Brave Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (BRIDES fur BEARS Book 2) (9 page)

Marcus gave his baby brother
a one-armed hug before handing Serena over to him.

The minister cleared his
throat, and the crowd quietened down for the ceremony. Serena peeked
up at her groom from behind her veil and smiled. Jax looked so suave
and handsome in his tux. And his smile was filled with so much pride
and joy.

Once they had exchanged their
wedding vows and rings, Jax dipped her low and crushed his lips to
hers. It was a deep, passionate, searing kiss that made her toes
curl and her heart swell.

The ballroom burst into
enthusiastic hoots and applause, and the minister had to shout his
pronouncement above the racket.

Serena grinned as she made
her way to the guests on her husband's arm. Friends, neighbors, work
mates crowded round to shake their hands and slap Jax on the back.

Serena craned her neck and
looked around the ballroom. Some guests were already making their
way to the buffet table. She caught sight of Ashley handing a
cupcake to Jeremy near the buffet table. Jeremy's tail was snaking
out from under his tuxedo, and when Ashley pulled it laughingly, he
growled at her and began to chase her round the room.

Serena slipped away from the
crowd and scanned all the happy faces in the room. When Ashley came
bouncing up to her, Serena bent down and asked anxiously, “Ashley,
have you seen Mrs Huang...”

“Mrs Huang! There!
There she is!” Ashley squealed in delight and pulled away from
Serena. She ran straight into Mrs Huang's outstretched arms and
hugged her. “I knew you'd come!”

Serena went to her old
neighbor and hugged her hard. “Congratulations, Serena!”
Mrs Huang smiled.

“Thank you!”
Serena gave her another hug. “Oh, I missed you so much, Mrs
Huang! I'm so glad you could make it!”

“I missed you girls
too,” Mrs Huang said. “I was so worried, you know, when
I heard about those two men over the news. One of the men died, but
the other survived...”

“Yeah...he's dead now,”
Serena muttered softly.

Mrs Huang shook her head. “A
few people said they saw those two men attacking a lady and a young
child. They called the police, but when the police arrived, they
only found the two men in flames. The woman and child were nowhere
to be found. They couldn't prosecute anyone, not even that thug who
survived. The police should have locked the guy up, but they let him
go,” Mrs Huang said, looking outraged. “I tried calling
you, Serena, but your line was disconnected. You just disappeared.
I was worried sick!”

“I'm so sorry, Mrs
Huang, I was so frightened then. I just wanted to protect Ashley,
and I didn't want to cause any trouble for you...”

Mrs Huang patted her hand.
“I understand. I'm so glad you got in touch with me.”

“Stay in Shadow Point
for a few days, Mrs Huang. We'll show you around,” Ashley
urged. “I'll show you my school!”

Mrs Huang chuckled. “All
right then. Let me call my son-in-law. He's supposed to come fetch
me home this evening. My elder daughter’s married now and I'm
staying with them. She's expecting her first child. I'm going to be
a grandmother!”

“Oh, congratulations!
This is wonderful news!” Serena clapped and began to tug Mrs
Huang excitedly towards Jax. “Come, let me introduce you to my
husband. He's dying to meet you!”

As Jax and his brothers got
food and drink for Mrs Huang and fussed over her, Ashley skipped over
to Gramma and Ne-ma and their granddaughters-in-law. Serena and
Ashley had grown very close to the Gray family. Ashley was always
going over to play with Jeremy and Katie. Katie was Tristan Gray's
little girl, and a lively, vivacious bear cub.

“Aunt Suzanne!”
Ashley called and wrapped her arms around a beautiful woman with
striking violet eyes. Suzanne was mated to Mason Gray, the third
Gray brother, and she was a fire fae. She had been training Ashley
to control the fire in her blood.

“Aunt Suzanne said that
I should control my emotions and my fire, not the other way round,”
she'd told Serena matter-of-factly. “Aunt Suzanne said I have
to work at it. She's teaching me to direct my flame at a specific
target. It's fun!”

“Hey, sweetheart, I saw
you yanking Jeremy's tail just now,” Suzanne teased.

“I was reminding him to
put it back in his pants,” Ashley said defensively.

Jeremy snarled at her and
shifted into lion form, ignoring his mother's warning finger. He
wriggled out of his tuxedo and strutted around with a cheeky glint in
his eye.

See, no pants now!

“Jeremy Gray! You
shift back right this instant!” Harper scolded. Jeremy simply
shook his head and darted out of his mother's reach.

Amidst the laughter and
craziness, Serena finally managed to have a stolen moment alone with
Jax. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she nuzzled him lovingly and
sighed. Jax kissed her and growled, “I can't wait to get you
alone tonight.”

Serena blushed. “I
never thought that I'd have such a big, beautiful wedding, surrounded
by so many people I love. In fact, I didn't think I would ever get
married.”

Jax quirked a smile. “But
meeting me changed your thinking.”

“Meeting you changed
everything,” she breathed.

They were about to kiss again
when Gramma and Ne-ma came bounding up to them. “Oh there you
are! Are you going to throw your bouquet?” they asked eagerly.

“Oh. Yes, of course.”
Serena grinned. “Let's do it now!”

“Yay! I'll catch it
for sure!”

“No way! I'll be right
in front...”

Serena laughed when Gramma
and Ne-ma began to jostle and elbow each other as they followed her
to the middle of the ballroom. “Come on, ladies! Gather
round! The bride's going to toss the bouquet!”

Serena gazed at her handsome
groom, and shared a long, meaningful look with him as all the single
ladies crowded excitedly behind her.

I love you and want you
forever, and I'm so happy that you are mine.

Jax smiled at her as he held
Ashley's hand. Serena smiled and blew her husband and daughter a big
kiss. Marcus, Staci and Joshua were standing behind them and they
grinned happily.

Serena took a deep breath and
looked around. This was her beautiful, beautiful family. And she
had so many wonderful friends and neighbors in this warm, quirky
town.

She remembered what Ashley
had said the first time she visited her kindergarten.
This is my
school.

Serena smiled and whispered,
“This...is my home, my heart.”

Grinning, she threw her
bouquet high in the air.

I love you all!

~
End
~

About the Author

Natalie Kristen is a writer
who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark,
the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring
paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances.
She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and
writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to
follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest
news and updates.

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NatalieKristenBooks

Blog:

nataliekristen.blogspot.com

Twitter:

@NatKristenBooks