Page 82 of Bite Me Alpha Cole

I lean back, crossing my arms over my chest. “All right. What do you want?”

Shayne squeals, delighted, and I sigh as I realize that Shayne is about to become averyrich woman.

“I want a trip,” Shayne says, grinning at me. “One month in the Alps – and agoodsuite. Or no! The beach! One of those luxury villas that comes with a butler? I can –“

“Shayne!” Grace gasps, grabbing her friend’s arm. “Would you shutup? We’re notactuallyselling Nadia’s secrets for –“

“Oh yes, we are!” Shay says, spinning on her. “Grace, Nadiawantsme to have this – shesaidI need a vacation and amfartoo stressed!”

“You are beingridiculous–“

“One week,” I cut in. Both girls spin to me. “On a mega yacht. On Clythera’s southern coast.”

Their mouths fall open.

“You have a yacht?” Shayne whispers.

“Nah, mom wouldn’t let us get one,” I murmur, grinning at her, enjoying this very much. “She said it was ridiculously lavish and a waste of money. But these yacht owners offer us vacations all the time for free –“

“And I?” Shayne stutters, pointing to her chest. “I can have one?”

“I mean, they’ll want a royal to come along for the press,” I say. “So, you’ll have to invite me. Or Jude – he loves a yacht. Or…both of us.”

I shrug casually, even though I know I have just baited the most tempting lure, tailor-made for Shayne.

Her jaw drops clean open, and she stares at me, her throat clicking, her blue eyes wide with desire.

“The answer isno,” Grace says, glaring at Shay.

A strangled screech as Shayne spins on her.

“Fine,” I say, laughing, appreciating Grace’s loyalty. I’ll just have to figure outherweaknesses and prey on those next. “Just give me some hints.”

“But the yacht!” Shayne cries. “I – I need it!”

I wink at her, fully intending to let her have it anyway. Honestly, when this is all done, a week on a yacht sounds…fantastic. And I know that Shayne willtrulyenjoy it, which will make it all the better.

Grace considers, looking between Shayne and me, and then sighs. “Fine,” she says, laughing a little. “Because welikeyou, Cole, and we want Nadia to give you a chance…we’ll give you atinybit of information. Tohelp.”

I grin, quite pleased.

Grace very coyly looks down at her cereal, stirring it with her spoon. “Nadia has…a variety of gentlemen callers.”

“Any of them serious?”

“Not currently.”

I hum, my wolf collapsing in my soul with relief. “How many?”

Grace shrugs, being all secretive and devoted to her friend.

Shayne rolls her eyes. “She gets asked out alot, Cole, she’s really pretty –“

I shift my entire focus to Shay, my wolf growling.

“But she turns most of them down,” Shayne concludes with a shrug. “But, there isone–“

“Shayne,” Grace says, her voice low with warning.

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