However, there was no denying the perfect cut and fit of the ebony silk suit the woman wore was vintage Dior. Nor was it any surprise that the princess cut ruby earrings with a matching necklace and bracelet were from Tiffany’s or that the ebony stilettos adorning her feet had the classic red bottoms of none other than Christian Louboutin.
“And the bitch is wearing a Cartier watch,”Celeste hissed.“Please let me out of here.”
“Not yet,”Vanessa breathed.“We need to get the lay of the land before we attack.”
“You’re right.”
Since Celeste had mentioned it, Vanessa quickly looked at the woman’s wrist and caught sight of her well-manicured nails painted blood red. Eyes back to her captor’s, she also took in the bitch’s perfectly curled, teased, and sprayed hair, but not a bit of it shone brighter than the Power that rolled off of her.
Vanessa wasn’t sure how she knew, just that she did, that the woman she was looking at was not the oldest of the Blackwood children, but she was most definitely the one in charge. The look in the bitch’s eye said she got everything she wanted whenever she wanted it, and no one was willing to go up against her.
“Well, she hasn’t met us yet,”Celeste growled.
The cunning smile and glint in the bitch’s eyes were anything but comforting as she moved her skinny fingers from Vanessa’sarm to her hand. Forcing her to shake hands, the woman introduced, “My name is Angeline. I am the Heir Apparent Luna to the Blackwood Pack. I apologize for the ruckus Angelique and Aamon were causing in the hallway.” Chuckling as if she were at the club, playing bridge, and eating cucumber sandwiches instead of hosting a kidnapping, she added, “It would be nice if they acted their age, but then again…” Pulling her fingers from Vanessa’s, she tapped the diamond band of her watch with the tip of her long, red nail.
“Their immaturity is how I jumped the line in the hierarchy of our Pack. So, who am I to complain?” Sighing, she sat back, placed one hand on top of the other on the peak of her knee, and added, “But you’ll learn about all of that very soon. Family is the most important thing to all of us, and that includes our history.”
Refusing to respond, Vanessa arched her right eyebrow and stared. She knew the score. Had played the game more times than she wanted to remember. Whoever talked first lost, and there was no way she was going to do anything but get the hell out of there the first chance she got.
Of course, the arrogance of her hostess knew no bounds. She thought she’d already won and had no problem continuing. “How are you feeling, dear?”
“I’m fine,” Vanessa lied, trying to make her tone as noncommittal and nonthreatening as possible, when all she and Celeste wanted to do was get furry and raise seven kinds of hell.
“I do apologize. Aamon was only to use any of Angelique’s Spells or Potions in extreme circumstances.” Stopping to look her up and down, Angeline nodded. “And I can see from your appearance that he took the path of least resistance and went against my explicit orders.”
Shaking her head and tsking, the She-Wolf glared in her brother’s direction while talking, assuring Vanessa, “Pleaseaccept my deepest apology and know that he will be dealt with appropriately.”
“Can I take care of his punishment?”Celeste giddily growled.
Ignoring her alter ego, Vanessa focused everything she had on Angeline. Turning back to her, the She-Wolf turned up her charm and her smile to a full hundred watts, making the Polar Bear Shifter think of a slimy politician, before saying, “I am a Healer, so I can feel that your only worry is with your unborn babe. So, let me assure you that no harm will come to either of you.” Once again touching Vanessa’s arm, she added with a smile that was utterly terrifying, “Suffice it to say, you two are the most important people in the world to our Pack.”
“Well, fuck,”Vanessa huffed.“That is not what I wanted to hear. What do you think she means?”
“I don’t give a shit. Let’s get furry and kick some ass,”Celeste reiterated.“You won’t have to lift a finger. I’ll do all the heavy hitting.”
“Let me get just a little bit more information.”
“But…”
But nothing,”Vanessa countered.“We have no idea where we are or how many Wolves are on the other side of that blasted door.”
“I’m guessing whoever Angelique is knows how to do more than make gris gris bags.”
“Yeah, it sure looks that way.”
“Okay, do what you gotta do. I’ll wait as long as I can, but that’s all I can promise.”
Clearing her throat to hide the smile from the love and protection she felt coming from Celeste, Vanessa used her sweetest Texas drawl and pretended to gush, “Oh, thank you so much. That is so good to hear. I was so worried. Nothing matters more to me than my baby.”
Making a show of pushing herself up into a sitting position, she huffed and puffed as she scooted back against the pillows and pulled the covers over her bare legs. Then, batting her eyes, she crinkled her nose and winked at her hostess.
Keeping her eyes trained on the She-Wolf, Vanessa saw a flash of temper a split second before Angeline pushed at her mental blocks. The bitch was formidable but definitely out of practice and no match for the years of training and raw power Vanessa and Celeste possessed.
“She doesn’t know who she’s messin’ with,”the Polar Bear Princess chuckled.
“Yeah, and she’s outta practice because she’s used to being in control,”Vanessa added.“No one questions her. They just do as she says. Look at the way Aamon bows to her. He wants to snap her neck, but for some reason, he is just standing there and groveling.”
“Well, little miss fashion model ain’t seen nothing like us.”
