by Sable Sylvan
“Exactly,” said Minnie. “She’s gunning for Sage to invite her to the Scoville Ball. It’s not personal. She’s hated any girl that Sage has even batted an eye at, but none of those girls matter the way you matter, to the entire Scoville Clan. After all, you’re the future alpha’s younger sister. You’re practically a princess.”
“Rewind for a hot minute. Were you serious about what you said about Sage? You mean he hasn’t ever, ever taken a date to the ball?” asked Addy.
“Sage has never ever invited a girl to the ball,” said Minnie. “Not a one. His brothers did, but they invited friends who went as friends, all kinds of people, from townies that had never been to a fancy ball before to people that won dates with them in charity auctions. However, even though Herb and Clove found their mates this past year, they aren’t going to the ball because of prior obligations. Mace will be there, but Basil won’t be. Mace is in Oslo right now because, well, it’s a long story, and Basil, as you know, is in Brazil. That means you and Sage are the representatives of the new Quincy-Scoville group.”
“Who else is gonna be there?” asked Addy.
“Just about everyone who matters,” said Minnie. “Of course, I’ve got an invite, because I’m a Scoville. Georgina gets an invite because she’s a Rosetti. But what the heck are we doing talking about this? You got a dress to get into. I’ll check out your makeup collection while you get changed and we’ll do up your face, then walk over to the ball. Don’t worry. You can wear sneakers over to the dance, and leave them in the coat check outside the ballroom. Bonimolean might date back to the medieval period, but a lot of stuff is pretty modern…not the least of all the romance.”
“Just one last question,” said Addy. “What about you, Minnie? Do you have dates to the dances?”
“Honey pie, you have no idea,” said Minnie. “Now get into that dress!”
An hour later, after Addy and Minnie had gotten changed into their outfits and put on their makeup, they were out the door, heels in a big purse they’d share and leave in coat check. When they got to the ballroom, they swapped shoes, dropped off their bag and coats, and headed into the ballroom.
The ballroom was decorated more fancily than any dance that Addy had seen. She had never gone to the dances in high school or college, but she’d been on the decorating committee for her prom to see what all the fuss was about, and her school had opted for a rather boring Arabian Nights theme that was supposed to be over the top. There was no way to transform their smelly basketball court into a sheik’s palace, and it hadn’t looked good, even after they had put the finishing touches on the stinky gym and Addy headed home to eat popcorn and watch movies instead of wasting her time at the dance.
Bonimolean had opted for a simple garden theme but did it bigger and better than Addy’s school had treated the prom. The flowers were all real, encrusted with rhinestones and silver dust that resembled snow. A buffet with catered drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, was available, with small treats like dusty pink rose macarons, blueberry lavender white cake petit fours, and sugared violet topped cake pops.
“What time is it?” asked Addy.
“Eight twenty-eight,” said Minnie. “We made good time.”
“We’re a little early,” said Addy, looking around. The room wasn’t that crowded.
“At least we got to try the cookies,” said Minnie. “Wait…who is that? Over there? I think one of our dates just showed up.”
Addy turned and looked.
The entrance to the ballroom was dark, and the foyer to the ballroom was bright. The figure in the entrance was a mere silhouette until he started to walk forward, toward the light that Addy and Minnie were standing in.
“No frikkin’ way,” whispered Addy, and she nearly dropped her cake pop.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tall, with blond hair with a single streak of black, piercing blue eyes, and muscles that just couldn’t quit, there was no questioning the man walking toward her steadily and slowly was none other than Sage Scoville. He was proof that the clothing did not make the man. Usually, Sage wore ripped black jeans, some spiked belt, a black shirt, designer sneakers, and sunglasses. He didn’t wear shiny black shoes, nice black slacks, a white long-sleeved button-up shirt, or a black satin vest with silver buttons. He didn’t have his usually tousled bedhead hair styled into a style that looked like it belonged to someone far more serious. Tonight, however, he did, and he was still every bit as much of a dominant polar bear shifter as he was usually, with his shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbows, exposing his firm, muscular forearms. He walked with a swagger that made Addy blush, and she could imagine him turning polar right in front of her, grabbing her in his paws and carrying her away to some supply closet to claim her…or, with his hands on her waist, twirling her around the room. For the first time, she wasn’t sure which of those fantasies she desired more, and wasn’t sure which one would come true that night.
