***[POV: Lover Of All Things This Fox]***
I’d pushed through the last of today as quickly as I could, driven by a desire to see her in her elent. Even if from a distance. Even if she didn’t know I was there.
When I arrived, the end of the performance was still underway. And the ssages from Luca ca in. Letting know she’d left forty-five minutes ago.
My disappointnt for using almost that sa amount of ti getting dressed in sothing I thought she’d like was turned toward sothing else. Victoria was circling her all evening. And she looked upset when she left.
I forced my expression to remain calm. Even as my wolf latched onto that causation. As it snarled in my heart to stop taking her disobedience.
After counting, I found myself drawn to the displays of my mate’s photos, despite knowing I should at least pretend to watch the last bit of the event. That I should be circulating among the other big nas.
But there she was. The woman I wasn’t in ti for. My fox posing in her furs. And this spot slled like she’d stood here for a while. Wild forest and mint salts.
I didn’t get to reach out and take her hand tonight, in that lovely red dress Claire showed the footage of. However, I can at least touch the edge of a poster with her likeness at a public setting.
"Ms. Voss. I was hoping you’d make an appearance when I was told you’d purchased a ticket."
I turned to find the designer Ember Beau Laurent approaching. Two champagne flutes in hand, offering one with his warm smile. I accepted it more for sothing less embarrassing to do with my hands rather than any desire to drink.
"Mr. Laurent. Your event is as well put together as always."
He looked over my outfit, a dress similar to the one I wore on my only *official* date with Citra. Then back at the poster. At where I was touching. Well, it could have been soone less discreet.
"You missed quite the performance. Your... friend here did exceptionally well."
"She walked on the stage?"
Too excited to realize I was being baited, too confused that Luca didn’t ntion it. He smiled knowingly at while shaking his head.
"She drew half the room with a photo session right here. By the way, my crew for this magazine’s shoot took quite a few candid shots themselves throughout that day. There was this one image - Ms. Lomdi at lunch, red in the face with her eyes closed after texting with... soone. But I would bet all my monograms I know who, now."
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Admitting anything felt too exposed, but denying it felt dishonest to what was growing between us - even if Citra insisted on calling it nothing.
"I’ll have them send all the photos. The cara loves her. It won’t mind sharing."
"...I mind. She’s remarkable."
"Indeed, she is. Not that my offer just now is related, but I was actually hoping to discuss the Winter Gala with you. I know it’s still weeks away, but I’d be honored if you’d consider wearing one of my designs during it."
The request struck . I’ve been preparing and knew what may co. But this is the sort of thing that Citra has been dealing with, isn’t it? Knowing that there may be an endpoint to all the things people around her are experiencing.
"The Gala may not... I’ll keep it in mind."
The start and retreat both ca out sharp-toned. Telling him wouldn’t change anything much. Getting him to believe requires effort and bravery. That was clear the night she first told .
"Of course if Anise wants to pour her heart into making a matching set for the two of you..."
Movent in my peripheral vision as he teased caught my attention - soone approaching from the bar with the kind of purpose that usually ant they wanted sothing. I turned to find what appeared to be one of the evening’s models in a fitted cocktail dress for her mingling ti after the show.
"Good evening, Ember. Ms. Voss. It’s been a while."
"Has it?"
I kept my tone pleasant even as sothing about her set my instincts on edge. Not quite like she was a danger, but quite like my wolf did not appreciate how close she was to . It had been doing a lot of that with human won lately.
"At least two years. Does the na Nadine ring a bell?"
Not one bit. And she could see it on my face, judging by the frown and turn toward the pictures beside us. Taking a sip of her own drink and continuing to push her agenda. Pointing her pinky at my mate.
"You know, I noticed you never requested any companionship with their upper proportions quite so generous. At least not while I worked for the service."
My head tilted a bit when I finally understood. This woman - I’d spent ti with her once. Maybe twice? An escort when such casual encounters were enough to sate my curiosity and get by.
"Are you here alone? Perhaps you’d be interested in-"
"I wouldn’t."
The words ca out low and cold enough that she actually took a step back. I hadn’t ant to be quite so harsh. Yet the implication that I was looking for company in front of these pictures... and the unsubtle poke that Citra’s body type was sothing I could not crave in the past?
"But you are right. I did not make special requests. I also don’t recall ever singling out a desire for won whose thighs match the circumference of their arms."
Her face went white, then red. Ember finally made a soft sound from the other side of . One that was definitely a poorly concealed laugh.
"I... I should go. Excuse ."
She fled back toward the bar and I imdiately regretted my lack of composure. That had been cruel, to attack her looks. It wasn’t like at all.
"Well. Bravo? That was direct."
He raised his glass in a small salute before draining it. I did the sa after shaking my head.
"No. That was inappropriate of ."
"Perhaps. But effective. Do enjoy the rest of your evening. And do give my regards to Ms. Lomdi when you see her next. She did leave before I could wish her well."
⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖
"I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you’d be too busy with your other obligations."
"I make ti for important events."
She found the mont I started to pretend to care about making my own rounds with these people. Victoria Whitecrest. Sipping her drink and studying over the rim like she could catch in a lie.
"Your little rogue looked rather unwell when she left."
"I was inford that was thanks to you."
"Don’t you an it was thanks to her... delicate condition?"
There was the seed she’d been waiting to plant. But I have no intention of watering it or letting it take root. After all, the only thing she knows how to do is sew weeds in fertile fields.
It would be easier to deal with if she were truly out to damage the pack. I would have an excuse to do sothing with all her ’good intentions’.
"You were sighted with Mr. Eschenhorn frequently tonight. Care to tell what that was about?"
"Damien is a mber of my pack. I speak with many pack mbers that co to these social events, unlike you."
A grin on my face is apparently not what she expected. Because her eyes flicker orange.
"Yes, unlike . But I wonder if you know exactly what all of them are up to these days. After all, I tend to know more than people assu I can. And the company you keep says quite a bit."
"...I’m not sure what you an."
Stepping into her space, she holds her ground well. As my fingers take the glass out of her hand. As she lets while only avoiding my eyes slightly.
"You’ve always been so concerned about outsiders encroaching on pack business. Barking about it in my office every ti you get slightly offended. Yet your friends seem to have looser boundaries than the ones you claim to value."
"I choose my associations very carefully, Alpha."
Our whispers draw no particular attention before I turn and reach out to set her unfinished drink on a nearby table. And I left without responding. Finding Luca near the entrance, waiting for after he made sure to trade his role with the new guards.
"She’s at Perigee. Looked a bit better after she made her stop."
"Good."
I climbed into the car he’d already brought around and drove us back to the tower. To the empty penthouse. Trying to convince myself that keeping my patience would be enough.
That she’d trust , eventually, with her last secrets.
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