Mia elbowed her. “Hey, don’t you like the lamb chops?”
“What makes you say that?”
“For the last five minutes, you’ve been poking them.”
“You know why.” She pointed her chin. “Princess Willa and Slade appear to being hitting it off.”
Mia furrowed her brow in Slade’s direction. “Looks more like polite conversation rather than a love match, at least from him.”
“She’s a princess, he’s a prince, whatever.” Cricket sliced the lamb and took a bite.
“What about Nik? He’s hot and from what I’ve heard he doesn’t believe in our status hierarchy.”
Cricket sipped her red wine. “I’m done with alpha men.”
“The way Slade stalks you with his glances, I don’t think he’s done with you.” Mia whispered, “Especially how you described your last night together.”
Dominic picked up Mia’s small delicate hand, kissed it, and then chastised. “Sweetheart, whispers can be heard by all.”
She blushed. “Oops. Everyone acts—well—so human, I forget.”
Cricket wiped her lips. When they last made love, it felt like they sealed a mating bond. The out of body trip to the land where Stallo had created their kind was something only true mates experienced. No. She’d been confused. Inebriated. That’s all.
People left their assigned seats and started mingling. Dominic stood. “I’ll have Carson see how soon I announce our top donators.”
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Jesper said something to Rylee, and she raised a surprised brow. Rylee returned to her table and poured herself a glass of white wine.
Cricket just wanted to be back in her room, eating popcorn and watching some crybaby love story. “I’m going to leave soon.”
Mia begged. “No. Please stay.”
Rylee interrupted their conversation. “Actually, you should leave by midnight.”
Cricket gave Rylee a pointed stare. “Ma’am? Besides my carriage turning into a pumpkin, what happens at midnight?” Last night she dreamt she was a wolf version of Cinderella, only instead of leaving a slipper behind, it was her scent the prince, her prince, Slade, followed. I hate fairytales!
“I just talked to Jesper.”
“And?”
“Slade wants the floor at midnight to announce his chosen mate.”
Mia gave her a double take. “Who?”
“He didn’t say, except Prince Slade wants everyone in the same room.”
“It can’t be Princess Wilhelmina,” said Mia.
Rylee gazed over at where Slade stood. “I don’t know, it’s between her and Princess Vera.”
Cricket watched as Slade accepted a kiss from Vera before she made her way to the ladies’ lounge. Vera’s round ass swayed all the way, luring every male to watch her before she disappeared into the bathroom.
Mia gripped Cricket’s hand. “Sweetie, we’ll have fun dancing.”
She mustered her strength. If she left now, everyone would think, ah poor broken hearted little runt, thinking an alpha would make her his. She’d have to face him anyway. They had a meeting Monday. Better to see him choose today than trying not to react at the meeting once she caught a whiff of his female. “Sure, why not.”
Carson, Dominic’s beta approached him. “All the counts are in, sir.”