Wolf at the Wedding (The Lone Pine Lodge Book 2) Page 6

  “Please what, little girl?” said Larissa. “Please don’t kill you? I am afraid it is too late for that. Do you want to live longer?”

  “…yes…” said Molly.

  “Then I will kill you slowly,” said Larissa.

  “Larissa!” snarled a deep voice. “That is enough!” The voice came from the wolf that had saved Molly. Even though it was distorted, she knew that voice. It was Gaston.

  “You are MY mate, Gaston!” said Larissa. “I was promised to you.”

  “No,” said Gaston. “You were never my mate, and you never will be my mate. She is my mate. Let her go!”

  “One step closer and I will tear out her throat,” said Larissa. Molly whimpered as she struggled against Larissa.

  Gaston stopped. “It doesn’t have to be this way, Larissa. She has done nothing to you. Your fight is with me, not with her.”

  “I will spare her on one condition,” said Larissa. “You must leave here with me, return to France, and do my bidding forever. You are to never see her, never speak with her, never be near her.”

  Something deep within Molly began to stir. It had been awakened when she had marked Gaston. Her terror became rage. As the hot anger filled her, her body began to change. She felt her teeth sharpen and elongate. Her skin itched as fur began to sprout. She could feel her skeleton take on a new shape. Molly’s senses were heightened. She had shifted.

  “MY MATE!” Molly growled as she sank her teeth into Larissa’s neck. Even though Larissa was much larger and more powerful than Molly, the shock of Molly’s shift caught Larissa completely off guard.

  Gaston took advantage of Larissa’s distraction and lunged at her. Molly released Larissa as she saw the two wolves tumbling together with teeth gnashing. Molly leapt onto Larissa’s back, snapping at her. Larissa let out a yelp, and turned to face Molly.

  “STOP IT!” roared a huge, deep voice. “NOW!”

  Larissa, Gaston and Molly were startled. A giant grizzly bear stood on its back legs over the three of them. Molly looked up and couldn’t believe what she saw. Surrounding them were several bears, a puma, and an African lion. Standing next to the roaring grizzly bear was…

  “JULIA?!”

  “MOLLY?!” said Julia. “You’re a COYOTE?!”

  Larissa let go of Gaston and fled into the woods. Molly began to give chase. The puma blocked her way.

  “Let her go, Molly,” said the puma. “She won’t be back.”

  Gaston was on the ground. He was wounded. Molly trotted over to him, nuzzling him.

  “He’ll be okay,” said Julia, running her hand over Molly’s rust brown fur. “Shifters heal quickly. Or maybe you knew that. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know I was one…” said Molly.

  “A hidden shifter…wow…” said Barbara. “I thought that was all bullshit.” Barbara was standing naked next to Julia. Molly looked around. The animals had all been replaced by naked people. She saw several of the chefs from the Redwood Grill, Ryan the Lone Pine’s Manager, Jake, and Jessica the shuttle driver—all of them without a stitch of clothing. All except for Julia. Gaston had also shifted back into his human form. He slowly got onto his feet. He was bruised and scraped, but otherwise unhurt. Gaston knelt down and held Molly’s coyote form.

  “How do I go back to being…me?” asked Molly.

  “You’re being you pretty fucking well right now, Mol,” said Julia.

  Jake, Julia, and Gaston led Molly back to Gaston’s cabin. Molly was still in coyote form. Dawn was breaking, and everybody needed to be back in their fully-clothed human forms before the Lone Pine’s guests awakened.

  Gaston dressed and loaned Jake some clothes. Julia put on some coffee. There was a knock at the door. Molly growled in spite of herself.

  “Down, girl,” said Julia.

  Jessica, the shuttle driver entered the cabin.

  “Jessica,” said Barbara. “Do you think you could help a fellow coyote out.”

  “I think I’m stuck,” said Molly.

  “No,” said Jessica. “You just need someone to help guide you.” Jessica stepped out of her clothes and shifted into her coyote form.

  “Come on, sister” said Jessica. “It’s time to go for a run. I gotta say, though, it’s nice not being the only coyote around here.”

