Her heart wrenched. No more. She dashed out the tent, before she did the unthinkable; attack a royal alpha princess.
Nik followed her out, his dance partner still in tow. “Cricket, wait.”
“Leave me alone.”
Cricket removed her pumps and sloughed off the silky dress. In wolf form, she ran. Mia’s cottage. I’ll borrow some clothes and then her car. No. Too close. Maybe head to Mt. Rainier.
Chapter 22
Slade pried her hands away. “Princess Willa, what are you doing?”
“Kissing the future sire of my children.”
“I’m not. I mean, I’m not in love with you.”
“I know that, it’s a political union. But you will in time.” Her mouth slackened. “You plan to take another mate, Vera, or, is it Samantha?”
Slade took her hands in his and kissed them. “No, not them. You’ll learn her name soon. She’s my soul mate.” He signaled the DJ to stop the music. To hell with rules. Banish us. Be my guest. He scanned for Cricket. Abella. No matter, his voice would reverberate throughout the tent and to the outside. She’d hear him.
Dominic reached him, Mia holding his hand, looking like she’d just lost her best friend. “Prince Slade, I see it’s midnight. Have you come to a decision?”
“Yes, I have.” Where was she?
“You have the floor.”
Slade sniffed, hoping to catch Abella’s honeyed scent. “Dear pack members, I have chosen my mate, and she’s chosen me.”
Everyone stilled into cold stone silence, waiting.
He looked everywhere. “She must have stepped out.”
“Who?” implored Vera.
Slade swallowed. “Cricket, whose real name is Abella.”
Dacia stood. “You can’t take a runt!”
He growled at her.
Other guests voiced their agreement, snarling and extending their fangs.
One shouted, “Banishment!”
Dominic took control. “Everyone, calm down.” He gestured for Slade to leave.
No problem. He needed to find Cricket, before she bore the brunt of their fierce disapproval.
Nik entered the tent. “Prince Slade, she left.”
“What?”
Nik pulled him outside. “We need to talk.”
The crowd still in shock turned into a din of murmurs of disapprovals and growls.
Slade’s heart drummed. “Where is she?”
“Look about the cake and the eating?