Page 32

32

The Ball

The Bentley’s headlights washed across ancient oaks and towering pines as Samuel drove up a winding private drive, the gnarled branches of the dense forest reaching toward the dark winter sky like skeletal fingers. The trees parted briefly to reveal a sprawling Gothic residence when we rounded a bend.

I stared.

The Holt mansion’s gray limestone walls and black slate towers rose from the forested slopes like the fortress of some demented, medieval tyrant. Elaborate flying buttresses stretched between the towers like the ribs of some prehistoric beast who’d met his unfortunate demise atop the building. Gargoyles perched along every cornice and gable, their stony faces watching the line of expensive cars snaking up the torch-lit driveway.

Chateau Montmartre looked practically quaint in comparison.

“This place gives me the heebie-jeebies,” Bo mumbled from the back seat of Samuel’s Bentley.

Hugh shuddered beside him. “You’re not the only one.”

I shot a sideways glance at Samuel. His jaw was clenched and his knuckles white on the steering wheel, his tension filtering through our mate bond and setting my own teeth on edge.

“Remember what we discussed,” Victoria warned from the back seat as we approached the mansion. “Act natural.”

Pearl sniffed from her perch on Victoria’s lap. “That’s going to be a problem for a certain someone.”

“But I’ve been practicing my fancy manners,” Bo protested.

“I didn’t mean you, mutt.” Pearl side-eyed Hugh. “I meant the werewolf-nip-addicted nutjob in the family.”

“You’re hurting my feelings,” Hugh groaned. “And I’m over my addiction.”

“Really?” Victoria asked sharply. “Because we’ve heard that line before.”

“I’m truly over it this time.” Hugh’s gaze found mine in the rearview mirror. “After all, I wouldn’t want to turn another human into a wolf,” he finished guiltily.

An awkward silence followed. I scratched the tip of my nose.

“You know, being turned isn’t the complete disaster I thought it would be. If anything, I kinda like my new life.” I glanced around the car. “I wouldn’t have met all of you if it hadn’t happened. And I wouldn’t have been able to talk to Bo.”

Even though some days I wish he would shut up, but I refrained from saying that out loud.

Samuel watched me intently. “Do you mean that?”

I smiled. “Yes, I do.”

Bo grinned and wagged his tail.

Hugh sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Victoria sighed and passed him a hanky.

Samuel negotiated the final curve of the driveway, rolled into a paved courtyard, and pulled up in front of the entrance. Caroline and Kent’s BMW rolled to a stop behind the Bentley. The Hawthorne pack enforcers had decided to act as backup after we’d told them our plans last night.

A pair of valets took the car keys.

I exited the Bentley and studied the foreboding mansion rising before us before tapping the discreet earpiece hidden behind my hair.

“Can you guys hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” Didi said over the comm.

She was in a surveillance van stationed in the woods behind the mansion with Gavin and Nigel. Samuel had tasked them with monitoring events at the ball via the tiny cameras pinned to our clothes. If things went south, they were to call for backup.

“Why is Nigel gurgling in the background?” I asked warily.

“Mindy just messaged to wish him good luck on our mission,” Didi muttered.

I grimaced. “Mindy has a cell phone?”

“There’s a supernatural electronics store in the Crossroads,” Gavin said. “They sell all kinds of stuff.”

I made a mental note never to reveal this to Ellie.

Samuel offered me his arm. “Shall we?”

I nodded and steeled myself as I took it.

Tonight’s assignment was simple: recover the crystal skull and survive whatever?—

“By the way, have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” Samuel’s gaze had grown heated.

Trust my alpha to completely wreck my train of thought.

To be fair, I looked pretty darn gorgeous. The sparkling, midnight-blue dress Claudette had chosen for the ball clung to my curves like a second skin and rippled sensuously with my movements.

I flushed. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

That was an understatement. His tuxedo should have come with a health warning. Had it not been for more pressing matters, I would have dragged him into the bushes and let my wolf loose.

“Can you two stop eye-banging each other?” Hugh grumbled. “We have a job to do.”

Victoria sighed. Pearl rolled her eyes. Caroline and Kent exchanged a knowing smile.

“Yeah, look at you two flirting,” Didi said in a syrupy voice.

I looked down to find Bo panting at me with a grin.

“Bet you want to take your alpha for a ride right about now, huh?” my dog sassed.

Samuel’s shoulders trembled.

“Can you please not,” I told Bo coolly.

Gavin’s voice crackled in our earpieces as we headed for the entrance.

“Three of the valets are vampire mercenaries,” the dragon newt warned. “Nigel just ran their faces through his databases.”

Caroline and Kent tensed. Samuel’s expression darkened.

I focused on the scents swarming the air. It didn’t take long to clock the vampires. They weaved a thin red trail of nervous adrenaline that stood out among the chaotic bouquet rising from the supernatural creatures arriving for the ball.

“I see them,” I murmured.

The Hawthornes followed my gaze discreetly.

“They smell like trouble and cologne,” Bo huffed.

“Cheap cologne,” Pearl added acerbically.

The grand foyer was already full of figures in evening wear.

I observed our surroundings curiously as we followed them through the mansion. Though the decor was fancy, there was something off about the place. Maybe it was the way the shadows seemed deeper than they should be. Or maybe it was the magic I could feel deep beneath my feet.

Bo moved closer to me. “I don’t like this place.”

“Indeed.” Pearl flicked her tail irritably. “The ley lines are making my fur stand on end.”

I looked at the cat, surprised. “You can feel them too?”

Pearl blinked, tail freezing for a moment. “I’m more surprised that you can.”

“It’s probably because you’re a white wolf,” Victoria murmured uneasily. “I believe Elizabeth was similarly sensitive to magic.”

I sobered at that.

We emerged into a vast ballroom with a domed ceiling that offered a beautiful view of the night sky. Elaborate flower arrangements dotted the long tables brimming with appetizers and champagne towers along the walls. Waiters circulated across the floor, silver trays full of sparkling flutes and canapés. A string quartet played on a raised dais at the head of the room.

“They really went all out, huh?” Caroline murmured.

“The Holts had a reputation for holding the best balls in our community,” Victoria observed. “Before the incident with Arthur, that is.”

I recognized many of the guests from the tea party at Chateau Montmartre. The Tremaines were deep in conversation with the Lincoln sisters across the way. Helen held court near a massive fireplace, the usual crowd of sycophants around her.

Pearl sniffed the air. “I smell caviar.” Her tail swayed happily.

“Want to go check out the menu?” Bo huffed.

Pearl hopped onto my dog’s back. “Take it away, maestro.”

We watched the pair disappear toward a catering table, the assembled guests startling and moving out of the way when they clocked their presence.

Hugh grimaced. “Anyone else think they make a freaky couple?”

“Yes,” we replied as one.

“Are they going to be okay?” Kent asked worriedly.

“Between the two of them, I’m pretty sure they’ll browbeat anyone who gets in their way,” Caroline said drily.

I scanned the ballroom. “I don’t see our hosts.”

“It’s standard protocol to wait until all the guests are gathered before making an entrance,” Samuel explained.

A familiar voice rose behind us.

“I’m glad you came.”