The beast rose instantly. Problem? My hands tightened slightly at her waist. "What problem?"
She drew in a steadying breath. "You remember Derek. The groom."
"I remember," I said evenly.
Her fingers twisted together nervously in the fabric of my discarded shirt lying across the blanket. "I told you I didn't love him. That part is completely true." Her voice softened slightly. "But the wedding ceremony… that was just for show."
My body went completely still. The beast inside me prepared for battle.
"No," I growled softly, the sound escaping before I could stop it.
"It wasn't like that," she said quickly, placing her hands against my chest as if trying to calm the storm she could see building in me. "It was a contract marriage. A business deal. I had a separate bedroom at his house. It was just going to be for six months. Then we would get a quickie divorce."
My pulse thundered in my ears. Fucking human males. What was wrong with them? "These are things you have already told me." I waited. I would eliminate the male, Derek, if I must. Now that I had tasted pleasure with my female, touched her. Heard her cries of pleasure. I would not give her up. The time for honor was over. The beast roared inside me, furious and wild.
Mine. Kill Derek. Destroy him. He will not touch my mate.
I ignored his ranting and forced myself to stay still. To listen. To trust her.
She swallowed, her voice quiet but steady. "I don't love him. I never wanted him." Then she looked at me with complete honesty. "He's not my mate. But legally, right now… I'm…" She slammed her fist down on the blanket. "This is a lot harder than I thought."
Neither beast nor male could stand to see our mate in distress. I pulled her against me and rubbed her back until she melted against me. Soft. Content. I could hold her all night.
"What the hell are you two doing out here?" Chet, dressed casually in shirt, sandals and shorts, appeared out of the darkness like a specter. Rohn and Krag with him. Of course. "You ever heard of telephoto lenses? Zoom? Hell, someone probably has satellites pointed at this place right now. And you're naked? God, are you naked under that blanket? Please don't tell me…"
My beast growled a warning. "Do not finish that sentence."
Chet burst out laughing. "I know. I know." His fingers danced over his mating collar. I had no idea what he and his mates were sharing through the unique Prillon psychic link, but whatever it was had Chet blushing. "Just get inside, okay? Before you ruin everything. Did you see the numbers from last night’s show? Oh my god. Amazing. So good. So whatever you're doing out here, do it inside. Deal? We have time delay releases, but even I can only do so much if you two are parading out here naked."
Tori was already on her feet; the blanket wrapped around her as she gathered her clothing and shoes. Fucking cock blocking bastard. I wasn't done with her. And she still hadn't told me the rest of her secret.
7
Egon
* * *
The problem with pretending indifference toward one's mate was that it required looking everywhere except at her. Unfortunately, my fucking eyes refused to cooperate.
Tori was across the ballroom. My body knew it before my eyes confirmed it. Her scent reached me first—warm skin, soft flowers, the faint salt of the ocean air clinging to her hair from the beach. The tropical breeze drifting through the open terrace doors carried it straight to me like a deliberate torment. The beast lifted his head immediately.
Mate.
My jaw tightened. Pretending she was simply another contestant required discipline I normally reserved for combat situations. Looking at her was making that discipline very difficult. The instant rock-hard erection was another complication I could not hide in these ridiculous fucking pants.
Fantasy Romance Night had transformed the resort ballroom into something absurdly theatrical. Foam castle walls rose around the dance floor like a child's imagination brought to life with an unlimited budget. Velvet draped every surface—deep purple, crimson, midnight black—while chandeliers shaped like dragons glowed overhead, scattering prismatic light across the crowd.
Humans loved spectacle. It should have been ridiculous. Instead, my focus remained locked on one female standing near the edge of the ballroom.
Tori. The costume department had dressed her as a "fair maiden." My beast approved immediately. Her pale, yellow gown flowed around her like water, the silk catching the light whenever she moved. The bodice revealed far more of her breasts than I found appropriate for public viewing, which made several nearby males glance at her in interest.
My hands curled into fists.
Break them. The beast was not in a friendly mood.
"Quiet." My restraint tightened like a blade drawn across my nerves.
The dress clung to her waist before spilling into layered skirts that brushed the floor. Silver embroidery traced delicate patterns across the fabric, and someone had placed a small, jeweled crown in her hair. The crown slid slightly down her forehead. She pushed it back absently. The gesture was so delicate. So feminine.
