I defended my suggestion. “It’s a practical tool that can also be used as an effective weapon.”
“She was gorgeous," Bec said. “How did you not realize she was trying to flirt?”
I tilted my head. “Compared to you, she was only average.”
Bec’s expression turned shocked, then a slow, wide grin creased her face. “You actually mean that, don’t you?”
“Marduk tends to speak his mind,” Danzig said. “He isn’t always the most polite, but he’s honest.”
I gave him an annoyed look. “I’m only speaking the truth. Bec is far more beautiful than that stranger.”
Bec beamed at me. “I want to buy us all gelatos. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
With that, she rushed back into the condo and returned with her purse slung over her shoulder. She hooked one arm in mine and then the other in Danzig’s arm. “Let’s go. Hugo, you know the way, led us there.”
I was thankful to the strange, scrawny woman because, somehow, she’d made our mate want to take us on a date!
Bec
After gelato, some flirting with Danzig, and Marduk literally growling at a guy that got too close to me when trying to get past us, we all returned to the condo. Hugo had gotten so many pets that he flopped over on the living room carpet the moment we were inside.
Marduk took the chair and Danzig laid out on the couch. It felt familiar and homey.
I sat down at the living room table. Sometime last night one of the brothers had moved all my study materials from a pile on the floor back to the table. I stared at them.
I knew I should study. I was already behind in the schedule I’d set for myself, but I couldn’t face it right now.
Instead, I tried to call Jim. Straight to voicemail.
I called Gale next and got the same thing. What was going on? Was my phone cursed or something so all my calls were always sent to voicemail?
I wanted to text Gale again, but I had already sent a bunch of texts that went unanswered. I was starting to get a bad feeling, but I pushed it aside. Leif was gone and his only tie to Gale was as an ex-boyfriend. Whoever killed him probably wouldn't go after her. There wasn’t any reason to think she was in danger.
Giving up, I set my phone down and stared at my computer and stack of study guides. No, I couldn’t face them right now.
“Want to go to a party?”
Danzig’s question caught me by surprise. “What?”
“The Clover Pack is having a party, and they invited the Lobo Gris Pack. Wolf shifters always throw great parties.”
I looked at Marduk. “Do you want to go?”
“Sure,” he agreed. “It'll be at the Clover Pack’s compound, so it’ll be safe. None of the wolves will do anything inappropriate, and you can meet our community. It’s a good idea.”
Danzig read off his phone. “There’ll be music, dancing, cornhole, horse shoes, pinatas, and something called chase.”
“It sounds fun,” I said. “Could we invite Mila, Carter, and Gio?”
“They’ve probably already been invited,” Danzig said. “Carter is affiliated with the Lobo Gris Pack. You should tell Mila you’re going.”
I grabbed my phone and shot Mila a text. I got an excited response saying that they were planning to be there. I couldn’t wait to see her.
I gave Danzig a quick hug. “This is going to be great. I'm going to shower and get ready. I’ll be quick so you guys can use the shower after me.”
“Take your time,” Marduk called after me. “There are vampires associated with both packs, like Gio. The party won't really get started until after dark.
“Then I might take some time to do my hair and makeup,” I warned them. It'd been a while since I'd dressed nice. I had the perfect blouse and a new pair of jeans I knew would make my ass look great.
