Page 141 of Pretty When She Breaks

I’d catch glimpses of Finch through the crowd, his eyes always following me. That, and knowing Kaos was listening in to everything, helped me feel safe, despite my company. Prince came to claim my attention again; the pack had had a couple of drinks, now, and it was a good time to make my move.

My own phone pinged, and I pulled it out to see a text from one of New Oxford’s other duchesses, Janna.

Janna: Girl WHAT. You did NOT tell me your engagement was to your childhood beau!!! Introduce me!

I looked up to see a head of strawberry blonde hair making its way through the crowd, and then Janna’s warm arms were squeezing me in a death grip. “Laurel! It’s been forever, how are you?” she squealed.

Oh, you know.

Got dark bonded by my scent matches.

My father is trying to mate me off to my second cousin.

I might go insane when my alpha dies in one of my father’s illegal rut fights, and I’m still no closer to finding out if my brother is actually dead than I was five years ago.

“I’m good, thanks,” I said, pulling away. “How are you?”

Janna launched into a conversation about the lone alpha she was here with tonight, who had wandered off at some point, apparently. “I mean, really?” she huffed. “Why go to the trouble of taking a duchess on a date if you’re just going to abandon her?”

I nodded and swirled my glass, tilting my head to Dax as he made a joke. His phone was in his inner jacket pocket, and I’d have to time this perfectly.

I had plastered myself to his side, to Prince’s disappointment. I was waiting for?—

“Ohh!” squealed Janna, making everyone look where she was pointing.

There. A shift in weight, him leaning forward, his jacket hanging down. I pretended to stumble, pressing a hand to Dax’s chest while I tugged the phone out in one motion.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my cheeks flushing.

“There he is. Scoundrel. Ugh, I better go back. Love you, Laurel!” Janna blew me a kiss and darted off through the crowd.

Dax hadn’t noticed.

I sent a silent thanks to Jade’s mentorship.

“You all right?” asked Dax.

“I got a bit dizzy.” I leaned up and gave him a kiss as the phone disappeared into my own pocket. “Perhaps I should go find some food.”

I stepped away from the group, ignoring Prince’s annoyed look at Dax. I had been prepared to reject anyone who offered to come with me, but no one did.

SEVENTY-EIGHT

LAUREL

I wove through the crowd and slipped out of the side door, walking down a corridor. I was meeting Finch in a room back here. It was dimly lit, and I stopped short as I saw Finch’s striking frame reclining on a large chair. His round glasses were glinting in the low light.

He stared at me, then furrowed his brow.

I walked over and handed him the phone.

Finch took it without comment and plugged in Kaos’s duplicator.

I fell silent, folding my arms as he waited for it to do its work. My eyes wandered to his stiff shoulders, breathing in his persimmon and lime scent. It was sharp and charred, bleeding stress and anger. The tension radiating off him was making my head pound, putting every one of my instincts on edge.

A shudder went through me, tingles that zapped my body, lingering in my neck and making my scent glands prickle painfully.

My bond mark felt hot and started throbbing.