See me, p.20
See Me, page 20
Black didn’t attend these parties. Not that I noticed… Well, of course, I noticed, but it didn’t matter. Really.
There were more problems with shipment escorts. I didn’t know any of the particulars, but Conal was concerned. There were quickly called meetings, or I’d see people in small groupings, speaking quietly and clearly upset.
I had more dreams, but they were more like impressions than anything that I could identify. Onyx questioned me almost daily and loudly expressed his disappointment. He was preparing to go to some big gathering of uppity-ups. I would have gladly assisted him with his packing because the days he didn’t work with me were the good ones.
As promised, Glass recovered and was back at work. I was so happy when she stopped by the house that I hugged her and burst into tears. She was horrified when I blubbered all over her.
“You did not die,” she stated the obvious as she tried to disengage from my arms.
“Because of you,” I sobbed, but I did let go of her.
“It was because of your training,” she said with surety.
“You saved me,” I insisted.
“Hmph.” She gave me a look that broadcasted she’d had enough. “We’ll continue with your training.”
Great.
“I will check with Solle to see if there are any restrictions due to your injury.” Glass gave my cast a dirty look as if it offended her.
I cradled my wrist. “Whatever you think is best.” No, I wasn’t looking forward to getting my ass kicked, but what I’d learned had helped save my life. And maybe Black would stop in… I gave my head a hard shake. No more of those thoughts.
Lately, everybody seemed to be busy, but I was tired of studying and was feeling hemmed in. That’s what my grandma would have called it. I wanted to do something. So, Solle suggested, no, she decided that they should take me out.
She spent an hour going through her closet trying to find something for me to wear. She also did my hair and makeup. I was now standing by the front door wondering how the hell I’d gotten myself into this.
Conal slowly looked me up and down. “You look hot,” he said letting go a low whistle.
“Solle’s doing,” I grumbled.
One side of his mouth lifted. “I’ll probably have to kill somebody tonight.”
I smirked at his dramatics.
“The males will be all over you.” He didn’t look too upset at the task of keeping them away.
Solle and I had very different ideas about what I should wear to the local club. I’d been thinking jeans, a tight tank, and my one pair of pumps. I was excited, but I wasn’t a club kind of girl. I loved to dance but the entire meat market mentality put me off. Just because I danced with a guy didn’t mean I wanted to have sex. However, I couldn’t say no to Solle when she was so happy and enthusiastic. So, I was wearing a dress that brushed my calves. From the front, I was covered, but my entire back was exposed all the way to my sides. The dress was secured to the edges of my breasts by two-sided tape. I prayed that sweat wouldn’t affect the adhesive or my boobs would be flapping for all to see. Although from the stories I’d heard about the club, a little nudity wouldn’t matter to the Lycans.
“Remember, if anything upsets you, tell me and we’ll leave.” Conal glanced at his watch.
“Okay, Dad.” I smiled at his protective streak.
Then Solle started down the stairs. She wore a really short dress and if I hadn’t seen the tag, I would’ve thought was one of Conal’s wife-beaters. It was white, and she wore a thong under it. That was all.
Already, I could tell this was going to be crazy. I just had to stick close to my group, and all would be fine. Asher was my guard for the night, so he dropped us at the door to the happening place that was really called, “The Club.” Maybe Lycans did have a sense of humor?
I was no judge of hot spots. I’d been clubbing maybe three times in my entire life. I didn’t like the atmosphere or getting felt up by random hands. Plus, the cover price was usually high and the cost of drinks even more outrageous.
Conal placed his warm hand in the space just above my butt and pressed lightly for me to follow Solle, who was practically dancing to the double doors. “If you’re uneasy, stay close, Seer,” he said softly.
I was nervous, excited, and curious. I’d heard bits of gossip about what happened when a Lycan cut loose and had fun. I’d seen for myself how physical the play could get at the pool parties. A part of me couldn’t wait to see the truth. If Solle’s dress was any indication, things got incendiary.
A male greeted us as soon as we cleared the doors. He was tall with a medium-build and elaborately styled hair. So well done it looked like he’d just rolled out of bed and run his fingers through it. He gave Solle an appreciative look. “Ah, Solle, we’re honored that you’re with us tonight.”
“Raul,” Conal’s voice held a hint of growl. “We have another joining us.”
Raul’s attention turned to me. His brown eyes studied me from my breasts to my feet, finally returning to my face. “And who do we have here?” His smile promised badness in the best way possible.
The door opened behind us and Asher entered. “She’s not your concern,” he said, his voice clipped. Since the incident with Kenta, Asher was either with me or at Issa’s bedside.
“Asher.” Raul stopped leering and stood taller as he addressed my guard.
Conal broke up the staring contest. “We’d like to be seated.”
This time, Asher led the way behind Raul. I prepared to have my senses overloaded with sound and color. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the music was loud but not at ear-bleed decibels. There was a light show, but it wasn’t strobing, so I could see. We were led up a flight of steps to an elevated platform that overlooked the huge dance floor below. Raul stopped at a large booth. He pulled the table out so we didn’t have to scoot into the space. Conal motioned for Solle and I to sit in the middle of the male bookends.
