She leans into me with a pretty shade of pink coloring her cheeks. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. Never doubt that the Fates rest. They are always at work to guide us,” Alistair advises.
“Whether we want them to or not,” she adds in an amused tone.
“Especially then,” Regina says. “I didn’t want anything to do with this one. The Fates had other plans for us.”
“And I thank them every day.” Alistair chuckles heartily. “Can you believe it? The arranged mating my father planned turned into a fated match. We hope the same will be true for Atlas when the time comes for his arranged mating with the prestigious bloodline we’ve selected.”
Atlas pulls a face that makes Callie snicker with Taryn. He shoots them a charming grin. I edge in front of my sister and her best friend with a raised brow. His flirtatious smile drops.
Alistair’s attention moves past us and his cheerful demeanor hardens. “Alpha Bell. Welcome, Crescent Valley Pack.”
Rooke Bell and his traveling group make their way to the veranda. Unlike Alistair, he’s meticulously groomed, dressed in a sharp suit while the rest of us are in casual clothes.
“Alpha Ryan.” He nods to me. “Alpha Blackburn.”
Rooke passes. Alistair doesn’t take his eyes off him until he’s inside.
“He’s rumored to be meeting with Moonlight Lake’s pack frequently,” he mutters to me.
My brows shoot up. The packs may be unified in peace, but it’s not common to continuously conduct business one on one outside of the summit gatherings without the other packs’ knowledge. It’s also no secret that things are strained between Alistair and Rooke’s packs.
“Is it true?”
He shrugs. “I haven’t been able to confirm it myself. Watch him. You never know what he’s up to. Whatever it is, I’m sure he’s angling to make his pack stronger.”
“Alistair,” Regina chides. “Pack business later. Today is for celebrating together.”
“Right.” He invites us in with a wave of his arm. “Don’t let us keep you from settling in. We’ll see you for tonight’s feast.”
Later in the evening, we prepare for the feast. The first night of the summit begins with a formal banquet and dancing. I’ve always kept to the edges and left early, finding the ball trivial. Oddly, I’m looking forward to tonight’s festivities and showing my mate off.
Avery’s seated on a tufted stool before the mirror when I finish dressing in a suit. I freeze, drinking her in. Callie told me she had Avery’s gown for the welcome feast covered. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined this vision.
Her caramel toned hair cascades down her back in soft waves. The dark blue dress brings out her amber eyes, making them bright and rich. It’s slinky and fucking sexy, the bodice hugging her, flaring out in a skirt that resembles starlight.
My mating mark declaring my claim of her is on display for all to see. Everyone will know she’s mine. A possessive noise reverberates in my chest.
“Can you get the back of this? Callie left to finish getting ready in her room,” she says while she’s distracted by her jewelry.
“Maybe,” I choke out.
“Maybe? What do you mean, maybe?” She finishes putting her earring in, catching my eye in the mirror. Her lips part as she admires me. “You look handsome.”
“I promise, I don’t look anywhere near as good as you. I think I’d rather get you out of it than help you put it on.” My gaze rakes over her hungrily. “I can’t decide if I want to peel it off inch by inch or tear it to shreds with my claws.”
She gasps, clutching the bodice covered in delicate crescent moons. “Don’t you dare ruin it.”
The lush tinge of pink in her cheeks suggests she rather likes the second idea. I give her a slow, predatory grin.
“Caden,” she warns.
I tease her, emitting a gravelly rumble. Reaching for the bond, I trace my knuckles along our connection. Her eyes darken with desire. She blinks it away with a husky exhale.
“You can’t. We’ll be late to the welcome feast. We should use tonight as an opportunity to feel out whether the other alphas will be open to your trade proposal.”
Licking my lips, I rein my desire in. “Okay. But later? You’re all mine.”
Her gaze flares with heat in the reflection. She draws her hair aside and I move behind her, watching her reaction in the mirror while I trace my claiming mark at the crook of her neck.
My fingertips skim her spine. She shivers, peering over her shoulder. I place a kiss at her nape before securing the clasp for the delicate neck strap. She rises with my help.
“Wow,” I breathe.
She tucks her hair, giving me a spin. “Yeah? I’ve never worn anything this fancy before.”
Fucking Fates. The low-cut backless design and high slit that runs to the top of her thigh will do me in tonight. My wolf is single-minded in his interest to follow the part in her gown to the crease of her thigh to inhale her enticing scent.
“Yeah,” I rasp. “You’re stunning.”
“I’m not the only one who looks good.” She steps into me, resting a hand on my chest and tucking her nose into the open collar of my shirt. “I like the suit.”
My wolf rides me, fighting for my skin. He wants to rub all over her. I hold him back with a strained laugh.
“We need to go. Otherwise, I won’t be responsible for losing control.”
She takes my offered hand. Angus and Benedict fall into step a few paces behind us.
Hundreds of candles line the paths until we reach the staircase descending to the main hall we entered through earlier. The back has a terrace leading to gardens through the drape of willow vines. Warm light and music spill from the open doors, inviting us in.
A banquet table laden with food lines the far wall of the long room. The ceiling is open to the twinkling night sky, the moon casting a bright glow. Many are already here, dancing and drinking. The volunteer packmates from each group serve wine in goblets.
Callie comes in, escorted by Liam. Avery hugs her.
“You look amazing!”
Callie beams. “Thank you.”
Several shifters’ attentions snag on Avery as we make our way across the room. My wolf grumbles in warning at anyone looking at her for too long.
Thank the Fates my claiming bite is a beacon to all of them. She is mine. If they try anything, I’ll end their existence.
Alistair’s chuckle sounds behind us. “I remember what it was like during the summit when the mating bond with Regina was fresh. I nearly broke the accords at least four times, going mad with jealousy.” He claps my shoulder with immense strength. “You’ll get through it.”
“It was closer to six,” Regina corrects with a wry smile. “And you still haven’t forgiven Rooke Bell for bringing me a drink.”
He grumbles. “He did it on purpose to cause an incident.”
“Thank the moon goddess I had the good sense to pass it off to someone else before your temper got the best of you,” she says.
I scan the room with a fresh sense of dread. No one will dare try any bullshit like that to take Avery from me. My wolf paws the ground, stalking back and forth right up on the veil. I guide her to our seats and open my mouth.
She holds up a hand before I speak. “No, I won’t be accepting anything from anyone. But you can get me a glass of wine.”
My tongue traces my lip as it curves at her assertive tone. “Yes, mate. As you wish.”
I pour her drink as the others take their seats, then hold her gaze as she takes a sip, admiring the bob of her throat. A pleased throaty noise leaves me. She tilts her head and it highlights her mating mark. I touch it, not giving a damn if we’re being too open when I tease her across the bond.