Satisfied that he found no immediate threat among the bystanders, he approached Levi and Jane to offer his advice. "Keep her close, wolf. Not many are accepting of humans and shifters dating."
Tristan doubted any of the protesters present could even tell the difference between a human and supernatural. They hadn't for thousands of years when their existence remained hidden. Why would they now? But it was best to remain cautious.
Levi frowned. "Don't worry I'll keep her safe and we're not dating."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because apparently I repulse him."
"In a good way, sweetheart." Levi flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Grayson pointed his finger at Levi. "Just keep your eyes on the crowd and off her—"
"Grayson," Tristan snapped. "Go on ahead and check the crowd inside."
The tiger did as Tristan ordered, grumbling with each step.
Many of the humans held vulgar signs and shouted their racist views to all that passed. A few even threw scripture cards offering salvation, while others shouted harsh threats to the supernatural supporters lining the opposite end of the line. Dozens of fanatical followers of supernaturals chanted and laughed at the religious fanatics.
Tristan shook his head at the females dressed in revealing animal costumes. No doubt, they hoped to lure a shifter to mate. Not that the ruse would work. Attraction was based on scent for his kind, not short skirts and low-cut tops.
The women weren't alone. Human men wore black capes and sported fangs. Tristan shook his head at the ridiculousness of the scene.
All joking aside, his instincts remained sharp. Tensions ran high these days on both ends of the spectrum. The proof surrounded him.
Jax met them at the door. He and Dash had gone ahead to scope out the building.
"Crazy shit, isn't it." Jax eyed the people with shock. "I had some girl in a wolf getup tell me she likes it doggie style." He laughed. "I told her she was barking up the wrong tree. I'm a cat. She said she had the perfect pussy for me. Can you freaking believe it?"
Tristan chuckled. "Where's Dash?"
"He's checking the protective wards." He leaned in. "I haven't spotted our friend yet."
Tristan nodded. They may not have been seen, but he sensed they were here. His wolf paced anxiously within.
Thousands of white twinkling lights greeted him when he stepped inside the main hall. Winter remained close to his side. A pianist played gentle music as guests enjoyed the appetizers and conversation. Scents assaulted him from the tantalizing sweetness of his mate to the tasty tang of spiced meats. His thumb brushed over the softness of Winter's wrist. He stepped closer, needing to feel her magic tease him.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
He flashed her with a naughty grin. "Don't know what you mean?"
"Stop distracting me."
"I distract you?"
He waited. When she didn't answer, he turned away, hiding the smirk teasing his lips.
Tristan scanned the crowd. He recognized a couple of vampires and a handful of shifters present, including Alpha Niles Peyton. He had met the male at one of the annual shifter meetings.
The towering bear shifter stood with a woman who barely reached his chest. She must be the alpha's mate, judging by the protective stance he took beside her and the adoration in the female's gaze.
As if on cue, the tiny human glanced over with bright-blue eyes, smiled, and waved at Winter with enthusiasm. Taking her mate's hand, the female hurried over to them. Her long bright-strawberry curls bounced with each rushed step.
She wrapped her arms around Winter. "Winter, oh my God, I'm so glad you're okay. I mean, you are okay, right? I hope they caught the monsters who took you."
"Not yet, but we'll get them soon. It'll take a lot more than a group of lowlife cowards to keep me down."
Nile's mate beamed. "I don't think you're scared of anything. You'll get those vermin off the streets. I know you will." She pulled Winter into another tight hug before stepping back and turning to Tristan. "Winter, aren't you going to introduce me to your…male?"
"He's not—"
Tristan threw out his hand, cutting off her dismissal. "I'm Winter's mate, Tristan."
Celine's eyes widened before a knowing grin broke over her face. She accepted his hand. "I'm Celine, alpha female of the Peyton pack. I think you know my bigger, better half."
