“No worries.” I force a smile that probably looks more like a grimace, and he frowns.
“Did something happen?” He looks around, growling. “Did somebody say something to you? Was it Wilde?”
Something about the question sparks questions of my own, questions I would like answers to. For instance, why did he immediately assume it was Wilde I’m pissed off about? He’s waiting for a response, though, and this isn’t the time or place to get into it. “No, actually, you’re the only person who’s talked to me all night.”
It has the effect I intended, making him grin almost like he’s proud. “That’s because everybody knows better than to interrupt me when I’m getting to know a beautiful woman.” He’s good, that’s for sure. He could take just about any situation and find a way to be charming. I’ve never had that gift. And let’s face it, it’s pretty rare that anybody wants to be charming around me. I’m still getting used to the idea of anyone being nice to me.
“Were you on your way somewhere?” he asks. “Don’t tell me you were going to run out on me.”
“I wasn’t,” I lie because I definitely was, and honestly, he would deserve it if I did. I can’t come out and say that in front of so many others, some still enjoying their meals, others drinking and dancing. I guess it has to be my history that makes it instinctive to hide how I truly feel. I want to avoid causing trouble when it isn’t necessary.
No, damn it, it’s necessary with Hannah. Why her, of all the wolves in all the packs gathered together? Why does it have to be her?
“Can I tell you a secret?” he asks, leaning in while wearing the same teasing little smile I thought was so cute only a few minutes ago. Now, I want to shove him out of the way. He’s a nuisance.
But my wolf has other ideas, and her insistence plus the whole pack diplomacy thing makes me smile back. “Sure.”
“I’m bored to tears in this place. Not with you,” he’s quick to assure me, his smile widening. “Just this whole dress up and play nice thing. It’s not my style.”
“I know what you mean.”
“You want to take a walk, maybe? It’s a nice night, or at least it was when we first got here. I could use some fresh air.”
He doesn’t have me fooled. I know what he has in mind, and my wolf rejoices. Thanks to the chaos in my head, I can hardly hear anything happening around me. Is this how it always is? She’s driving me to distraction. “I think maybe I’m supposed to hang around a little bit.” Go, go, the wolf urges, but I try to ignore her. It’s not going very well.
Especially when he pouts, playful, and my knees almost buckle from the effect he has on me. It’s not fair for anyone to be so handsome and charming. It’s infuriating, really. Especially when he pretty much ruined my life.
And it’s the memory of that which makes me nod. “Yeah. Okay. Let’s take a walk.” Because there are things I want to say to him that shouldn’t be said in public. Considering how busy he’s been lately, this might be my only chance to speak my mind.
He knows nothing of this, or he’s too busy grinning like the cat that ate the cream to wonder about my sudden change of heart. I follow him outside, careful not to look around before I do. I wouldn’t want to catch my sister’s eye—or worse, either of my parents. Forrest isn’t the one I’m supposed to be sneaking off with, at least not as far as they know, and I would like to keep it that way.
We make it outside without interruption, and the cool, fresh air is a bonus. My head feels clearer after a few deep breaths. It’s also easier to think out here, even with my wolf driving me crazy. I have no doubt what she wants me to do now that I’m alone with him.
“Where did you want to walk to?” I ask while trying to ignore how wet I’m becoming.
“Nowhere in particular. I just can’t stand trying to have a conversation with so many other voices in the background, you know? And between you and me, I’ve done enough diplomacy shit the past few days to last me the rest of my life. Don’t get me wrong,” he adds when I snort, “I respect your alpha very much, and so does my father. But there’s only so much strategy I can discuss before my brain starts to turn to mush.”
“I can relate to that.”
“Really? I didn’t know you spent time with your council.”
“I meant the part about my brain turning to mush. I can relate to that lately.”