Aztec Treasure
Reception

Maria (Meztli) Skollson’s POV

Arrowhead Pack House

I don’t know how they pulled this off with so many Pack members on the trip, but they did. When we walked in the dining area, it was decorated with flowers and blown-up photos of our waterfall wedding the week earlier. “Congratulations to Lance and Maria” read the banner behind the front table. A four-piece band was playing, the members all from Oxbow Lakes. Along one side of the room, three long buffet tables were set up so people could go down both sides. I started salivating when I saw we were having my favorite meal- smoked prime rib roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and honey-glazed dinner rolls. A drink table was set up which included several kegs of local craft beer.

Chase and Rori were there to greet people as they arrived. On the other side of the entrance was a gift table, already filling with boxes. “How?”

“We don’t just talk about motorcycles all the time, Maria,” Chase said with a grin. “With the Brotherhood and Ladies here, we’ve got plenty of people who know how to throw a party. We split up the planning responsibilities and worked with the people still here.”

“But all this food?” Prime rib roasts took a LONG time to cook right.

“Not that complicated to make, but they had to use all the smokers here and at Oxbow Lakes to get them all done.” I’d seen the barbecue hardware here, and it was extensive.

I looked around, not knowing what to say. “Thank you,” I finally said as I gave Chase a hug. “And thank you, Rori. I know you’re behind this.” She licked my face as I hugged her red-furred neck.

“Come on, baby. We should socialize.” We went by the drink table, where he got me a glass of cider while getting himself a tall glass of Bent Paddle Ale. The room was rapidly filling up as people dropped their stuff off and came over.

I saw Maritza and the young ones come in from the hallway, and nearly choked on my drink. “Lance,” I said as I tapped his arm. “Too early?” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He started laughing as he figured out what I was asking about. Maritza was wearing a pink T-shirt, with a baby jaguar print and “Daddy’s Little Anklebiter” on the front. The others had matching T-shirts that said “Arrowhead Pack Lake Superior Loop” with a map of the lake, our stops marked with little stars, and a wolf riding a motorcycle in the middle. The logos of the Steel Brotherhood and Steel Ladies were on the back. The kids ran to their parents, and Lance picked up Maritza and held her on his hip so she could give me a kiss. “Those are SO cool,” I told Three Tequila as she came up to us.

She was wearing a matching tour shirt already. “The nannies have Maritza’s T-shirt, and we just put boxes of T-shirts by the door for everyone,” she said. I looked over and started to laugh. You know how werewolves aren’t shy about their bodies? Biker chicks aren’t either. Most people coming in took off their cuts, pulled off their shirts and put the tour shirt on right there. “The Brotherhood took care of getting them printed as a thank-you to your Pack for setting this up. This trip went better than I imagined. Club and Pack leadership met and decided we were going to do these rides twice a year from now on.”

“Every year? TWICE?” My eyes got big; it had been a LOT of work, and I wouldn’t have made it without Possum’s help.

“Yes, but we’re not doing them all here, silly. We decided it makes more sense to have the Packs rotate as hosts for a run in the summer, and the Brotherhood hosts the runs in the winter. Sawyer volunteered to take it next summer; he said there are some fantastic rides around Lake Tahoe and the mountains. It’s going to be huge, because between Tahoe and Reno, it’s easy to get hotel rooms.”

That did sound fun. We’d vacationed on Lake Tahoe when I was a kid. “You set up the rotation?”

“Yep. After Sawyer, it goes to Carson, then Coral. You’re going to have to do this every fourth year, so don’t throw away your notes. The February runs will be hosted by chapters in Fort Lauderdale, Vegas, Orlando, and New Orleans over the next four years.”

I just rolled my eyes. “You better tell Chase to break out the checkbook, then. These runs aren’t cheap.” I’d been a little shocked at how much money I’d put on the debit card during the trip. Feeding two hundred people wasn’t easy, and it was hard to find rooms together.

“Chase himself said this trip was a gift from Arrowhead; no one expects a full-ride bikership. Set a date and we’ll be back,” Howler told me as she gave me a hug. “We had a great time, and it’s good riding.”

Ten minutes later, Chase told us it was time to assemble at the head table to start this off. All of the Alphas and Club Presidents were soon at the head table, with Lance and me in the center. Chase stood up and the room went silent as he held up his glass for a toast. “Bikers and Old Ladies, Friends and Family, tonight we celebrate the mating and marriage of Lance and Maria. May they have long, happy life together and many pups.” That was the standard toast, Lance sent me. “Or kittens.” That got everyone smiling. “To Lance and Maria Skollson!” Lance and I clinked our glasses together, then those on our sides before taking a sip. “Our guests of honor will open the buffet.”

We walked hand-in-hand to the buffet, with the members of the head table following. We moved through quickly and returned, waiting for everyone to get their food before starting. The food was excellent, though dinner was interrupted multiple times by people demanding we kiss. Finally, we had the cake to cut. Like so many things, it wasn’t your typical wedding cake. It was a big sheet cake with Lake Superior on it, with Lance on his Harley chasing me around the lake with my wedding veil trailing behind me. We made the first cut, fed each other, then let the professionals take over.

Twenty minutes later, the nannies told me Maritza was done. I went over to the table where the high chairs were set up; sure enough, she was covered with bits of cake and melted ice cream as she fought to stay awake. “We’re taking them to the nursery,” Zoe said as she cleaned her face.

“Make sure you rotate so you can have fun tonight,” I told her. We were home now, and we all had jobs, but I wanted everyone to relax as well. The nannies and guards had been under a lot of pressure after Maritza’s kidnapping.

I picked up my little girl and carried her out, settling her on the bed before returning to the room. The band was starting up, and it was time for the first dance. Lance and I led off, then for the next song, I danced with Chase while Lance took Possum out. After that, the floor was open.

I was sitting with the Ladies and taking a break when I saw Warrior Monica slow-dancing with FBI Special Agent Cole Brackers. I realized they had been together all night, and had sat together at meals the last few days. “Monica? Is he your mate?”

“He is, but I haven’t told him yet. He’s not ready for that,” she sent back. “He is leaving for Detroit tomorrow morning, even though it’s going to suck going through Chicago in the middle of the day. The Alphas are allowing me to return with him, but I haven’t asked him yet if I can go with.”

“Congratulations on finding your mate,” I sent back to her. “You know, there’s a ferry that leaves Milwaukee and another that leaves Manitowoc, heading straight across. It’s a nice break from the freeway ride and a lot of fun. You should look into it; the one we took even had little bedrooms you could rent.”

“I will,” she said. I watched her clinging to the big agent, remembering the faint pull I’d felt to Lance that built to the bond we had now. I hoped they found a way to work it out, and Cole would take the change. He’d be one big-ass wolf, that was for sure.

I tried to stay up, but I was exhausted. Lance picked up on it over the bond. “Time to say our good nights,” he told me. “After all, it’s our bonus wedding night.”

We said goodbye to the leadership first, then the others. It took us twenty minutes to make it out the door, and for some reason, everyone followed. A golf cart was decorated with “Just Married” and streamers; Lance drove away to cheers, a short ride down to Roadkill’s home.

We made love once in the shower, and again on the bed before I fell asleep on his chest.

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