  Jessica led Molly into the woods. There were two piles of clothes near a tree—one for Jessica, and one for Molly. Jessica showed Molly how to split her human and coyote sides to move between one form and the other. It took a few tries, but eventually Molly found herself back in human form again. She felt vulnerable being naked in the forest.

  “You’ll get used to it. It’s all part of being a shifter,” said Jessica. “I hope the clothes fit—I had to guess.”

  Jessica and Molly made it back to Gaston’s cabin a few minutes later. The sun was fully out, even though it was only 5:00 AM. Jessica said goodbye, leaving the two mates together. Gaston kissed Molly deeply.

  “I told Sam to prepare breakfast service,” said Gaston. “And most of the preparation for the wedding is done. After breakfast, we should rest.”

  When their meal was finished, they both lay down on the bed, exhausted. Gaston fell asleep almost instantly. Molly nestled into his warm body and smiled to herself. She soon followed him, drifting off into a deep sleep.

  10

  Molly was back in her room at the Lone Pine Lodge. She and Gaston slept soundly until about 11:00 AM. Well, somewhat soundly. They did wake up briefly, enough for her to ride Gaston until she screamed.

  The wedding was at 3:00 PM, and Molly was almost ready, thankful that her years of working in the restaurant business taught her to always be early. She had plenty of time.

  She looked at herself in the mirror as she got ready. Larissa had left some deep scratches on her arms, and one on her cheek, but they were already starting to heal. Molly knew she had always healed much more quickly than most people. Now she knew why.

  She covered the scratches as best as she could with make-up. It worked, for the most part. The Maid of Honor dress she and Julia had picked out clung to her curvy form perfectly, and her shoes accentuated her calves in a way that she really liked. The dress had bare shoulders, and Gaston’s mark was clearly visible. It took her awhile, but she was able to cover it with enough concealer to make it invisible. Molly took another look at herself in the mirror. Something wasn’t right.

  She took a washcloth, dipped it in warm water and wiped off the concealer on her shoulder, revealing Gaston’s mark.

  “Much better,” said Molly.

  The Grand Ballroom was filled with flowers. Molly knew she and Gaston had planned to pick wildflowers for the wedding that morning, but after the previous night, there was no way either of them would have enough energy to do it. Jessica, Molly’s new coyote-sister, volunteered to pick the flowers. They looked amazing. The heady fragrance filled Molly’s senses with joy and light. At Gaston’s insistence, the stained glass window was revealed and cleaned, adding specks of color to the whole scene.

  Molly stood at the front of the Grand Ballroom’s stage to the right of Barbara. Jake was on her other side. And then there was Gaston. In a tuxedo. With his raven hair pulled tightly back. Molly tried as hard as she could not to look at Gaston, but it was impossible. And every time she decided to sneak a look at Gaston, there he was, doing the same, smiling back at her. Could a man really send her into the throes of orgasm just with a smile? Molly didn’t know, but Gaston was getting damn close to it.

  Julia stood at the back of the Grand Ballroom, looking absolutely ravishing. Her dress was speckled with pearls that shimmered in the sunlight streaming in through the windows. George Pratchett took her arm and walked her down the aisle. Since Gus had broken his wrist, there was no music. People stood as Julia walked by.

  The ceremony was beautiful. Molly watched as Jake cradled Julia’s small, trembling hands between his massive palms.

  "I, Jake Richardson take you, Julia Pratchett, to be
my wife from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us."

  The guitarist started playing Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. Julia looked up at Jake and smiled.

  "I, Julia Pratchett, take you, Jake Richardson, to be my husband, from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us."

  Julia and Jake looked to Barbara. She was silent and sheet white. It was the first time she had ever seen Barbara in anything other than complete control. Barbara’s eyes were brimming with tears. What was going on?

  Wait a second, thought Molly. GUITAR?

  “Holy shit!” whispered Jake. “It’s Ron!”

  Molly looked to the back of the Ballroom. There was a huge man standing in the back playing the guitar. He wore mirrored aviator glasses, denim jeans, a rhinestone studded denim jacket, cowboy boots, and a Stetson. Molly had seen that look before on countless CDs. It was Ron Richardson. Country superstar and Jake Richardson’s brother, Ron Richardson. Barbara’s mate and husband, Ron Fucking Richardson.

