her tongue traced him from base to tip, slow and torturous, savoring his low moans. His hands tangled in her hair, urging her on, but she took her time, swirling her tongue around his tip before taking him fully into her mouth. Elliott’s head fell back, his breaths ragged. “Kate, you’re killing me,” he groaned, his voice thick with desire, his hips twitching as she moved, her tongue expertly teasing every sensitive inch.

“I’m so close,” he grunted, his grip tightening. With a mischievous grin, she pulled back, popping him out of her mouth, and darted across the cottage, her laughter ringing out. “Punishment!” she called, winking as she dodged around a table, her hair flying.

Elliott’s eyes widened, a laugh bursting from him as he sprang up, chasing her with playful hunger. “You little minx!” he growled, his arousal fueling his speed. He caught her, tossing her onto the bed, her body landing face-first, legs dangling off the edge. Gripping her hips, he pressed himself against her slick entrance, teasing her with shallow thrusts. “Think you can outrun me?” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, his voice a mix of tease and promise.

Kate whimpered, gripping the furs, her body arching to meet him. “Please,” she breathed, her voice desperate, her core aching for him. He plunged into her, his full length filling her with a delicious stretch, her tightness drawing a possessive growl. He paused, savoring her clenching around him, the cottage’s enchanted crystals pulsing pink, as if Vargr’s magic blessed their union. His hands roamed her back, one sliding to cup her breast, teasing her n****e as he thrust, slow at first, then rougher, each movement drawing sweet moans from her lips.

“Mine,” he growled, nipping her neck where her mark would go, his canines grazing lightly, sending shivers through her. Kate’s hands clutched the furs, her hips rocking to match his rhythm, her breaths turning to cries as pleasure built. “Elliott,” she gasped, her voice breaking, “don’t stop.” He deepened his thrusts, hitting every sensitive spot, the crystals flaring brighter with each shared gasp. Their c****x crashed over them, her walls tightening as he spilled into her, their bodies trembling in sync, collapsing in a breathless heap, their scents—apple-cinnamon and cedarwood-mint—mingling under the glowing crystals, their bond sealed in Vargr’s sacred warmth.