Page 47 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

Haley sat beside Ian, completely blissed out. It had been a perfect day.

Nearby, it appeared that Verity was toying with Derek. Haley wasn’t sure what set the unease low in her belly. Perhaps it was the way her friend’s eyes shone so brightly, or the way she held her champagne flute, twirling it between her fingers.

“Ian.” She motioned over to where they stood. “You don’t think that’s going to be a problem, do you?”

Ian glanced at where Verity and Derek were talking.

“They are standing pretty close,” Duke observed, reaching over and snatching some grapes from Dean’s plate.

“That’s leaning,” Dayton smirked. “Definitely leaning.”

“He’s not going to do anything,” Dennis said gruffly as he plopped down beside them. He’d taken off his suit coat and looked more comfortable than the rest.

Verity’s voice floated over to them. “Hmm. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

They all watched as Derek’s grip on his glass tightened.

“Hey, maybe…” Ian started, but, before anybody could intervene, Derekyanked her against his chest.

Then he kissed Verity.

Hard.

A collective gasp swept through the guests.

Haley’s jaw dropped.

Dennis choked on his drink. “Holy shit. What the fuck is he doing?”

Dayton, ever the instigator, let out a slow whistle. “Well, damn. I didn’t know the boy had it in him.”

The kiss, which had started out as passionate, was turning downright pornographic. Some of the pack members were pointing and whispering, while Haley saw more than one mother turn their kids away from the scene.

Dean, watching with narrowed eyes, muttered, “Is it just me, or does Derek look like he’s about to?—”

Derek suddenly pulled back, his fangs extended.

“Oh, no,” Haley breathed.

Verity, still dazed from the kiss, blinked. “What’s?—”

He sank his fangs into her neck, her scream piercing the air.

Derek let out a deep, guttural growl. His muscles tensed, his skin rippling.

“Oh, shit,” Ian muttered.

Duke groaned. “Seriously? Can’t haveonenice family event?”

Dennis turned and left, not saying a word to anyone else.

“Where’s he going?” Dayton asked, already loosening his tie. “Mom is going to be pissed.”

“Language, boys!” Bridget spouted automatically.

Davis smirked. “You think the pack covers therapy?”

“Not if it’s for dumbass decisions,” Dayton added, clearly enjoying the chaos.

Meanwhile, Derek dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach. His breathing grew heavier, and a deep shudder ran through him.

Dean sighed. “Yup. He’s shifting. Shit, that looks painful.”

Derek let out a strangled sound, somewhere between a growl and a whimper.

And then—his suit tore at the seams.

Haley groaned, rubbing her temples.

“Oh, no,” she muttered. “Here we go again.”