Page 60 of Fangs for the Memories (Budapest Bites #1)

“ W hat do you want?” I growl as I approach the vampire. “I’m a bit busy.”

Dominik looks over my shoulder at the group of human women, Grace’s friends, she’s ushering into my home. He seems more interested than I’d expect.

“None of them are food,” I add.

He gives a mock gasp. “As if I would.”

“You would,” Viktor rumbles.

My old gargoyle friend is still unhappy at being left in Budapest while I went to England and ended up shot. He sees it as some sort of failure on his behalf, and I know he partially blames Dominik for not warning me about the connection with the human male linked with Grace.

“Enough.” I hold up a hand.

“Your cousin has been surprisingly talkative, for a werewolf,” Dominik says. “You did the right thing turning him over to me.”

“I want him back.” I sigh. “In one piece. I promised my mother.”

“He is a little…punctured…” Dominik studies the silver top of his cane. “But otherwise unharmed. And helpful.”

I do my best to keep my temper under control. I didn’t want to hand Max over to the vampires, but the chances of me getting answers from him were limited. Not because he didn’t fear me, but because I was sure he’d tell me what he thought I wanted to know.

Vampires, however, are very good at extracting information. As Max is a traitor to our pack, no one is unhappy with my decision.

“He will be returned for you to do with what you wish. I’ve sent you an email with all the details he provided. Needless to say, his network is relatively basic, and you should have no issues getting your goods back.”

I give the nod to Viktor.

“On it, boss,” he says, voice like gravel. “And you need to get ready for the ceremony.”

“A claiming ceremony?” Dominik queries. “I do hope I’m invited.”

“To the ceremony? Not a chance,” I growl. “But there is a reception afterwards.”

Dominik says nothing, simply staring at me.

“It’s at the Géllert and”—I snort a hot breath into the air, which fogs instantly in the cold—“you’re invited.”

A grin spreads over his face. “A werewolf party. Haven’t been to one in centuries.”

“I can guarantee this will be the best one you’ve ever been to,” I growl. “Now fuck off out of my house.”

As I enter the atrium, the sounds of the human women ring in the air. What I thought might be an invasion is, in fact, a way of filling the place with light and life.

Grace comes down the stairs to me.

“Not ready yet, mate?”

“I needed to see you first.” She wraps her arms around my waist, and I slide my hand into her hair, inhaling her delicious scent like I’m half starved.

“What did Dominik want?”

“He’s got the information from Max. Which he’s sent in an email. So, what he really wanted was an invite to the reception.”

I feel Grace’s shoulders heave in laughter.

“Probably something to do with Lucy.”

“I doubt Dominik would ever want to have anything to do with a human, given what a snob he is,” I respond.

“Oh, don’t you?” she teases. “We’ll see.”

I pull her against me, my cock hard simply because of her presence, my hips circling so she knows what I want.

“We don’t have time.”

“There’s always time.” I nip at her neck.

“Will you put her down!” a female voice rings out, making me lift my head. All five of the human females are on the stairs.

“Oh, dear.” Grace looks over her shoulder. “You’ve done it now. You’re in so much trouble.”

“Back away from the bride, werewolf,” Lucy says in her best solicitor voice. “She’s got to be beautified.”

“But what if I think she is already the most beautiful female in the world?” I say.

There is a chorus of sighs.

“Right answer,” Lucy says, “but you still don’t get to keep her.”

She takes hold of Grace’s hand and tows her out of my grip and into the gaggle of humans.

“Bye, Ferenc,” Grace says with a mock sad look on her face.

Two of the humans stand guard on the stairs to block my way as Grace is taken up and up.

“You’ll get her back before the ceremony,” a dark-haired human I think is called Kezia says to me. “But I warn you now, if you don’t turn up, I will hunt you down.”

Her eyes are bright and fierce. Meeting Grace’s friends has most definitely opened my eyes to what humans can be.

“And do what?” I growl.

“Let’s just say, I’ve got a few places I know I can put some silver and none of them are going to be places you want it,” she growls.

“I consider myself duly warned.” I give her a short bow. “But nothing on this earth will ever keep me from my mate. I will be there, no matter what.”

“Right answer.” The other human, one with light auburn hair, says. “He’s getting good at this, isn’t he?” she adds to her friend.

“Couldn’t be any worse than the last one. At least we know he’s a monster.”

The pair turn and follow my Grace up the stairs, leaving me with a wry smile on my face.

The fact she surrounds herself with such fierce females makes my heart glad. Grace, for whatever she thinks of herself, is a natural leader. The fact my wolves have easily fallen into following her requests proves as much.

I couldn’t be a more lucky alpha wolf if I tried.