“On a side note, I know you and Lexi met with the Packmasters and filled out the paperwork to be official mates, but maybe you should consider having a ceremony. It’s not the Shifter way, but Lexi grew up thinking she was going to be wearing a wedding dress with flower girls throwing pink petals at her feet.” I clutched his arm. “Plus, it would give me an excuse to dress up in a gown as a bridesmaid. It looks like so much fun from the movies I’ve seen!”

He chuckled warmly and shook his head. “Unless Lexi tells me that’s what she wants, I’m not doing it.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes dramatically. “Of course she’s not going to tell you she wants it. It wouldn’t be as special if it was her idea.”

Austin fished in his pockets and jingled a few coins. “Everyone knows she’s my mate and that’s all that matters.”

I skipped a step ahead of him, talking over my shoulder. “Maybe so, Austin Cole, but every woman wants a party in her honor.”

“I suppose that would mean I’d have to buy a ring like Jericho did for Izzy. Then where does it end? Next thing you know, she’ll expect me to give her anniversary gifts, and then I’ll get in trouble for not remembering—”

“Aha!” I spun on my heel. “So that’s what this is about. You’re afraid of forgetting a special day for the next five hundred years.”

He shrugged indifferently. “It’s not the Shifter way.”

“Maybe a compromise needs to be made. Lexi grew up human, and no matter how much you instill your Shifter ways in her, part of her will always cling to their customs. What do you think her brother, Wes, would have wanted? Maybe having a declaration among the local Packmasters and a signed document isn’t enough. Maybe Lexi wants to feel pretty for a day.”

He moved forward toward the front door. “Now that’s where you’re wrong.” Austin peered at Lexi through the glass. She was leaning over the railing with her feet in the air, the wind blowing her long hair to one side. “My woman is pretty every damn day, and I make sure she knows it.”

***

After heading home and taking a deliciously hot shower, I put on a lovely beige dress with a sexy V-neck and paired it with my favorite black ankle boots. Maybe the shoes were out of season, but I loved high heels and studded cuffs. Before leaving the apartment, I made sure Misha got extra food and kisses.

When I reached Club Sin, Reno had sent a text message asking for my location so he could give me the scoop on what he’d found out so far. I ordered the breakfast plate of hash browns, sausage links, and two pieces of buttered Texas toast, then chose a wooden table in the back—far from the customers.

A pair of aviators landed on the table, and Reno grabbed the small chair next to me and spun it around. He sat down with his thick arms folded over the curved back. I giggled when he glanced at my plate and his stomach growled like an angry bear.