***
Winter thought trying on dresses grated her last nerve, until the moment she stepped foot in the beauty salon. For the last two hours, she sat in the chair having her hair prepped and primed by a beautician named Deek. The half-breed witch used a combination of magic and human techniques to give her a dazzling artistic masterpiece, as he called it. She just called it a fancy bun.
Winter glanced over at Summer. Her sister flashed a huge smile and closed her eyes. She seemed to enjoy being pampered. Winter figured with two rambunctious kids running around, any woman would relish the peace and quiet.
Jane on the other hand, appeared as annoyed as Winter. But Winter had a feeling it had nothing to do with the primping and more to do with a certain cat.
When Winter's styling session was done and she was dressed, she walked over to her duffel bag of goodies. She reached for her gun and tucked it into the special bra the woman in the dress shop sold her. The concealed carry bra was a specially made piece of ingenuity that allowed a woman to arrive in style and packed to the nines with weaponry.
"Don't tell me you bought one of those brassieres the saleswoman paraded in front of you," said Summer.
"No…I didn't buy one…I bought three. Black, red, and nude." She shoved the gun down the front of her dress and latched the Velcro grip, centering an inch below the neckline right between her bosom. "What do you think?"
Jane smirked. "It gives a whole new flare to the term, concealed weapon."
Winter grinned. "I also bought one of the knife-holding garters."
"You didn't." Summer covered her eyes, shaking her head. "What has happened to you? You are utterly sinful and lethal."
Winter lifted the short front of her skirt. "What? This isn't for fun, I'll be working, protecting my lord and all of you."
"I'm not into chicks or anything, but that is hot." Jane poked her side with her elbow. "I bet Tristan will be sporting wood after learning that little tidbit is hidden beneath the dress." She waggled her brows. "Men love a dangerous woman."
Winter lifted her chin. "I don't care if he does." She hated how her voice faltered.
Jane rolled her eyes. Beside her, Summer shook her head. "Don't try to play like the effect you have on that wolf doesn't interest you. We all know differently."
With a grin, Jane nudged Winter. "I love your sister. She never fails to call out your bullshit. I'm human and I can feel the sexual tension circulating around you and that stud. If you ask me, you and that wolf need to get some wet and wild fun and get it quick before we all succumb to the heat radiating off you."
Summer giggled. "She used to follow Tristan around everywhere. Remember when he went to that shifter social? I think Winter was like eight years old and as vicious as ever. She sneaked out and hiked through the woods to his pack land wanting to show him the picture she made for him. When she saw a girl leaning in for a kiss from Tristan, she jinxed her with a bad case of hives. Needless to say, the she-wolf’s pack did not find it amusing. They've been a thorn in our family’s side ever since."
"I always hated that Lina Vicks." And not just because she walked in on her getting ready to jump Tristan's naked form on the couch. "Ms. Goody-Two shoes. She always thought she was better than me." Always weaseling herself into Tristan's arms somehow.
Jane eyes narrowed. "Is that the same skank that—"
"Yes, the one that answered Tristan's door in his T-shirt…and nothing else." Winter brushed the crease in her dress until it disappeared. She was making sure they couldn't see the pain that the moment still caused her.
"I'm sorry, sister. I never should have mentioned the wicked beast's name. I wasn't thinking."
"I'm over it. It doesn't matter. He can do whatever he wants. Tristan and I never had any commitments back then and we don't have any now, we only shared a childish kiss ten years ago." Not to mention the two recent make-out sessions that shed her of clothes and inhibitions each time.
Summer's head snapped around. "He kissed you back then? You never told me." Winter never told anyone. After finding Lina in his house, she felt too foolish to admit she forced the alpha into a childish embrace only to have him seek out another's arms hours later.
She closed her eyes. "It was just a quick kiss and I kissed him. He didn't kiss me." But he certainly responded. A mass of lips, tongue, and touching that set her young heart on fire. "Nothing special, obviously, since he was able to get naked with Lina not long after." When her sister frowned, Winter sighed. Winter felt a sudden need to explain. "The night of the alpha induction, when Tristan was a tad intoxicated, I sort of grabbed him and kissed him."
