“It’s definitely weird but not cool at all. I wish there were others.”
“You get all these hot guys to yourself. Why would you ever want to share?”
“They’re not all hot. Besides, none of them like me.” Anymore…
“Babe, pull off your blinkers. You know the way you were checking out the dress. Well, Liam was staring at you the exact same way all fucking night. Seriously, I almost screwed up my beat-juggling because of you two.”
“He stares at me because he doesn’t trust me. None of the Boulder wolves do. After he saw me talking with you, he was all up in my face about what we’d discussed.”
She rolled her eyes. “The Boulders think everyone’s out to get them.”
“And they’re wrong?”
“Well, yeah. Not everyone’s out to get them. The dudes are Neanderthals. Hot Neanderthals, but Neanderthals nonetheless. What would my very evolved pack need with any of them?” She downed the rest of her coffee, then set her mug down next to a half-empty bottle of water. “They don’t have anything we don’t already have.”
“They’re all males.”
She frowned. “So?”
“They’re all stronger than I am.”
“Just because your muscles aren’t as big doesn’t mean you’re weak, Ness.” She tapped her index finger against her temple. “This’ll sound corny as shit, but the greatest strength comes from here.”
I pursed my lips, not because I thought she was wrong, but because I thought she was idealistic. It was easy to be idealistic when you possessed everything—from riches to security to status to family. I had none of those things.
She tipped her head to the side. “Here I thought you were this self-confident, arrogant girl, but you’re not, are you?”
“I make a good first impression, don’t I?” I raised a smile I wasn’t really feeling. “You’re also surprisingly different than I assumed. You’re actually nice.”
“Ha. I think you’re the first person to say that.” She twisted her long curls in a makeshift bun that held by itself. “Can you please tell my mother that on Saturday? I’d love a front-row seat to that reaction…”
My smile turned genuine.
Sarah’s stomach growled long and hard. “I need food. Want to grab some lunch?”
I glanced at the glowing red digits on her bedside clock. “It’s 4:30.”
“Perfect time for lunch.” She walked over to another doorway and slid it open. Behind it sprawled a white marble bathroom. “So? You in?”
“Sure.”
While she showered, I delicately pulled the dress off and folded it neatly, then put on my denim cut-offs and navy t-shirt that felt incredibly ratty in comparison. I asked her twice more if she was sure about the dress. Both times won me headshakes and yeses.
We had food at Tracy’s, where I expected to run into some member of the Boulder Pack, but instead we ran into a couple Pines. Thankfully none of them were Justin Summix.
When I mentioned his name, Sarah wrinkled her nose and leaned over, burger suspended in midair, meat juice dripping onto her creamy coleslaw. “He’s the worst.”
I liked her more after that. And I already liked her quite a bit, so that was saying a lot. How I wished she were a Boulder wolf. But then I wondered why I wished she were part of a pack I wasn’t even part of. And what did it matter anyway? In the end, she was a wolf like me. Just because we didn’t answer to the same Alpha—I answered to none for that matter—didn’t mean we couldn’t be friends.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Although we’d made plans to hang out mid-week, Sarah had to cancel for some wedding stuff. The bored sound of her voice told me she wasn’t looking forward to whatever her family had planned for her.
I stayed in most of the week, shifting into my wolf form only once to go for a run. I didn’t stray too far up the mountain, but I did pound the earth from sundown to twilight, exerting my pent-up nerves.
All week I’d tried to call Everest for news, but he didn’t answer his phone. I was beginning to think he didn’t want to talk to me. Maybe he thought that associating with me was shameful considering what I’d done to his Alpha. Whatever his reasons, I added his silence to the long list of things that perturbed me.
I spoke to August a few times—always steering the conversation toward him. We talked battle strategies and hot deserts, grenades and religious indoctrination. Lighthearted subjects.
At the end of our last call, I asked him when he was coming home, and he asked me if I missed him, and it triggered a painfully awkward stretch of silence, which he put an end to by saying he needed to get geared up because his squad was waiting for him in a Humvee.