Tristan tried not to stare at the alpha's tiny mate, but the fact that she didn't scent of the alpha’s blood, confused him. Being territorial and possessive, most shifter's blood bonded a mate, especially, if they were human. The exchange not only left a scent marker staking claim, a warning to others that they were taken, but it made the human stronger. Tristan scented no such mark. To leave her unblooded left her vulnerable, and in turn, left the alpha vulnerable should something happen to her.
"Alpha, good to see you this evening," said Tristan.
Niles shook his outstretched hand with a firm grip. "Good to see you too. Especially, you, Winter. We were worried sick about you."
Celine nodded. "I was so scared for you." Niles wrapped a comforting arm around his mate’s shoulder. She leaned into him. Niles glanced around. "Magnus filled me in earlier. He texted me photos of the two men you think are involved."
"Not think…we know," Tristan added.
"I don't recognize either one, but I have heard the name Lex mentioned in shifter circles. He's got a lot of power. From what I heard, the witch deals in legal and less than lawful ventures. I distributed the picture to my men here tonight. They'll also be on the lookout for them."
The pianist's fingers continued to stroke the keys, filling the hall with a soothing romantic tune.
"I love this song," blurted Celine as she began to sway in time to the melody. "Dance with me, honey bear." She leaned into her mate and began to nudge his chest with her lips.
Niles eyes glowed deep reddish brown. "How can I deny you anything?" Niles turned back to Tristan and Winter. "Excuse us."
Tristan gazed at Winter. Her eyes remained locked on the alpha couple as they held each other on the dance floor. He saw longing in their depths.
"Dance with me," he asked as he offered her his hand. Her blush made his cock stand at attention. When she didn't answer, he slipped his hand around her waist, brought his lips to her ear, and whispered, "Did I tell you how beautiful you are? How sexy you look in this damn dress? I can't keep my eyes off you. Just the sight of you makes me so fucking hard I feel I'll die without being inside you?"
She closed her eyes at the contact. "Please, Tristan."
"I'm a fool, Winter. A stupid, fucking fool. All these years wasted because of my pride. You take my breath away." He kissed the side of her neck, allowing his tongue the slightest taste of her soft skin.
She moaned, stepping into his embrace. Her fingers roamed up his back.
He growled.
How could any male restrain his reaction when his mate rested in his arms, smelling of sin, sex, and seduction?
His wolf wanted more, so much more. The beast demanded they fill themselves up with her, until neither knew where they began and where they ended.
Until they were one.
Until she was claimed.
Later, he assured his wolf.
Right now, he wanted to share a dance with his mate.
"Come, dance with me."
"Tristan, I can't leave—"
He yanked her over to her boss. "Magnus, I'm sharing a dance with my mate. We will not be far."
Magnus smiled. "Enjoy. We'll hold down the fort for one dance."
Regardless of her frown, Tristan dragged her out to the dance floor. A few other couples twirled on the large wooden floorboards centering the ballroom. Tristan spun Winter out and then back, catching her in his waiting arms.
"Actually, this was a great idea. I can see the entire room from here." Winter kept a serious expression locked in place. "It's easier to keep an eye on everyone when you find a central location to
scope the perimeter."
Not why I suggested it.
He chuckled. “There’s only one person I'm interested in keeping an eye on right now, Winter."
Their gazes locked. He positioned one hand on her hip, while the other hand rubbed over her plump ass.
"Tristan."
"I like the way you say my name."
He kissed her.
The kiss lasted shorter than he intended when the sound of someone clearing their throat made him yank back. He turned with a growl rolling up his throat at the one that dared interrupt.
"Winter Leery, is that you? I didn't know you ran in the higher-class circles."
Lina Vick's leer pinned Tristan when he turned.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Winter snapped.
The she-wolf licked her lips. She ignored Winter and focused on Tristan. "Alpha MacGlenn, you look as yummy as ever."
Dressed in a gown far from modest, Lina swayed with her date. The second Tristan recognized her partner he flashed his canines and lunged.
Winter blocked his path. "At ease."
Her touch soothed him in an instant, cooling the hot fury burning inside him.
Lex Baxter smirked. His cold calculating gaze locked on Winter. "I don't think I've been introduced to your friends, Lina."
