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I don’t like the way he asks that.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Lila answers.

Bald guy chuckles. “Well, that’s good news because I was wondering if you’d like to—”

“Would you like to dance with me, Miss Winter?” I interrupt, my patience stretched to its limit.

If I had my way, I’d let my wolf deal with them. Goddess knows he’s as pissed off as I am.

“Of course, sir.”

The moment her hand slips into mine, the irritation fades, if only a little. I guide her onto the dance floor, where classical music hums softly in the background. My hands find their place on her waist, and hers land on my shoulders, her green eyes locking onto mine.

“Back there, you were angry,” she says quietly.

“They were flirting with you.” My jaw tightens. “No man likes watching someone else flirt with what’s his.”

Her lips part, her pupils dilate, and I watch the pulse at her neck jump.

“Alaric, please—”

“I meant what I said in front of my nephew, Lila. You’re mine.”

Her lips tremble into a smile, but her eyes glisten with something I can’t quite place.

“Yeah? I thought you brought me here for work.”

I don’t even bother denying it.

“I did.” I tighten my hold. “Ask me why, wild one.”

“I don’t want to know.”

I catch her chin, my forehead brushing against hers. “Ask me, baby.”

She hesitates, her lips inches from mine. If I move even slightly forward—

“Why?”

“Because if I told you I wanted you here just so I could look at you, hold you, resist the urge to kiss you, you would’ve said no.”

She exhales sharply. “You don’t know that.”

I chuckle. “Would you have come here with me if I told you the banquet wasn’t about work?”

Her lashes flutter. She looks away, then back at me, her green eyes lighting up with mirth.

“Maybe.”

Maybe?

She would’ve come with me anyway?

“That’s not a yes or no answer, Lila.”

“Wild one,” she murmurs. “I like it when you call me that.”

Her confession stuns me.