Page 103 of How to Seduce a Slender

The banshee snickered as she ushered everyone from the room with the swat of a tea towel. Melody was still howling, holding the blanket to her naked body. He scowled, pouting really, as he waited for her sober. Unfortunately for him, her laughter was infectious. Before he knew it, they were both gasping for air, clutching onto the duvet for dear life as they struggled to get out of the bed.

“Did-ah—did HAH. Did you see Greggory? With his little legs?” Melody shrieked with more laughter as she swiped tears from her eyes. With a thud and a stumble, she made it to the bathroom before she peed herself. Smith sat on the edge of the bed, watching her fold in half over the toilet. She was crying and laughing into her knees while also whining ‘ow, ow, ow’ as she clutched her sides.

“Was I a bit overzealous last night?” he teased.

“Gods, in the best way possible,” she moaned, raking her hands through her hair. “I really like it, Smith. Like, I really like all of it. The chasing, the wrestling, the coming back and forth…”

The air calmed down as she peeked at him through the bathroom door. He froze on the bed as there was a genuine look of sweet admiration radiating in her eyes. “It’s like you were made for me.”

Smith couldn’t help the nervous bark of laughter that rumbled out of his chest. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing.”

“Probably because you’re always eating my dreams. I’ve infected your mind with my shenanigans.” She winked.

“I am what I eat.” He climbed to his feet, following her into the bathroom. The words repeated in his mind as Melody went about cleaning off her hands, brushing her teeth, and running herself a bath. Smith joined her this time, sinking in behind her.I am what I eat.He’d not felt hungry since he’d begun to feed on her.Satiated.Melody had become his preference. Mestophemuse had dragons. Havroc had mimics. He had a taste for sweet little werewolves who flashed playful smiles at him over their shoulder, and whispered his name to bring him back out of his thoughts. “Yes, sweet girl.”

“Happy birthday,” she breathed, arching her back and pushing up on the side of the tub to press a hard kiss to his cheek. “And no matter what happens, no matter if she shows her face or not, I’m glad I was your bait. Being your prey has been the best thing to ever happen to me.”

“Thank you.” He wrapped her up in his arms and squeezed her tight. She hummed happily snuggling back into his chest. A mischievous grin curled on his face as he growled darkly in her ear. “I’ve already booked a horde of clowns coming this summer.”

Melody roared, “You wouldn’tdare!”

He cackled evilly, fully committed to dressing up his family members as clowns as payback for this morning. Despite the fact they’d all thoroughly enjoy it.

Birthdays suddenly had an appeal again.

Chapter Thirty-Seven:

Melody

There’ssomethingakintochildish glee upon inviting people into the house and taking birthday presents. Granted, it was different from brightly colored wrapping paper and ballons. The manor was strung up in silver and black streamers. There were collections of roses in large orb shaped bouquets with dahlia’s, lilies, and all the beautiful ruby-colored flowers. The yard was glowing with red clovers, specifically enchanted that morning, with a black strip like a carpet leading the way into the house.

Melody was collecting presents in the tearoom as it was closest to the front door while Dahlia kept welcoming people into the house. The werewolf froze in place to find Havershum and Austin sliding a wrapped present into the pile on the tea table. The two stared at her with wide eyes. Melody put a hand to one hip, holding up the bag present in the other.

“What are you two doing?”

“We…we didn’t want him to know which one was ours?” Austin beamed sheepishly.

“And why not?” Melody arched a brow. “That’s not a gag gift, is it?”

“No!” They both croaked with shame written all over their face.

“What is it?” Melody rolled her eyes.

“It’s…I made a stuffed version of Smith with a goatee.” Austin pouted, looking down to his covered toes.

“I made him a quill pen that only spits ink out the feather end, it doesn’t write.” Havershum fiddled with his fancy cloak. Agatha spent hours stitching him up a fancy, black cloak with rose embellishments and lace detailing around the arms and hood.

“You two are ridiculous.”

“And busted.”

Melody twisted to find the birthday boy himself looming over her.

“But both those sound glorious and I shall cherish the stuffed version of me for years to come Austin. But Havershum, if I find that quill mixed in with my usable ones, I will wallop you.”

Havershum snickered, “That’s if you can catch me. Look how fast I am now in the new cloak.”

The wraith zipped out of the room, narrowly escaping Smith’s clapping hands as he sent a wave of shadowy palms after him. Austin chuckled, extending his arms out to Melody. She gave him the present that he gladly added to the stack. “I can’t wait for you to open mine. My description doesn’t do it justice. I think it’s my finest work yet.”

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