Page 30 of Kings
Axel was glaring daggers at him, but before he could call Bishop’s bluff, Ella distracted him by linking her other arm in his.
“We’re all here now,” she said in that mollifying tone that seemed to be the only thing capable of soothing the wild beast in him. “Let’s just have a good time.”
Axel’s jaw was set, but his rage softened as he gazed down at her. Sometimes Bishop wondered if he had any idea just how much she’d changed him, or if he’d resent her if he did.
He conceded, leading them into the ballroom. The lights in the chandelier had a golden hue that made the vast room feel small and intimate. It was a far cry from the Felidae House, but the Academy had done a decent enough job for the occasion.
Bishop recognized most of the guests from one pride or another, though he paid little attention. Tonight wasn’t about networking or schmoozing for him. His mother wanted to introduce Ella as the future Empress of the colony, and it was clear from the stares she was already getting that Bishop was going to have his hands full keeping the wolves at bay.
Desperate kits who thought they could earn a place at her side with a handsome face and a sizable cock to offer up for her heats. Unfortunately for them, she was already claimed, and he had no intention of allowing new competition.
And he knew something about her that none of them did. Something that he very much doubted even Axel could fully comprehend. Sterling was another story, and Bishop would deal with the other male in time, but for the moment, he would be useful.
“So, how are we going to do this?” Axel asked. “Trade off every other dance?”
“That’s a bit overkill,” Bishop scoffed.
“We could always flip for it.”
“You arenotgoing to flip a coin over me in public,” Ella hissed.
Bishop was about to respond when he decided on a different tactic. “You can dance with her first,” he said amiably. “No need to be uncivil.”
Just as he’d expected, Axel’s eyes narrowed murderously, but Ella pulled him onto the dance floor before he could throw a tantrum.
Bishop snorted, turning to survey the gathering a bit more closely. There were more of his brothers present than he’d expected. He couldn’t help but wonder if they were watching him for his brother. It made him feel paranoid for even thinking about it, but when it came to Felidae, one could never be too careful. The bond that united them was one of mutually assured destruction, not loyalty.
He glanced over to see how the dance was faring only to find that his mother had cut in to show Ella off to some of her older friends. The scowl on Axel’s face as he stood aside made it clear there was at least one person in the colony he was afraid to mouth off to.
He scanned the room and stopped when his gaze landed on someone who’d apparently been watching him for much longer. He’d never paid much mind to Marissa, despite the throngs of idiots who insisted they were destined for each other. As far as he knew, their apathy was mutual, but she was watching him with unmistakable intent.
Once she had caught his eye, she beckoned for him to follow her and turned down the corridor leading out of the ballroom.
What the hell didshewant? He was initially going to ignore her, but knowing her, it probably had something to do with Ella and if he could spare her one more source of anxiety for the night, it was worth a few moments in the sour redhead’s company.
He followed her out to the empty hall where she stood waiting, looking very much like a wraith in her gauzy black gown. She turned around, her arms folded and her phone in hand.
“What is it?” Bishop asked tersely, keeping a distance between them. The last thing he needed was someone coming along and getting the wrong idea.
“Just something I thought you’d like to hear,” she said, taking a step toward him, her pointy heels clicking on the floor. “Seems you and Ella aren’t all that close these days.”
Bishop froze at her words. How on earth did she know that? Unless it was painfully obvious. He looked down at the phone, just a blank screen with the name of a recorded audio file on top. Before he could make a decision, she pressed play and he heard the voices, muffled but unmistakable.
Ella and Axel.
“Iknewyou were keeping something from me,” the former accused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Ella.
A long pause, followed by the sound of a brief struggle.“You’re pregnant.”
The word sent a current of shock through Bishop, making it impossible to hide his reaction. For the moment, he forgot Marissa was even there.
“I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about,” the recording continued.
“You’re a shit liar,” Axel scoffed. “How long have you known?”
Ella’s words crumbled the last of his disbelief. “About a week.”
