Page 36 of Untraced Magic (Cutters Cove Witches #1)

Our car pulled to a stop, where two identical wolf statues peered down at us. I felt Tyler’s palm firmly encase mine. “Are you ready?” he asked.

I plastered a smile on my face. Was I seriously about to do this?

Butterflies had taken up residence in the pit of my stomach and were currently throwing a party. It took every ounce of control to keep from throwing up.

I let out a long breath, giving Tyler’s hand a squeeze. “As ready as I’m ever going to be. I’m going to come out of this alive, right?” I said, steering my gaze back to him.

“Of course.” He nodded. “I’ll be by your side the entire time. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

My car door swung open, and an immaculately dressed male nodded in my direction, extending a gloved hand to me.

Were these guys wolves ?

Pulling in a deep breath, I took the stranger’s covered hand, stepping out of the car. Tyler joined me at my side, his palm landing on the small of my back.

It was then I felt his playfulness subside, the earlier tension in the chambers with the council now stiffening his demeanor once more.

I knew he was trying to hide his apprehension, that no matter how hard he tried to protect me, nothing could change the fact we were headed into a room full of people he didn’t fully trust. But unlike in the chambers, the tension that now circled him was one of pure dominance, radiating off him in his every movement.

His steps were calculated and smooth, like each had a purpose, his back extending to his full height, alert. It was undeniably the protectiveness of a mate, if ever I could explain it.

Simply put, I felt safe.

We walked toward the building, and he leaned in close, as if sharing a secret. “You’re a powerful witch. Remember that.”

“I barely know how to use my magic,” I whispered, keeping my attention ahead of me.

He subtly shook his head. “No one here knows that.”

He linked his arm in mine as we started up the stairs, the solid wooden doors opening for us as we approached. Beside each door stood two more guards dressed in matching suits.

I inhaled sharply as they ushered us inside, stepping into another world.

We stood on a mezzanine floor that wrapped around a ballroom below, a grand staircase curving its way down to where a mass of dresses and tuxedos gathered at the bottom.

Two bronze chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their dim glow casting shadows onto every wall, an inky presence mocking a room of glitz and glamour.

Laughter and music filtered through our ears as we watched from above, taking in the interior of the building in awe. It was the epitome of high society, dripping in wealth and luxury, and suddenly I felt very out of my depth.

What was I doing, thinking I could fit into… this ?

These people? These beings ?

They oozed power as they drank from their flutes. Moved through the dance floor not a step out of rhythm. Smelling like a grand scent aged to perfection, like they bathed in their own riches.

As if reading my thoughts, Tyler leaned into me. “Powerful witch, remember.”

I glanced at him, a breath of air bobbing in my throat.

The expectations of the evening slammed into me with each step down the elaborate staircase, and I veered my gaze to meet Tyler’s, who still had his arm linked with mine. He raised his chin, and I did the same, as if the small motion would somehow create an allure of power.

Three steps to go, two, one.

Tyler led us into the crowd that mingled on arrival, his hand suddenly tightening on my waist, pulling me flush against his side.

An astonishingly tall male approached us, towering over Tyler by at least another half foot. With wide shoulders and a square jaw framed by brown eyes that matched his hair, any woman would be blind to miss his good looks .

“Tyler, nice to see you again,” greeted the stranger, shaking Tyler’s hand.

He turned to me, giving me an obvious once-over.

Tyler cleared his throat beside me. “Alpha Aden, I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Morgan.”

Mate .

The word struck a beat within me, and I was all for it. Tyler asserting his claim on me had my insides thrumming.

I extended my hand to the Alpha. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Aden.”

I stiffened as he lifted my hands to his lips, brushing them against the top of my knuckles. “The pleasure is all mine,” he nodded.

Tyler’s fingers dug into my waist, and the word mine pinched the back of my mind.

I knew one thing about wolves in the wild, that the Alpha was the leader of the pack. I had no doubt the same rules applied here.

The Alpha’s eyes moved between us, his presence one of dominance, and when he released my hand, it quickly found Tyler’s strapped to my waist.

“Thank you for having us,” I complimented, trying to break the unwavering tension that seemed to simmer between them. “Your pack house is exquisite.”

He nodded. “Thank you, Morgan.” He gestured to the crowd of people before us. “Please, go ahead. Help yourselves to a drink and enjoy your night.”

Tyler dipped his head. “You too, Alpha.” With that, he steered us into the crowd .

