Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
CHARLI
What do you wear to a Saturday night party full of wolf shifters?
Padding into the living room, I grab my purse and pull out the invitation.
Fun Cocktail Attire. Well, that didn’t help.
Grabbing my phone, I do a quick search. Fun vibe.
Bold colors, sparkles, sequins, or statement accessories.
Unsure what’s in the collection Victoria sent over, I take my phone back to the closet with me.
I flip through the clothes and find one sequin mini skirt in gold, a black velvet skirt, and a red cocktail dress that I think will work. Worried the cocktail dress is too formal, I hang it back on the rod. What works with the two skirts?
I finger the green bodysuit I wore on my date with Teague.
It would look good, but I kind of want something different.
The white button-up is out because it looks like a work blouse.
The black silk is an option. Something gold tucked in between two dresses catches my eye.
I pull it out and see it’s a sexy gold blouse.
I hold it up to both skirts. Looks fantastic with the black but kind of conservative.
Ooh, but the gold blouse with the gold sequin skirt feels more like a party. Gold on gold it is. Perfect.
Running into the bathroom, I hurriedly spray a little fake tan on my legs, neck, and chest, then pop a few curls into my hair. Gloss, mascara, and a tiny bit of blush. Done. I run a hand down my legs to make sure the spray is dry, then get dressed.
Shutting the closet door, I slip on the skirt and bite my lip when I see how short it is.
It’s also bunching up where my underwear sits on my hips.
Digging through the drawer, I pull out a plain black cotton thong and put it on, which fixes the issue.
Hopefully, I won’t have to bend over, or someone’s going to get a show.
Sliding the silky gold blouse on, I grimace at how ratty my tan bra is, but it’s the only one I have that won’t show through the blouse. Buttoning up the shirt, I tuck it in and wince. Won’t work. Unbuttoning it, my fingers slow when I see how it looks with the shirt tucked in but unbuttoned.
Teague taps on the door. “We need to leave in ten minutes.”
Before I change my mind, I whip my old bra off and slip the shirt back on.
Buckling up a pair of strappy gold sandals, I step back and purse my lips.
Needs something. Jewelry? I pick through the pile and slip on two gold necklaces at different lengths and a pair of gold hoops.
If this doesn’t scream festive attire, I’m not sure what will.
I tug on the collar to make sure my shoulders are covered and grab the small black clutch Victoria put in the collection.
Teague’s standing in the living room, staring at his phone when I walk in, and I mentally fan myself.
His broad shoulders are encased in a black sports jacket, and he’s paired it with a V-neck black sweater and black jeans.
He looks sexy and confident. Maybe even a little dangerous, since the black ensemble makes his espresso brown hair seem darker.
Mine.
His head jerks up at my possessive statement, and his mouth widens into his signature broad grin, but it fades when he sees me, replaced by a more seductive one, along with a slow sweep from my head to golden-clad feet.
Scorching heat trails in its wake, and my nipples instantly harden.
Inhaling sharply, he strides forward and lifts his hand, grazing the hard peaks through the silk.
“No bra?” he asks, his voice a mixture of irritation and desire. “Bold choice for a wolf shifter party. Sure you don’t want to change?” His finger trails down the center of my chest, and the molten heat in his eyes makes my decision for me.
“Nope,” I say airily, as if I’m not incredibly nervous about going out in this outfit. “Let’s go.”
He mutters something about black clothes hiding blood and holds my wool coat for me. With my back to his front, he bends his head and sniffs, then groans. “Is that the same perfume you wore on our date?”
Surprised, I turn my head. “You remember my perfume?”
“I remember every fucking thing about you. Your laugh. What you smell like. How you taste. The tiny gold flecks in your eyes. How you bite your lip when you’re nervous,” he returns, using his thumb to tug on my lip.
“I can’t wait to see their reactions. Although, you’ll be lucky if Macklin doesn’t try to make you wear his sweater all night. ”
Straightening my shoulders like my mom was still here to remind me, I stride out on Teague’s arm, wearing more confidence than I’ve had in a long time.
When we get to the Wolf’s Den, he opens my door and helps me out. The parking lot is packed. “How many wolves are in this clan?”
Teague lifts a shoulder. “A lot. Macklin might know the exact number; he keeps track of everyone.”
