Page 117 of Marked By Alphas 2: Claimed

“Aww, what’s wrong?” I stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel. “Don’t like being teased? Being worked up and then left hanging?” I dried off with deliberate slowness, making sure they could see every movement. “Funny, that’s exactly how I felt earlier.”

“When we get out of here,” Derek promised, his voice a dangerous rumble that sent shivers down my spine despite my bravado, “you’re going to pay for this.”

“Looking forward to it,” I said with a wink, wrapping the towel around my waist. “But first, we have a dinner to get through. And I plan to make every minute of it absolute torture for you three.”

I gathered my clothes, moving toward the door with as much dignity as one could muster while wearing only a towel. “Oh, and don’t worry about the lock,” I called over my shoulder. “I’m sure three big, strong alpha wolves can figure something out. Eventually.”

Their combined roars of frustration followed me as I sprinted down the hallway, laughing despite knowing I’d probably just signed my own death warrant. I made it to the stairs just as I heard the distinct sound of shattering glass from the direction of the gym.

Well, that was one way to get out of a supernatural sauna.

“Luke!” I yelled, bursting up the stairs and into the guest wings like I had hellhounds on my tail. Which, considering what I’d just done, wasn’t far off. “I need your help, and I need it fast!”

My best friend appeared from his room, his eyes widening at my towel-clad state and obvious haste. “What did you—” His eyes narrowed. “Oh God, what did you do?”

“Something either very brave or very stupid,” I admitted, rushing to my own room. “Probably stupid. Definitely worth it. And I have about thirty seconds before three very angry, very worked-up werewolves show up.”

“You didn’t,” Luke groaned, following me into my room. “Pleasetell me you didn’t antagonize three alpha wolves right before a formal dinner with half the supernatural world.”

“Antagonize is such a strong word,” I said, dropping my towel and scrambling into the clothes Maria had neatly left on the ottoman near the window. “I prefer… educated. Through practical demonstration.”

“You’re insane,” Luke informed me, helping me into the suit jacket. “Actually certifiable.”

The sound of running footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing closer with alarming speed. And was that… glass crunching?

“Okay, yes, probably,” I agreed, quickly styling my hair back in that deliberately messy way that made me look like I’d just rolled out of someone’s bed. “But they started it. You don’t work someone up like that and then just leave for dinner. There are rules, Luke. Rules!”

“And your solution was what? To drive them crazy right before they have to sit through a formal pack dinner?”

“Exactly!” I adjusted my collar, leaving it open just enough to show off the marks they’d left earlier. “See? You get me.”

The footsteps were right outside now. Luke looked between me and the door with growing alarm.

“Whatever you did,” he said, straightening my jacket, “I hope it was worth it.”

I grinned, remembering the look on their faces as I’d left them trapped and wanting. “Oh, it definitely was.”

The door burst open with enough force to rattle the walls, revealing three disheveled, furious alpha werewolves. Their clothes were rumpled, their hair wild, and their eyes still glowing with supernatural light. Glass dust sparkled in their hair, and was that… steam rising from their skin?

They looked dangerous and delicious and absolutely livid.

“Hey, guys,” I said with forced casualness, adjusting my cuffs. “Ready for dinner?”

The answering growls told me exactly how ready they were—and it had nothing to do with food.

Luke looked between us, clearly piecing together what had happened. “Oh my God,” he said. “You actually… with all three of them… in the sauna?”

“Technically, they were in the sauna,” I corrected cheerfully. “I was in the shower. There may have been a show involved.”

“You’re dead,” Luke declared. “Actually dead. It was nice knowing you.”

“Worth it,” I sang, brushing past the brothers with more confidence than I felt. “Now, shall we? We have guests arriving, and I’d hate to keep them waiting. After all, dinner is apparently very important.”

“This isn’t over,” Marcus promised, his voice low enough that only supernatural hearing could catch it.

“I should hope not,” I replied, pausing at the door to give them my best innocent look. “I mean, that was just the preview. Wait until you see what I have planned for dinner.”

As I headed for the stairs, I heard Luke whisper to the brothers, “You guys know you’re in public now, right? The Rivera Pack is already downstairs. With the Pack Elders. And the Knox alpha. And pretty much everyone who’s anyone in supernatural politics.”

---