“Reed!” He turned around and saw Bridget walking toward him as she came into the house.
“Hello, Bridget, how was Madame Marie’s?”
“’Twas all right, though it took a little longer than usual.” She frowned.
“Really? How so?”
“Elise was just being fussy and—” She stopped suddenly and her nostrils flared. “What is that?”
“What is what? And what did you mean Elise was being fussy?”
“That smell!” A smile lit up her face. “Oh, it smells so good.” She sniffed the air, her head turning left and right. “It’s like …”
“Bridget,” the dowager called as she entered the front door. “We must head upstairs if you are to be ready in time.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied. “Sorry, Reed, I should get going.” She curtseyed and then bounded up the stairs.
The dowager shook her head. “Everything is all right, I presume?” she asked Reed.
“Yes, Grandmama.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider staying at your home tonight? It will be much safer. I can spare one or two of our clan members to guard you.”
“Nonsense,” she insisted. “I will watch you ascend tonight, nothing will stop me, not even some odious mage.” She turned on her heel and marched up the steps.
As he turned to go to the dining room, he had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. His wolf, too, was uneasy having been away from their mate for a few hours. It prowled inside him, urging him to go see her and make sure she and their pup were all right.
He shook his head. Don’t worry, he assured it. We’ll see her soon enough. Another emotion shot through him, something he’d never felt before. Fear. He was afraid for her. What if the mage got to her?
No, he would never allow it. She would be safe. Besides, now that she was with child, she was safe from anything. And she’d handled the mage previously. That bastard should be afraid of her, and not the other way around.
Turning on his heel, he walked toward the dining room, wondering if Elise preferred a diamond or sapphire engagement ring, to match her eyes. Maybe I shall get her both.
“Are you all right, Reed?” Jeremy asked.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that today?” Reed answered in an irritated tone.
“Maybe because you’re worse than a woman,” his Beta quipped. “One moment you’re whistling a happy tune, and now it’s like you want to murder someone.”
“Ye best be savin’ that for the mage, boy,” Alec said. “But for now, try not to scare anyone away, ya ken?”
“I’ll try.” But he was thoroughly annoyed. No, he was spitting mad.
At first, he thought he was imagining things. After lunch, he tried to see Elise but her maid told him that she was sleeping. When he waited at the foot of the steps for her to come down for dinner, she didn’t show up, and Julianna told him that she ate something that made her sick and was still recovering, but she would definitely be at the ball later that evening.
Since the ascension ball was for Lycans and alliance families only, the social rules were much looser, but he still had to open the ball by dancing with his grandmother. Elise had definitely been announced, and he thought he saw her from the corner of his eyes, but whenever he tried to find her, she was gone.
Individually, he would have brushed off all these events, but together, he knew it was not coincidence. Elise was avoiding him.
He would understand if she was some shy miss, but she was the one who’d seduced him. And for God’s sake, they were True Mates, so there was no need to act ashamed. Fate had meant for them to be together, and soon, she would take her rightful place at his side.
“Congratulations, Your Grace,” Lord Finnerly greeted as he came up to them, Lady Finnerly on his arm. “I must say, if he were here, your father would be proud of you.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I—” He stopped short when he spied Elise across the ballroom, looking resplendent in her emerald green gown. She was laughing with a few of the London clan Lycans, looking so carefree and happy. “Excuse me.” He didn’t bother waiting for a response from his companions, and using his Lycan speed, crossed the room in no time. “Miss Henney, may I have this dance?”
Blue eyes widened in surprise, and she looked around as if searching for an escape. Well, there would be no escape because he didn’t bother waiting for her to agree. Instead, he took her by the hand and dragged her to the dance floor.
She stood in his arms like a limp doll.
“Put your hand on my shoulder,” he hissed.
She startled at his tone but followed his command. He led her into the waltz twirling her around the ballroom. Much like the last time they danced, she was once again looking around, anywhere but him. This time though, he was not going to be subtle. He maneuvered her toward the edge of the ballroom, and before anyone noticed, spirited her away to the nearest terrace.
“I—Your Grace!” she exclaimed when she realized they were outdoors, alone. “What are you doing?”
“Reed,” he corrected.
She pulled away from him. “Your Grace, please, it’s not proper.”
“You called me Reed last night. Over and over again as you came apart in my arms.”
Even in the dark he could see her turn bright red. “I … please, we shouldn’t be out here alone, Your Grace.”
He seized her arms and then pulled her to him. “Reed. My name is Reed. Say
