"Okay," I said as I let go of her arm and continued back to the Pack.
"Okay?" she sputtered. "That's all you have to say?"
"Yep—once a knob always a knob," I agreed with a nod of my head. "You are absolutely correct. People cannot change. They can't grow up or realize the error of their weenies—whoops, I meant ways. You should stay far away from him because he wants you something awful. Do you want me to find someone else to do the computer work?"
She just stared at me in shocked silence. It took all I had not to pump my fists over my head and yell Victory.
"Well?" I asked. "Do you?"
"Um… no. I can, you know, do the stuff and um… no, you don't have to replace me," she stuttered, not making eye contact.
"Okay. You ready to go back?"
She nodded curtly and slapped me hard on the back of my head. "You suck, Ester Elizabeth McGee. You know that, don't you?"
"I have heard it before." I grinned and smacked her back. "But you love me anyway."
Sandy made a very unladylike grunt and stomped ahead of me. "I will make you pay," she said angrily, but I could hear the frustrated laugh trying to escape.
"I've heard that before too," I said with a huge grin.
One job down… so many more to go.
***
Dwayne was literally holding hands with Mrs. Wilson when we reached the Pack. She was all aflutter and had pinned her dress together between her legs. She was now sporting an alarming make shift version of gauchos. I was going to have to rethink Dwayne's decapitation. Only a true BFF would make nice with my enemy and keep her occupied so I wouldn't put my foot in my mouth and start World War III.
A hush fell over the crowd as our new Alpha, our old Alpha and their father, our retired Alpha, walked over the hill together and approached the Pack.
Dressed in loose fitting black clothing, their power danced around and bathed the clearing. Splashes of colorful light flitted around them and shot out over the delighted crowd. The hair on my neck stood up and I was again awed at the raw and beautiful enchantment of the Werewolves. Hank and Junior quietly stood with their father on a raised stage. Torches burned brightly, illuminating the heightened area as the sky darkened in dusk. Magic swirled through the air and lightning bugs lit the excited faces of the Pack. I glanced quickly over at Dwayne, whose mouth was open in astonishment.
"We are here tonight to pledge our loyalty and obedience to the new Alpha of the Georgia Pack," Mr. Wilson said with great joy. "I am humbled to have sired two Alphas."
"You didn't have to give birth to them," Mrs. Wilson grumbled good-naturedly.
The Pack laughed as did Mr. Wilson, Hank and Junior.
"You are correct, my beautiful mate," Mr. Wilson agreed. "I am eternally grateful to you. Our blessings are many," he said as he gave her a wink. "And now we share our blessings with our people."
The crowd howled and I howled right along with my Pack. Granny came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her love sunk right into me and I made a very important decision.
"Will you give me away at my wedding?" I whispered as I placed my hands over hers.
Granny froze and then squeezed me tighter. "You gonna wear Sadie Wilson's buttass nasty gown?"
"Um… yep."
Holy hell, how fugly was the dress?
"You're gonna looked like a puff ball with sequins and rhinestones," she whispered gleefully.
Question answered.
"Understood. It was a life or death decision," I hissed under my breath. "Answer the other question."
She got right up next to my ear and gave me a kiss. "Nothing in this world would make me prouder. You are the light of my life and delivering you to the man who loves and deserves you will be one of my finest moments. I love you, baby girl."
"I love you too, Granny," I choked out as my eyes filled and my world felt so right.
"I wish your daddy was alive to walk you, but I will do him and your mamma proud."
Her eyes were misty now too. I took her hand and placed it on my cheek, then leaned into it for comfort as I had when I was a child. I had no clue what this woman had given up to raise me, but I was so endlessly grateful that she did. I may have lost my parents, but I had never lost unconditional love. She was everything to me.
"Enough of the sappy crap." She grinned and wiped my tears. "We better listen up or Jack Wilson will have our butts."
She was right. Hank and Junior's father was a good and kind man, but he was an Alpha.
"Nuff said," I whispered as I turned back to the action on the stage.
A beautiful ruby encrusted knife had been drawn by Mr. Wilson and he held it up for the Pack to see.
"Jacob David Wilson, do you solemnly swear to protect the Pack and lead with fairness and integrity?"
"I do, Father," Junior answered.
I almost giggled. Sometimes I forget Junior had another name… Granny pinched my backside and I immediately sobered up.
"Do you promise to put the Pack above all others until the day you are blessed with a mate who shall rule by your side?" Mr. Wilson asked.
Junior's eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Sandy. She tried to look away, but Junior's gaze was so intense no one could have looked away. Her body trembled and her eyes blazed with both anger and desire. Junior had his work cut out for him in that department.
"I do, Father," he said with a grin and a wink to Sandy.