Bearing It by Zenina Masters Page B

have only done it twice before.”
    Fred didn’t hear her. She turned to Hektor, and he stepped forward. They kissed and their beasts met and mingled. She held tight to him as her mind touched his, their two animals now allowing them to communicate on a far more intimate level.
    When they parted, he blinked, and she could see a bear surfacing in his eyes.
    Buzz cleared his throat. “I will visit and show Hektor how to be a bear; Ezzy will give you flying lessons. It is way harder than it looks.”
    Fred smiled up at Hektor and nodded. “I am willing to learn.”
    “As am I; whatever it takes to get me into your life completely, I will do.” His voice was low.
    Steffi was nearby under a canopy, and she whistled sharply.
    Fred turned to Krisia. “Refreshments are served.”
    Their party headed over to where several members of Fred’s family were waiting. They hadn’t been able to participate in the ceremony as too many shifters made for unstable bondings, but they had waited eagerly to celebrate this milestone.
    Hektor was getting along well with her parents, and her family was delighted to have him. It was a relief to her, but she still thought that he was only half accepted. She had gotten his family’s information and contacted his parents. They had been a little reserved but had agreed to attend the wedding the following week.
    She was going to be far too busy in the next week to worry about whether they showed or not, but she had made the effort.
     
    “White? Are you sure?” She turned from side to side in the mirror, and the skirts swished.
    Her mother laughed. “It’s tradition. I would have had you in a nice leaf green, but we are bowing to the bear tradition.”
    Ezzy was in the room, and she snorted. “Tradition is important. Even owls have their strange rituals. At least your ceremonies don’t involve mice. My reception was not my finest hour.”
    “Well, after the ceremony, I take off my dress, and we all go looking for berries.”
    “Less gross than mouse breath. Now, here is your bouquet, and let me just touch up your headpiece.” Ezzy leaned in and fussed a little with the green wreath.
    Her mother kissed her cheek and said, “It is time. I will be out there watching and cheering for you. Remember. You are already his mate. This is just for your friends and family. We want to watch you happy.”
    With that encouragement ringing in her soul, Fred waited for the five minutes and then walked with Ezzy through the halls of her home until they walked down the steps and found the two hundred guests, all friends of the Northrup family, waiting for her appearance.
    Ezzy walked down the flower-strewn aisle to stand at the altar end, and Fred paced slowly to the music that filled the garden. Buzz and Hektor were waiting for them, next to the official.
    When Fred arrived at the far end of the aisle, she took Hektor’s hand and smiled at him. His glowing grin was enough for her. She went through the formalities of the ceremony, giving the appropriate responses when asked and keeping her gaze on his.
    They exchanged rings in human tradition, signed the wedding license and formal declaration then returned to the central position and gave everyone the best possible view of their first kiss as man and wife.
    Afterward, there were the official wedding photos with all family members in rotation. A huge wedding album was a definite possibility.
    “Any members of the groom’s side?” The photographer looked up with a smile.
    Hektor started to shake his head, but an older couple stepped through the crowd.
    “We are here.” The man smiled slightly and kept his hand on his wife’s arm.
    Hektor looked shocked.
    Fred sighed, “I invited them.”
    “So, that is why you asked for their number?”
    “Yes. I wasn’t sure that your mother had any recipes worth swapping.” She winked. “Now, we are posing for family photos. Get your family over here.”
    He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. “You