  Barbara cleared her throat and regained her composure. “By the power vested in me by the State of Alaska, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” said Barbara. “You may kiss each other.”

  Jake and Julia locked in a passionate kiss as everyone cheered. Barbara made a quick exit to the dressing room. Ron handed his guitar to the man next to him. Molly knew from seeing Ron perform live that it was Alf Walters, Ron’s lead guitar player and co-writer. Ron stopped to kiss his mother and hug his father, quickly hugged Jake and Julia, and ran after Barbara.

  “Well that was unexpected,” said Molly taking Gaston’s hand.

  “You have no idea,” said Gaston, looking concerned.

  “I can’t believe you’re actually married!” said Molly, holding Julia tightly. “I’m just so happy for you!”

  Julia brushed the mark on Molly’s shoulder. “Nice wolf bite, coyote.”

  Molly blushed. “I’m moving here as soon as I can wrap things up in Phoenix.”

  The angry voices coming from the dressing room silenced the whole room. Although the words were muffled, it was clear that Barbara was letting Ron have it with both barrels.

  “Please go to your tables,” announced Gaston. “Dinner and champagne will be served shortly.”

  “Nice save,” said Molly, lacing her fingers with Gaston’s. It distracted the guests enough from the increasingly heated argument going on in the dressing room. It sounded like glass was breaking and chairs were being thrown. Suddenly, all became silent.

  Molly and Gaston were seated at the table with Jake and Julia and their parents. There was an open seat for Barbara. Champagne was poured and toasts began as the first course was served.

  After some time, Barbara came and sat down at the table between Molly and Julia.

  “Are you okay, Barbara?” asked Julia.

  Barbara nodded silently. She was no longer pale. If anything, she was flushed. Her hair was slightly disheveled and she looked a bit disoriented. Her lipstick was smeared.

  Gaston tapped Molly on the knee to get her attention. He tipped her head in Barbara’s direction discretely pointing out that the tag of Barbara’s dress was now on the outside. Her dress was inside out.

  Ron came up to the table.

  “Mind if I sit here,” he said sheepishly, pulling up a chair. He looked as dazed as Barbara. Barbara, still a bit disoriented, scooted her chair toward Molly to make room for Ron. One side of Ron’s collar was up, the other was down. There was lipstick on the side of his neck.

  The wedding and reception were over. It was a beautiful wedding. Molly had never seen Julia happier. There was, of course, amazing food courtesy of Gaston and his crew, and even music for dancing provided by Ron and his co-writer Alf. Ron had taken several turns with Barbara on the dance floor, and even Julia’s parents danced the night away.

  Gaston insisted that he and Molly take a walk back to the clearing. So much had happened that she could scarcely believe it. Everything had turned out so well.

  “I have to go back to Phoenix tomorrow,” said Molly. “I really don’t want to.”

  “And I do not want you to,” said Gaston. “But I understand.”

  Molly looked deep into Gaston’s brown eyes. “Can we really make a life here together?”

  “Of course we can!” said Gaston. “Would you like to run the Redwood Grill with me? Together we can cook, we can make love and raise our little cubs together.”

  “Yes, Gaston,” said Molly. “But cubs?”

  “Cubs. Half wolf, half coyote.”

  Molly raised one eyebrow. “That’s a dangerous combination.”

  “We are a dangerous combination, my love,” said Gaston. “But there is just one more thing we need to attend to.”

  “What is that?”

  Gaston got down on one knee and took Molly’s hand.

  “Molly,” said Gaston. “You are my only love, my mate, my partner. You are the one I have been searching for all of my life. When I first saw you, I knew we were destined to be together. Fate has brought us here to this place.”

  Molly was trembling. She could feel her eyes fill with tears as her heart raced. She knew what was coming next.

  “Molly Garcia,” said Gaston. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” said Molly. “YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!”

  They kissed and held each other for a long time. Molly was happier than she had ever known.

  “There is just one thing,” said Molly.

