Chapter Ten

It was life as usual and the world continued on minus an entire pride of mountain lions. Every morning Elizabeth would drop Shaw off at Daniel's, before continuing on to work. The remaining two weeks passed by quickly and the remaining days Jolene had left with them slipped by in a blink of an eye. On the morning of her last weekend with them. Jolene barged into their bedroom. "You won't believe this!"

Uncovering her head Elizabeth looked at her friend and yawned. "It's 0700 and you're up when you don't have to be?"

"I've got wonderful news," exclaimed Jolene taking a flying leap onto the bed.

Shaw grunted as he took most of the impact. "Was that necessary," growled Shaw sleepily.

"You know we hung out with Brom last night."

Covering her head back up Elizabeth snuggled closer to Shaw from where Jolene's jump had shifted her. "I don't see why ya'll are hanging out with him as much as ya'll do."

"It's customary to spend time with an Alpha when you're intruding on his territory," said Mathew somewhere at the foot of the bed.

Not warranting a reply Elizabeth grunted. "Hey, are you listening," asked Jolene bouncing up and down on top of them.

Growling Shaw said, "It's hard not ta when ye are shaking the whole bloody bed."

Uncovering Elizabeth's head Jolene smiled down at her. "You won't believe what we found out," exclaimed Jolene.

"Let me guess you're pregnant," said Elizabeth starring up at her grinning friend.

"Not yet, but we're working on it," laughed Mathew still standing at the end of the bed.

"No silly," stated Jolene smacking Elizabeth's shoulder. "Brom told us that the county attorney is retiring in August and moving to Spain with his wife."

Clutching the comforter to her chest, Shaw growled again as Elizabeth sat up. "And that has to do with the price of tea in China how?"

Bouncing up and down. Jolene looked like a kid who just received the best present ever. "Well my contract ends in July, and Brom said he'd really be glad to have a real Beta in town. He said he could arrange things so that Mathew could take the job and would really like having someone within the court system."

Peering around Jolene, Elizabeth eyed Mathew. "And what does your Alpha think about it? Or have you even talked to him?"

Leaning against the post at the end of the bed Mathew shrugged his shoulders. "He's fine with it. He hates to lose me because he'll be stepping down within the next several years. Edward said I would have made a wonderful Alpha, but I know there are several good Beta's in our pack that would make just as good an Alpha as me. He understands though, that Brom could use some help here running things and a true Beta would help things."

Turning back to her friend Elizabeth asked, "What is a retired Chief of the U.S. Navy going to do in nowhere Montana?"

"I'm glad you asked," said Jolene in her snooty way that only comes from being the child of rich parents. "The said county Attorney's wife is his secretary, and when he moves to Spain she's going with him. So the new Attorney is going to need a sexy new secretary."

Snorting Elizabeth looked at her friend, "I don't know about sexy." Taking the hit on the arm that she deserved Beth continued. "Are you sure you can handle a desk job? I mean answering phones and pushing papers really isn't in your job description."

"Come on now! What do you think Chiefs do all day?"

Rubbing her chin Elizabeth starred at the ceiling for a bit before she answered. "Drink lots of coffee."

Laughing Jolene crawled out of their bed. "Since we don't do maintenance anymore. We boss people around, push papers, boss people around, drink coffee, answer phones, and did I mention we boss people around?"

"A couple of times," mumbled Shaw throwing the covers off him.

"Wow, jungle boy! Wait until I'm out of the room," exclaimed Jolene before making herself scarce.

"Damn should have done that sooner," said Shaw pulling on a pair of pants, watching the door close behind Mathew.

Rolling her eyes Elizabeth crawled out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom clothes in hand.

Finding Jolene had an entire day planned out for them. Elizabeth found herself in the back of her rental car an hour later. Enjoying the conversation. Elizabeth didn't notice until they were on top of it that Jolene had brought them to the Lodge. "What are we doing here," asked Elizabeth stepping out of the car.

Without answering her question. Jolene drug her inside where the staff was busy setting out decorations. With every person, she passed they offered her congratulation before they continued with their tasks. After the eighth person had congratulated her Beth pulled Jolene to a stop, and turned back toward Shaw. Finding him and Mathew wasn't there she crossed her arms and glared at her childhood friend. "What in sam hell is going on here? Is there something I'm missing?"