As Sage walked into the ballroom, he spotted Addy instantly. How couldn’t he? She was every bit as ravishing as she had been since the day he’d met her, just dressed in different clothes. In a black dress with a floral pattern reminiscent of the works of Mary Delany. The flowers on Addy’s dress looked painted on but were actually embroidered, the bright but realistically embroidered botanicals standing out against a field of black. The dress was low-cut in the back, exposing her curved shoulders to him. She was still every bit the bookish academic that he’d fallen for, but she was showing an inner fire that he wasn’t sure she knew she had inside of her the whole time. Addy’s hair had been put up, so there was a swath of exposed skin from the bottom of the exposed part of the gown up through the nape of her neck.
As Addy turned and he saw her mouth drop, he couldn’t help but smile. His polar growled. Addy was obviously into him. If he played his cards right, he might be able to get an answer to the question that had haunted him since he had first met her, but even if he didn’t, he’d still get a chance to get to know this captivating woman even better.
As soon as Sage reached Addy, he put a hand on her waist.
“Funny seeing you here,” said Sage. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Not at all,” said Addy, who had finished her dessert. “We got here a little early.”
“Then I suppose we can start early,” said Sage. “Minerva, you wouldn’t mind if I stole Addy away, would you?”
“Heck no, cuz,” said Minnie. “Have a great time!”
Sage nodded and turned back to Addy.
“Remember what I taught you yesterday?” asked Sage.
“Oh, right,” said Addy, and she put her hands on Sage’s shoulders. He put his other hand on her waist, and they started to dance. A four-string quartet was playing a simple piece. There were already a few couples on the dance floor.
As Sage and Addy gracefully glided over the dance floor, Addy couldn’t help but get lost in Sage’s eyes. His eyes were a gorgeous shade of blue, flecked with spots of white, reminding her of a pair of snow globes.
“Do you know this song?” asked Addison.
“It’s a cover of a pop song,” said Sage. “It’s just been adapted to strings. Just keep doing the two-step I taught you. We can add in some extra moves like…this.” Sage twirled Addy quickly.
“Whoa,” said Addy. “That was…nice.”
“We can do it again if you like,” said Sage. “One…two…one…two…and…twirl.” Sage gave Addy another twirl and caught her by the waist.
Addy couldn’t believe it. She was having fun at a dance…at least until the song ended, and a familiar brunette showed up.
“Hey, Sage,” said Georgina, flipping her black ponytail over her shoulder. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“A lot of unexpected things have happened this week,” said Sage, keeping his eyes on Addison before giving her a twirl.
“Well, in celebration of unexpected things, care to dance?” asked Georgina.
Sage looked at Addison, who was
smiling.
“It’s fine,” said Addison, pulling away. “What’s one dance?”
Georgina cut in and started to dance with Sage. Addison scanned the room and saw who Minnie had taken to the dance. She was in the company of a handsome man and a gorgeous curvy woman! Addison had to know what the heck was going on.
Addison made her way over to the trio that was sitting on the jewel-toned velvet couches in the lounging area.
“Hey, Minnie,” said Addison.
“Addy! I was just telling Julio and Nia about you,” said Minnie. “Julio, Nia, this is Addison, Addison Quincy. She’s from America!”
“So are you,” said Addison, before taking a seat. “Nice to meet you, Julio, Nia.”
“Let me just answer the question I know is rattling around that head of yours,” said Minnie. “I got two dates tonight, and yes, I like to mix and match. Tonight, it’s about the mix.”
“Hot dang,” said Addison. “Well, you go and get yours, Minnie!”
“Why aren’t you dancing with Sage?” asked Nia.
“Yes, are you two also sharing that…one?” asked Julio.
“I was dancing with Sage, but Georgina wanted a dance,” said Addison. “After what you told me, Minnie, I thought it only fair to throw her a bone.”