Truth was, I did miss him, but I tacked that up to being a lonely pariah. It was probably better that he was away. If he’d stayed, he might have hung out with me out of pity, and I would’ve hated that.
When Saturday rolled around, my stomach roiled with nerves. I’d been too nervous to eat, too nervous to do much of anything besides the chores Lucy had assigned to me. I’d asked Evelyn if she wanted to go for a walk, but she told me her head was hurting.
Before leaving for the wedding, decked in my red gown, I stopped by her bedroom where she was watching Law and Order reruns. She blinked up at me from a flowered armchair that seemed as old as the inn, then her eyes glittered and she repeated, “Que linda” so many times, the tips of my ears glowed as bright as my dress.
“How are you feeling?”
“How are you feeling?” She narrowed her black eyes at me.
“Fine.”
Her puckered brow told me she didn’t believe me.
“I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry.” I bent over and kissed her forehead.
She caught my hand and squeezed it. “You’ll tell me all about the wedding tomorrow?”
“Yes.” I lingered by her bedroom door, staring at her calm, screen-lit profile.
What would happen to her if Liam didn’t forgive me? Would Jeb and Lucy keep her on, or would they chase her away?
When she caught me staring, I razed the anxiety from my face and pasted on a smile. I shut the door before she could ask me what was wrong, then walked briskly away in case she decided to go after me.
Jeb, who’d been sitting in the office filling out a spreadsheet, followed me outside to await Frank. Even though the sun was beginning to arc down, it was a couple million degrees out, yet the heat did little to ward off the chill skittering over my bones.
“You don’t have to stay out here with me, Jeb.”
My uncle squinted at the setting sun. “Today’s part of the Alpha contest, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
He pursed his thinning lips. “Why are you still competing? Are you trying to prove something to someone?”
As I stared out at the sinking ball of fire that gilded the crowns of the tall pines, I nibbled on the inside of my cheek. “Not anymore.”
“You really want this?”
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I asked, “Is Everest mad at me?”
A frown touched Jeb’s wrinkled brow. “Why would he be mad at you?”
Everest must not have shared what had happened to Heath if my uncle was asking me this.
When I failed to answer, Jeb said, “Lucy told me he got bad news. Apparently, Becca’s parents have decided to take her off life support.” He sighed. “So sad… She was so young and seemed like such a nice girl.”
“Seemed? You didn’t know her?”
“Not well. Everest didn’t bring her around much. My son is a very private person.” I felt him study me in silence for a long second. “Speaking of knowing people, Ness, how well do you know Evelyn?”
His frown made a tremor zing up my exposed spine. “Very well. Why?”
He hooked his thumbs through his belt loops, shifting from one loafered foot to the other.
“Why?” I repeated.
He stopped shifting. “The other day, a guest wanted to meet our new cook, and wh
en I introduced them, the woman called her by another name—Gloria. Evelyn said she didn’t know any Glorias, but her eye twitched. I’m no behavioral expert, but I think—”
“Evelyn’s not a liar. She’s never even been to Boulder.” I was annoyed my uncle was trying to destroy my faith in the only person I trusted.
He nodded. “I was just putting it out there. In case—”
“You shouldn’t put things out there if they’re hurtful.”
His mouth gaped a little. I could tell he wanted to say more on the subject, but my expression must’ve dissuaded him. Thankfully, a car rumbled up the driveway. Frank was coming. When I spotted giant wheels, the relief I’d felt evaporated.
It wasn’t Frank who was picking me up.
The car slowed to a stop next to me. Lucas was riding shotgun, decked out in a black tux that strained in the shoulders. He had his arm slung out the open window.
“Hey, Mr. Clark.”
“Hi, boys.” My uncle inclined his head before pulling open the back door and holding out a hand to help me up. “You’re all looking mighty dapper tonight.”
“Well, you know the Pines and their hoity-toity events.”
Jeb offered a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You boys keep my niece safe, now. I don’t like the look of them young’uns.”
