Blaidd
She tried to move away from me, but I snagged her wrist. The bedroom door clicked shut as Natasha left. I could see why she was so highly recommended.
Her eyes flicked up when I didn’t release her.
It gave me an idea for later. She’d never kneel on her hands and knees in front of my bedroom window.
Mate, Fenrir purred—and I agreed with him.
Word would spread now that David knew. Whoever followed me—or Lielit—would know. Rather than hide her away, I would let her shine. For the first time, I would allow the paparazzi to take photos.
I pulled a thick, ornate diamond bracelet from my pocket and fastened it around her wrist. It had cost a small fortune, as had her dress, but it elevated her status above the crowd.
“Why don’t you stamp my forehead and get it over with?” she muttered.
My gaze dropped to the scarf concealing our mark. Her dress was strapless, the neckline daring, but the strategic sweep of silk hid her breasts. The diamonds sparkled—but it was the natural glow of her almond-toned skin that set the dress alight.
“If I could shackle you to my bed day and night, I would,” I murmured, releasing her wrist.
“That wouldn’t work out for you,” she said, a sly smirk tugging at her mouth.
“No, it wouldn’t,” I agreed quietly. “But I might consider it for a few hours tonight.”
I leaned close enough to hear her heartbeat quicken.
“We’ll go through the list of people who’ll approach us—and those who can help promote your business,” I said, lifting my elbow until she reluctantly placed her fingers on my arm.
Her flicker of surprise gave way to suspicion.
I couldn’t blame her. I’d sabotaged her fledgling company myself.
Tonight, I would observe—and condemn—anyone who looked at Lielit the wrong way. I would make examples of them. Not through death, but through a thousand precise cuts of public humiliation.
?
?
?
“Try smiling,” Lielit suggested as she lifted her hand and waved to the crowd.
I immediately heard my name being murmured by the photographers before a flurry of camera flashes erupted.
“He never stays on the red carpet.”
“Who is she?”
“What’s she wearing?”
“Can anyone see a ring?”
“Is that a bump or her dress?”
“Holy shit. Prothero is out with another human being.”
The buzz made me smile.
I tugged on Lielit’s hand, and we turned away. As we walked, a barrage of shouted questions followed us—but we ignored them.
The mystery would rile countless people.
“Stay close tonight,” I reminded her. “Most of these people are cutthroat.”
“I can handle you, can’t I?” she murmured, smiling at the young man holding the door open for us.
“Stop smiling at men,” I hissed when I saw his eyes drop to her breasts.
“I’d suggest the same for you,” she said sweetly, “but your smile would scare off men and women.”
She wasn’t wrong.
“Fenrir doesn’t like it,” I said as we stepped inside.
“Blame the wolf.”
“If we were bonded, you’d be able to communicate with him,” I said as we reached the banquet hall.
“I would?” she asked, turning to look at me.
“In your hyena form,” I whispered.
I’d hidden Fenrir for decades, and I sure as hell didn’t want anyone discovering Bouda.
“The Stewarts are coming over,” I said, deliberately distracting her—though I hoped the seed had been planted.
I made the introductions before scanning the room. Animosity wasn’t new to me, but this level of curiosity directed at Lielit was. Before long, a small cluster formed around us, people waiting their turn to be introduced to her.
I glanced up and spotted a man standing alone on the upper level, drink in hand, watching us. A slow sweep of the room revealed two others who didn’t quite belong.
It seemed David hadn’t appreciated being coerced.
I snapped a photo of two of them. They bolted immediately, murmuring into their earpieces as they went.
Amateurs.
“Where have you been hiding this beauty?” Mandelson asked.
He didn’t touch Lielit, but the open appreciation in his eyes made me want to pluck them out.
“Held captive on a deserted island,” Lielit said pleasantly.
“Behave,” I hissed when I noticed a few people exchanging looks.
This wasn’t the climate for jokes like that.
“Such a wonderful sense of humour,” Mrs Stewart said, her smile impish rather than offended.
The two women fell into conversation as I flagged down a nearby waiter and ordered virgin drinks. Lielit was pregnant, but my vigilance tonight was non-negotiable.
I caught sight of Whitaker across the room. He flinched the moment our eyes met.
No one would dare interfere with me—or mine.
Fenrir hummed softly as we watched Lielit charm everyone within reach.
The night was far more successful than I’d expected. People were more afraid of me than they were willing to openly hate Lielit for being associated with me. I noted the ones who kept their distance. The three men never returned.
Lielit remained by my side, and her scent stayed uncontaminated by the crowd. It didn’t matter who they were—I didn’t want any man or woman touching her.
It wasn’t until we were preparing to leave that a woman tried to invade my personal space. To my surprise, Lielit caught the intrusion immediately.
“He’s a germaphobe,” she said coolly, looking the woman up and down. “It’s best you keep a two-foot distance.”
Fenrir chuffed.
I had to wonder whether that possessiveness came from Lielit, her hyena—or both.
In the end, it didn’t matter. The urge to claim her burned hot and immediate—to lift her dress, to show everyone exactly who she belonged to.