‘Isn’t Alexander usually this popular?’ Mallory asked, surprised.
‘Oh, he definitely is, but I’ve never seen him blow off so many werewolves in such a short space of time. He usually spends the whole ball wheeling and dealing.’ She waved a hand at some of the tables nearby where heads were bowed deep in conversation. ‘Most alphas do.’
Mallory sat up straighter. Isadora had given away far more information than she realised. ‘You’ve followed him over the years, then? Alexander? You … pay attention to him and how he acts?’
Isadora’s eyes widened a fraction. ‘Oh.’ She put an embarrassed hand over her mouth. ‘I used to, but please don’t think I have designs on him now. I can see he’s smitten with you.’
Mallory tripped over her words in her haste to respond. ‘No, no, no. That’s not – I mean, he’s not – er – we’re not together. It’s a business thing. Kind of. Alexander is single. But he’s looking for a romantic partner,’ she added.
‘I did hear that,’ Isadora admitted. She gave Mallory a sidelong look. ‘You and he really do seem as if…’
‘We’re not,’ she replied firmly.
‘Oh. Okay.’ Isadora smiled ruefully. ‘In answer to your original question then, yeah, I’ll admit I’ve spent quite a lot of time watching what he does. We dated briefly ten years ago but it didn’t work out, not for want of wishing otherwise on my part.For several years afterwards I wondered if he was the one who got away and if I should have tried harder to make things work.’
Mallory held her breath. ‘And now?’
Isadora laughed. ‘Now I realise I was young and foolish and we were never meant to be.’
Ignoring the stab in her heart, Mallory dragged out the next words. ‘Are you sure about that? You seem to have a good relationship. There was definitely banter between you, and you seem to get on.’
But Isadora was already shaking her head. ‘No, it’s water under the bridge. I don’t think he’s the one for me. Or vice-versa.’ She eyed Mallory speculatively.
‘Ask him to dance,’ Mallory said. ‘Talk to him. You might surprise yourself.’ Then, because pressing the point would seem like overkill, she stood up. ‘Where are the restrooms?’
When Isadora pointed them out, she murmured her thanks and beat a hasty retreat.
The toilets wereas opulent as the rest of the Grand Hotel but Mallory paid them little attention. ‘Get with the programme,’ she whispered to herself. ‘Remember why you’re here.’
She splashed cold water on her face, rubbed her eyes then braced her hands against the cool marble basin and stared into the mirror – before wincing. Oh. That had been stupid.
The bruises on her arms might be concealed by magical make-up but the cosmetics on her face were as unmagical as any product you’d find anywhere in the world and they didn’t react well to either water or smearing. In the space of a few seconds Mallory had gone from looking like a sultry temptress with smoky eyes and a perfect lipsticked pout to an angry punkdesperate to fight the establishment. Hey-ho. It had been good while it lasted.
As she dampened some tissues and started to wipe away the mess, figuring that by this point her face was beyond repair, there was a flushing sound from one of the cubicles behind her. A moment later, Samantha appeared. ‘Mallory?’ She looked surprised. ‘Are you alright?’
‘All good. Just a minor make-up disaster.’
Samantha, who looked as immaculate and intimidating as ever, clucked in sympathy. ‘I have some spare powder and mascara, and I’m fairly certain Hannah has lipstick, eyeshadow and contouring powder. I’m not even sure what contouring powder is but I bet she’s got some. I can go and borrow it.’
Mallory shook her head. ‘No, it’s easier to go bare faced. I’ll only end up making a mess of myself again.’ She managed a grin. ‘I can’t be trusted not to.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely.’ Mallory continued wiping away the smears. ‘Are you having a good evening?’
‘It’s fantastic!’ Samantha sounded genuinely enthusiastic. ‘I had a good meal, I’m enjoying the wine and so far I’ve taken out three werewolves from other packs who decided that they wanted to pick a fight.’
Mallory stopped in mid-wipe and turned to her. ‘Seriously?’
‘No.’ Samantha grinned and Mallory had the sudden sense that she was being very serious indeed. ‘How’s your night going?’
Mallory breathed in deeply. ‘Make-up mishaps aside, so far so good.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Samantha gave her a long look.
‘What is it?’
Myriad expressions crossed the wolf’s face. It was obvious there was something burning inside her that she wanted to saybut for some reason she didn’t feel she could. After several long seconds, she grimaced. ‘You’re a people person, Mallory.’
