Cricket shrugged. “I’m sure he will. After all, his entire Yukon Territory can’t remain up for grabs forever. My only wish is he doesn’t end up with one of my sisters. I texted Jesper not to include them in his list of top mates. Although, I’m sure all the available alpha males and females will be at the same table.”
“I’ll make sure they are on the opposite end from his seat.”
“By the way, will I even have a place to sit?” The royals coming to the affair would have something to say if she sat with her team betas.
“You will sit at my table, next to me.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“I insisted. You are an honored hero and my BFF.”
Cricket smirked. “I guess even the king can’t say no to that.”
“Hey, he’s invited, but it’s my event. If he doesn’t like it, he can talk to the Big Bad Wolf about it.”
“Good news. Rylee says the king will not attend after all.”
Mia raised her brow. “Oh? When did you hear that?”
“This morning.”
“I’m sure Dominic will be relieved.” Mia smirked. “Like Rylee, he’s not a big fan of royals.”
Cricket nodded. “Me too. Fuck the royals.”
Mia elbowed her. “Except Prince Slade, of course.”
“Ha, ha.” Cricket’s heart broke, remembering how her mother an omega could never openly love her father. “Especially him. I’m going to tell him to stay away.”
“Wait, what?”
“I promised my mother I would never fall for a lycan above my status and end up living a sad lonely life.”
“Give him a chance.”
“The king will never allow our union.”
“He has no say. Dominic worried about pleasing the king, but then realized he didn’t matter.”
“Dominic is undoubtedly an important alpha, but he’s not a prince.” She sulked. “Big difference.”
“I’m not judging, but monarchies are so 19th Century.”
“Rylee agrees, but we’re not having a revolution anytime soon.” She took out her phone and texted Slade.
Mia looked over. “What are you doing?”
She typed rapidly. “Wishing Slade good luck with finding a mate; and I was honored to work with him on his first mission with Team Greywolf.”
“You’re sending a Dear John text message?”
Cricket smiled and hit send. “Done.”
Chapter 21
Slade loosened the tight tie, adjusting it about his neck and then entered the elaborate tent. Collared. This black tie event was not his thing. Running in the woods with his prancing little she-wolf was all he wanted. Every female even attached ones stared at him. The women wore alluring gowns designed by a sex fiend. They sniffed toward him, displaying their sharp fangs with flirtatious smiles.
He’d agreed to attend the fund raising event, but not as the center of attention for every available alpha she-wolf looking to land a prince as a mate. Duty or not. Slade acknowledged them with a quick nod and scanned the crowd. He flared his nostrils. Her soft honeyed scent lingered. Where the hell was she?