“Oh, Ness doesn’t need us for that,” Lucas drawled. “Especially now that she’s besties with Julian’s niece.”
Jeb blinked at me. “You’re friends with Sarah Matz?”
“Is that not allowed?” I wasn’t in a good mood. Not at all. But it had little to do with Lucas’s comment and everything to do with Jeb’s.
“Is Ness ever in a good mood?” Lucas asked my uncle.
I growled as I strapped myself in.
My uncle didn’t answer Lucas, too busy scrutinizing my face.
Evelyn wouldn’t lie to me.
She wasn’t a woman called Gloria.
“Are you sensing you’re going to fail miserably? Is that it?” Lucas chirped.
Liam glanced into his rearview mirror, and our eyes met for the briefest of moments. I looked away before he did.
“You’re so astute at reading people, Lucas.” I didn’t want to fight with him tonight.
He simpered at me before rubbing his hands together. “Should we get this party on the road? I’m dying for some canapés or whatever dainty shit the Pines feed on.”
The entire way to Julian’s estate, Liam didn’t speak once, but there was never a dull moment, because Lucas was a freaking word-mill. The boy loved the sound of his voice.
When we passed through the gates that were manned by two burly wolves in skin, I nibbled on my lip before remembering I’d slicked on bright-red lipstick to match my dress. I checked my reflection in my phone’s camera, fixed my lipstick, then smoothed the glossy curls I’d made with my mom’s old flat iron after watching ten tutorials on YouTube and failing nine times out of the ten at recreating them.
Julian’s home loomed at the top of a knoll like a pale cloud. During the ride over, Lucas had informed me the Pine Alpha’s inspiration had been a French castle.
“The dude thinks he’s a fucking king,” Lucas had said.
As I took in the smooth stone façade and the grid of diamond-cut window panes that seemed to stretch an entire acre long, I had to agree with Lucas—Julian definitely fancied himself a sovereign.
A valet dressed in black pants and a high-collared red jacket drew open my door and held out a gloved hand. Before I could latch onto it, Liam rounded the car, stepped in front of the parking attendant, and extended his own hand.
I hesitated to touch him, and he sensed it because his gaze grew stormy. He didn’t lower his hand, though. He held it out stubbornly. I gathered the folds of red chiffon in one hand and then yielded to Liam’s will, grasping his fingers. Angering him would work against me when I pleaded for my life.
As soon as my feet touched the ground, I removed my fingers from his. His shoulders tightened, creasing the fine fabric of his tuxedo. Lucas walked ahead of us through the mammoth front doors, his head swiveling from right to left. Either he was ascertaining threats or he was admiring Julian’s black-marbled lair. Gold finishes accented the dark furnishings, and crystal vases overflowing with scarlet roses adorned every table in sight.
“Did Julian ever marry?” I asked.
“Why? Are you interested?” Lucas shot back.
I rolled my eyes but caught Liam observing me. Even though I hadn’t planned on answering Lucas’s inane question, Liam’s weighty stare made me say, “Of course not. He could be my father.”
“I didn’t think age mattered to you,” Lucas said.
I snapped my attention to the shaggy-haired male who drove me insane. “Can you cut me some slack tonight, Lucas? I’m really not in the mood.”
A server approached us with a platter of champagne flutes. I grabbed one and downed it in a very un-ladylike manner. I didn’t care, though. Tonight was going to be rough, and I needed as much liquid courage as I could get. I set the stemmed glass back down on the man’s platter before emerging from the black entrails of the house onto the packed terrace.
A hush fell over the crowd as all heads swiveled toward us. Although many stared my way, most looked at Liam. Between his chiseled jaw, his artfully gelled hair, and his black tux, he looked like he’d just stepped out of a GQ spread. Perhaps that wasn’t the reason they looked at him, but I bet it was the reason why some of them kept staring.
