When the gates groaned open, and the flood of rogues and commoners poured into the Bloodfang stronghold like a tide of desperate, hungry starving wolves... ’they’ sneaked in too!
Vera tightened her grip on Dreck’s arm, her nails digging into his sleeve.
"Relax,big mutt" she hissed through a smile that did not reach her eyes. "You look like you are about to piss yourself."
Dreck’s jaw clenched. "Easier for you to say! It’s my head that’s at stake! Because this is insane.If anybody sees me ..."
She rolled her eyes and adjusted the borrowed shawl around her shoulders...(stolen to be precise) from a merchant’s cart two miles back. It was cheap, frayed at the edges, but clean enough to pass as humble.To cover the scars and wounds that could deem her ’dangerous’!
"Just follow my lead,big guy" she murmured, scanning the crowd. "And for fuck’s sake, smile like you are happy to be here."
Dreck’s attempt at a smile looked more like a snarl.
Vera sighed. " Not good enough! Come let me help you! "
Vera suddenly stepped into Dreck’s space, so close he could feel her breath against his skin. His pulse spiked as her fingers slid into his hair, rough, tousling the dark strands like she was molding him into something presentable.
"There," she murmured, her voice dropping into something low and teasing. "Now you don’t look like a scum."
Dreck rolled his eyes, still scared, clearly out of place!
She smirked, brushing an imaginary speck of dirt off his collar. "Relax, big guy. If you keep scowling like that, people will definitely think you are here to assassinate someone."
He exhaled sharply. "That’s what I was also trying to say...if they see me..."
Vera laughed, before leaning in until her lips nearly grazed his ear. "Then at least pretend you are enjoying yourself." With a wink she added. " Until you die... ! "
Then...before he could react...she tangled her fingers with his and yanked him forward, pressing a quick, biting kiss to his lips.
Then he pulled back just as fast. Her grin was all teeth. "There. Now you look properly flustered instead of terrified."
His face burned. "What the hell was that?"
"Cover," she said simply, blowing him another kiss. "And a little bonus for me."
Before he could retaliate, she dragged him into the crowd, her grip too tight. The party swallowed them whole...bodies pressing in from all sides, laughter and music drowning out any protest he might still have made.
Dreck’s heart hammered against his ribs.
But Vera’s hand was warm in his, her steps sure as she wove through the chaos like she belonged here.
And for one reckless, terrifying moment...He almost believed they could make it out alive... follow Vera’s plan.
They slipped into the throng of bodies, blending into the chaos. The air was thick with sweat, wine, and the musk of too many wolves in one place. Music pounded, the DJ dropped the beat...and somewhere in the distance, glass shattered, followed by raucous laughter.
Vera’s eyes darted across the courtyard, taking in the scene...guards half drunk, nobles draped over each other, servants weaving through the crowd with trays of food and drink.
She leaned into Dreck, lips brushing his ear. "Alright, mutt. Time to earn your keep. Find the Alpha’s mate."
His entire body stiffened. "What?"
"You heard me." She nudged him forward. " Start working,big guy! "
Dreck looked like he had rather chewed off his own leg. "And what exactly do you expect me to say to her?"
Vera smirked. "How about...’Thank you for not letting your psychotic Alpha murder me’?"
She shoved him again. " You have your tongue...if you don’t plan on kissing her, just go and talk...say thank you...whatever...I don’t know...ok? Cry, beg...whatever."
With a growl, Dreck melted into the crowd, shoulders hunched, eyes darting like a hunted animal.
Vera watched him go, then turned her attention to the rest of the party.
Time to play her part as well. It felt like ages since she was amongst decent company!
This could be suicide. Could be a new high. Either way... she was going to enjoy the night.
Dreck on the other hand...was still having panic attacks. If any Bloodfang recognized him...if Velor saw him...
He scanned the crowd, searching for the Alpha’s mate...what was her name again??? Oh yes...Autumn!!! That’s what he called her.
She had to be here. Somewhere.
Dreck’s stomach twisted.
He should not be here.
But Vera’s threat echoed in his skull.
"You think the Bloodfangs are the only ones who would kill you on sight?"
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself forward.
Vera, meanwhile, had found her way to the wine barrels.
A little liquid courage never hurt anyone. Besides, she was craving for good wine, good food... she was not any common rogue... she had Gamma blood! She had respectable blood... Blood that boiled everytime she so much even thought about what had happened to her...That woman... Autumn!!! Fuck her!!
She snatched a goblet off a passing tray and downed it in one gulp. The wine burned sweet and sharp down her throat, laced with something electric...ahh!! Witchbrew, maybe.Nobody made drinks better than the Bloodfangs. The Blackmoons could never come near! Oh, fuck them too! Fuck them all!
A warm buzz settled under her skin.
She still needed to be sharp.
And just reckless enough to pull this off.
Her gaze flicked back to where Dreck was hesitating near the high table.
"Move, you coward." She muttered from under her breath.
Then suddenly... A hand clamped down on her shoulder.
"Now this," purred a voice behind her, deep and amused, "is a face I think I don’t recognize...but seen somewhere..."
And found herself staring into the smirking, dangerously handsome face of a Bloodfang Beta, Pavel.
His golden eyes gleamed with mischief. "And I know all the pretty ones."
Shit!!! She knew the guy! Did he know her too? Did he recognize her as well?
She let her lips curl into a slow, teasing smile. "Maybe you just haven’t been looking hard enough."
The Beta, Pavel, laughed, low and rich. "Oh, I like you."
Vera tilted her head, letting her shawl slip just enough to bare her shoulder. "Good."
His grin sharpened. "Dangerous words, little wolf."
She leaned in. "I love dangerous."
His fingers tightened on her waist.
Now she just had to hope Dreck didn’t fuck this up.