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“You’re being very secretive.” Intrigue and a hint of suspicion tinged her voice.
“I can’t give all my secrets away this early.” He chuckled, leading them to the front door of the manor as dozens of wolves watched with curiosity. The moment they were inside, Winter nodded to the officiant, setting his plan in motion. They would need a moment to prepare, so he brought Sterling into the nearest unused space.
Inside the pantry, she moved aside dried herbs dangling in front of her as Winter ducked around them. A low burning lantern hung at both ends of the closet so the staff could see when they needed to collect supplies for the feast. Jarred goods, vegetables, and jellies and jams lined the wooden shelves.
“So a pantry is the surprise?” she whispered, the corners of her mouth lifting.
He grinned. “Before we return to the party, you should know something. This isn’t only to celebrate my first full moon as king.”
One of her brows rose. “It’s not a sacrifice, is it?”
“Don’t you trust your mate?” He trailed his finger across her silken lips.
“I do,” she murmured, her shoulders relaxed.
Warmth coursed through his veins, and he ran the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “You’re mated to a wolf, but you’re a human, which means you value your own traditions. So…”
“So?” she prodded when he paused.
“Since we mated in the tradition of wolves, I thought it was only fair we marry in a human wedding.”
“What?” Sterling gasped, her eyes widening.
“This is our wedding.” Winter studied her, unable to determine if she liked the idea. “Sometimes a shifter’s perfect match isn’t another wolf. Sometimes she’s a feisty, strong, and intelligent woman who can also be a pain in the ass. But she’s my pain in the ass, and I would have no other as my queen.” He rested his palm over her heart. “You make me feel things I never thought I would. I didn’t think I could love anyone, that I was incapable of it, and yet I love you.” He drew in a shallow breath. “I worried you wouldn’t come. And now I’m terrified you think the wedding is a foolish idea.”
Sterling blinked at him, then a slow smile spread her cheeks. “Of course I came, and I would’ve married you tonight even if you didn’t just admit that you love me.”
A weight lifted off him—the wedding had been a risk, but if she hadn’t agreed to it, he could’ve postponed it for as long as she desired. “Damn, you so easily make me reveal my secrets.” Before he gave into temptation and removed her cloak, Winter opened the closet door and led her into the hallway. Once they entered the sitting room, Winter searched out Lijah to see if he’d come inside yet. It took him only a few moments to find Lijah, and Winter gave the guard a hand signal.
“Attention,” boomed Lijah. “Attention everyone.”
Sterling slowed, grasping Winter’s hand, and allowed him to walk them through the crowd. In front of the crackling fireplace, the mantel surrounded by red floral sprays, waited the officiant. To the far left, Cyan, Nareth, and Jasira huddled together, not dressed for the occasion, but neither were the wolves. Nareth and Jasira shifted uneasily in a room full of wolves, and Cyan stood close, though seeming more at ease.
Winter had sent another letter with Amalli and instructed her to sneak it to Nareth without Sterling’s knowledge. If Sterling decided to come, he’d asked them to follow safely behind in a coach he would provide. Though he hadn’t told them why in case the man held a grudge. Forgiveness was a lot to ask for when the offense was nearly killing him once, and he didn’t want the surprise ruined. Lijah knew, of course, from the third secret letter Winter had sent, and he was meant to fill them in as soon as it was safe to do so.
Nareth met Winter’s gaze. He scowled but nodded once. Tension eased from Winter and his wolf, knowing there wouldn’t be a scene. Cyan, on the other hand, beamed.
Sterling smiled and whispered to Winter, “So you had a secret meeting with my brother?”
“No, I told Nareth to come if you decided to. Then Lijah circled back to meet them on the road once I found you outside. Their carriage was right behind yours almost the entire time.”
“Oh, so that’s why Lijah said something was wrong with the wheel and we needed to walk the remainder of the way.” Sterling’s grin widened.
Winter only smirked.
Lijah ushered the wolves back to make space for the royal couple. “You’re all here to witness the human marriage of our mated royals.”
A quiet murmur filtered through the room, but quickly fell silent as Winter approached the officiant—a tall, lanky man wearing black robes. Sterling faced Winter, her eyes dancing with anticipation as the officiant droned on in another language, speaking some sort of prayer.
Winter barely listened to the man, even when he switched back to a language he could understand. All he could do was watch Sterling, desperate to have her alone. Loving, honoring, etcetera. Winter would agree to anything the man said.
“Do you have rings?” the officiant asked.
Winter pulled one from his pocket—a gold band. Thin and hammered to a smooth finish. “I had the key to your cage reforged,” he said, low enough for only Sterling to hear. “Know that you will always be free. Never chained to me. Even in marriage.”
Her breath hitched, and tears gathered in her lashes when he placed the ring on her finger. “I don’t have one for you,” she replied. “Your own fault, really.”
Winter chuckled. “Oh, but I do.” He took out a glass ring holding red fabric placed within and pressed it into her palm. “Part of your original cloak is inside.”
