The professor was suddenly standing in front of her, his Lyccan speed leaving her defenseless, and oh God there it was!
That smoldering look!
That devastating smile!
Her knees knocked against each other. “You’re too beautiful for your own good, Professor.”
His laugh was dark and sexy. “And you are too fucking cute for my senses.”
The words destroyed what was left of her defenses against him, and she sighed. “You win. I forgive you for lying.” She paused then added militantly, “But youdidlie.”
“I did not lie.” He pressed a kiss on her forehead. “You just failed to consider that we might have different perspectives about what an ordinary party is. This is ordinary for me.”
And that,Kassia thought, perfectly summed up how different they were from each other. The professor’s idea of an ordinary party was one that took place in a palatial hall, attended by thousands of Lyccans, most of whom Kassia was shocked to recognize as numbering among the world’s rich and famous. How could all these people lead such public lives without humans like her catching on to the fact that they weren’t, well, humans?
Upon entering the ballroom, the first thing Kassia noticed was the odd way most of the guests reacted to them. She was well used to Alessandro being fawned over, but tonight it was theopposite. Most of the other Lyccans gazed at him with either contempt or disgust, and she couldn’t understand it at all. How could someone like Alessandro be contemptuous or disgusting?
The professor suddenly looked down at her, saying quietly, “Later.”
His gaze told her he knew exactly what she was feeling, and Kassia nodded. If the professor wanted her to wait for answers, she would.
He guided her all the way to the opposite side of the hall, where she saw the rest of his family was waiting. Kassia frowned when she realized that the Moretti family appeared isolated from the other Lyccans, and she bit her lip hard. She was angry on their behalf, but she knew she couldn’t exactly bite anyone’s head off for it. This wasn’t her battle, even if she wanted it to be.
Beside her, the professor chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, startled.
“Everyone here can smell your anger, little chick.”
Oh.
Her cheeks flushed in mortification, but even so she lifted her chin. “Good. I think it’s not nice to be so rude.”
The professor didn’t answer, but the way he squeezed her hand spoke of his approval.
When they reached his family, the professor’s sisters surged forward in unison, showering Kassia with kisses and hugs. After, the professor introduced the two other men in the group. “This is my twin Alejandro.”
Alejandro’s smile was all wicked flirtation. “Hello, beautiful.”
Alessandro’s arm went around her waist. “Do not flirt with her.”
Alejandro laughed. “Relax, brother. I only wanted to see how possessive you are with her.”
The professor ignored this. “Kassia, this is our older brother, Domenico. He’s the heir apparent of our pack.”
Kassia gulped as she found herself face to face with Domenico Moretti.
During the ride to Lyccan Hall, the professor had explained to her about his older brother’s position and how he had once been the most respected warrior prince of their race. She had thought then she would be ready to face Domenico Moretti, but seeing him in the flesh made Kassia realize that wasn’t possible at all. There were no words that could prepare any human being for their first meeting with the eldest Moretti prince, especially when one knew that he wasn’t human like them.
“Hello, Kassia.”
Crap,Kassia thought nervously. It was like hearing God speak. “Happy birthday, sir highness.”
Silence.
And then Kassia realized what she had said. “Oh my God.” She turned to the professor in horror. “Please tell me you have the power to erase my memories.”
It was Domenico who answered her, his eyes gleaming with laughter as he said apologetically, “That unfortunately is not one of our, err, powers.”