Winter blushed remembering the way his hands roamed over her body like he owned every curve. She may have initiated the embrace, but Tristan sure as hell kept the flames stoked. "Anyway, he kind of freaked once he realized who he was kissing." When he made an excuse and ran, her mortification was complete. "I went to apologize later and found him with Lina."
"That dog. He knew how you felt and he… How could he do that to you…to his mate?" Summer hands tightened into fists. "Men make me furious sometimes. They are all beasts at heart."
"He said he didn't do anything with her." The sudden need to defend him struck hard.
"And you believe him?" Summer asked, raising a brow.
Winter shrugged. She wanted to believe him, more than anything. "It doesn't matter. He didn't want me and I've come to terms with it." No, she didn't, but her sister didn't need to worry about her. "And not all men are beasts, Kian is a wonderful man. He's perfect," Winter said, hoping to change the subject.
"I wouldn't say Kian is perfect. My love is beautifully flawed, and I love every imperfection."
"Who are you calling flawed?" Kian strutted in the room with a smirk. Boy, that male could fill a space in seconds. Kian had a great smile and the second his gaze landed on Summer it revealed a deep set of dimples. "I hate walking in during girl talk." He kissed his wife sweetly on the lips. "You look beautiful, baby." His hand roamed down to Summer's butt cheek and lingered. Their gazes grew heated. He kissed her again. "So, what did I miss?"
"Do you know what that wolf—"
"Summer, shush, okay. It was long ago and I'm over it. Can we just go? Are you both ready?"
Kian interrupted, "That's why I came up. The limo is here."
Jane jumped up and down. "We're going in a limo? I've never been in a limo before. This is awesome. It's like the prom I never went to."
"Nothing but the best for our women," Kian said as he led his wife out of the room. Winter smiled, but the bitter memory still left her sad inside as she followed Jane through the doorway.
Chapter 18
Tristan's gaze stalked Winter's lush form as she glided down the steps of Magnus's grand staircase. Sequins sparkled with even the slightest shift of her hip. Damn, she stunned him every time she walked into a room. Her golden gown flowed to the floor in the back, but the front came up shorter, much shorter, revealing a tease of her creamy-white thighs.
Had her legs always been so damn long and shapely?
The silky material clung to her sexy curves like a second skin. He grinned. It might be difficult getting the dress off her later, but he'd manage. One way or another, tonight, he'd have his mate's soft skin beneath him.
His eyes followed along the delicate column of her throat toward her chest. He licked his lips, relieved that drool hadn't formed in the corner like a starving pup.
Her neckline dipped low, far too low for his liking. Although he doubted any other male would complain. A quick glance around the room confirmed his suspicions; every unmated male had their gaze locked on the generous swell of her breasts. The realization elicited a growl. He had no chance of stopping. Several eyes lowered, but not all.
Mine. The single word repeated in his brain. Ready to lunge and claim, he didn't dare blink, not wanting to miss the sway of her hips or the way the light touched her smooth pale skin.
Aric met Winter at the stairs. So lost in her be
auty, Tristan hadn't noticed the witch close in on her.
"Ladies, you all look beautiful." Aric took Winter's hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles. Tristan growled. The witch wanted to die. Otherwise, why would he dare touch her so carelessly. Aric smirked against her hand. The damn witch knew exactly what he was doing. "Gold looks good on you, sweetheart," he whispered, but not low enough. Every supernatural in the room heard him.
"Thank you. But just so we are clear. Even with this getup on, I am on the clock. I'm fully armed and ready to protect my lord." She bowed with a guard's gesture of respect for her team leader.
Magnus laughed as he approached. "I'd ask where you're hiding your weapons, but I think I already know." His eyes lowered to her breasts.
Levi strutted over to Jane. "Damn girl, you are hot. I'm afraid to touch you. I fear I'll get burned."
Jane curtsied. "Thank you, dear sir." She took Levi's hand.
Tristan didn't miss the death glare Grayson shot at Levi. If the tracker wasn't careful, he might end up bloody that night.
"Shall we?" Aric offered Winter his arm.