In an instant, Winter's magic filled the air with electric static and fury. "You know who I am, you son of a bitch. You had me tied to a bed in your basement for three days. Remember."
With forced ignorance, Lex glanced between Lina and Winter. "I didn't believe you when you said she was uncivilized, but…" He dared to grin. His amusement made Tristan's claws lengthen. "I doubt I'd forget tying down someone as delicious as you and I know if I did, I'd have kept you."
Fury exploded within his blood. His wolf didn't like the treatment to his mate or his claim.
Winter suddenly clung to Tristan as if to keep herself standing. As furious as he was, his concern for his mate took over. He cupped her cheeks, forcing her eyes to lock with his. "You okay," he asked.
"Yeah, I…I'm fine."
"Lina, why don't you get me a glass of that incredible champagne we spotted earlier?" said Lex.
"Sure thing, darling." She frowned at Winter, winked at Tristan, lifted her chin, and strutted toward the banquet table.
Once she was out of earshot, Lex returned his focus to Winter and Tristan. "The woman doesn't have much substance, but she's incredible in the sack. Not that I need to tell you that, wolf."
"I'm going to rip out your fucking throat." Tristan lunged, but Winter stopped him.
"Tristan, no."
Lex's stare never left Winter. "She is a treat. She possesses the purest blood of our ancestors. So much untapped power. They never let you reach your potential, did they? Shame." His irises glowed as a sudden scowl set on his face. His glare turned to Tristan. "Why she chooses to mate with a damn half-breed dog, I'll never know." Intense disdain laced his words as his gaze dissected Tristan.
Tristan flexed his magic. "I am going to kill you."
"Not tonight, wolf." Lex flashed a sudden eerie grin. "There's too much fun to be had this fine evening. Dance…drink…be merry…don't be so damn serious all the time, Alpha MacGlenn." Lex glanced around. He stepped closer. His voice became low. "Take care, not all are as restrained as me."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, warning you. Be very careful, wolf, you have enemies far worse than me. I wouldn't waste my energy on the wrong adversary if I were you." Lex glanced at his watch. "Now, where did my date run off to? Have a nice night."
Lex stepped back. For a moment, Tristan sensed something in the man that surprised him, regret, but the strange sensation vanished when Lex spun on his heel and strutted off the dance floor.
Chapter 19
Winter had never been more furious in her entire life. Not only did the bastard have the gall to dance up to her and act as if he didn't have her imprisoned a few days earlier, but he dared to try to get inside her head with his magic. Right there, in the middle of a crowded party as if the action would be tolerated. As if he had the right. The arrogance Lex possessed astounded her.
With his arm around her waist, Tristan led her off the dance floor. She needed a guide in the right direction. Because all she wanted to do was hunt down Lex Baxter and throat-punch him. Anger boiled inside her, making her entire body shake.
What made her even madder, a part of her feared him. Lex's power exceeded any witch she had met, far stronger than what she felt when he visited her in that bedroom. A man with that much magic poses a danger to everyone, human or supernatural.
Lex had to be an Elite, there was no doubt. Witches of his caliber possessed power far superior to most witches. They were rare.
Dangerous.
Not many witches had the strength or skill to get into someone's head. Vampires all did, to a certain extent. That's why Magnus insisted all his guards were taught to block a mind invasion. She fought it well and managed to stop Lex's attack tonight, but she knew a few moments longer and he might have gained access to her mind.
Why didn't he enter my thoughts when he held me captive?
"Are you okay?" Tristan asked.
Although Tristan's outer appearance remained calm and cool, violent waves of rage pushed against her power. Near feral, his murderous need for blood raged like red-hot flames slamming into her magic with his fierce need to protect her. Claim her.
To the left, Winter spotted her boss's frown.
Magnus marched up to them. His eyes glowed with an eerie ice-white shade that would make any seasoned warrior cringe.
"I thought I told you two to leave Lex to me." The vein on his forehead throbbed with each word. Not a good sign considering the man rarely lost his cool.