Immediately, a female approached our table. She was dressed in a purple sequin bra and tiny black satin shorts. “I’m Raye and I’ll be your server tonight.” She stared openly at me.
I gave her a medium-warm smile. Basil and Issa had made me practice my greetings, so I wouldn’t be considered aggressive.
“You-you’re the human.” She stared in wonder.
Asher sat straighter. “She is Theodora Morrissey, Seer to the Novus Pack, so mind your manners, wolf.”
Her eyes widened. “I do apologize.”
I nodded once and continued smiling. I was used to this.
“My mother says you’re a witch,” she blurted.
I didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing. “I’m not Wiccan,” I started slowly. “But I guess that to some, my psychic ability might cause me to be labeled a witch.” I made a mental note to do some research on that. “So, why don’t you call me Theodora and leave it at that?”
“She is a gift from The Lady,” Conal said in a low voice.
Raye turned pale.
I felt bad for the female, so I tried to throw her a lifeline. “Talking about what I am is boring, so let’s order.”
That made Raye focus, and she turned to Solle. “What would you like?”
Solle’s hand went to my thigh under the table and gave a light squeeze.
We placed our orders and Conal leaned back resting his arm behind Solle. “A witch?”
“Now, I know what to dress up as for Halloween.” I smiled. “Do you all celebrate Halloween or is it Samhain?” I made another mental entry on my list of things to learn.
Solle snuggled closer to her husband. “The kids dress up, and we usually have a party at the community center.”
“She started that,” Conal said and smiled at his wife.
Solle shrugged. “It’s a reason to party.”
Raye returned with our drinks. I tried to relax. From time to time, people would stop by our table to say hello. More drinks were ordered and consumed by the wolves. I knew it took a lot to get a wolf inebriated, and the effects didn’t last long. I had switched to tonic water with lime after the first drink. There was no way I could keep up.
Asher wasn’t drinking at all. In fact, my guard looked miserable. I’d hit the dance floor twice with Solle and he’d followed us, looking as if it was a terrible fate.
Tex was spinning in the D.J. booth, and Brian, one of the nurses from Solle’s office, approached. “There you are.” He winked at me.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” I teased. Brian was gay and a great dancer.
“Oh, honey, you are going to get so lucky,” he gave me a slow sexy smile.
“If only I could hook the two of you up,” Solle told us grumpily.
I turned to my friend. “You know I could never be happy with a man who’s prettier than me.”
Brian placed his hands on his hips. “Hey. I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or not.” He gave me a dramatic frown.
“It was a compliment, pretty boy,” I said, giggling, “and the truth.”
“Come dance with me, so I can make all of these other wolves jealous.” He held out his hand.
I started to shift to once again climb out when I glanced at Asher. “Hey, guys, could you just watch me from the railing?” I was appealing to Conal. “We’ll stay right in front of you. That way if I need your help, you can leap over the railing.”
Conal looked at the railing while he considered my request.
“I won’t let anything happen to Theodora,” Brian vowed.
I felt Conal’s wolf stir. I shamelessly pouted my lips. “One song? After, we’ll check in to see how it’s working.”
I didn’t rush Conal. The muscle at the side of his jaw pulsed once, twice. Suddenly, this was very important to me. I needed a sign that they trusted me enough to give me a little space, that Conal trusted me.
“You,” Conal spoke to Brian, “I will show you where to go.” Conal got up from our booth.
I’d won.
Brian and I danced, and when that song ended, we turned to face the balcony railing, and Asher gave us a single nod.
I think I stayed on the dance floor for a solid hour. When other males approached, Brian would pull me closer, but soon, we were surrounded by three males who were trying to cut in. Conal and Solle immediately joined us and whatever the Second said made those males scatter.
However, more came. I basically ignored them and their attempts to capture my attention. Solle was plastered against my back as our bodies moved to the beat. Conal was behind her, grinding. I was having a blast with my friends. A dark-skinned male approached our group and tried to grind on me from the front. I mean, the guy didn’t even say hello or ask.
Brian pushed him away and a second later Asher was there, with his hand wrapped around the male’s throat.
I didn’t want to be the center of a scene, so I whispered that I needed a drink. Our group returned to our booth with Brian in tow.
Of course, more drinks arrived and so did Glass with three strangers. Two were beautiful blonde Scandinavian-looking women, and the third was older but still lovely. In human years, I would have guessed her to be in her late forties.
“Glass,” Solle yelled.
“Hello.” The warrior stood stiffly. She wasn’t dressed in revealing club wear. Instead, she was in a black tank and very faded jeans and low-heeled boots.
The elder woman spoke to Glass in a language I didn’t understand but, clearly, she wanted an introduction.
Glass frowned. “This is Conal MacGregor, Second in the Novus Pack, his mate, Solle, and our Seer.”
Apparently, Brian and Asher didn’t matter.
“Margarethe is a member of my birth pack,” Glass explained.
I think we were all looking at the two younger women, wondering who they were.
When Glass didn’t continue with the introductions, Conal said, “Welcome.”
