Kozlov is dead. Dimitri is in the wind. We have to find out what happened in that cabin and where Dimitri might have stashed Amber before the trail turns cold.
And Beau Lennox might just be the only person with the answers.
19
BEAU
The barn looks good, I'll give Natalie that. Fairy lights are strung across the rafters, wildflowers fill mason jars on every table, and the summer evening is spilling in through the open doors while music and people drift between here and the bar.
Bodhi and Emma are still on the dance floor, wrapped around each other like they're the only two people in the world, and everyone's pretending not to watch them.
I'm nursing my third whiskey at the edge of the crowd, trying to look like I'm enjoying myself.
"You know, you scowling in the background of every photo is going to ruin their wedding pictures." Mason appears at my elbow, two beers in hand, and he offers me one.
I just shake my head, lifting my whiskey. After the day I've had, I need something a bit stronger. "I'm fine."
Mason scoffs, eyeing me as he takes a long swig from one of the beers.
"You're sulking." He turns around to watch the happy couple and rests his back against the wall beside me. "It's a wedding, Beau. You can at least try to have fun and forget about work."
I wish work was the problem. That, I could handle.
"I am having fun," I insist, forcing my face into a fake as fuck grin.
Mason downs the rest of the bottle and sets it down before starting on the next.
"Fine. Be miserable, but you're killing the vibe." He studies me for a moment then shrugs. "At least do it somewhere the bride can't see you. You're making Emma sad."
I force my shoulders to relax. "Go bother Maddox."
Mason snorts but wanders off, probably to do exactly that.
Maybe he's right. Everywhere I look, there are families mingling, kids running between tables, and the band is doing a great job of keeping the dancefloor packed. This is a good night for the clan. It's a celebration of love, and also, the return of the rightful alpha to the head of the clan. I should be happy.
Then why can't I enjoy it?
Not wanting to examine the answer to that question too deeply, I drain the rest of my whiskey and head for the bar.
That's when I see her.
She's standing in the entrance to the barn, silhouetted against the fading evening light, her red hair cascading loosely around her shoulders. And she looks absolutely incredible in a dress that hugs every curve I've been trying not to think about, with sexy high heels that make her legs look like they go on forever.
Lisa Harris. Here. On clan territory.
My brain stops working, some wild and primitive instinct gripping me as I stare from the shadows.
She hasn't seen me yet. She's scanning the crowd, and when her gaze lands on Bodhi and Emma, her delicate features soften. Even though she looks perfect, she smooths her dress, squaring her shoulders, and walks toward them.
The crowd parts for her, everyone wondering who this beautiful human is. Every male in the room has turned to look, and a growl builds in my chest that I have to physically swallow down.
My bear snarls, hating all eyes being on her, and I tell him to shut the hell up.
She's not ours.
Staying where I am, I track her progress across the dance floor, how her hips sway, how her face lights up with genuine warmth when Emma notices her and smiles.
The song ends just as she reaches them, and Bodhi releases his bride so the girls can embrace. Lisa leans in to say something, her hand on Emma's arm. An apology, from the looks of it, for not making the service, but Emma shakes her head, waving it off.