Little, but badass. He sipped his wine. “You must have been so relieved she survived our dangerous mission.”
“Indeed. We heard how you stopped that fiend from kidnapping more lycans.”
Except for the higher ups, the packs didn’t know about Wolfstrom’s plans to destroy human kind or his packs’ lust for human flesh. “Yes, she was very instrumental in their rescue.”
Dacia swooned. “Is it true you saved her?”
“Yes, I killed many werewolves to protect her.”
“How kind of you,” said Oriana.
Nik chuckled. “Your sister is quite beautiful, and I too was pleased to step in to save her,” he snorted at Slade, “And save you as well, my gutsy prince.”
Slade smiled at the Russian lycan. “Thank you.”
Dacia pouted, but then twisted an insincere smile. “Nik, you do know Cricket is only our half-sister and as pretty as she is won’t mate due to her runt status?”
Slade snapped at her. “Don’t ever call her that. Rylee made her a beta, and she’s a decorated hero.”
Dacia’s face darkened. “I’m just letting Nik know, she’s not available to him.”
Nik laughed. “As you Americans say, I don’t give a rat’s ass. All that matters is love.”
Oriana frowned. “It’s lycan law, even in Russia.”
Nik shrugged. “To be honest, I didn’t consider myself part of your society until I was kidnapped. So such status elitism doesn’t affect who I take as a mate.”
Dacia cocked her head. “How can that be?”
Nik shook his head. “I was found by a human after the change. The only survivor. I knew I belonged to a pack and remembered my father’s bite, but when I awoke, they were gone.”
“Did you track your pack?” Slade asked.
“I did and followed their scent. All slaughtered. Lost and confused, I made it to an abandoned cabin in the Siberian forest.” Nik suddenly glanced up toward the stage and smiled. “Cricket looks beautiful.”
Slade followed his gaze. His heart stilled. Conversations blurred. Cricket stood on the stage, helping Mia set up for her cello concert. Abella. She wore a long emerald silk evening gown that hugged her soft curves. As she turned, he gawked. Holy shit. Backless. The silky material barely covered her ass, accentuating its perky roundness. “Indeed. Breathtaking.” If she bent over, everyone would see her alluring butt crack. His mood soured. Other males stared, their narrowed gaze in predatory interest. Not for food, but for fucking.
I should either cover her ass with my coat or beat the crap out of just about every male here.
The sound equipment screeched and everyone howled at once.
Mia fixed it immediately and stood center stage. “Sorry.”
Cricket removed her cupped hands from her ears, took the mike and quipped. “Now that we have your attention, Mia will play Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite for Solo Cello no. 3 in C major. After her solo, your choice of marinated lamb chops or steak tartare will be served, complements of Dominic’s master chef, Lior.”
Slade released a slow breath, pleased her backside was no longer the center of attention.
Oriana stared at Cricket with a soured expression. “Who knew plain Cricket would blossom into such an attractive woman?”
Nik laughed. “The ugly duckling becomes the swan.”
Slade narrowed his eyes at Oriana. “Hard to be a swan when you’re being pecked by angry hens.”
Oriana blushed then gazed at her sister. Dacia’s face contorted as if constipated with fury.
Nik patted Slade on his shoulder. “You my friend are quite fond of the swan. No matter her station.”
Fond doesn’t come close to how I feel about her. “Team Greywolf values each member as an equal.”