“Every single person?” I ask incredulously.
“Every Vale keeps a record,” Teague replies.
We step inside, and Brita points to a makeshift coat check.
Slipping off my coat, I make sure my blouse covers all the important bits and turn toward Teague, who’s already giving murderous looks at the crowd around us.
Brita’s eyes widen when she takes in my outfit. “Very fun. Good thing you have three strong mates to fend off the wolves.” She tilts her head and winks. “Follow me.”
Guess she’s no longer upset with me. Following the insanely gorgeous woman, I feel Teague’s hand settle on my silk-clad back.
Eyes widen when they see the two of us, but I ignore their stares and whispers, too relieved to see that most of their eyes glow blue or pure gold, not yellow like the men who attacked me.
Still though, I step closer to Teague and wrap my hand around his arm.
Macklin’s smile dies the minute he sees my outfit. “Oh, hell no.” He steps closer to us. “Is she not wearing a bra?” His voice sounds like someone is strangling him.
I tug on my collar and frown.
“She’s stunning, isn’t she, Macklin?” Teague states, narrowing his eyes.
Macklin downs the rest of the liquor in his glass. “What are our chances of getting out of here without starting a brawl?”
“Slim to none,” Andros drawls, his eyes lingering on the pulse fluttering at the base of my neck. He moves in and bends down to run his nose along my neck. “Too bad you’re not bonded. You should have at least made her come before you got here so she’d have your scent on her.”
Teague growls.
I blush, then shoot Andros an incredulous look. “You’re one to talk.”
Thankfully, Leif strides up to us, his striking face wreathed in smiles and breaks the tension. “Charli! I want you to meet my daughter, Sofia.”
He turns, and a tall, familiar-looking young woman steps forward. The woman I saw in my vision. Her ice-blond hair and pure gold eyes are a spitting image of her father.
“Sofia, this is Charli.”
Her guarded expression slips, and a genuine smile breaks through.
She reaches out, and I hesitate for a second, then clasp her hand in mine.
“Charli, I can’t thank you enough. All my life I thought both my parents were dead.
It never occurred to me to search for them.
When he walked in, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. ”
“Well, I thought I was losing my mind when I had the vision,” I joke. When Leif looks puzzled, I explain. “I didn’t know supernaturals existed until I saw you change from wolf to man.”
“Yet, you still came back the next day, alone, to show me your vision. Brave of you,” he says, his tone full of admiration.
“One of your parents must have been a witch?” Sofia probes.
“My mom was human. Didn’t know my dad,” I reply, lifting a shoulder. “Anyway, I’m so happy for you both. And thank you for inviting me. I really wanted to meet Sofia.”
Leif scowls and lifts his head. “Alex!”
Teague and Macklin move closer. Surprisingly, so does Andros.
Leif’s young, good-looking son strolls over, but his smile fades when he sees his dad’s face. “What?”
“Did you not tell Charli about the ceremony?”
He blinks. “Was I supposed to?”
“What ceremony?” Macklin growls.
“To officially introduce my daughter to the clan and to name Charli an honorary member,” Leif says, glaring at his son.
Andros tilts his head. “What exactly does an honorary member entail?”
“It means she’ll be part of our pack. If she ever needs anything—food, shelter, protection, whatever—anyone in my pack will give it to her. It’s the highest honor we can give to an outsider,” Leif explains. “She’ll be clan.”
My mouth drops open. “Like family?” I can’t help the wistful note in my voice.
Teague rubs his thumb across the small of my back.
“Any objections?” Leif asks, looking at me, then at the three men by my side.
I shake my head and smile.
Macklin expels a breath and looks at the other two.
Andros steps forward and spits out several questions that make my smile widen. “Will she remain autonomous from alpha pack hierarchy and laws?” Leif nods. “No blood exchange?” Leif shakes his head. “Is she expected to contribute to the clan or have any obligations to it?”
“She already met her lifetime contribution requirements,” Leif states dryly. “Anything else, or should I grab my attorney?”
Andros glances at me. “No further questions.”
“Great, because the ceremony is about to start,” Leif says, signaling the band to stop playing. Silence descends as everyone stops talking and turns toward him. He holds out his arm to his daughter, then to me, but Macklin steps forward and plants himself between us.
“I’ll escort her,” he tells Leif.