“Isn’t she bony enough?” asked Nia, before taking a drink. “Oops, did I say that out loud?”
“I think I like your friends,” said Addison. “So, they know Sage and I are here together?”
“Here together on a date, girl,” said Minnie. “You need to make sure Georgina doesn’t make Sage turn that dance into two! You might not know the rules of propriety, but I do, and so does Sage. However, Sage won’t break them, not really. He thinks he’s a bad boy, but he’s a frikkin’ cuddly teddy bear. I’ve got a plan, and Julio, you’re on deck.”
“What’s the plan?” asked Julio.
“You cut in with Georgina for a dance,” said Minnie. “Then, Nia cuts in with you, leaving Georgina with no partner. She can go find someone else to dance with.”
“Isn’t that kinda mean?” asked Addison. “That’s not how we do things in Texas.”
“Girl, if you haven’t noticed, we’re not in Texas. Your Wild West state is more civilized than this college. Trust me, you put a bunch of hormonal shifters together, and the claws are gonna come out. I don’t care if you’re wearing a paper bag or some pearls. The fur will fly, I guarantee. She started it, but I’m about to end it,” said Minnie. “Wake up, sleeping beauty. This bitch is trying to steal your man! I’m a Scoville, and I’m about to bring the fire. Don’t get things twisted. I might seem like I’m nice, but I got spice. I’m a frikkin’ Scoville, and I’ll go polar on a bitch if I have to. Trust me. What I’m doing is merciful. Gives her a chance to tuck tail and get the frik outta here, or get another partner.”
Minnie’s chess game worked. Julio cut in for a dance with Georgina, giving Addy time to cut in to dance with Sage, then Nia cut in with Julio, leaving Georgina alone.
“You wanna blow this joint?” Sage asked Addy.
“Yeah, it’s getting a little crowded,” said Addy, nodding her head toward Georgina.
“I know what you mean,” said Sage. “We can continue this back in our suite.”
As the song ended, Sage and Addy parted, but a tall man in a suit came up to them. He looked shifter.
“May I have this dance?” asked the man.
“We’re actually leaving right now,” said Addy apologetically. “Sorry.”
“Come on, one dance,” said the man.
“Do you need your ears checked? The lady said no,” said Sage, wrapping his arm around Addy.
Addy had never felt Sage like this before. She had felt his protective grip when she had tripped at Sabine’s studio, but it hadn’t been like this. She had felt him with his hand on the small of her back as he gave her a tour, but he hadn’t felt as tense. This was different. It was as if Sage thought they might be in danger…well, Sage or his polar bear.
“What, you think because you’re a Scoville, you don’t have to share?” asked the man. “Come on. One dance.”
“No,” said Addy firmly, and the man reached for her.
Sage moved with lightning speed. Nobody frikkin’ touched his woman. His polar bear roared, and before Sage could stop it, it started to burst forth.
As soon as Sage’s hand left her waist, Addy instinctively knew she had to move back.
Addy moved toward Minerva, who was by the lounge area. Minnie was intently watching the situation unfolding. Addy turned and saw what was going on.
The stranger was a shifter, a grizzly shifter, and his bear was out, but not to play. Where Sage had previously been standing was a giant white bear that outclassed the grizzly in terms of size. People had moved off the dance floor, and the grizzly had started to circle the polar. The polar turned to keep its eyes on the grizzly’s face.
That’s when Addy saw that Sage’s shift was no ordinary polar. It had a black streak of fur through its white. It looked like a lightning bolt if she squinted.
The grizzly pounced, and Sage batted it away, but the grizzly was back on its feet in no time. What the grizzly didn’t have in size, it had in speed. It bounded through the scraps of fabric left over from the shifting process and pounced again at Sage. This time, Sage couldn’t turn fast enough to swipe at the bear, so Sage ended up on his side. Addy let out a gasp. Could Sage beat the grizzly?
