Page 115 of The Hunger
“I’m not sure,” I said. “But Fenris seemed like he was up to something before we left.”
“Maybe it’s another Game Night.”
It wasn’t. The inside of the Roost was crammed with unfamiliar teens dancing to the sultry notes from a new trio of sirens.
I glanced worriedly at Eugene and saw he already had earbuds in.
“Don’t worry, I’ll watch over him,” Laurel said over the music.
“Let’s grab that table,” Jenna said, nodding toward the back.
She led the way, and I trailed behind to keep an eye on Eugene. He kept his gaze glued to the floor and slid in between Willow and Laurel. Despite his visible adherence to the safety protocols that Ashlyn taught him in their short time together, I could feel his growing anticipation.
“No dancing tonight,” I warned. “There are too many people here.”
“Does that go for everyone?” Fenris asked, sliding in beside me. I loved the way he didn’t stop moving until his leg pressed firmly against mine.
“It probably should until we know why it’s so crowded,” I said.
“It’s the earthquakes after hearing death’s song worldwide,” he said. “According to what I overheard last night, word’s spreading that something otherworldly is going down. Mantirians are flooding back to their origin strongholds, thinking that the Councils there will keep them safer.”
“Overheard?” I asked.
“My dad was talking to the pack elders. They’re scrambling to accommodate all the wolves already arriving for Saturday’s run.”
He glanced at the mass of bodies moving to the music.
“We really should dance.”
The reluctance in his words caught my attention, and I studied him, trying to gauge if he was pushing my boundaries or if there was something else going on.
“Eugene will be fine, Eliana,” Jenna said. “And dancing as a group would help cover Fenris’s need to touch you every two seconds.”
Fenris flashed a grin at her.
“I thought I was being subtle at lunch.”
Jenna snorted and shook her head.
“Let’s just dance, lover boy.”
The banter between the two of them didn’t stir any jealousy, even though I could feel their affection for one another. Yet, catching an unfamiliar female giving Fenris a long look from the dance floor made my eyes go black.
“Yes,” I all but purred. “Let’s dance.”
Fenris’s lust grew as he slipped from the booth and offered his hand to Laurel while looking at me. I understood the pretense and didn’t truly mind. However, that thing inside of me stirred. I took a calming breath then stood, joining the group out to the floor.
I would have never considered myself particularly close with Fenris’s girls, but the way they danced, taking positions around him so no strangers could, made them friends for life. While they made it look like he was dancing with all of us, he only ever touched me.
My hunger grew with each caress. Just when I was going to suggest some air on the roof, a voice rang out over the music.
“Fenris Wolcott!”
The music abruptly cut out, and the people between us and the door parted to show Raiden standing just inside the entrance. His gaze swept over me, the girls, and locked on Fenris’s hand on my waist.
“It’s time to go,” Raiden said.
Fenris’s fingers twitched but didn’t release me. He stared at his father, his anger boiling.