The unremitting gurgle of water from a large round fountain projected noise against the mosaic-tiled floor, chipping away at the oppressive silence. I inhaled slowly, trying to iron out my nerves, but all that did was fill my lungs with the sickly-sweet smell of the roses spilling over the flat wooden trellis that roofed part of the terrace. Orange dregs of sunlight slid around the velvety petals and sharp thorns, dappling the crowd in shards of light. Candles flickered on tall skinny tables wrapped in white cloth, and glowing spheres of frosted glass hung from the trellis like miniature moons.
Lucas stood close to me; Liam even closer. Both narrowed their eyes at the quiet, observant crowd. Julian appeared then, in an emerald tux. He pressed past his people to reach us, a tumbler in one hand, a woman in the other. First I thought the woman was his date, but the resemblance between them was so uncanny that I guessed she was Sarah’s mother.
“Welcome, welcome.” His voice trumpeted out of him, cheerful and loud. “My sister Nora and I are so glad you could make it.” He let go of his sister’s hand to take mine and lifted it to his lips. “Ness, there are no words to describe how you look tonight.”
“I can think of a few,” Lucas muttered. “Red, for example. Half-naked.”
“What a poet you are, Mr. Mason,” Julian said, tossing a chilly glance Lucas’s way. “The women must just love you.”
“They do actually.”
Liam shifted to stand in front of me, which forced Julian to let go.
A broad smile curled over Julian’s face.
“Well, aren’t we a little possessive?” he said under his breath.
Liam didn’t answer.
Thankfully, Lucas spoke. “Frank and Eric aren’t here yet, are they?”
“You are the first to arrive.” Julian’s eyes sparked as newcomers made their way onto the twinkling patio. “Mingle and be merry.” He took his sister’s arm, and together they walked to greet their new guests.
Soft string music started up again. Although the Pines remained alert, tossing sporadic glances our way, conversations resumed.
“Is he expecting us to actually chat with his people?” Lucas muttered to Liam.
“Damn, girl, I was right.” A burst of yellow popped into my line of sight. Sarah walked over to us, blonde corkscrews tumbling over the buttercup dress that stuck to her curves like a bandage.
She pressed a kiss to my cheek, which had Lucas and Liam gaping. They’d heard we were friends, but apparently they didn’t believe it.
<
br /> “You Neanderthals clean up nicely, too,” she said.
Lucas, who’d grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray, choked on his drink. “Neanderthal?”
I grinned.
“Yes. Neanderthal. Especially you, Mason,” Sarah said. “From what I hear, you’re a particularly devolved male specimen.”
Lucas’s eyes turned a neon shade of blue. “Figures you and Ness get along. Both shrews.”
“Lucas…” Liam said.
Lucas turned on his friend. “What? I’m not the one tossing around hurtful observations.”
“Was shrew supposed to be a compliment?” Sarah asked.
Lucas smirked. “Compared to what I was really thinking, yes.”
Her eyes glittered with mirth.
“Are you deejaying tonight?” Liam asked, and I wondered how painful it was for him to act convivial.
“After dinner, I’m on.”
“Damn. I forgot my earplugs.” Lucas downed his champagne.
“Oh, I saw you dancing to my beats on Thursday night.”
“Must’ve mistaken me for someone else. I don’t dance.”
“Not well, but you do.”
Lucas rolled his fingers into a fist and cracked his knuckles. “Why were you even looking at me, blondie?”
“It’s part of the job. I keep an eye on my crowd. I need to make sure you’re all hearing what you want to hear.”
“Then you’re reading me all wrong.”
Sarah crossed her arms in front of her. “Really? What is it you want to hear?”
He scraped his hand through his black hair. “Anything but that crap you play.”
“You’re an ass, Mason,” she said. “A real ass.” They glared at each other for so long I started to pull her aside, but she stood her ground.
“Sarah, darling! Come greet our guests.” Nora’s voice rang over the courtyard.
Still glaring, my friend whipped around and strode over toward her mother and uncle.
“Is it completely impossible for you to be nice, Lucas?” I asked.
His gaze, which had trailed after Sarah, snapped back toward me. “Are her lips and tits even real?”
“Oh my God, shut up,” I said.
A Pack of Blood and Lies Page 21