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He gave her a head tilt, eyes gleaming, brutal, beautiful, and enigmatic as sin.

Then he vaulted backward, seamless, vanishing into the cockpit of his Corvette as it reversed with unnatural grace and streaked away into the stars.

Savvine inhaled, limbs locked, her craft hovering in space, as the wash of his engine’s kinetic waves rolled over her ship.

Her body trembled, her insides shuddering, and she swallowed hard.

‘Who, wait, what thefokkwas that?’

3

Keep The Wolves Away

SAVVINE

Hours later, Savvine stood near the edge of a ballroom, her gaze lured beyond the expansive windows to the shimmer of distant stars.

She shifted on her feet, a little restless, and switched her focus to the happy couple gliding over the dance floor for their first wedding waltz.

The bride was one of Savvine’s closest childhood friends, Laleh.

She was an ethereal vision in an ivory silk gown with petal-draped sleeves and a crown of woven blooms from her garden in hydroponics.

Her new husband, Dorian, a redheaded, tall, freckled, broad-shouldered, and love-struck-eyed man, held her close, their laughter rippling through the air.

The reception was in full swing in the event space spanning the ship’s width.

Its ceiling was a transparent dome showcasing the infinite velvet of space, streaked with distant nebulae and the trailing glow of passing comets.

Garlands of gravity-defying orbs floated overhead, pulsing with a warm golden hue in time with the music’s rhythm.

The aroma of seared venison, saffron rice, and buttered greens, along with the rich perfume of spiced wine and candied spirits, teased the senses.

Servers in graphite-toned uniforms danced between tables, balancing platters of delicious finger foods, farmed oysters, and shimmering cocktail flutes.

Guests wore a riot of color and elegance.

From long velvet gowns and embroidered silks to antique military coats reworked as fashion, polished chrome lapels, and diamond-threaded gloves.

Joy bloomed, accompanied by full-throated laughter, the clink of glasses, and an impromptu tango as someone shouted for one more song.

Love, it seemed, floated free on theEterna.

Laleh and Dorian swung past, and Savvine waved at them, smiling.

This made her satin bridesmaid dress, which flowed in gentle rose-gold pleats, stretch under her boobs and hug her waist too tightly.

She sighed as she reworked her bosom.

Savvine had always felt more like herself in elegant jumpsuits and trousers, featuring clean lines and tailored comfort.

Nothing that clung or dipped where it shouldn’t.

The bridesmaid dress Lelah had chosen was a little more revealing than she’d have picked, the neckline low and strapless, offering no room for a decent bra and even less for her peace of mind.

It wasn’t Savvine’s style, not remotely, and she didn’t feel particularly good in it.

However, this was Lelah’s day, and she had generously covered the cost of the dress, so Savvine bit her tongue and wore it without complaint.