Chapter Eleven
The day of theparty was here, and Quinn had avoided more humiliation by making certain she was never alone with Luke Dashwood. She still had no idea what had gotten into her when Brandon had been attacked. By the time Luke had arrived, Marigold and Rick had subdued John already, but with the handsome wolf in the room, Quinn’s bear had roared to life. She’d never experienced such an extreme surge of power. It was as if some divine hand had reached down and given her the gift of command.
Maybe, daddy, she thought fondly. How lovely if it were true. Her father still protecting her even beyond life. But almighty Artio, goddess of all bears, what the flippin’ flying crap had her horny closet session had been about? She knew it was impossible with Luke. They could never be mates. So why had she tried to seduce him? Gah. Her stupid bear had been poking her every waking second about Luke.
Luke could be poking us every waking second, she rumbled.
Shut up, bear!
If Trey Steele wasn’t such a dick, this would all be so much easier. After that kiss in the pantry, Quinn knew without a doubt she would give up everything for Luke. But Trey was King Asshole, and her family and her clan would pay dearly if she acted so impulsively.
She’d been really proud of Marigold, and the female bear had taken her duties as Quinn’s second seriously. As a matter of fact, she hardly let Quinn out of her sight.
“Mari, have a cup of tea and sit with me for a moment.” Monica and Alise walked in, their heads together and giggling. “What are you two up to?”
“No good, if I had to guess,” Marigold said.
“Brandon complimented Monica on her honey brushed hot cross buns,” Alise teased.
“He does like hot buns,” Marigold added, her tone serious, but Quinn knew she was teasing Monica as well. Monica had been closer to the Bennet twins, but the more Quinn was around the tall, Amazonian woman, the more she liked her.
“You should just tell him,” Quinn said.
“Tell him what?” Monica played coy. She gave Quinn a pointed look than cast a quick glance at Marigold and back to her big sis.
Quinn snorted. “As if everyone in this room doesn’t know that you’re in love with Brandon Bennet.”
“I didn’t know,” said Marigold. She held her straight face for about three seconds then burst into a fit of laughter.
“Good one,” Monica said sourly. “So funny.”
Alise giggled. “I think it’s hilarious.”
Rick poked his head in the kitchen. All the women laughed. He held his hands up and slowly backed out.
When he disappeared from sight, they all laughed harder.
“Men,” Marigold said.
“Yeah,” Quinn agreed.
“Seriously though,” Mari said to Monica. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Brandon’s head, and he’s pretty oblivious. If you want him, you may have to beat him over the head with your intentions.”
Monica sighed and made her own cup of tea. “I can’t do anything until after tonight. As far as the clans concerned, Brandon is an eligible bachelor, and until Quinn chooses a mate, he’s off limits. All the single bears are.”
Quinn blinked. “That’s not true.”
Both her sisters and her second all made irritated noises.
Monica put her hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “All the men in our clan and some of the men in the surrounding area have been forbidden from dating or mating until after you pick a partner. The unofficial order went out the day after dad died.”
“I feel like an idiot. It’s been almost three months. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“Frankly, we assumed you knew,” Alise said. She pushed her chemically straightened hair from behind her head and tied it up in a loose bun. “All that college and you’re still clueless.”
Monica high-fived her. “Truer words, sister. Truer words.” She turned to Quinn. “So tonight’s the night, huh.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Are you excited?”
“Man,” Marigold said. “Quinn isn’t the only clueless Orson.”
