Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Everyone filed inside and—guided by ushers—filled the many spectator rows. Tray tables were attached to the back of each seat much like on airplanes. No sooner had Wynter and her crew sat down than Anabel had whipped out a vial of antibacterial potion and cleaned her own tray.
The Ancients were the last to take their seats, claiming the VIP area directly opposite of where Wynter and her coven were situated. Flanked by Seth and Azazel, Cain was quick to spot her. One corner of his mouth kicked up. His eyes bore into her own, gleaming with both promise and challenge.
Even as her mouth went dry and warmth bloomed inside her, Wynter slipped on her poker face, intent on ensuring he didn’t sense the effect he had on her. That only made his smile widen.
Ishtar rose to her feet, the image of grace. “Thank you all for coming.” Power swirled through the air, carrying her voice to every guest. “And thank you, Dantalion, for the time and effort you invested in celebrating my return.”
The male Ancient nodded, looking bored.
Ishtar went on to make a little speech, but Wynter barely heard it. Well, it was hard to focus when she could feel Cain’s eyes on her. She wouldn’t look at him. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t.
She did.
And the heated glance he speared her with went straight to her freaking womb. She shot him a narrow-eyed look and turned away, relieved her cheeks didn’t flush.
Finally, Ishtar quieted, smiling as applause rang out. Music filled the air again, and then the entertainers who’d surrounded her carriage during the parade trickled onto the performance space below. The artists danced and sang and entertained, and the spectators clapped and swayed and sang along.
It wasn’t until the interval that food and drinks were served. Which was about the same time that Anabel started panting like an exhausted racehorse.
Lifting her corn on the cob, Delilah frowned. “What’s with all the heavy breathing?”
“He keeps looking at me,” said Anabel, her eyes wide. “Why does he keep looking at me?”
Wynter tracked her gaze. One of their lycan Alpha neighbors, Diego, was blatantly staring at the blonde, his lips curved.
Delilah smirked. “Girl, you got yourself an admirer.”
Anabel began rubbing her temples. “Oh God, oh God, he wants to eat me.”
Delilah snickered. “Eat your pussy, maybe.”
Hattie cackled and patted the blonde’s arm. “You should really let him, dear. He might even be up for some anil—”
“Please stop saying that word,” begged Anabel. She turned to Wynter. “How do you do it?”
“What?” asked Wynter, cutting into her steak.
“Stay so calm and chill when you know a guy is watching you,” replied Anabel. “Don’t say you haven’t noticed Cain staring at you. You totally have.”
Wynter sniffed. “He’s trying to make me squirm with that unblinking stare.”
“He’s also fucking you with it,” said Xavier. “And he’s not being subtle. People have taken notice. I’m thinking he’s doing it so publicly to send a message.”
Yeah, she was thinking the same thing. And she wasn’t sure if she liked it or hated it.
Soon, the dirty dishware and leftover food was collected and taken away. The performers then reappeared. Some did a short dance routine while the band set up shop in the corner of the large space. Once they were done, a stilt walker grabbed a mic and invited people to ‘come on down.’ The band began to play, and the stilt walker belted out song after song.
Some guests left the spectator section and headed to the performance space, which soon became a makeshift dance floor. Others were content to remain in their seats, still clapping and singing along. Wynter and her crew did the latter … until Delilah drained her drink and jumped to her feet as she said, “Here’s where we go dance and show all the boys what we got.”
Anabel grimaced. “I’m going to nix that and—no, Del, I don’t want to, you can’t make me.”
“True, I can’t. But if we leave you alone, that lycan Alpha is gonna come over and—”
Anabel shot to her feet, glowering. “This is some fucking bullshit right here.”
Delilah just snickered.
All five of them made their way to the ‘dance floor.’ Hattie brought out her best moves, none of which were ladylike. Delilah mimicked every move, egging the old woman on. Wynter and Xavier stayed close to Anabel, who slowly but surely thawed out until she was owning that dance floor.
Wynter blinked as the lights dimmed low and mist began to haze the air.
Delilah grinned. “And this is where it hopefully gets good.”
Anabel actually whooped, having lost her inhibitions somewhere along the line, and kept on dancing to the thumping music.
The mist became thicker and thicker and thicker, until Wynter could no longer see her crew. It didn’t help that it was dark and—
Hands clamped on her hips as someone plastered their front to her back. Warm lips touched her ear. “There you are.”