I don't think so witch. Tristan marched up to Aric. "I got this." He captured Winter's hand and led her past Aric and out the door.
Uncomfortable glances and moments of edgy silence filled the limo ride to the party.
Summer and Kian glared at Tristan once again. What the hell was their problem? Tristan narrowed his eyes on Winter, wondering if she knew why her family stared at him like they wanted to kill him.
Tristan sighed and leaned to ask Grayson a question, only to find his lead guard preoccupied with Levi and Jane's conversation. And he thought Kian and Summer had angry expressions, Grayson's glower screamed murder.
Shaking his head, Tristan returned his gaze to Winter. God, her beauty astounded him.
My mate.
My female.
The words repeated through his mind, reassuring him as he let his wolf admire her scent with a deep inhale. She ignored him of course, but the scent of her arousal told him all he needed to know. She liked his eyes on her.
Her dress dipped low, revealing far more than he wished, so he had to only speculate where she hid the weapons she claimed to be carrying back at the manor. Curiosity got the better of him as did the need to touch her. He leaned close to her, settling his palm on her knee.
She tensed at the contact.
"You mentioned you were fully armed." His thumb caressed her skin. "I can't imagine where you're hiding your weapons." He knew magic didn't hide them. Winter never had any luck with her magic when it came to anything other than basic skills and her connection with animals.
She coughed, taken by surprise, no doubt, by his open flirt. "Oh, um, well, the saleswoman at the dress store showed me…several undergarments." Her sudden blush was lovely. All of a sudden, he saw in her eyes the young girl who used to follow him everywhere. He longed to see it again, to feel that close connection with her. "You know…they help me conceal my pistol and my knife."
A roaming eyeful of her did little to tell him where the items were. He figured the gun lay nestled between her perfect breasts. A knife, however, he had no clue.
"Why don't you tell him where you got that dagger hidden, Win?" Jane grinned wide.
Yes, where is it, he thought.
Levi waggled his brows. "I sure as hell would like to know." When Tristan growled at the tracker’s interest, Levi added. "Purely for information purposes, Alpha MacGlenn. It seems impossible to hide anything in that dress." Pure interest sparkled in his eyes. Levi leaned forward, batting his lashes, eager for the answer.
Winter breathed a heavy sigh. "If you must know, I'm wearing a…" She rolled her eyes. A flush spread over her cheeks. "I'm wearing a…" She cleared her throat. "A garter that holds the knife against the inside of my thigh."
She was so cute. Her lethal innocence made his cock as hard as granite.
Jane bit her lip. "Tell them the name. Go on…you got to hear this. Levi."
Tristan's eyes flashed back to Winter. Winter in turn threw a look of retribution at her friend.
With her chin held high, she said, "The hide-em-hottie garter."
His cock jerked. "That is the sexiest thing I've ever heard," Tristan muttered.
She blushed.
"You got one of those things on." Levi asked Jane, a shocked look on his face. "Please say yes. I'll have a whole new respect for you."
Jane burst out in a fit of laughter. "I can hardly fit these big-ass hips in this dress. How the hell am I fitting something like that?"
Levi frowned. He glanced at Winter. "What did I say to her about those comments of hers?"
Winter crossed her arms over her chest. "That you would give her a spanking if she ever talked down about herself in front of you."
"Assume the position," he ordered.
Jane lifted up a tad giving him her butt cheek jokingly.
When Levi went to lift his palm in a playful manner, Grayson's hand shot out and latched onto Levi's wrist. "You. Will not. Touch her."
The cat's eyes shone like blue fire. His claws dug into Levi's wrist pulling an instant row of blood to the surface. Tristan had never seen his lead guard so feral.
Levi growled low. "Get your fucking claws out of my wrist…now."
"Grayson, stand down." Tristan sent a wave of magic at Grayson, yet his guard didn't relent.
Jane scooted over. She tugged Grayson's ear, drawing his attention in an instant. "I got to pull your ear like a petulant child. Let him go right now. Geez, he wasn't going to hurt me. Levi and I just joke around."
Grayson turned slowly. "No one will put a hand on you…joking or not." He growled. His fingers still embedded in Levi's wrist. "I don't find it funny."
