“I couldn’t resist.” He shook his head, his eyes gleaming gold as he took her in. “You look…like I am a very lucky man.” He swallowed. “You’re beautiful.”

He chucked Charlie on the shoulder. “Doesn’t your mom look pretty?”

Charlie nodded. He’d been staring at her the whole time. “You look like a princess.”

She laughed. “I’ll take that.”

Hank cleared his throat. “We did come in here for a reason. Charlie and I have a surprise for you.”

“You do?”

Hank nodded and reached back to lock the door before his proud attention was aimed at Charlie. “Show her, kiddo.”

He stuck his hands in his pockets, making his tux pants pleat across the front. “What if I can’t do it again?” His voice came out in a loud, strained whisper.

Hank tapped his bow tie, a gesture Ivy didn’t understand, but Charlie nodded.

He looked up at her. “Watch, Mom. Watch what Hank taught me.”

She nodded. “I’m watching.” She had no idea what he was about to do.

He backed up to the farthest corner of the room, then adopted a very exaggerated runner’s pose before taking off toward the other corner. A few steps in, and he jumped into the air.

And landed as a wolf.

Ivy’s heart pounded. She flattened her hand to her chest and shook her head. Charlie made a handsome silver and black wolf. She couldn’t stop staring at him even as she spoke to Hank. “How is this possible?”

Charlie wagged his tail and smiled at her, his tongue hanging out.

Hank stuck his hands in his pockets. “After everything with your father, then talking to Charlie and spending time with him, I started to think his inability to shift had been brought on by other reasons. We…figured it out.”

“I can’t believe it.” She went to her knees and wrapped her arms around the little wolf. “Oh, Charlie, I’m so proud of you, baby.”

His tail wagged harder.

She buried her face in his fur for a moment, then kissed his muzzle. She was crying, probably ruining her makeup, and didn’t care. There were no words for what Hank had done for her son.

“Hey,” Hank said softly as he knelt beside her. “Don’t cry.”

“I can’t help it. This is just so amazing.” She sniffed, laughing even as another tear trickled down her cheek. “I’ve never been much of a crier—living with Clemens has a way of beating that out of you—but being around you and your family has kind of changed all that. I’m so overwhelmed by everything you’ve done for us…” She hugged Charlie closer, oblivious to the formerly pristine state of her wedding dress. “I have no words.”

“Well, I do.” Hank kissed her temple, then ruffled the fur on Charlie’s back before he stood again. “That’s enough, kiddo. You’d better shift back before your mother ruins her pretty dress.”

With a little woof, Charlie wriggled free from Ivy and jumped into the air, landing on two human feet. He was red-faced and grinning. “Pretty cool, huh, Mom?”

“The coolest, Charlie. I’m so proud of you.”

His smile lit up his face. “Take my picture and send it to Grandpa. Show him I can shift.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Please, Mom.” Charlie’s little brow furrowed.

She understood his motivation. Clemens had made Charlie’s life hell when he hadn’t been able to turn. Charlie wanted vindication. And he deserved it. She looked at Hank as she got to her feet. “What do you think?”

Hank nodded slowly. “I say if Charlie wants his biggest doubter to know what he’s capable of, so be it. In a few minutes, we’ll be married and pack law will officially make him my son. Anyone who wants to come after Charlie will have to come through me.”

“Yeah,” Charlie said. “I’m gonna be a Merrow.”

Ivy laughed and shook her head. “Okay, back to wolf form, but quickly. We have a wedding to get to.”

The door handle jiggled. Knocking followed. “Ivy, unlock the door. It’s me, Birdie. I can’t find Hank anywhere.”

Birdie sounded a little panicked. “It’s okay,” Ivy replied. “He and Charlie are in here with me. We’ll be out in a little bit.”

“What?” she screeched. “The groom isn’t supposed to see the bride. Hank, get out of there right now.”

Hank huffed out a breath. “Birdie, five minutes. Now leave us be.”

“But I—”

“Five. Minutes.” Hank’s voice was a sharp, stern growl.

With an audible hmph, Birdie went silent.

Hank gave Charlie a nod. “Go ahead. Shift.”

While Charlie shifted, Ivy dug through the bag of supplies Birdie had brought until she found her phone. She pulled up the camera and focused. Wolf Charlie sat proudly in front of Hank. She focused, took the picture and attached it to a quick text.

Charlie wants you to know he can shift after all. Looks like you underestimated your grandson. Your loss.

She tapped the send button, then put the phone away. “Okay, Charlie. Back to being a boy.”

She looked at Hank, so crazy in love with him she couldn’t stand it. “We’ve got a wedding to go to.”

After more scolding from Birdie, Hank and Charlie took their places next to Titus in front of the justice of the peace, who’d cleared his schedule to accommodate Hank’s request. Bridget stood in as Ivy’s maid of honor. Hank’s parents and Birdie made up the entire audience.