THREE MONTHS AGO
PROLOGUE || HARRIS
Asingle psychotic and oddly endearing vampire, I could handle. But being one of the few humans attending an entire wedding filled with supernatural creatures was a little much for anyone. If I was going to get through the evening unscathed, some heavy drinking was exactly what the doctor ordered.
“I’m going to need at least two more glasses of champagne,” I told the bartender. “And maybe some whiskey.”
Someone behind me in line snorted. Then I heard a man’s voice say, “Is it a smart idea to get drunk with so much mixed company?”
Surprise and annoyance flashed through me. There was no way this guy, a stranger, was speaking to me like that. Because who the hell did he think he was?
I turned to glare at him. “Did anyone ask you? This is my first supernatural wedding. I’mdefinitelynot doing it sober.”
Then I registered who I was talking to. On autopilot, I noted he was tall—over six foot—and with a medium build. He was pale and wearing a tuxedo, black hair cut short, and probably in his late twenties or early thirties. I clocked those details without even trying. It was the exact way I might’ve described him in a police report—one of the hazards of having been an LAPD homicide detective for too many years. Then I blinked, surprisedat myself, as it hit me that he washandsome, with a strong jaw, the defiant hint of a five o’clock shadow, black slashes for brows, and dark eyes that seemed to have no bottom.
Recognition dawned in me. Had I met him somewhere before?
He seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place him.
My annoyance drained away as I met his gaze. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll be fine.”
The dark-haired man’s expression went from bemused to startled as he met my gaze directly. Then his lips parted and the tension went out of his posture. “Um… have we met?”
“You do look familiar,” I admitted. “But no, I don’t think so. Have you ever been to Los Angeles?”
“I can’t say that I have.” He extended his hand. “Reed. I’m the alpha of the Crescent Springs pack. I’m Jeremy’s best friend.”
Well, that was a lot of new information all at once. First off, Jeremy was one of the grooms. He’d just married Thierry, the brother of the aforementioned psychotic vampire who’d decided he and I were besties—and that I was flying into Seattle for my first-ever supernatural wedding, whether I wanted to or not. Also, I was standing face-to-face with a werewolf. And an alpha, at that.
Huh. What was the etiquette here? Was I supposed to bow or something? But my climbing pulse had nothing to do with not knowing what the hell I was doing and everything to do with the fact that Reed was an extremely attractive man. I hadn’t noticed another guy like this in years.
“Pack, huh?” I said, trying for casual. I took Reed’s hand and shook it. “Harris. I’m a detective—and one of Cole’s friends. He’s Thierry’s brother.” I swallowed hard and met Reed’s gaze. “It’s… nice to meet you.”
Behind us, the bartender cleared her throat. I glanced at her to find her staring at me impatiently. Not surprising, given that there was a whole line of people waiting to order drinks.
“Right. Sorry. Maybe just the whiskey, actually—something top shelf. And neat.”
“A man after my own heart,” Reed said, studying me intently. “Good whiskey shouldn’t be ruined by adding anything to it.”
“Make that two,” I said immediately, glancing back at the bartender. She nodded and started pouring the drinks. I turned back to Reed and said the first thing that came to mind, which was apparently, “Weird question, but do you want to dance?”
“Why is that a weird question?” Reed asked, cocking his head to the side and appraising me—and also not answering my question.
The bartender placed the drinks down on the counter with a decisiveclack. I pulled a twenty-dollar bill from my wallet and set it on the counter, then scooped up the glasses.
“It’s an open bar,” Reed said, frowning at me.
I nodded toward the line of people waiting to order. “She’s working hard. She deserves to be tipped well.”
“I manage a bar,” Reed said softly, stepping out of line and accepting the drink I handed him, his gaze searching mine. “I wish we had more customers like you.”
I shrugged, feeling heat creeping into my cheeks. “Maybe I’ll visit sometime,” I blurted. Then I realized what I’d just said and grimaced. More sheepishly, I added, “But not in a weird stalker way.”
Reed studied me, not saying a word.
“Sorry, man. It’s been a while.”
Reed took a sip of his whiskey, then grinned at me, his eyes gleaming with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. “It’s been a while since what?”