"Back off. The bastard approached us." Tristan glanced at Winter. "I don't know what he did to her, but she almost passed out. I can still feel her pain." A deep growl rumbled through him.
Without warning, Magnus placed a hand on each side of her face. His frown deepened as his eyes drilled into her surprised gaze.
"He attempted to penetrate her mind. He wanted information, no doubt. To learn what we know and what we have planned for him. Thankfully, you have recovered your strength enough to block him."
"My head is pounding."
"Do you think he broke through your block when he had you?" Tristan asked.
She shook her head. "No, I think I'd remember the pain if he cracked me."
Magnus smiled. "He thought you'd be an easy target. He was surprised, I bet." He glanced around. "Where did the letch slither off to?"
"I don't know." Tristan surveyed the room.
Sudden feedback from the microphone shifted the guest's attention to the small stage set up against the back wall. A tall man tapped the microphone.
"Welcome, friends." The crowd grew silent, their gazes locked to the vampire standing on the platform. Beside him, a petite human woman smiled, his mate judging by the tenderness in his gaze as he glanced at her. He turned back to the crowd. "Thank you so much for being here with us. Tonight, we are celebrating our differences as well as our similarities. In the ten years since our introduction to the humans, we have all come so far. Yet, we still have a long way to go to reach the unity we all thrive to achieve. The world our Goddesses and God wished us to have." A murmur arose.
Still the Goddesses and their brother were no-shows. She couldn't deny their absence made her nervous.
The vampire continued, "There are many charities present here tonight. Organizations created to help us all thrive, no matter our species, so please reach inside your hearts…and pockets." Chuckles fell over the crowd. "And give hope to many. You can make a difference. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Shall we go and see how your sister and her husband are doing?"
Winter nodded. As the chatter began to rise, Tristan and Winter worked their way across the hall to where Kian and Summer stood. Winter surveyed the throng of
people for Lex's annoying sneer. She didn't find it.
Seconds after she reached her brother-in -law's side, Kian's gaze shot to the right. His sudden glower drew both Winter's and Tristan's attention to a figure dressed in a black tailored suit and wearing a wicked smirk that revealed sharp fangs.
"Son of a bitch." Kian growled. He marched forward.
Summer grabbed his biceps, stopping him momentarily. "My love, please."
"This shit is between me and him, baby. He wants my attention. He's got it."
Kian stalked through the crowd. Summer, Tristan, and Winter followed behind him.
The vampire approached with a casual strut, his grin growing wider with each step. His confidence unsettled Winter. This man thought himself untouchable, and criminals with such self-reliance lived without fear. They were the type of evil that wouldn't just slit your throat and get it over with. They'd make you suffer first.
Maxwell's silver-blue irises made her shiver, their depths colder than the Arctic Ocean. She did notice a resemblance between Kian and his father. Both had sharp features and a powerful presence. Yet, where Kian had warmth, his father chilled her to the bone.
"Kian, son, it's good to see you."
"Can't say the same, Max." His father frowned as if the name left a bad taste in his mouth. "What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn't you be serving twenty-five to life as your cellmates' butt buddy?"
His father flashed his fangs. "Isn't it obvious? I'm helping my kind, giving monetary aid to those less fortunate of all species." His gaze landed on Tristan.
"You don't aid the less fortunate. You're the one that puts them there." He eyed his father's fangs. "What idiot would turn you? What did it cost you to become a vamp?"
His father scowled. "Seems prison was filled with supernaturals. One of them thought to kill me, but I wasn't easy to kill. I survived the attack and…" He spread out his arms. "Here I am. New and improved."
"How wonderful, a family reunion." Lex saddled up beside Maxwell. "Your son is your spitting image. It's like seeing double." Lex's gaze slid back and forth between Summer and Winter. He licked his lips. "Good evening, ladies. I'll tell you one thing, Maxwell, the Leerys are in no short supply of beauty. Summer is just as lovely as her sister. Yet, I see both their tastes in men is lacking."
Heart of a Wolf: A Wicked Series - Book 2 Page 16