"Yep," was the only reply she got as Jolene started pulling her down the hall again.

Coming to a room. Jolene pushed the door open before shoving her in. "Elizabeth," shouted Donna crossing the room quickly and throwing her arms around Elizabeth's neck. "Please don't kill us. Jolene said you would because you said you'd never have a wedding! But we couldn't help ourselves!"

Standing in shock Elizabeth stammered, "WWW-wedding?"

Finally letting her go, Donna shook her head. Steering Elizabeth toward the back of the room where her mother stood holding up a magnificent white dress. "I know you said you'd never get married," said Jolene taking the dress from Mrs. Masselli. "But I told you at my wedding that I'd make sure you had your own wedding. Even if I had to plan it myself."

Still dumbstruck Elizabeth stood there like an idiot. "Well get undressed. I'm not sending you down the aisle in those," exclaimed Donna tugging at her shirt.

"Does Shaw know what's going on?"

Laughing Jolene pulled Elizabeth shirt over her head. "He's been done fixing those fences for a week."

On autopilot, Elizabeth stepped out of her jeans as she asked, "So he's in on this too?"

"Well yes honey," exclaimed Mrs. Masselli. "We couldn't have done all this without him. Now the dress was Jolene's, Nicole's, and Donna's choice. Can't have the groom see'n it before the wedding day can we?"

People bustled in and out of the room all day bringing snacks and drinks. A representative from the town's only salon came to do her hair and make-up. In hopes of free advertising to whoever was invited to this surprise wedding.

Caked in make-up and smelling like the flowers that decorated her curled and styled hair. Elizabeth paced the room nervously. "Where did Jolene go? She said she'd be right back," snapped Elizabeth.

Smoothing her dress down behind her Donna sat down in one of the chairs in the sparsely decorated room. "Making sure everything is in order no doubt. She's a very bossy woman. I think she likes giving orders," said Donna picking at her teeth with her newly french manicured nails.

Walking over to her. Elizabeth smacked her hand before shaking her head no. "It comes with her rank. You'll have to overlook that."

Going back to her pacing. Donna suddenly shot from her chair. Taking up a chair she slammed it into the floor in front of her before barking, "Sit! Your pacing is getting my cat all worked up!"

Huffing, Elizabeth plopped into the chair. Standing up enough to pull the dress back up before her boobs fell out of the strapless dress, Elizabeth sat down more diligently "Can I ask you something?"

Spinning her chair around so that it faced her, Donna said, "As long as you don't start pacing again, ask away."

"How old are you really?"

Sitting up straighter in her chair. Donna quickly went to fiddling with her dress. "What makes you think I'm not 19?"

"Well on the day of the fight. I found out Edward was over a hundred, and Mathew says you age about one year every ten. I just don't know if it's that way from birth or if it starts at some other point in you're life."

Clearing her throat she didn't know how to answer her question. Clearing her throat again she took a sip of water. "Um, well we stop aging like normal people about puberty and-"

"Holy crap it must suck for the girls to start young then," interrupted Elizabeth.

"Oh, we're not like humans. Girls don't start their first cycle until they are at least 16 to 18 years of age. There has never been any shifter that starts her cycle under the age of 15, unlike humans who can start as young as eight. The males hit it a little younger than us. Anywhere between 13 and 15. But yeah it still sucks being 13 for ten years."

"You're telling me," exclaimed Elizabeth.

"The upside of this being a predominately super town. We're treated with the respect we deserve because we're a lot older then we look."

"Well I guess the upside is you look great for being in your seventies," laughed Elizabeth nervously.

"Oh I'm not that old yet. I was a late bloomer. My cycle didn't start until I was seventeen, so I'm only 37. Until next month and then I turn 38."

"So I guess that ruse about me being older then you was a load of bull hockey from your mom. Hell, you're older than me."

"Yeah," laughed Donna as her face blushed. "It was all part of you're human and we need to keep tabs on you thing. Of course you're part of the team now."

Sitting there quietly. Elizabeth tried not to pick at her face and reminder herself constantly not to rub her eyes. Scratching at her stiff hair, the best she could. A thought struck her. "If you're really that old why is it that you still live with you're parents? How come you haven't gotten you're own place?"

Refilling her water glass, Donna pulled another chair up so that she could put her feet up. "I take it no one has really explained shifter life huh?"

