Rux’s anxiety was growing by the minute. His panther practically roared in his blood as his fear for his mate set his heart on fire. His senses heightened as the adrenaline flooded through him.
“I can’t bust you out right now,” Rux whispered. “I’ve got a friend here. If you and I both disappear at the same time, she’ll be in danger.”
Dennis nodded. “I agree. Griffin’s a bad man. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.”
Rux’s anxiety spiked. He didn’t need that fact confirmed.
“I’ll slip out now and find her. When I know she’s safe, I’ll come back for you. Just hang tight, okay?”
Dennis nodded, his eyes lighting up.
“I can’t wait to see my little girl again. Thank you, Rux.”
“I’ll be back,” Rux whispered, hurrying back to the window. He slipped through it awkwardly and jogged away into the dunes. The security guys were still chatting by the front door. They had not noticed anything amiss.
Rux was prepared to head back into the party, but to his surprise, Dana’s scent led him in the opposite direction. There was a beautiful guest house with lights blazing some distance beyond the main manor.
He strode confidently up to the door where a pair of massive bouncers barred the way.
“Hey,” he said, slurring his speech just a little. “Is this a private party? Can I get in? What are you guys doing out here?”
“Invite only,” the bigger one snapped. “Mind your business, sir.”
“Hey,” Rux snapped back. “Do you know who I am?”
“I’m afraid not, sir,” the other one said coldly. “Please head back to the main party.”
“But I want to see what you’ve got out here!” he protested loudly. Maybe if he made a drunken fuss, they would let him in just to get him out of the way.
“Gentlemen!” Griffin announced, coming up from behind the bouncers. “This is my good friend, Rux. Of course, he can come in.”
“Sorry, sir,” one of them muttered, moving to the side. “We didn’t know.”
“No trouble,” Griffin said in an icy tone. He slapped Rux on the shoulder, his face quickly dissolving into a generous smile. The bouncers stepped away, and Rux detected a hint of fear.
So, Griffin controls everyone the same way. With threats and intimidation.
“I have to say, I’m a little surprised to see you here, old boy,” Griffin said, whispering in Rux’s ear. “I didn’t know you had a taste for delicacies such as these, but if you’d like to partake, I’m more than happy to accommodate you.”
“That’s good of you,” Rux said. “I wouldn’t want to be left out.”
“Nor shall you be,” Griffin said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. “Here you go, my good man. Put this on and head on in. It’s just about to start.”
Rux took the mask offered by Griffin and smiled easily as if he knew exactly what was going on.
“Thank you,” he said, waving Griffin away. The man smiled and headed down the hall. Rux was careful to stumble a little on the way into the main hall, so anyone watching him would assume he was incredibly drunk.
It only took one swift appraisal of the room for Rux to realize what was happening. Men were talking in loud voices, the stink of testosterone high in the air. There was a terrible excitement building as if every man in this room, shifter or no, was succumbing to his animal instincts.
I’m at a damn swingers’ auction!
Women were gathered on the stage, waiting for the bidding to start. Rux recognized Dana immediately, her scent blocking out all the others in the room. Her beautiful body gleamed in the light, its every curve as known to him as the back of his own hand.
Rage boiled in him to see his mate used in this way, but there was only one thing to do.
Act calm. Keep up the charade.
And win her, at any cost!