Beautiful Creatures Series

Katelyn was nervous as she walked hand in hand with Darrell into the park behind the hub. The pack had gathered in response to Gordon calling a pack meeting. Everyone was trying to figure out why Gordon had called the meeting. Katelyn smiled when Stanton and Aurora came over to say hello. Their new young son Dayton in his mother’s arms. He was a real little cutie with his golden hair and smooth, soft features. He looked like his mother, which was great for Dayton because his father wasn’t much to look at.

Once the whole pack was gathered, Gordon hopped up onto the nearest picnic table and let out a howl that silenced the pack in seconds and drew their attention to their pack leader. With the attention focused on him, Gordon spoke. “I know there has been some gossip as to why I have gathered you all here tonight. Let me clear up the rumours. I know everyone has been speculating about Darrell’s unusual choice of mates. While it has never before been done, he has chosen to marry Katelyn. She has proven her dedication to this pack to my satisfaction. For her dedication to her chosen people, I am granting Katelyn sanctuary within our community. As of this very moment, Katelyn Ashwood is a full member of this pack.”

A rumble of outrage rose up from the pack, and Gordon put up both his hands to silence them.

“Silence! This is non-negotiable. Katelyn is a member of the pack. She will receive the same consideration and protection as any other member of this pack. Any refusal to behave accordingly will be considered a direct challenge and will result in the exile of any offenders. So now smile and help me welcome our newest pack member.”

A murmur of disapproval swept through those gathered as they reluctantly clapped and glared at Katelyn. It was going to take more than Gordon’s decree to get the pack to accept her. Her future did not look easy.

***

The next day Darrell and Gordon took Katelyn into Aspen to a quaint little high-end bakery called Dazzling Desserts, which apparently Gordon’s only daughter Aster owned. When Aster came out of the back, it was with a large white tray loaded up with small tasting cakes. Gordon had spoken to his daughter the night before about Katelyn and Darrell’s upcoming wedding.

Katelyn and Darrell had stayed up late the night before discussing their wedding. He did not want to wait. He wanted to get married as soon as possible and had suggested they get married at City Hall. Katelyn did not want to elope. She wanted a real wedding with a dress and a cake surrounded by friends and family. However, since her friends and family were not talking to her and the pack was not happy about her being one of them, Katelyn imagined that it was going to be a very small wedding. Regardless Darrell said if she wanted a real wedding, he would give her a real wedding.

The four of them sat down in the tasting area as Aster gave them each a fork, and they took bites of each tiny tasting cake to decide which one they wanted for their wedding cake. Katelyn was impressed with Aster’s product. She was an exceptional baker.

“You know Katelyn is a pretty impressive baker too,” Darrell told Aster. “You should see some of the unbelievable deserts she made the other day.”

“You like to bake?” Aster grinned. “You know I’m looking for full-time help. My last baking assistant just left because she had a baby and wanted to do the stay-home mom thing. I could use the help if you are looking for a job,” the Aster grinned. “You could help me make your wedding cake.”

Katelyn loved the idea of having a hand in her own wedding cake. Since she could not photograph the wildlife in this area because too much of it was pack activity, Katelyn needed a new source of income. Why not do something she enjoyed doing? “Are you sure? I don’t think the pack likes me.”

“Give them time. They will come around,” Gordon promised.

“I just mean hiring me might hurt your business.”

Aster laughed. “Most of my business is human, so I don’t think it will change my bottom line.”

“Well, then I accept. I would love to work here.”

life starts early, so get a good night’s sleep because we start a 4:00 am,” that was early. “But back to business. Which of these cakes did you like

the lemon summer berry one,” Darrell

like the

cakes to use as a demonstration of what she could do. “We could do a four-tear cake, and we can make each tear

said. “It

like purple,”

Aster grinned. “Yellow and purple are complementary colours. They go great together. I can tie those colours into your cake

her back and smiled at her. It was like he could read her mind. When she pictured her wedding day, she always pictured her mother and father up crying happy tears.

to his shop, and Darrell was going to go home and enjoy his day off. Aster asked Katelyn if she wanted to stay and take a look at the

***

reason they were not speaking. He looked at the handmade invitation on the seat next to him. It had been a week since he and Katelyn had chosen their cake.

were against their union would come because no one ever said no to a party. It would be small and but nice. The only people who were missing were Katelyn’s parents. Darrell had sat up nights thinking about them. He didn’t care

his truck. He walked up to the front door and rang the bell. It took a moment for her mother to open the door. The woman had opened the door with a smile, which was instantly gone when she saw

you don’t like me. I was completely out of line at your niece's brunch. I was completely honest but still out of line. I love your daughter, and I only want her to be happy. I know you love your daughter, and you only want her to be happy,” he offered her

word. Darrell then respectively tipped his hat at her and then walked back to his truck

***

wear off the wrack. They had all taken the day off and had spent the whole day going from one bridal shop to the next on the hunt for

married at the house in the vast backyard of their little country home. They were keeping it, country sheik, with down-home glam. She wanted her dress to reflect that,

through the wracks. Katelyn couldn’t help but notice how distracted Aster was all day. Katelyn came to stand beside Aster and lowered her voice. “Are

fine,” Aster

terrible liar. What’s bothering

the wrack. “Gordon left his wife Melissa

Gordon not mentioned it to

her with another man,” Charlotte said from the other side

this happen?”

few days

do you feel about

feeling there was an interesting story behind that answer, but this was not the time or place to be hearing it. “The other part of me feels bad, after all, she is my mom, and I

Charlotte said,