Pulling her chair closer to her, Donna took a sip of her water before sitting it back down. "Nope so enlighten me."

"Well female shifters are rare. Almost all shifters that are born are male. My parents were ecstatic when they found out that I was a girl, but then again it's a curse as well. Something about the shifter gene is just not compatible with the female genome. There is a violent clash between the two. There hasn't been a girl shifter born in this town since me. As far as girls who are bitten by shifters and infected with the shifter gene they almost never survive. Maybe one in every hundred will live long enough to shift. That's if they don't go insane within the first year. I've never met a bitten shifter who could handle their new way of life, but I know they're some out there.

Long story short. Female shifters are in short demand in the shifter world and we're guarded like treasure. That's why you never see me alone, ever. If you're a female born into a shifter family. You remain with your family until the day you choose a mate. At that point, if the male has no pride. He can choose to join with the female's pride, or start his own somewhere. If he's got a pride she'll have to join his."

"I saw you where a lioness when were where fighting the cougars. So if women are so rare how come this town isn't crawling with prowling lions looking to hook up?"

Blushing again, Donna starred out the window. "Hang on, Chris is a lion, isn't he? I don't remember much about the fight, because my wolf was driving the bus. I don't remember seeing him although I know he was there." Watching Donna's face brighten further, Elizabeth slid to the edge of her chair. "I'm right, aren't I. Is he the reason there are no others?"

Still refusing to meet her eyes. Donna talked to the window. "There used to be several males in town. They didn't' stay long. Most were just passing through to check out the lioness who had come of age in hopes the mating bond would take them."

"Mating bond? Like what's between me and Shaw? How I can feel his emotions, or know where he is even though he's not in the same room as me?"

Finally turning back to her, Donna shook her head. "No that comes after you've mated. The bond is more like a magnetic field that pulls you together. An invisible force that keeps making you bump into each other. A scent that makes you want to bury your nose in it, or roll all over it. So that you carry it everywhere with you. A sight that follows you into your dreams. The urge to mate with this force is unbelievable strong and will drive you insane if you ignore it for too long."

"So is Chris like that for you?"

"God Elizabeth! He's worse," sighed Donna covering her face.

"Then why are you so mean, and always running away from him?"

"I'm like that because I want to rip his clothes off every time he's within sight."

"I'm lost. I don't get it?"

Leaning back in her chair. Donna let her head hang over the back of it. "Let's start at the beginning. It was just a little after my thirty-fifth birthday. I was in an I hate men for all eternity state. Men were constantly making their way into the diner. The town didn't mind the pick up in visitors, but I was hating it. Believe me, I didn't care much for being on the auction block, especially when you're parents are hounding you to not pick this one, or I like this one. Then you got the all dreaded, you need to choose a mate. It's easier to bare cubs when you're young. It gets harder to conceive when you're older. Hell, it's not like I didn't know already that it's damn near impossible for a shifter to conceive. Hell, my mom is one of the lucky few to have conceived twice in her life.

Well, one day this half-dead lion came straggling into town. Come to find out the idiot was on the run from some laboratory. He wasn't born a shifter. He was turned by some mad man who at some point discovered our existence. He was so week and drugged he was stuck in his lion form. Being the man he is, Brom took him in, cleaned him up, and with dad's help brought him around. Just the same as Nicole, Chris brought his troubles with him. Dad will probably never forgive the man because I spent the worst week of my life locked in a cage because of that psycho doctor.

I knew he was my mate the first day Brom brought him to town and sat him down in our diner. Hell, even my parents knew it. You see, when you first encounter you're destined mate it'll through you into heat even before your time. That's the biggest clue that you've found your mate. I was all for the mating thing until I got darted. Shoved into a cage, tossed in a freight car, and carted off to someplace outside of D.C..

Well, I've never really forgiven him for that even though I got over it right after it happened. I mean hell he didn't know the crazy S.O.B. would chase him across the U.S.. I mean who would right? I just kind of like watching him grovel, and suffer my womanly charms every time he decides to torture himself. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out though. I almost broke down last spring when my cycle hit. I've never wanted to rail someone so much in my life. I didn't leave my room for almost a month. Of course, spring is here again and I already get hot and bothered when he just walks into the room. I don't know what I'm going to do when my lioness goes into heat again. As it sits right now, I just want to shout at the top of my lungs," Tossing her head back again Donna spread her arms out. "Chris I want you, right here, right now, with not a stitch of clothes on. But I can never-" but her words were cut short.