“He seemed friendly enough,” I mused.

Tyler’s gaze hadn’t moved from the Alpha, following him as he made his way across the room. “The way he looked at you made me want to gauge his eyes from his sockets.”

I side-eyed him. “Are we a little jealous?”

He didn’t even try to hide his agitation, a nerve in his jaw tensing. “He should know better.”

I observed the room, staring adoringly at the fabrics of all colors and textures, styles and cuts.

“Morgan!” cried the unmistakable voice of Skye through the crowd, and I turned in her direction.

I spotted her immediately, floating towards us in a midnight-blue dress that made the color of her eyes pop. Wesley stood beside her, his arm linked with hers, his dashing good looks amplified by the crisp suit hugging his lean but muscular build.

Tyler tensed beside me, and I chanced a glance at him, throwing a questionable look at Wesley.

Skye folded her arms around my shoulders, pulling away slightly.

“Morgan, your dress is divine,” she gushed, giving Tyler a weird look, and I got the impression she had something to do with the dress and shoes I was wearing.

Wesley stepped forward, brushing a kiss on the side of my cheek. “She’s right.”

Nerves rushed from me in a hurried laugh. “Thanks, Wesley. Not looking too bad yourself.”

He turned to Tyler. “Skye’s my plus-one for the evening. She didn’t want to come alone. ”

Tyler remained silent, his gaze bounding between the two of them before he nodded. “Make sure she gets home safe.”

Wesley straightened. “Of course.”

Reid’s voice came from behind us, where he wore a black suit complimented by a silver tie. “Look what the cat dragged in,” he teased, and we turned to find Scarlet at his side. An emerald-green dress hugged her curves, her hair falling loose in glamorous waves over her shoulders.

The group exchanged greetings before a waiter moved between us, balancing a tray of champagne flutes. I took two, handing one to Tyler.

Colton appeared beside us, his tux pulled tight over his thick frame, motioning his hand in the air for the waiter to return. Taking a flute from the tray, he swiftly drained his glass.

Tyler frowned, and I bit my tongue. Not that I knew Colton well, but it seemed out of character for him to be drinking in that manner.

The clinking of a knife to crystal interrupted the bustle of the crowd, and Alpha Aden stepped up to the front of the room, a woman with hair whiter than a full moon at his side.

“Welcome to our annual gathering,” Alpha Aden addressed the partygoers.

“We wish to welcome any new arrivals to the community and, of course, bless the Moon Goddess for her offerings. Spend the evening getting to know each other, as we are all allies in the continuous war to keep our town safe from the relentless threats in our world.” He raised his glass. “To lifelong acquaintances!”

A wave of raised glasses and a clink of crystal followed, ricocheting off the walls .

“Wow, this whole wolf pack thing is serious business,” I muttered.

Reid turned, having heard my comment. “They take their pack duties very seriously. Many rogue wolves and enemy packs have tried to take over our town several times before, and sadly, it won’t be the last.”

I nodded in understanding, my gaze falling on the Alpha and the stunning white-haired beauty beside him. “So that’s Alpha Aden’s mate?”

Tyler followed my line of sight. “Yes. She is to be the future Luna of the Cutters Cove Pack, I believe.”

“Luna?” I asked, turning to him.

Tyler’s hand brushed my back. “Sorry, his wife. When the Alpha’s mate is sworn in as his wife, she is given the title of Luna.”

“And that's just a wolf thing, right?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. There was obviously so much for me still to learn.

“Just a wolf thing.” His gaze speared mine, the hint of a smirk teasing his lips. “You’re not still thinking of trading me in, are you?”

I held back my smile. “A girl likes to have options,” I bantered with a shrug.

Heat stormed through my veins and between my thighs at the knowing look he gave me. It made me want to slide my hand into the front of his suit pants, warmth rushing to my cheeks at the thought.

Tyler laughed that laugh again, that devilish smile from earlier returning. “You might regret saying that.” He emptied the rest of his champagne glass before placing it on a passing waiter’s tray. “Care to dance? ”

He held out his hand, the other behind his back, and I closed my hand over his.

“I thought you’d never ask,” I teased.

Tyler led me confidently, weaving us around the dance floor until the song changed to a classic slow dance.

I eyed him curiously. “Skye said you didn’t dance?”

He let out a low chuckle. “Knowing how to dance and wanting to dance are two very different things.”

His face nuzzled into my neck. “Your perfume is intoxicating. What is it?”