Hostility narrowed her eyes. “I could ask you the same thing,” she said, replicating his tone perfectly.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve gotten yourself into?”
He could have sworn tears wet her eyes, but she blinked and they were gone.
“You seem to think I have a choice.” Her voice was quiet, but no less severe.
Everything stilled, blood roaring in his ears as his beast tore to the surface. Claws prickled at his fingertips, so sharp he could almost feel nails splitting while fur pressed against the inside of his skin. Riley and Sythe were in his head, their voices nothing but a hiss.
‘Breathe!’Riley’s voice finally broke through, quickly followed by Sythe.
‘Calm your fucking balls, dude!’
He was so close, the edge of oblivion but a step away. So he focused on Eva, her lips opening on a gentle exhale to reveal the shiny tips of her new fangs.
“Kace?” She reached forward, her hand brushing gently across his arm. “Are you…” Her eyes widened, hand snapping back as if burned.
“Well, if it isn’t the notorious Red. I’ve seen you’ve met my fledgling.” Augustine appeared beside them, his smile tight. “Go play elsewhere,” he said, directing the words at her.
Eva stood exactly where she was, spine straight before Augustine nudged her away. Fire burned through his chest, but he remained still as he fought for control.
“Go.” A final warning.
Eva blinked, a slight tremble in her jaw as she stepped away, and it took everything for Kace not to pull her back.
“What a pleasant surprise you’re here,” Augustine continued. “I was told you only participate in the cages.”
Kace couldn’t speak, his vocals strangled as kept his gaze on Augustine, his muscles bound so taut he was sure they would snap.
“Lord Augustine,” Riley said as he appeared, his hand landing on his shoulder, fingers pressing hard as Alice, his mate stepped up to his other side.
Kace anchored himself with the pain, using it to calm his beast while pulling from Riley’s strength.
“Lord Storm, always a pleasure,” Augustine lied smoothly, ignoring Alice completely. “I’m sorry to hear about the death of your father, he was a great man.”
“I don’t go by Lord.” Riley smiled, and it wasn’t friendly. He oozed power and dominance, and even in his tuxedo he looked closer to the fighters than one of the rich elite. Except Riley was brought up in that world, was able to manoeuvre through the subtle politics and bullshit with ease. “I decided not to inherit that title from my father.”
“No, only his legacy then. Which I’ve been told you’ve also decided not to carry on. Shame.” Augustine smirked, returning his attention to Kace. “I look forward to watching you work, Red. Until then.”
Kace waited a breath before rolling his shoulder, dislodging Riley’s grip when they were alone.
“Can someone explain to me what just happened?” Alice asked.
Riley gently tugged Alice towards him, his hand in hers. “K, if you can’t keep it together…”
“I’m fine,” Kace interrupted, scanning the crowd for Eva.
Riley frowned. “Remember why you’re here.”
Kace snapped his head back, a dark current rippling beneath his tone. “As if I could forget.” Hunter wasn’t at the opening ceremony, but that wasn’t completely unexpected. It just meant Kace had to go further inside the place he had sworn he would burn to the ground.
“I’m not joking, K. No distractions.”
Kace’s nostrils flared. “Where’s Eva?”
“Sythe followed her into the bathroom. Wait, we will deal with…”
Kace didn’t bother waiting for him to finish, turning towards the bathrooms at the other side of the restaurant. He bypassed the small groups, each not wanting to mix without risking the carefully constructed truce of the event.
