“I’m so happy for the two of you,” Rose added.
“Thank you.” Liana gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go.
“May your union be blessed, Eddie.” Selensnagged her own mate and brought her close to her.
“Fate chose us and threw us together. I’m just glad I was able to find her in time,” Eddie said.
“I’m glad, too. I sure as hell didn’t want to freeze to death,” Liana muttered.
They all shared a laugh together. Before Liana could say anything else, a familiar voice hollered her name. She turned just in time to see her sister barreling right toward her.
“Jorrie!”
The two fell into a hug mixed with crying and laughter. Jorrie pulled back and studied her.
“If you ever scare me like that again. I don’t even know what I would do with you,” Jorrie said.
It felt so good to see her. Liana almost didn’t want to let her go.
“I’m sorry. I truly am, but I seriously didn’t have a way to call you. That mountain had no service,” Liana explained for the hundredth time. But she didn’t care. Her sister was here in Lurton. Liana felt a presence at her back. She spun on her heels and found Eddie standing behind her. “Sis, let me introduce you to my mate, Eddie.”
“Hello. Welcome to Lurton, Jorrie,” Eddie said, taking Jorrie’s hand in hers in a quick shake.
“Oh my God. Eddie? Really? You didn’t tell me she was built like a goddess-warrior-lumberjack.” Jorrie gestured wildly.
Liana snorted hard and fell into a fit of laughter at her correct depiction of Eddie. Now that Jorrie had said it, she couldn’t unsee it.
“That’s a compliment?” Eddie arched an eyebrow.
“It is.” Terri blew in and joined them. She wrapped Liana up in her arms for a strong hug.
Since she’d decided to stay in Lurton, she’d already jumped in to help with Terri and the baby. Terri signaled between Liana and Jorrie. She grinned and shook her head.
“It’ll take a minute to understand these two. Just give it a little time, Alpha.”
Liana grinned and stepped back. She felt so damn happy that her sister was here along with her best friend. Tonight was an amazing night, and she was enjoying herself.
Jorrie nudged Liana. “And she’s hot, too!”
“Jorrie!” Liana’s eyes went wide as she stared at Jorrie who just shrugged.
Eddie’s low, amused growl rumbled in herchest which prompted a few of the clan members to glance over with fond smiles. Terri steered Jorrie away with the offer to introduce her around.
Well-wishers continued to stop by from Eddie’s family, friends, and community elders. They couldn’t take five steps without someone getting their attention, all of them desiring to embrace the newly mated couple. Liana felt welcomed by everyone. Eddie had been right. They treated her as if she were an extension of Eddie. Liana found herself smiling, laughing, and hugging strangers who accepted her because she belonged to Eddie.
This was her new community.
“Want to sneak out of here?” Eddie murmured in her ear.
“I thought you would never ask.” Liana grinned. She didn’t mind meeting everyone, but literally the entire town had showed up tonight, and this was a bit overwhelming.
Eddie took her by her hand and guided her through the crowd. They grabbed their coats from the closet room and eased out the back door unnoticed by most.
The night air was crisp and stung Liana’scheeks. She breathed in deeply and allowed the cool air to calm her nerves. Snow blanketed the edges of the clearing of the parking lot. It gleamed brightly under the full moon.
They walked hand in hand toward Eddie’s truck. Liana remained close to her side. She didn’t want to put much distance between them while riding high on the love they had received from the clan members.
Moonlight softened the strong angles of Eddie’s face. She looked peaceful and content. She was so breathtakingly beautiful that Liana’s heart skipped a beat. They had parked at the back of the lot. The walk wasn’t long, but it allowed them to get some fresh air.