Blinking Elizabeth looked at the toppled chair where her bridesmaid had been sitting. Looking at the open door. Elizabeth moved her gaze back to the empty chair. Continuing across the hardwood floor she found Donna pinned to the floor by the lips of who could only have been Chris.

Kicking her legs Donna tried to shove Chris off her. "Need help," asked Elizabeth standing up.

Giving her a thumbs up. Elizabeth took it as an I'm good sign. Since she really wasn't fighting his lip-lock like someone who didn't want to be kissed. When his jacket came off and the buttons of his vest tinged to the floor. Elizabeth decided it was time to go before Donna ripped all his clothes off.

Walking out into the hallway Elizabeth pulled the door too. Just as Donna's mom was making her way down the hall. "Elizabeth what in the world are you doing in the hallway? What if Shaw sees you?"

Looking up and down the empty hallway, Elizabeth glanced back at the door. "Well, um"

Before she could come up with a good enough excuse. Jolene came trotting down the hall. "There you are! Where's Chris? I sent him to come to get you two twenty minutes ago," scolded Jolene. "Everyone's waiting for you?"

Stopping in front of them. Jolene searched the hall before glaring at Elizabeth. "Where is you're bridesmaid?"

Blocking the door Elizabeth gave Jolene a shy smile. "A little busy I think?"

"What," exclaimed Jolene forcing Elizabeth out of the way to yank the door open. Growling Jolene slammed the door shut. "What perfect timing!"

Staring at the door Mrs. Masselli squeezed her way between the two women and stuck her head into the room. "About damn time if you ask me."

Fuming Jolene paced the floor. "Now what are we going to do? We're a bridesmaid short, and the guys are already standing at the alter!"

"Well I did see that Fae that Brom really likes sitting in the far back corner," said Mrs. Masselli as if all her problems were solved. "He'll flip when he has to walk her down the aisle."

Spinning on her heals Jolene stomped back to the waiting women. "Yeah, but last time Elizabeth saw her she tried to eat her, because of some old laws she broke. I'd rather her not get blood on that pretty wedding dress of hers."

"Wait, you say Brom really like this woman," said Elizabeth thinking back to when she first saw Ashley before the change.

"If she where shifter. I'd think he'd take her as a mate," stated Mrs. Masselli shaking her head.

Rubbing her chin the gears in her head began to spin as her brain worked through something she'd seen that day. She'd noticed silver bits of what looked like spider webbing. The kind that floats through the air and smacks you in the face.

They seemed to float between Brom and Ashley tying them together, but that one was red. Closing her eyes Elizabeth ignored Jolene. Who was asking what she was up too, and went searching for the white puffball she knew was curled up somewhere deep within her. Giving her a quick kick in the rear. Elizabeth laughed as her wolf leaped a good ten feet into the air and shot off like a bullet. When she finally returned the wolf growled, "Why did you do that for?"

"I couldn't help it. It was just a big target," laughed Elizabeth messing up the fur between the wolf's ears. "Come on my furry trouble making side of mine. I need your help."

Padding beside her on her way back to the surface her wolf asked, "So what are we doing, oh hairless one."

"I need your help seeing all those silver, gold, and red lines."

"You mean magic, life, and mate lines," asked her wolf going as far as she could without inducing the change.

"I guess, just wait," said Elizabeth opening her eyes causing Jolene and Mrs. Masselli to jump back.

"Beth are you okay," asked Jolene timidly reaching for her friend.

"Yeah hush for a minute. I can't hear the both of you when you're talking at the same," stated Elizabeth eyeing her friend.

Jolene watched as Elizabeth poked at the open-air around her, wondering if her friend had gone insane. Out of nowhere, Mathew came tearing down the hall. His eyes where Amber and his canines where exposed as he roared to a stop. "What's wrong," growled Mathew looking her over ruffly before sniffing the air around her. "Oops my bad," snickered Elizabeth covering her mouth. "I didn't know you'd feel that. That's kind of cool."

Smacking Mathew's roving hands away. Jolene put her hands on her hips. "What in the world are you and your wolf up to!"

