Page 18 of Shifting Fate
Dallon
The Becketts’ Halloween party was already lit, and we’d only just walked in the door. Creepy Halloween ambience played in the background, while the surround sound boomed out a dance beat. An array of colorful lights flickered over the walls and glinted off the disco ball hung from the chandelier.
I grinned and nudged Tashi, who laughed, and we made our way to the heart of the party to greet our hosts. Everyone was clustered near the kitchen, dressed to the nines in all sorts of spook-tacular costumes. Snacks and finger-foods filled the countertops, and a huge cauldron of what I assumed was spiked punch sat on the kitchen table.
William and Brenda Beckett were a bonded pair of wolf shifters who’d chosen the loner lifestyle—not that they were lacking, by any means. They seemed to always be smiling, surrounded by friends and family, and between them, they had six kids, ranging from early-teens to adulthood.
Tashi had dated their son Joey for over a year. She’d been head over heels for the guy, claimed it was true love, that he was the love of her life and that they’d get married and have three or four pups of their own…and then Joey ran into his fated mate. It’d broken Tashi’s poor little heart, but they parted on good terms. They’d remained friends, which was a bonus for me, since we were always invited to their parties.
“Tashi, dear!” Brenda gushed, surging towards us with her dress trailing the ground. She wore all black, vampire fangs peeking out from behind her blood-red lips. “You look marvelous, and Dallon.” She coughed, but I knew it was to hide a snort of laughter. “You’re, um…”
I planted a hand on my hip and cocked it. “Go on, you can say it. I’m fucking fabulous.” I flashed a haughty grin of my own. “Think I’ll win the prize for sluttiest costume? Pretty damn proud of myself, you know.”
Her husband’s broad shoulders quaked with laughter beneath his gaudy Count Dracula cape. “You’re definitely in the running, that’s for sure,” William told me. “Glad to see you both alive and well. It’s been awhile.”
“We’re great,” Tashi assured him, then looked around at all the decorations. Spiderwebs clung to the fronts of the cabinets, complete with realistic plastic spiders. She gave a small shudder. “It looks so great. You really went all out this year.”
The Becketts exchanged a glance. William cleared his throat. “No time like the present, right? We thought we should give it our all, just in case. You never know what might happen between now and next year.”
He didn’t have to spell it out for us. Every shifter on this planet knew of the threat the Dreadhunters posed, and if they didn’t? They were probably living under a rock. Literally.
I smiled broadly. “Well, you know they always say, live like you were dying.”
“That’s the damn truth,” William agreed, lifting his glass of punch.
Tashi’s phone buzzed and she snatched it out of her pocket, a secretive smile tipping up her lips. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a date to seduce. I’ll see you around.” She gave me a pointed look. “Dallon, behave yourself while I’m gone.”
I batted my heavily-mascaraed lashes. “No promises, bae.” I had no intention of being good, not when I’d caught a glimpse of a certainsomeonedancing in the corner. I smirked. “Have fun. I know I will.”
She groaned. “Slut.”
“Takes one to know one,” I singsonged back. “Bye-bye.”
I dished myself out a glass of punch and took a whiff. Mmm. Strawberries. Pineapple. Vodka. Perfection. I sipped at the mixture and smiled. “Amazing, as always, Brenda.”
She grinned. “Just don’t overdo it, kiddo.”
“Please.” I scoffed. “Unlike Tashi, I can hold my liquor.” With a little wave, I meandered back into the massive living room. All of the furniture had been removed, leaving a large space for dancing. I slipped in between the churning sea of bodies, my eyes locked on the prize.
Colby and I had been fuck-buddies for awhile, even when the feud between our packs was still fresh. Laying myself bare to the enemy was dangerous, sure, but it was different with Colby. One look into his quicksilver eyes and I knew he wouldn’t harm me. Not unless I wanted him to.
Guess we both liked to live a little dangerously.
“Hey, baby. Long time, no see.” I came up behind Colby and slipped my arms around his waist. His throaty chuckle warmed my blood, and when he leaned his head back to catch my eye, I planted a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Still single?” I quirked a brow.
He snorted. “Would it matter if I wasn’t?”
“Mmm. Nah.”
He stepped out of reach, turning to face me. I saw the flash of appreciation in his eyes as he took in my costume. His gaze lingered on my “tail” and my ass clenched in anticipation. I smirked and shook my butt, biting down on my lip.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the sluttiest of them all?” I purred as I pressed my front to his, reveling in his warmth. He groaned and caught me by the hips, grinding our bodies together. I licked my lips, then cupped the sides of his neck. “Up for a little fun tonight? I’m lonely.”
“You’re always lonely.” His throat worked, his voice husky. He trailed fingers through my spiky hair. “I like this. Purple suits you.”
“What about these go-go shorts? Do they suit me too?”
Exactly as I’d hoped, his hands came down to cup my ass through the slinky fabric. He dug his fingers in and squeezed, making the blood rush straight to my groin. When he tugged gently on my tail, I groaned.
