I was pretty much bouncing in my chair, and Violet threw back her head and snort laughed. “Girl, you are seriously like an excited puppy right now. Anything to get out of work.”
I stuck my tongue out, in full queenly glory. “It’s been a crappy day. I’m excited for a bit of fun before figuring out how not to die tomorrow.” The logic and skills required in poker calmed me—or did until I was two margaritas in and Derek started suggesting we start playing strip poker.
As if he heard that thought, his eyes met mine.
Calista’s words earlier had shaken me. She was right. I needed a relationship, a regular partner, someone I could depend on and trust. Why couldn’t I feel the sort of passion for Derek that damn bear had made me feel with one stupid kiss? Derek would have been perfect as a partner. That was the reason I’d already tried to make it work. But to no avail. I just couldn’t seem to be like my mother, or the Red Queen. I couldn’t have the convenient male because it worked, I wanted more. I wanted epic. To feel every single emotion, even if some of those were dark and scary. Safe did not interest me. Love was huge and crazy, or so I had been told, and I wanted that.
Violet snorted again, before winking at me. The look on her face … I was ninety percent certain she could actually read thoughts. She gestured for me to take my place at the table and we ended up with eight in for the first round. The rest of the guards were on duty, but would swap in and out through the night. Some would sleep and the others would gamble. Not much else to do while trapped inside this mansion, and it kept morale high.
I took a second to really see the shifters around me. I’d been so caught up in the Summit and the queen’s death that I felt I’d barely had any time with my friends. My family.
First was Monica and Jen. Those two were dominant, best friends, and laugh-out-loud funny with their inappropriate comments. They even looked similar, both small, with ashy blond hair. Jen’s eyes were gray, darkening to blue when she was angry, which was a lot more frequently than the more levelheaded Monica. She was both protective and calm. I always knew she’d keep a level head in any situation, and that’s how she’d made it into my inner circle of guards.
Next to them were the triple threat. Ben, Derek, and Victor. Those three had each been adopted into a shifter family in the Bronx, and grew up as brothers, and were fiercely loyal. Derek was the most stunning of the three, with his multiple-hued hair and dark green eyes. He had all the attributes of a good mate: strong, alpha, respectful, intelligent, and brave. But I also found him lacking in some depth. I was an alpha and heir, I was used to people obeying my orders, but I knew the mate for me would have fight in him, would call me out on my crap, because sometimes I was completely full of it. Derek deferred to me a lot. I needed more than that, and was hoping it was out there, and not in any sort of bear-like shape.
Ben and Victor were like brothers to me. Those two were in the dirty-blond range, handsome and tall, but with less brawn and more brains than your average wolf. Each could definitely hold their own in any fight though. All of my dominants were highly trained, extremely intelligent, and had proven their loyalty to me more than once. I loved them all, and could only hope I would still be here next week to continue our poker nights.
The final of the six was Blaine. Very alpha, very dominant. He was the same age as me. His mom had been best friends with my mom, and together with Violet the three of us had wreaked havoc over the Bronx. I’d been missing his company lately.
He pushed back his auburn hair, letting it fall in disarray to his shoulders. “You need another haircut,” I said, nudging him. “Although it’s looking mighty pretty.”
He shrugged off my good-natured ribbing, a grin shooting across his face as he dealt the next round of cards. “Don’t think you’re going to distract me with all your sweet talk, Your Highness. I don’t care how close you are to being queen, I’m still taking all your money.”
I returned his smile as everyone began to fight over whether Violet should be allowed to play or not.
Jen jokingly glared at the magic born. “She magicked her cards into all aces last time!”
Violet pursed her pale pink lips. “I fessed up to it later.”
Monica grumbled. “Three hundred dollars later.”
Violet rolled her eyes and held up a palm. “I solemnly swear not to magic the cards.” A fine mist leaked from her palm, hushing everyone up.
“What’s that?” Monica leaned closer as the mist settled over the cards.
Violet shrugged like it was no big deal. “Just bespelled the cards so that they can’t be magically tampered with.”
All six sets of eyes looked at my best friend in awe. She didn’t even realize when she was being a fascinating creature.
Finn linked to my mind: Let me inside.
I stood, excusing myself, and told my door guard to let Finn in. I was preparing myself to give him a good pat down, maybe some bacon. I hadn’t seen him all day. But when he walked through with windblown fur and a wild look in his eye, I knew something was wrong.
He trotted in and walked back to my room, passing the poker-playing group without a word. He didn’t even nuzzle Violet’s outstretched hand.
My friend looked concerned as she followed him with her eyes, before turning back to look at me.
“Just play without me. I’ll go and see what is up with him,” I said, moving swiftly toward my room. I knew my familiar, and something definitely had happened.