The alpha chuckles and leads the way to the stage in the back without arguing. Once there, he moves to the mic, looking every inch the alpha of a large pack.
“For many years, I believed my daughter died with her mother in an attack on our home. Until this young woman, Charli Ford, saw her in a vision. Tonight, I celebrate my daughter Sofia’s return and welcome her back to our clan.”
Sofia steps forward with a small smile. “Thank you. I’m happy to have found my family again.”
The crowd roars and howls and claps until Leif holds up his hand.
“And I hereby make Charli an honorary member of our pack.” Silence descends, and I nervously peer up at Macklin.
“This isn’t something I do lightly. Charli selflessly offered up her vision with no thought of payment or expectation.
She walked in here alone and gifted me with my daughter.
I expect all of you to watch out for her and protect her like you would every member of our clan. ”
He picks up his glass. “To Charli, welcome to Clan Vintervargarna!”
The crowd cheers and toasts, and the sound is almost deafening. With a grin, I glance at Macklin, then Teague, and last, Andros, who’s staring at me with an unusual expression on his face.
After the ceremony, the music starts up again, and Macklin slides a hand around my waist. “Care to dance?”
“I would,” I reply, letting him lead me onto the floor. The music changes to something slow, and I peer up at him. “Hmm, good timing.”
His deep blue eyes sweep over my face as he pulls me into the shelter of his arms. “You’re driving me to the brink in that outfit. All I want to do is throw you over my shoulder and take you home.”
I quirk my finger, and he bends his head so I can whisper in his ear. “Better not. Or I’ll be flashing my thong to everyone in this room.” He stops dancing to glare down at me. I lift a shoulder. “You bought the skirt.”
Someone clears their throat, and Macklin stiffens.
“It’s custom for high-ranking members of the clan to dance with the newest member,” Leif loudly states, boxing Macklin into a corner.
He folds his arms across his chest. “I’ll allow you and only you. Keep your hands where I can see them and space between you.” Stalking to the edge of the dance floor, he takes a stand beside Teague and Andros.
Leif chuckles and lightly clasps my hand and waist, keeping almost a foot between us.
His face turns serious. “I heard about what happened the other night, and I’m sorry you experienced the worst of us.
Most wolves have integrity. We value loyalty and family, clan above all.
I was worried it would turn you against us. ”
I look up into his pure gold eyes and smile. “I know what evil looks like. No matter the face it wears. Thank you for making me a part of your clan. I’m honored.”
He lifts my hand and places a kiss on the back of it. A growl comes from the side of the dance floor. “And if you ever need anything, send me a note.”
Alex comes up to ask his dad a question, and his eyes skim my body. Leif reaches out and smacks him on the head. “Eyes up. Or Macklin will take your head.”
He jerks his gaze to my face. “Sorry.”
Leif motions to someone. “I want you to meet my beta, even if you can’t dance with him. He’s the second highest-ranking person in the clan. If you can’t reach me, he’ll help you.”
Tall, with gold eyes, the man steps up and holds out his hand. “I’m Torsten, Leif’s Beta.”
I hesitate and look to the sideline, meeting Andros’ narrowed gaze, but neither Teague nor Macklin is with him. Sighing, I turn back to the man and briefly shake his hand. My chest eases when I don’t get a vision.
“You seem familiar,” I tell him, staring at the lines on his face. “You were with Leif that day. I saw you in my vision.”
“Worst day of my life. Annika was my sister. She and Sofia were the only blood relatives I had left. Suddenly gone. Or so I thought. Thank you for finding her.”
“Not Alex?”
“He came along later,” Leif replies, his eyes drifting past me. “I see somebody I need to speak to. Will you be okay with Torsten?”
I nod at Leif. “Yes, thanks.”
Looking up at Torsten, I smile. “I’m glad I could help.”
“If you ever need anything, please call. It would be my honor to help.” Instead of kissing my hand, Torsten bends and kisses my cheek. Pausing, he hums and pushes his nose into my neck and sniffs.
I rear back, and Torsten goes flying into a nearby wall.
In shock, I turn toward the man beside me and see Andros, chest heaving, his eyes fixed on Torsten, fangs on display.
The shifter laughs and holds up his hands. “Only curious.”
Andros snarls and steps forward, but I grab his gloved hand. “Dance with me.”