“Aisha, it’s good to see you,” he says.
“Good evening, Alpha,” she responds respectfully.
The alpha nods before turning his steel glare back in my direction.
“A word, Max.”
“You want…a word…with me?” I hold a finger pointed at my own chest, searching the faces of Melissa, Aisha—hell, even Jodie—for an explanation, pleading for an escape plan. “Uh, sure.”
“I’ll catch you later, Max” Jodie says.
“Good luck,” Aisha says quietly into my ear as she turns her attention to Jodie: “And how have you been, Squishface?”
Casually, as if they haven’t left me alone with the most powerful wolf on the East Coast, the three of them saunter away.
“Oh and Max,” Jodie says, turning back, calling across the room. “Don’t be a bonehead.”
She and Aisha can’t help giggling as they make their way to a table.
“So, Max,” Jericho says, commanding my complete and undivided attention, “you’ve disappointed me.”
Gulp!
“I have? I’m—I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I’ll…wait what?”
“I told you that being mated to my son would be difficult. I thought you might have what it takes. It seems I was wrong.”
“What? Sir, he… I… That doesn’t seem fair.”
Jericho is so tall I’m worried my neck might snap from staring up at him. What is he talking about? Jasper is the one who’s been avoiding me. What am I supposed to do with that?!
“Being mated to an alpha is a challenging prospect; I had hoped you were up to the challenge.” His voice is so mesmerizing I find myself swaying on the spot, staring into his striking gray eyes. “You came through for us when the rogues attacked, and I thought that showed gumption, a sort of”—he waves a large hand around in the air, searching for the right word—“stick-to-itiveness.”
Is that even a real word?I have no idea, but coming from the alpha’s mouth I’d believe just about anything.
“Maybe I was wrong.”
“I… I…” My mouth is open but my mind is in such a frenzy I can’t pick which sentence to begin or which word to start with.
“I haven’t given up faith in you completely, however,” Jericho continues, and I feel something like relief, although it’s possible I’ve just wet myself. “Later tonight I’ll be making an announcement. I want you to pay close attention.”
“Yes, sir. I will,” I squeak.
“Don’t disappoint me, Max.” Jericho places his mammoth hand on my shoulder, and I almost collapse under the weight. He holds my collarbone firmly and I know not to take his words lightly.
“I’ll try not to.”
He snickers lowly. “Good boy.”
Frozen in place, I wait for Jericho and his remaining security detail to leave.
I have no idea what just happened. All I know is I’ve been left feeling like a domesticated dog—and that somehow, Alpha Jericho is shipping me and Jasper big-time.
Needing to offload and decompress, I spin around in search of a friendly face. I know there are at least two in here somewhere. People are dancing and it’s hard to make out anyone through all the festive cheer and expensive perfume, but I spot Katie under a giant red bow and hurry over. She’s leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, and as I get closer I spot why.
Todd and Simon are having a heated discussion—probably about who gets to dance with Katie first, or who she’s going to sit next to later when they serve the food. Simon’s shirt is half untucked and Todd’s bow tie is undone, which makes me wonder if they haven’t already gotten into a fight. I guess Katie went looking for a snack and got a whole meal.
Katie notices me and gives me this pleading “Come save me” look, so I square my shoulders and am about to head over when—
