‘Indeed.’
‘And how exactly did you manage that? The Wolf Ball planners don’t take bribes – they’re a law unto themselves and don’t allow their vision to be swayed by anyone. Plenty of people in the past have tried to arrange the seating chart to their benefit and failed miserably.’
Mallory held up her hands and wiggled her fingers. ‘More power than you could ever imagine,’ she whispered.
‘I deserved that.’
She smiled. ‘You did.’
As he bowed towards her, she tightened her toes and took a deep breath, then she sat down and pretended that everything was absolutely wonderful.
It wasn’t long before all the other guests had located their tables and taken their seats. Mallory spotted Isadora Jones long before the wolf found their table. Her date was a male werewolf called Sean, a blandly handsome member of the Jones wolf pack. Nothing Mallory had found out suggested he was anythingmore than arm candy; watching them stroll up, she could tell that although they were chatting easily there weren’t any lusty undercurrents between them.
‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ Alexander muttered to her as they stood up to welcome the new arrivals.
‘You’re the one on show here, not me,’ she retorted.
At least Isadora looked pleasantly surprised to see him. She kissed him on the cheek and smiled. ‘It’s been too long, Lexy!’
‘I wish you wouldn’t call me that, Dora.’
‘As long as you don’t call methat,’ she returned with an easy wink.
Alexander introduced Mallory, then Isadora introduced Sean and the other guests at their table, a smattering of werewolves from the Brady and the Callaghan packs.
‘I saw you when you came in,’ Isadora said to Mallory. ‘That dress is exquisite. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. Where did you get it?’
Mallory was only too happy to answer. ‘Gia Vanderlan designed it for me.’
Isadora’s mouth dropped. ‘That’s aVanderlan? Now I’m even more impressed. I’ve been trying to get an appointment with her for months but she’s always booked up.’
‘I’ll put in a good word for you if you like,’ Mallory offered. ‘But your dress is stunning, too.’ It was true: Isadora was wearing a floor-length sheath spotted artfully with glittering diamante. She looked lithe, strong and very attractive. Isadora Jones was Gia’s version of a night diamond, for sure.
‘That would be amazing! Thank you!’
Mallory nodded, smiled and turned away to engage the surprised werewolf on her left in conversation, freeing Alexander to talk to Isadora. She was well aware that he could turn on full-wattage charm when the situation called for it, and he deserved the space to let himself shine.
Isadora and Alexander were well-suited, she told herself firmly. This could work, and when it did and there was some space and time between herself and Alexander, her uncomfortable feelings for him would fade away. It was all but certain.
Although the conversationat their table was initially stilted, by the time the starters were served everyone had relaxed. On the one hand that was great: relaxed people were happy people, and the happier Isadora and Alexander were, the more chance there was of them connecting on a deeper level. On the other hand, as Colin Brady regaled them with tales of his recent exploits, it also meant that there was less opportunity for them to enjoy a quiet tête-à-tête.
When dessert was finished and coffee had arrived, the conversation turned to more serious matters. ‘I’ve heard that the Worthington pack are having serious financial difficulties,’ Sean Jones said.
Colin Brady’s partner, a bearded werewolf with astonishingly dark twinkling eyes, nodded. ‘There’s a lot of that around at the moment. I noticed that only half of them are here tonight. It’s the same for the Thomsons – not every pack can afford for all their members to attend the Wolf Ball, not in the current climate.’
‘You know,’ Colin grumbled, ‘that instances of wolfsbane are on the rise again. It’s supposed to be illegal but it’s being sprinkled all over the place. I picked up a trace of it even here.’
Everyone at the table pulled faces. ‘It will pass,’ Alexander said. ‘A few packs have been exerting their authority inunnecessary ways and this is how non-werewolves react as a result. Things will settle down before too long.’
Sean Jones gave him a knowing look. ‘A little birdie told me that you’ve been buying up wolfsbane stock.’
Alexander grinned. ‘If there’s no wolfsbane on the market, then there’s less opportunity for its misuse.’
Or, Mallory reflected, for instances of deepening aggression. Alexander was very quietly and very cleverly defusing any future problems that might result from increased wolfsbane usage. Smart.
‘Speaking of packs who often misbehave badly and absent guests,’ Isadora piped up, ‘There’s no sign of the Barrow pack tonight. I’ve not even seen Ashina, the Barrow alpha.’
Alexander looked surprised. ‘Really?’