Something told Tristan that Grayson was more upset with the idea that Levi's hand would be touching her ass than that the wolf would actually hurt her.
"Grayson, this isn't the damn place for this." Again, Tristan's order had little effect.
"You're hurting him. Stop it," Jane ordered.
Tristan found the human’s level of authority impressive. Grayson must have as well, because he lifted a brow before shoving Levi back into his seat.
Jane scooted back over to Levi's side. "I don't know what your problem is Grayson, but you better solve it real quick." She examined Levi's wound. "Are you okay?" she asked her friend. She rummaged through her purse and handed him a few tissues.
"I'm fine, sweetheart, nothing but a flesh wound. In a few hours, you won't even see a scratch." Levi wiped the blood off his wrist. He lifted his eyes to Grayson. "I'm going to tell you this once, cat. Come at me again like that and we're going to throw down. You hear me?" Levi glanced at Jane. "She's my best friend. I wouldn't hurt her, and I certainly wouldn't…" He frowned with a shiver. "You know…touch her, like that."
Jane smacked Levi's arm. "Why not? What's wrong with me?"
"Oh, sweetheart, you're perfect. But sleeping with you would be like sleeping with my litter mate." He cringed again, but quickly shook it off. "Believe me, you are so doable, though. That's what the other wolves say. They all want you. I have to fight them all to stay away from you."
"No wonder no one has asked me out in like forever." She pouted.
Magnus cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him. "I have a few things to go over. Winter." When she turned he continued, "As confirmed by my sources, Lex Baxter and Maxwell Lancaster will be present." Kian growled. Magnus pinned him with a stern stare. "None of you are permitted to engage either of them on your own. You will each pair up and stay together throughout the night.
"Winter will be with Tristan. Levi, keep your eyes on Jane. She is the only full human and they might see it as a weakness to exploit. Summer…Kian, you'll stay with Dash and Jax, who will be meeting us at the hall. Grayson and I will keep an eye on Lex's movements."
Tristan noticed Kian's frown. Summer placed a hand on her mate's thigh. Their eyes met. No doubt they communicated to each other wi
th their minds. True mates had the ability. He longed for the same intimacy with Winter.
Kian slid his hand over Summer's and squeezed. The half-breed wanted a go at his father about as much as Tristan did. Maxwell Lancaster's greed and lust for power had almost gotten Tristan's father killed and had threatened his mate. A lifetime in prison wouldn't have made up for his evil. The fact the guy didn't even serve half his sentence and was gifted with immortality pissed Tristan off.
Tristan glanced at Winter. He wanted to capture her hand, hold it within his own. They weren't there yet, however. He still sensed her reservations, her fear. She didn't trust him. She may have warmed to him, but a slight chill still remained when it came to her heart. She needed more time and he had no choice but to give it to her.
The rest of the ride remained quiet. After thirty extra minutes of traffic on the Southern State Parkway, they took the Cross Island toward the Grand Central and crossed over the 59th Street Bridge into Manhattan. Not long after, they pulled up to the hall where the charity ball was held.
Tristan enjoyed the fresh crisp air when he stepped out of the limo. Well as fresh as you could get in a city of this size. After being stuck inside the tiny space drowning in his mate’s scent and traces of her arousal, he nearly went insane.
He made a quick scan of the area. He offered his hand to help Winter out. To his surprise she accepted. Once out of the car, she also inspected the crowd. He had to admit, she had a soldier’s gaze and a confident stance. He respected both.
The city bustled with activity regardless of the snow piled on the corners. A red carpet led the way toward the entrance. Many guests had already arrived, judging by the chatter emanating from inside.
According to the intel Magnus collected, most of attendees were elite members of witch covens, vampire manors, and shifter packs in the surrounding areas and abroad, including human leaders from many levels of government.
Protestors stood on both sides of the carpet, those for the integration of species and those against supernatural assimilation. Tristan stayed on high alert as did Grayson. The guard's keen eye pinned each face as he memorized and then scrutinized their movements for any danger or threat.
Heart of a Wolf Wicked Series Book 2 Page 15