Chapter 10

The limo pulled up to what looked to be a red carpet event. The doors opened, and they all stepped out of the vehicle into the limelight. Photographers on either side of the walkway yelled to get their attention so they could take their photos. How did they know who they were? Esha walked up to greet them. “Great! You’re all here and look amazing,” she told them as she guided them down the red carpet. “Esha, what is all this?” Tabitha asked as she followed the young woman. “This is how we treat all our important guests who come to our parties. We want you to feel welcomed,” she explained. “Now, Tabitha and Marco, you stand here so they can take a photo of you two together.” Marco walked over and stood next to Tabitha; he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Tabitha felt her skin tingle from the touch of her mate. Marco leaned in, whispered, “I’m sorry,” and kissed her cheek. Tabitha shook her head, looked up at him, and smiled. “You know I can’t stay mad at you for too long,” she admitted. “You guys look amazing together. Okay, now Gretchen and Colson,” Esha requested. Tabitha and Marco stepped away before Gretchen and Colson took their spot before the photographers. Madeline shook her head as she watched them all get sucked into the fantasy. Madeline’s body quivered when she felt a familiar touch as a hand slid against her back. Madeline turned to find Logan standing next to her. He still looked just as handsome as he did when she first met him. “Logan,” she breathed out. Logan leaned in and brushed his lips gently across her cheek. Madeline closed her eyes as she enjoyed feeling the touch of his lips against her skin. “Thought you would like an escort,” he told her as he assisted her while walking down the red carpet. “Thank you,” she said to him softly. Madeline was surprised to see Logan; she thought he would never want anything to do with her again after she left him and Silver City behind when she was younger. “You are still just as beautiful as you were when I last saw you,” he said to her. “You must need glasses if you think that,” she responded. Esha continued to make sure that each couple stopped to have their photo taken; when she looked up and saw it was Madeline’s turn, she was taken aback by who was standing next to Madeline. “Logan, I didn’t know you would be here tonight. How do you know Ms. Warren?” she asked him. “Madeline is an old friend of mine, and I didn’t want her to have to walk down the carpet unattended,” he answered. Esha pressed her lips into a thin line before she said, “Well, let’s get a quick photo for a keepsake item.” Madeline watched the mannerisms of the young girl. Madeline knew she couldn’t trust the people in Silver City, but there was something about Esha that Madeline didn’t like. “Smile for the camera,” Logan whispered as he pulled Madeline closer. Madeline sucked in a breath as she took in the heavenly scent that belonged to Logan. “That’s nice; now let’s get you all inside where the real fun begins,” Esha said with a smile. Deak took Vita’s hand and twirled her before drawing her close. “Did I tell you? You look absolutely breathtaking,” he told her. Vita smiled as her heart raced. “You clean up pretty nicely yourself,” she told him as she tugged on his tie. Deak groaned as his eyes filled with desire as he looked at his mate, “We could always just blow off this party and go back to the hotel room where we can be alone,” he growled softly. Vita bit her lower lip as she thought over the offer Deak had tempted her with. Before she could answer, Gretchen came up and pulled Vita back into reality as Gretchen tugged on Vita’s arm, trying to get her out on the dance floor. “Come on, Vita, come dance with us,” Gretchen pleaded with a pouty look on her face. Vita looked back at Deak, who just shook his head and then motioned for her to go ahead. Deak made his way to the bar, where he found Colson. “How are you holding up?” he asked. Colson’s fist clenched on the bar as he tried to gain control of his emotions and his wolf. “Will it always be this difficult?” Deak shrugged. He wasn’t sure how to explain what worked best in a relationship when your mate wasn’t a wolf. “I’m sure it will get better over time. She seems happy you’re here,” he said to the younger wolf. Colson wiped his face and then ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, you’re right. I just don’t know how she feels about me. With a wolf, I would be able to sense her feelings, but I can’t feel anything from her.” “Give yourself time; you’ll learn to read your mate and know how she feels about you. But there’s one thing you must do,” Deak stated. “What’s that?” “Learn how to communicate by talking to her with your words and not your actions.” Colson groaned. He wasn’t great at talking about how he felt. His father thought a wolf was weak if they spoke about their feelings. His mother was the only person he could talk to when his father was too rough on him. She was the only one who understood him. Colson turned to look at his girl on the dance floor. Gretchen was laughing and looked to be having a good time. Colson’s heart flipped in his chest. He realized if he wanted this to work with Gretchen, he was going to have to be more honest about how he felt toward her. The next song was a slow song; Colson grabbed his drink and finished it in one gulp. He made his way to his girl. Deak decided to do the same and walked up to Vita and asked, “May I have this dance?” Vita smiled as she accepted Deak’s hand. Deak pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her, and swayed slowly to the music. “Having fun?” he asked her. “Amazingly, a girl could lose herself in a place like this,” she admitted. “Well, I better keep a firm hold on you so I don’t lose you,” he whispered. Vita’s chest tightened as she stared deeply into Deak’s eyes. “Promise?” Deak lowered his head and kissed the top of her nose. “I promise.” “Do you mind if I cut in?” a deep voice was heard behind Vita. When Deak looked up to see who had the guts to ask if they could dance with his mate, his eyes narrowed quickly when he saw his long-time childhood nemesis standing in front of him. “Emil Vasiliu,” Deak snarled.