Azaire POV
“So we’re busting into the Black Claw Pack?” Fran asked with glee.
“Shouldn’t you be at the hospital with your Dad?” Richie asked as he struggled to adjust his red tie.
“He’s with his girlfriend. I don’t need to see that,” Fran grimaced.
“Where’s your brother?” I asked.
I hated wearing his penguin suit.
Fran shrugged. “He doesn’t contact me. I think he’s getting involved in something messy.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“I don’t know… wolf enhancers. His sudden behaviour change is coherent with the use of wolf enhancers.”
“Yeah, well it makes sense,” I grumbled. I gave up on the tie and tossed it on the chair in the corner.
“You’re going to go after him right?” Fran asked.
I stared at her. She gave me those big eyes like when she was a kid. I looked away but those eyes were engraved in my mind.
“He made his choice, Fran,” I replied.
“You’ve always been the big brother that kept us in line, come on Azaire. He’s still family.”
“Yeah, Fran, but he turned his back on us,” Richie chimed in.
“That doesn’t mean we should do the same to him. Let’s at least try.”
I exhaled with frustration. “Fine. I’ll look for him.”
Fran clapped her hands, gripped my shoulder and kissed my cheek. “You’re always there for us which is why we won’t let you lose your dream girl.”
I smirked. That’s if she really was my dream girl or just a girl in my dreams. Laiken Ryker was getting married today to his witch. I could imagine Nik Ryker as his Father’s best man or something like that looking stone cold as always as the ceremony plays out, but where was my princess? Locked in her tower or nestled by her family’s side.
The Shaw family wasn’t technically invited as far as I was concerned it was an inside wedding with only the Pack’s highly ranked members invited and Laiken’s close friends. Marrying a witch was forbidden to our kind. Elaine was half witch which also made her forbidden to me in a way but we hadn’t spoken about those complications yet.
“Alright, let’s go over the plan again,” Richie said.
We gathered in the living room after dark. My brother and I were dressed in our penguin suits while Fran wore an elegant ball gown. She wouldn’t sit this one out since Blazer was involved. I really wanted to kick his ass.
“Ross and Megan are staying here just in case the Rykers try to attack us again. Rae’s going to meet us at the Ryker pack house and Lucas you’re on standby.”
“What? Why am I always on standby?” my little brother barked.
“Because I’m the Alpha and you do what I say,” Richie grinned.
“No one wants to be babysitting your ass either,” I added.
Lucas folded his arms and grumbled. “I want to bust some Black Claw ass too.”
“You will if things go sideways,” I said.
“Go get your girl, Azaire,” Megan said with a smile.
I glanced at her and then my best friend. “Try not to get distracted.”
Ross met me with a knowing grin. “I can’t promise that.”
“Let’s go,” the Alpha ordered.
***
“My pup’s here,” Richie said.
“At least we know Opal’s here,” I replied.
We parked our car at the playground and walked to the Pack House. The streets and driveway were packed with cars. It was good so we could go undetected.
“There you guys are this place is drenched in magic. It’s so strong,” Rae said.
“Nice dress!” Fran exclaimed.
Rae wore a long sparkling red dress with an open back. She pulled out a vile of white cream from her bag.
“Thanks just something I pulled on. Put this on, it’ll mask our scents from the guards. Let’s try to avoid picking fights, Azaire and Richie.”
“Can’t promise that not when my heir is in there. I don’t trust Opal’s parents they’re capable of anything.”
After applying Rae’s scentless cream, we joined a group of young ladies eagerly walking through the front gate. The guards didn’t bother us. At least that part was done. We were greeted with Champaign and soft instrumental music the second we entered the door.
“These guys are sleazy but they sure know how to throw a party,” Rae commented.
“Too bad we’re here to ruin it,” I mumbled.
“Let’s split up, let’s try to avoid Nik,” Richie ordered.
We discreetly went our separate ways. I asked my wolf where my mate was. She was here that’s for sure but her scent was buried under perfume, food and cigarette odour. Until I saw a flash of shiny long wavy hair turn the corner and disappear. My heart skipped a beat.
“Elaine,” I whispered.
Before I took a step I locked eyes with Lawrence Ryker.
Shit, I didn’t know whose side he was on. I ducked and rounded the corner. The woman I saw wore a shoulderless baby pink dress with a slit exposing her right leg. I caught up to her before she disappeared into the bathroom.
“N, o you don’t,” I hissed.
A cold blade darted to my throat and pressed against my Adam’s apple.
“I didn’t know you could do that,” I smirked.
Her eyes went wide temporarily. Elaine withdrew the knife.
“Azaire, you came, you’re here… how?”
I stepped back. I felt the heartache all over again. She noticed and frowned. She slipped the knife into a holder on her thigh. That was sexy.
“I can explain what happened okay no I can’t but I’d never hurt you, Azaire. You know how I feel about you.”
“I thought I did,” I replied.
“Babe-”
“I thought we were the ones crashing the party,” Lawrence cut her off.
He strolled towards us and stood beside his sister.
“Crashing the party?” I asked.
Elaine opened the bathroom door and ushered us inside.
“Blazer sawed the bars off the bathroom window. This was my escape,” she explained.
“You might want to hold that off, Nik’s acting awfully suspicious. Blazer hasn’t been able to get rid of the guards on that side of the house. He hasn’t stopped watching me like a hawk.”
“I didn’t come alone so we might as well tear up the place,” I said, shoving my hands in my pockets.
Elaine took me in with lust and hunger in her eyes. Fuck, not now. Her tongue darted out of her mouth and I had to look away. Now wasn’t the best time to be aroused.
“Who did you bring?” Lawrence asked.
“My brother, Fran and Rae-”
“Rae? Why did you bring her here? It’s dangerous,” he barked.
Can’t say I was mad at him I understood the mate bond made us do crazy things.
“She’s fine she can handle herself,” I said nonchalantly.
Elaine watched the exchange with confusion but she shook her head and got back to the task at hand.
“How do we get out of here?” She asked.
“We have to buy time. Since you brought the Shaw crew we might not have us much until this whole thing is exposed.”
Elaine nodded. “You’re right. Lawrence, could you give us a minute?”
Lawrence glared at me and I glared back.
“Watch your hands,” Lawrence said.
“And you watch yours.” Rae’s like my sister.
A smirk toyed at the corners of his lips before he marched out.
“What was that about?” Elaine asked.
“He knows.”
“Can’t you get along with at least one of my brothers?”
“You haven’t known him for a month and you’re suddenly so close?”
She chewed on her bottom lip. Man, I wanted to kiss her.
We locked eyes. Everything else didn’t matter. Her scent crippled me just like it did months ago when I found out she was my fated mate.
“Tell me the truth, Elaine.”
“I can’t tell you the truth you want, but I love you Azaire that’s the truth that matters.”
I took a step closer. “That’s all?”
“Isn’t it enough?”
Before I could respond a sharp cry sounded from the party.