Page 31 of What Haunts the Heart
Oakley’s deep chuckle resonated through me. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were worried they’re gonna outshine you,” he teased, then deadpanned. “But it’syouwe’re talking about, so.”
I jutted out my chin with a smirk. “Damn right. I’m the sexiest vampire in Vale Valley.”
“Careful, Eden. You’re gonna give the real vampires a complex.”
“Oak! Eden!” Claire waved both arms in the air, a bright smile on her face. She wore a gorgeous, flowing white dress trimmed in glittering gold with billowing sleeves. Her blond hair fell around her face in intricate braids. Her wrists were adorned with golden bangles and a small gemstone tiara sat atop her head, aglow in the firelight.
“Wow.” Oakley met her halfway, drawing her into a hug that seemed far more than friendly, and the hairs on the back of my arms stood on end. For a split-second, jealousy flared through me—and then I touched the side of my neck, where Oakley had marked me as his. He’d chosen me, not Claire.Me.
Chill the fuck out,I told myself, shaking it off best I could.
Oakley pulled back and held her out in front of him so he could get a good look at her costume. “Claire, you look absolutely amazing!”
She blushed, but her smile never wavered. “I’m so happy you like it, but I can’t take all the credit. I never could’ve come up with something this beautiful on my own. This was Lani’s masterpiece.” She beamed and gave a little twirl, her dress flowing around her ankles. “I feel like an elven princess.”
“Good.” Lani stood and wiped her hands off on the short skirt she was wearing. She was dressed like an Amazonian woman, wearing far more skin than costume. Her sandy hair was tied back in a high ponytail and two small handprints in red paint graced her cheeks. Claire’s handprints.
Lani kissed the shell of Claire’s ear. “You’re the most beautiful Omega here tonight.”
I scoffed. “What about me? Um, hello?”
Her gaze flicked up to us. She raised a brow at my choice of costume and covered her laugh with a well-placed clearing of her throat. “Well, you’re definitely the…boldest Omega at the party, I’ll give you that.”
Oakley laughed and slung his arm around my shoulder, kissing me on the cheek. “Don’t listen to her. Who needs beauty? You’re fucking sexy as hell.”
Claire burst into giggles, hiding her face behind her hands, but her smile was genuine when she said, “Youarebeautiful, Eden. I don’t mind sharing the spotlight.”
I grinned. “Thanks.”
“No thanks needed,” she said. “You make Oakley happy. That’s all that matters to me. You two make an adorable couple, by the way.” With a contented sigh, she reached over and threaded her fingers with Lani’s. “Now that the bonfire’s started, how about we get something to eat? I’m starving.”
Lani’s golden eyes flickered in the firelight. “I could eat.” She must’ve seen the smirk on my face, because she pinned me with a look. “Do I evenwantto know?”
“Just save some room for dessert, is all I’m saying,” I replied innocently.
As Claire and Lani made their way up to the barn, I grabbed Oakley’s arm. “We’ve gotta follow them,” I insisted. “Ineedto see her reaction when she sees my cat poop cake, or else I might justdie!”
My mate only smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
