“You look stunning tonight.”
I turn to the kind, familiar voice and grin.
“Jen,” I’m relieved to see the friendly face of the perky blonde who’d helped me find new clothing.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m the one who chose it.”
I laugh, “Job well done.”
“Yes. Keep dressing her like this and we’ll never want to take her to anyone else,” Bo agrees.
Jen claps her hands. “That’s my plan. I wanted to make sure everything fits well.”
“It was perfect, Jen,” I assure her.
“Good. I’m going to make my rounds and use you as my muse for the night. If anyone asks.”
“I’ll let them know you were the genius behind the look.”
“That’s my girl.” She winks, stalking away on four-inch black stilettos that match the mid-thigh sparkly number molded to her body like a second skin.
“Jen is a force.” Bo laughs.
“I noticed.”
“Well, hello there, Bo.” A sultry syrupy voice speaks from behind us.
The smile fades from his face and he turns to face Andrea. The young wolf who refuses to bow out gracefully.
“Excuse me for a moment, Princess. I have something to take care of.”
Her eyes dilate. I grip Cadoc’s arm tight. What the hell does he think he’s doing? I’m horrified by the anger that curls my hands into fights. Shaking, I try to calm the she-wolf inside me who’s out for blood.
We haven’t been here ten minutes and he’s already ditching me for a girl who’s supposedly in his past.
“She can say whatever she needs to right here,” Kirk’s sharp voice shocks me.
“You don’t speak for him.” Andrea’s shrill screeching hurts my ears.
“We’re a clan. What affects one of us, affects all of us.” Fell steps closer, forming a semi-circle around her.
“Are you going to let them threaten me?” Andrea bats her false lashes at Bo.
Digging my elongating nails into the fleshy palms of my hands I focus on the pain to remain grounded. I cannot lose control of my wolf here.
“No, but I might.” Is that guttural voice mine?
Andrea’s brow lines, and she takes a step back. “What’s wrong with your eyes?” Her voice raises an octave.
“I’m a wolf the same as you.” I snarl. I’d never exhibited the normal signs of shifting before. It was one of the main reasons I’d been ridiculed. Poor Ylva, so weak she’s more human than wolf.
“Look at me, Brat.” Cadoc cups the back of my head and turns me toward him.
“No one’s going anywhere,” I say.
“The slag was just leaving,” Fell adds.
“Excuse me.” Outrage clings to her words.
“I don’t.” I bark.
She jumps back and Bo turns to me and leans down.
“Did you forget your place, Princess?” He winds my hair around his hands and pulls it taut, forcing my head back. “Do you think you get to tell me what to do?”
“N-no.” I lean into the tension he’s causing as my she-wolf hums in approval.
“That’s right. Now shut your mouth like the good little wolf I know you can be and let me handle this.”
I clench my teeth. My she-wolf bristles at his quick dismissal of us for the other woman.
Andrea smirks. I turn my head to hide my glassy eyes.
“Let’s mingle,” Cadoc suggests. It’s an unspoken rule they don’t get too involved with my relationship with each of them.
Bo releases me and I stumble back into Cadoc, who hustles me out. Bo turns his attention back to Andrea.