Margarethe smiled charmingly. “And these are my daughters, Elise and Eloise. They are un-mated.”
Well, all right. Good to know that pushy mothers were everywhere. I nodded at the younger women but didn’t smile. I was trying to recall everything I’d been taught about meeting members of other packs.
“You allow a human to sit with you?” The one, Eloise possibly, sneered down at me.
“Theodora Morrissey is my friend,” Glass ground out the words.
“You associate with humans?” the other sister spoke.
Conal cleared his throat, and we all turned our attention to him. “Perhaps you did not hear her title?” He gave the two women a long look.
The mood changed, and I tensed. Conal didn’t like what was happening.
Margrethe smiled again, but this time she dipped her chin, “We mean no offense. I don’t believe my daughters have ever met a true Seer.”
I didn’t miss the emphasis on the extra word and neither did my pack members.
“Are you questioning her title?” Solle asked with a sweet, confused smile on her face. It made me shiver. I knew she didn’t approve of the slight.
“No, the language… Perhaps I chose the wrong word,” Margarethe explained as she took one step backwards. “I meant no offense.”
Glass looked like she wanted to slap the woman. “We will go to our seats.”
When they left us, Solle fumed, “What a bitch.”
“You would be, too, if you were trying to shop those two girls,” Brian added sharply.
“Poor Glass,” Conal said before taking a drink of his beer. “They’re somehow related by blood. She couldn’t put off their visit.” He glanced at me. “Duty to blood—it always comes at the worst possible time.”
“So, she’s stuck with them for the weekend?” Solle brushed her boob into her mate’s arm. “That has to suck. That mother is a barracuda.”
A slow song came on, and I suggested, “Why don’t you two go dance.”
“Are you trying to get rid of us?” Solle asked, but she was already scooting to get up.
“Well, you do look hot,” I said, and she did.
She looked over her shoulder with a huge smile. “I like that you noticed.”
She was such a flirt. Still, I was blushing, and that embarrassed me more.
Brian moved closer to me. “So, do you think that mamma is here to offer her daughters to the Laird?”
“Why?”
“He’s supposed to be here tonight. His table’s set up.” Brian was looking over my shoulder.
I looked around before I could stop myself. The elaborate banquet table in the corner was empty.
“He’s not here yet. You’ll know when he arrives,” my dance partner drawled.
That would give me time to get a handle on my reactions. I would admit to missing him. I liked learning from him. He was a natural teacher, and if I was totally honest, he wasn’t hard to look at.
The next half hour my eyes darted to that empty booth a hundred times. I needed to stop. “Hey, let’s go dance,” I suggested to Brian.
Asher spoke for the first time in forever, “Solle and Conal return.”
Conal and Solle were about five steps from our booth when the lights flashed three times.
Then Tex’s voice boomed through the speakers, “Raider Black, Leader of the Novus Pack.”
I guess that meant that he’d arrived. I tried not to look around with huge eyes. I wanted to play it cool.
And I failed. As the Laird made his way to the landing, he was stopped numerous times by his people. They were excited that he was out tonight.
I watched Black approach his Second. They exchanged what I called the “bro hug” then Black leaned down to kiss Solle’s cheek. After that, his gaze met mine. I felt my mouth go dry as I presented my brand. “Laird.” The title came out breathy and low.
“Seer, you honor us with your presence.” The corners of his mouth turned up a little.
I felt myself returning his smile. “Hardly.” I rolled my eyes and realized that others were watching. “I’m having a good time.”
“Are you?” His voice caressed the words.
I swear my nipples hardened. “The people…” I looked at Solle for help. “The music… It’s great.”
“She’s been very popular,” Solle said. “Conal had to beat back the males.”
He continued to watch me. “Really?”
“No,” I said and aimed at glare at Solle.
“In that dress, are you kidding me?” Solle continued.
What the hell was she doing? I didn’t want this kind of attention. I tried to communicate that with my eyes. Why couldn’t I have the ability to break into her brain and speak?
Black crossed his muscular arms across his chest. I tried not to notice how his white T-shirt hugged his muscles. “Ah yes, the dress.”
Now, I also wished that I had the gift of teleportation because I would be gone. This was ridiculous.
Solle continued, “Turn around, girl. Show him the back.”
“No.” I tried to shrug off the hand she placed on my arm.
Black motioned with his hand for me to turn around.
I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t roll my eyes again. I straightened my shoulders and made sure my boobs were out as I turned slowly, exposing my bare back to his eyes.
Why did it feel so sexual? We were in a room filled with others, but as I turned to show him my back, I felt like we were alone. For one crazy second, I wanted to glance over my shoulder and smile invitingly.
Stop. I finished my circle and faced him again.
“Niiice,” he said in a low voice.
Was he picturing how my bared skin would look with marks left from his claws? I couldn’t respond. I had no words, but I needed to stop thinking about him.
“Will you join us?” Conal asked.
“For a round.” The Laird smiled easily.
Brian made a quick exit, and Asher stood against the railing, watching our table as did two other guards. Black chose the seat beside me.