  “What is that, Miss Christine Daaé.”

  “You still have to pass The Test, Count Raoul de Chagny.”

  Epilogue

  One Month Later

  The heat of the New Mexico sun beat down on Molly and Gaston. It was the Fourth of July weekend, and the whole town was decked out in red, white and blue. This was Molly’s hometown, and she was nervous. Not only was she introducing her new fiancé to her parents, but she wanted to make sure Gaston passed The Test.

  Molly’s mother Lucille picked them up from the airport, giving her an enormous hug. Gaston politely offered his hand to Lucille, who promptly ignored it in favor of a bear hug that nearly knocked the wind out of her future son-in-law.

  Molly insisted that they stop by Garcia’s Homestyle Café to meet her father and sister.

  “You aren’t really going to make Gaston pass The Test, are you?” asked Lucille.

  “I have to, Mama,” said Molly. “I promised Grandma, remember?”

  Gaston looked nervously. “And if I don’t pass this test…”

  “Don’t make poor Gaston go through that,” said Lucille. “It’s cruel!”

  “It is not cruel,” said Molly. “It’s tradition.”

  “It does not matter,” said Gaston. “I will walk through fire for you, Molly!”

  “You may have to,” said Lucille.

  Garcia’s Homestyle Café was a small diner on S. St. Francis Drive. It was a low adobe building with large windows. The lunch rush had just ended, but the restaurant was still busy. They went inside, and the cool air conditioning chilled Molly’s skin in a way that was so familiar, so comforting.

  Dave Garcia, Molly’s father was a large man. He ran out from behind the counter and held her tightly. Rocking Molly like he had when she was little. Gaston politely offered his hand to Dave who, just like Lucille, wrapped him in a bear hug.

  “Molly!” said a young woman who was a bit older than Molly.

  “Sally Ann!” said Molly. “Gaston, this is my sister, Sally Ann.”

  Gaston shook Sally Ann’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  Sally Ann leaned over to Molly. “Where in the hell did you find that fine specimen?” she whispered. “That accent is to die for!”

  Molly blushed.

  “Papa, Mama, Sally Ann,” said Molly. “I want to give Gaston The Test.”

  Dave placed his
hands on Molly’s shoulders. “Oh honey, really? Do we have to put this fine young lad through his paces?”

  “You can’t be serious,” said Sally Ann.

  “It’s tradition,” said Molly. “And I promised Grandma. And Papa passed The Test.”

  Dave sighed. “All right, then. Red or green?”

  Gaston furrowed his brow. “Red or green? Molly, what does this…”

  “Green,” said Molly.

  “Okay…” said Dave.

  Molly, Gaston and Lucille sat down in a booth. Lucille tried to make light conversation, but everybody seemed nervous. Dave came out of the kitchen and placed a plate of stacked enchiladas in front of Gaston. There was a fried egg on top.

  “This is it?” said Gaston. “This is The Test?”

  Dave nodded, looking concerned.

  “It’s my Grandma’s Green Chile Enchiladas,” said Molly. “I promised her I wouldn’t marry anyone who couldn’t survive them.”

  Gaston eyed the plate nervously. He bravely plunged a fork into the stack and took a bite. Gaston put down his fork. His forehead started sweating, and his face turned red. Gaston’s eyes were huge and his mouth dropped open.

  “Gaston…” said Molly.

  “WOO HOO!” yelled Gaston. He pounded the table with the flat of his hands as silverware and cups danced on the table.

  Gaston took another bite. “YEAH, BABY!”

  Molly offered him a glass of milk to cool the heat. Gaston waved it off.

  “Beer,” croaked Gaston.

  “But that only makes it more…”

  “Intense! I know! BRING IT ON!” yelled Gaston.

  Not only did Gaston finish the plate, but he also asked for a second plate, this time with the red sauce.

  Gaston was drenched with sweat. “So…did I pass?”

  Lucille and Dave exchanged stunned looks.

  “Welcome to the family!” said Lucille.

  A Note from the Author

  I hope you enjoyed reading “Wolf at the Wedding” as much as I enjoyed writing it! I would love it if you would leave me an honest review.