Of course, Sage could. He wasn’t just a man with a pretty face. He had an animal inside of him that he wasn’t afraid to let take over his body. He may have been a gamma in terms of rank, but in terms of power, he could take on any alpha any day of the week. Could he win? Maybe not, but he would accept any challenge thrown his way…or finish any challenge he doled out.
Sage got back on his feet and roared in the grizzly’s face. Sage didn’t stop roaring as he swiped at the grizzly, roaring over and over, long and low, right in the grizzly’s face. Sage was getting loud, rowdy, and wild. His bear was making noise, and lots of it. This confused the grizzly and in its confusion, the grizzly’s swipes didn’t land on Sage. They just ended up smacking thin air and throwing the grizzly off balance.
Even with the grizzly on the ground, Sage wasn’t done. He roared and roared in the grizzly’s face until the grizzly whimpered and ran off, out the doors of the ballroom and onto the quad.
“Who the heck was that?” Addy asked Minnie.
“I think he’s some German exchange student,” said Minnie. “No matter where a shifter’s from, they can appreciate curves.”
Addy turned and watched as Sage walked back to her. It was just like in that vision she’d had. She hadn’t expected the bear to have a streak in its fur, though. Sage came up to Addy and rubbed against her leg.
“What does he want?” asked Addy.
“Get on his back,” said Minnie. “It’s time for him to take you home. Grab your bag from coat check. I’ll drop off his stuff tomorrow. I didn’t see a wallet or phone fall out of his pants, but I can double check just in case he was carrying them.”
“I didn’t feel them, so I don’t think he was carrying them,” said Addy.
Sage looked up and nodded in agreement.
“All right, then get out of here, you two crazy kids,” said Minnie. “I’m sure Sage has a lot to talk to you about.”
Sage shot Minnie a look that Addy hadn’t seen Sage give anyone since the first time she’d met Minnie. A lot to talk about? What the heck was going on?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Addison had never ridden a polar bear but found it wasn’t much different than riding a horse. Step one: get on the bear. Step two: don’t fall off the bear. They were back in their dorm room in no time. They took the elevator up to the room, but of course Addison had to handle the buttons and the locks to the dorm room. When they went in, Sage walked right into his bathroom, and Addison shut the door for him to give him privacy.
Addison sat on the gray chaise l
ounge and looked around. The large black grand piano was in front of the gray chaise lounge. To her right was the private bathroom which must’ve shared a wall with Clove’s private bathroom. There was a dresser, a closet, and a set of cubbies that Sage had used to store vinyl records and sheet music. He had a record player on his dresser, hooked up to his alarm clock. His bed was black, metal, with plain gray and white striped sheets.
In a few minutes, Sage came out. All he was wearing was a towel, leaving his chest uncovered. What Addison saw made her have to cover her mouth.
Sage’s chest was firm, broad, and like all bear shifters, had a special mark. It was his mate mark, the mark that was supposed to tell him who his fated mate was, but it didn’t take, as Minnie would say, a runologist to decode what his mark meant. The mark was a single word, slightly stylized, but without any other details, written in pure black on his chest.
The mark read, ‘Addison.’ After staring, it was obvious what the stylization meant. Some of the letters looked like musical symbols. The letter ‘A’ was missing its center line, forming a carat-like symbol, or a triangle without a bottom line, an upward pointing arrow. It was a marcato, which designated a note that was to be hit a certain way. The letters ‘dd’ looked like a pair of linked musical notes. The ‘o’ looked like a whole note.
“Does that say what I think it says?” asked Addison. “Or am I seeing things?”
“‘Addison,’” said Sage. “I’ve had this since I was eighteen.”
“Really?” asked Addy. “So…you’ve known, this entire time, that you’re meant for me?”
“Yes,” said Sage.
“And you didn’t think to tell me sooner?” asked Addy, folding her arms. “Wouldn’t telling me sooner have solved a lot of problems?”
“Would it have?” asked Sage. “Think about it. Some guy you’ve never met before tells you that you’re meant to be with him, forever, the moment he meets you. Would you give him a chance? Probably not. You got to know me over the past week in a way you haven’t known me before. Now, you can make your decision. Do you want to see if you’re my fated mate, or is this the end of this fairy tale?”