Free Under the Bayou Moon by Gynger Fyer Page B

itching abated and the tightness gradually loosened.
    Jacques nudged under her chin, making her look at him.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yes.”
    There was a loud, single clap in the room that brought her attention back to its occupants. Angel nervously fumbled to get her dress back into place.
    “Bravo, bravo! Hell, all I needed was some popcorn and a goddamn diet Coke and I could have kicked up my heels.”
    Angel’s father moved to address the room’s occupants, blocking their view of her.
    “I think we’re all satisfied that she’s our daughter and Jacques’s mate. With four of the six pod rulers in attendance, there’s no need to do this again.”
    Angel was grateful as Jacques helped her pull the crimson dress into place and pull up the zipper.
    “Yes, we’re satisfied. Congratulations.” Henri and Diane Dubois nodded to them both before turning to the others and saying good night.
    “Well I guess that’s my queue,” Philip said, approaching them. Jacques growled under his breath when Philip was directly in front of them. He held up both hands innocently.
    “Down boy, I’ve seen what I came here to see.”
    He held his hand palm up and waited for Angel to put her hand in his. Reluctantly she did so. His hand was warm and a bit damp as it closed around hers. He brought the back of it up to his lips and gave it a kiss.
    “Welcome to the family. I can see you are indeed an angel. If you ever get tired of this one, give me a call. Tom, Diane.”
    He nodded to her parents and then turned and left the room.
    “Well, now that things have settled, let’s get on with the mating ceremony,” the priestess, said clapping her hands.
    Angel’s heart went to her throat. Was she doing the right thing?
    “If you want, we can wait, cher . I don’t want you doing anything you don’t want to do.”
    Jacques’s look was sincere. He’d put a stop to it right now if she said so. That gesture was enough to seal her resolve.
    “Let’s do it.” She gave him a shaky smile.
    “Join hands.”
    “Jacques Bertrand, sovereign bull of the Lafayette pod, do you accept Angelique LaFleur as your divine mate, acknowledging that you have seen her markings and shall one day allow her to bear your hatchlings?”
    “I acknowledge.”
    “Please show your markings.”
    Jacques removed his coat with a smirk. He tossed it on a chair and then started unbuttoning his cuffs and then his shirt. Each bit of skin he bared had her heart racing and her clit throbbing. Jacques was all cut muscle and tan skin. He looked amazing. He removed his shirt, and she saw a tribal tattoo of a gator coming over his shoulder. Without thinking, she reached out and touched the marking. Jacques inhaled at her touch. His skin warmed beneath her fingertips, and the pattern started to form rough patches on his skin. He looked healthy and virile. Her beast wanted to grunt in appreciation, but she quieted it down.
    “Angelique LaFleur, daughter of sovereigns Thomas and Diane LaFleur of the Baton Rouge pod. Do you accept Jacques Bertrand as your divine mate, acknowledging that you’ve seen his markings and shall one day allow him to be the father of your hatchlings?”
    “Yes.” Her word was breathy and light.
    She turned to Angel’s parents.
    “As witnesses, do you acknowledge that Jacques and Angelique have followed all engagement protocol, and at the appointed time, you will allow them to complete the mating ceremony?”
    “We acknowledge,” was her parents’ reply.
    “Jacques and Angelique, you are now engaged mates, allowed the rights of mating until such time as your official mating ceremony.”
    And that was it. Things moved quickly. Her parents left, the priestess was shown to her room, and Angel went back to the room she’d previously occupied. For most of the night she kept expecting Jacques to tap on her door. She rehearsed a gentle let down if he wanted to consummate their engagement. She never got the opportunity to use it because he never