Page 66 of The Mating Frenzy
“Milk is safer than liquor. I don’t trust Adrian not to spike it to lower everyone’s inhibitions. There are some Lupine visitors here who areshy.”
Good to know. “I’ll stick to bottled water.” She pointed to the painting. “What isthis?”
“Adrian calls it ‘Wild & Free to Love,’” Darcy told her. Her one-time pet rolled her eyes. “He had it commissioned from a famous Lupine artist. Two members of his pack posed forit.”
How did you respond to something like that? “Uh, I guess it’s more fun than nude modeling for an artclass.”
A high laugh fled Darcy. Then she drained her milk and set the glass down on a nearby table holding some kind of fertility statute. The bronze statue had an elongated face and a penis thinner and longer than apencil.
Darcy touched the erect penis. “I remember this. Adrian got it from an art gallery and wanted to gift it to me. I told him to keep it. He said I could use it to put my rings on it. He loved the idea of cockrings.”
Ella laughed. “He sounds like ascamp.”
“He’s always trying to seduce me and get me to become his mate. But I need my freedom.” Darcy looked troubled. “And Adrian is a purebred alpha who needs a Lupinemate.”
“Do you ever think about settlingdown?”
A wistful longing entered her friend’s green gaze. “I do. But it’s not possible. It would be nice to have friends, at least. I don’t haveany.”
Darcy playfully cuffed Ella, reminding her of the times when she’d done that as her pet and wanted her attention. “Except for you. Being your pet was the greatest assignment I’ve had. I’m sorry it’s over. Hope we can still stayfriends.”
“Of course.” Ella hugged her. “You were my best friend, Darcy. Some days I thought I’d lose my mind if not for you. I’m still trying to adjust to this business of shapeshifting andmagick.”
Darcy smiled. “You won’t need me any longer. You have a different kind of kitty watching over you. A big, protective one. He may be ferocious, but he’s a softie deep inside. I can tell that aboutmales.”
Her former cat glanced around. “I’m off to find the ruby crystal ball. Wish meluck.”
Winking, Darcy bounded off, leaving Ella on her own. Well, she was here to watch and learn, so she might as well mingle. Ella wandered into the kitchen, which was larger than her entire house. State-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and an island dominating the center. People milled about, laughing andtalking.
It all seemed soordinary.
In the dining room, Adrian had set out a large buffet filled with all kinds of delicious hors d’oeuvres. Ella selected acanapé.
Two sets of sliding glass doors led outside from the massive living area. Both were opened to the cool night. She walked through one and found herself on a wide lanai bordered by a tranquil swimming pool. At least four people were in the pool, playing a game of watervolleyball.
And Darcy and Kieran thought this would turn her into awerewolf?
Restless herself, she bypassed the pool to walk on the soft grass outside the bricked patio. Trees ringed the property, stretching out their branches like ghostly arms. Ella shivered. This… seemed more the wildness she’dexpected.
“Wow, it’s big,” shemurmured.
“Three acres of land. Quiteprivate.”
She jumped at the deep voice behind her. Goodness, the man wasquiet.
Well over six feet tall, he had black hair cropped short, and wore an elegant black silk tuxedo. His cheekbones and face were aristocratic and covered with beard scuff, but his dark gaze heldmischief.
Ella remembered her manners and stuck out her hand. “You must be Adrian. I’mElla.”
He took her hand, but instead of shaking it, held it for a moment. “Ella. A pleasure.” Then he kissed her knuckles, his day beard slightly abrading her skin, and released herhand.
Definitely ascamp.
“You have a nice house. Lots of land,” she said lamely, uncertain how to converse with this intimidating man who was supposed to be a pack leader. He looked more like a CEO than awerewolf.
He smiled and the smile seemed a warning. “We require privacy for our rituals. They get rather…intense.”
Adrian glanced at the full moon. “And speaking of which, it istime.”