Holding a finger up to Jolene, in a silent hang on, she pulled the overly protective Mathew several steps away from her and made a grabbing motion for something she couldn't see. Within seconds the lights began to flicker and wind howled through the hallway. "I take it you feel that."

Letting go of the invisible object Elizabeth smiled. "Let's go get that fairy. I have a little proposition for lunch meat."

Leaving the shocked couple and the out of the loop Mrs. Masselli. Elizabeth made her way down the hallway from which Mathew had just come.

"What was that all about," asked Mrs. Masselli when Jolene and Mathew calmed down enough to follow Elizabeth. "It felt like someone was ripping our bond apart. For a second there I couldn't feel my mate at all," stated Mathew with a low growl as his wolf lingered at the surface still.

"I know one thing," snapped Jolene. "If she does that again. I'm punching her as hard as I can in the boob!"

Looking over her shoulder Elizabeth smiled, "Well I could have done the experiment on myself but I figured it'll ruin the wedding. I have no idea how the big neanderthal would react should I do that to him."

"Good point," said Jolene gathering up Elizabeth long train so that they wouldn't have to walk so far behind her.

Guiding her to a big set of doors. Jolene laid the train back down and straightened it out. "So what's up doc?"

"I need you and Mathew to get Tinkerbell out here any way you can. If you need to. Tell her whatever but get her out here," said Elizabeth her eyes still glowing that dangerous blue.

"You're not going to try to kill her are you," asked Mrs. Masselli.

"Yes and No. I've got a proposition to make. So depending on the option she takes depends on the outcome," replied Elizabeth as a menacing smile still covered her face.

Nodding Jolene and Mathew slipped through the doors. Within five minutes Ashley charged through the door as angry as a hornet's nest. Snatching the Fae by the throat Elizabeth slammed her against the wall knocking several pictures off. Grabbing the hands at her throat Ashley's eyes went wide when her feet left the ground. "Hello, Aisling. What a lovely surprise."

As the world around them blurred Elizabeth's wolf jumped to her feet and sent a wave of energy through her arm. "Now we can't have that, said the wolf. Can't have her jumping back to her homeworld before due time can we?"

Bringing their heads so close together their noses were almost touching Elizabeth growled, "You try that again you pixie, and I'll tear that pretty little head of yours off."

Unable to take in an entire breath Ashley squeaked her reply as she shook her head the best she could. "Good now listen closely and listen good. Furry Beth wants to rip you limb from limb. Now me, I really don't care much either way, but your presence irritates me like a horrible rash. But," said Elizabeth looking down Ashley's body as she ran her hand through the air just to the left of her stomach. "I've got a proposition for you."

Trying to kick at her Ashley choked, "What makes you think I'll make a deal with you!"

"Because if you don't I'll kill you right here, right now, wedding dress be damned. For your the fool who decided to show her face at the wedding of one who would love to chew on your bones."

Hanging there suspended in the air by her throat. Ashley mentally yelled at herself. She knew better than to be there, but she also loved seeing Brom all dressed up in his finest. She knew if Brom saw her there he'd ask her to dance, and no one could dance like that man. Even if she'd turn him down a good five times before giving in. She hated herself for falling prey to such emotions. For it seems as they'd be the end of her. "What is it White One, that you ask of me?"

Smiling Elizabeth said softly, "Well you see my bridesmaid is a little preoccupied at the moment, and I need a substitute."

Struggling a little to loosen Elizabeths hold she wheezed. "And what does that have to do with me?"

"Well, you see. You're going to be the substitute and walk with Brom down the aisle."

"I'd rather die," shouted Ashley flailing around like a fish caught on the end of a fishing line.

"What a pity," said Elizabeth spinning Ashley around quickly so that she was positioned just right so that she could wrench her head from her body.

"Alright," screamed Ashley when Elizabeth applied pressure on her head and neck. "Is that all I have to do? Is just stand up there and walk with him down the aisle when it's over?"

"Nope," whispered Elizabeth in her ear. "You'll play the entire role as a bridesmaid the entire night and whatever that entails."

"And if I suffer through having to be so close to the filthy beast all day. What's to say you don't kill me later?"

