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.”

so get a good night’s sleep because we start a 4:00 am,”

summer berry one,” Darrell said, taking

the fresh strawberries and

cake, and we can make each tear a different flavour combination. We

said. “It is very

like purple,” Katelyn added.

I can tie

her wedding. She felt Darrell rub her back and smiled at her. It was like he could read her mind. When she

and take a look at the kitchen in the back. Aster promised to drive Katelyn home at the end

***

there meant to Katelyn. She felt bad that they were not talking, and Darrell felt bad that he was the reason they were not speaking. He looked at the handmade invitation on the seat next to

inviting her cousin Carl and some of her friends. And, of course, the whole pack would be in attendance. Even the ones that 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 too much for them, but they were important to Katelyn, and he knew it would really make her day if they showed up. So here he was, sitting outside their house trying to muster the courage to go knock on their door.

the bell. It took a moment for her mother to open the door. The woman

wants you there. I get that you don’t like me. I was completely out of line at your niece's brunch. I was completely honest but still out of

hat at her and then walked

***

many dresses. Aurora, Charlotte, and Aster had agreed to go with her to find her wedding dress. Given that her wedding was only weeks away, she needed something she could 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 that perfect

each dress had left her feeling underwhelmed. Because of Darrell’s strong country ties, they were getting married at the house in the vast backyard of their little country home. They were keeping it,

how distracted Aster was all day. Katelyn came to stand beside Aster and lowered her voice. “Are

I’m fine,” Aster

are a terrible liar.

wrack. “Gordon left

was surprised. She had not heard that. Why had Gordon not mentioned it to them? “I hadn’t heard. What

man,” Charlotte said from the other

happen?” Katelyn

few days ago,” Aster

you feel

finally left her,” Katelyn had the 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

said, coming around the