Lowering her voice so that only Ashley could hear her she whispered. "You call him a filthy beast, but I see that your lives are tied and your words are false. An here I thought fairies couldn't lie but yet you do? I wonder why that is? Maybe it's because you wish it where so. So much you think it's true. I think so. Either way, If you do this we'll pardon you of all sins that predate my change. For I can overlook things that happened more years ago then I can imagine, but should you break the law from here on forth. I will hunt you down and won't stop until your heart does. Deal?"

"On your life do ye swear," asked Ashley trying to be braver then she was.

"On my life."

"Then it's a deal."

Releasing Ashley, Elizabeth smoothed her dress out. Before turning toward the shell shocked group behind her that seemed to have grown in number. "Well, I'm pretty sure the men are tired of standing up there by now."

Scampering through the door Elizabeth hid to one side as Ashley and Jolene took their places. Changing the style of the dress she wore to match Jolene's, with the wave of her hand. Ashley pasted on a fake smile as the doors opened, and Jolene pushed her through telling her to start walking.

Once Jolene had disappeared through the door. Elizabeths watch Donna's brothers close the doors behind them. Holding out a bouquet of blue and white roses Beth took up the flowers. "Mom said to give you these," said one of the twins, but she didn't know which one because it was always too hard to tell the two apart.

Taking the flowers Elizabeth took her place between the double doors nervously. Hearing the organ ring out announcing her arrival, the boys pulled the doors open. The huge crowd stood as she stepped through the doors. Eyeing the slack-jawed Shaw standing at the alter in Scotland's finest. Her gaze trickled down to the green and blue tartan she assumed was the St. Clair clan colors. Suppressing a laugh, as an elderly woman, well into her nineties. Pulled him back up the steps of the alter by the tail of his kilt Elizabeth blushed.

Preceding to the alter she placed her flowers in Jolene's outstretched hand. Before turning toward Shaw and the old woman standing between them. From the woman's scent, she could tell she was Fae, but when she looked harder at her, her name remained blurred to her. "Good evening child. There is no point in straining you're eyes. You will not see my name for I have not one. I am a life Fae and my sole job in life is to bring in new life and bind two lives together. I am simply known as mother. I am honored today to be preforming this handfasting," smiled the woman taking up Elizabeth's left hand and giving it a loving pat. "I understand this isn't a ritual you are accustom to, being raised as a human, but I believe you can manage."

Taking up Shaw's left arm she placed Elizabeth's hand on his wrist and squeezed before placing Shaw's trembling hand on her wrist. Patting their hands she lifter hers to the gathered crowd. "Friends and loved ones, join with me in the celebration of the union between Elizabeth Lyne Marshall and Sèitheach St. Clair as their life paths now merge to become a singular road paved with love." Looking up from where she stood a good two feet down from them, the old woman asked, "Elizabeth and Sèitheach, marriage forms an eternal and sacred bond. The promises ye make today binds your lives together for all eternity. Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?"

"I do," replied Elizabeth and Shaw in unison.

Retrieving a ribbon from somewhere in the folds of her brown dress the woman rapped the ribbon around their joined hands from wrist to wrist. "Now look into each other's eyes," said the woman. "Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?"

"I will," replied the couple as the woman wound a blue ribbon around their hands.

"Will you share each other's pain and seek to comfort and ease it?"

"I will," and with that response, she rapped a yellow ribbon on top of the other two.

"Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?"

Placing a green ribbon around their joined hands at their reply the woman continued, "Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?"

"I will," answered the couple as the woman placed yet another ribbon on top of the others. Tying the white ribbon to the rest in a knot at each end of the cords she said, "Elizabeth and Sèitheach, as your hands are now bound together, so your lives are joined in a union of love and trust. The knots of this binding symbolize the vows you have made. Like the stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow."

Turning back to the crowd the woman raised their tied hands for the audience to see. "May this knot of love remain forever tied, and may these hands be blessed. May they always be held by one another. May they have the strength to hold on tightly during the storms of life. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other. May these hands build a relationship of love, caring, and devotion. May Elizabeth and Sèitheach see each other's hands as healer, protector, shelter, and guide. May they be blessed with many pups and a healthy family to trickle down through the ages."

Lowering they're hands the woman unwound the ribbons and handed them to Jolene. "Sèitheach you may now present your gift," said the woman returning to her place between them.

Taking the box Daniel, his best man, handed him. Shaw pulled out a stunning silver necklace. Hanging on the necklace was a heart-shaped pendant, but the heart was formed by the body of two wolves. Their noses where together and their heads formed each curve of the top half of the heart as their tails formed the point. Undoing the clasp his hands shook so bad that Elizabeth wondered if he'd ever accomplish getting it undone. Once it was unfastened he stepped forward to place it on her neck. "This is a gift I give to you. Crafted by a silver Fae, with the finest silver in all the land. It was crafted to stay with you even in you're wolf form as a sign of my love and vows to take with you wherever you go."

Stepping back Elizabeth touched the charm before looking at Shaw and then to the woman. "But I don't have anything to give," said Elizabeth mortified that Jolene hadn't prepared her better than this.

Laughing the old woman placed her hand upon Elizabeth's stomach. "He gives you that gift because it is only you who can give him the gift of an heir. You need not give him anything but that in return. Do you accept?"

"Oh, okay, yeah," replied Elizabeth as her face flushed again.

Placing their hands back together the woman raised them again. "The gift has been presented, and it has been excepted," waiting for the roar to die down the woman continued. "I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Sèitheach St. Clair!"

Walking to the middle of the aisle Brom presented his arm to Ashley with a smile as bright as the sun. Standing there like a knot on a log. Jolene stomped on Ashley's foot and pointed to the waiting Brom. Mumbling something under her breath. Ashley reluctantly took his arm and walk with him down the aisle.

Handing Elizabeth her flowers. Jolene took up Daniel's arm and followed quickly behind them. Hand in hand Elizabeth and Shaw left the alter as the group rose to clap.

Walking into the ballroom that sat on the other side of the room the newly wed's headed to the table at the head of the ballroom that was set up with tables and chairs.

Holding the chair out for Elizabeth. Shaw kissed her cheek before taking his seat. Waiting for the crowd to be seated Elizabeth decided to be devious. Putting her hand under the table she ran it over Shaw crotch. "Ouch my love. This hard enough to keep my manhood down while looking upon ye're beauty in that dress. Doona help when ye rubbing it like that. I'd rather not walk around with me kilt tented."

Smiling Elizabeth removed her hand, "I just wanted to know what your sappron felt like."

Placing her hand on his knee she slid her hand under his kilt. Shaw's head fell back as Elizabeth rubbed her hand up his inner thigh and brushed his already tightening testicles. "Elizabeth stop that," scolded Jolene. "They're about to serve the food, and I'd rather not lose my appetite."

Pulling her hand out from under Shaw's kilt she placed it on the table grinning. "I always wondered what a Scot wore under his kilt."

"Hell, I could have told you that without you giving the audience a show," said Daniel shaking his head at her.

When the last person was seated the waiters started serving their dinner of roasted beef, seasoned mashed potatoes, some sort of greens, and dinner rolls.

Enjoying her meal Elizabeth saw that Donna and Chris had joined them. While the old woman made her way from table to table talking. Once the last person had pushed their empty plates aside did the old woman make her way to the front of the room. Standing in front of Shaw and Elizabeth she banged her cane against the ground calling for silence. "It is time now for the bonded couple to partake in their first dance as a pair."

Pulling Elizabeth to her feet they waited for everyone to stand. Nodding to the old woman. Shaw pulled Elizabeth close as the old woman waved her hand around the room. Watching the tables and chairs disappear Shaw pulled her into the now empty space as the lights dimmed. Draping the train of her dress over her arm Elizabeth took Shaw's hand and wrapped her free arm around him as the music started.

Within moments the wedding party was sashaying around them on the dance floor.

She couldn't have been happier then she was tonight, and even with as mean as she'd been to Ashley. It touched her heart to see the grumpy Fae smile.

Dancing into the evening the old woman called the party to a close as the moon rose into the sky. "It is time for the mated pair to run with the pack as a singular unit."

Filing out the doors leading to the courtyard at the back of the lodge. Ashley stood in the doorway with the old woman. Shedding their fineries, she watched the shifters change into whatever form they possessed before Shaw and Elizabeth lead the charge into the surrounding woods. "Well my lady," said the life Fae grabbing Ashley's attention. "I hope for whatever reason you shifted the sands of time. I hope it was for the better."

Looking down at the woman sadly Ashley starred out at the empty courtyard. "For whatever that reason is, in which I have forgotten, mother. I pray to the stars I got it right."