Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(84)

This was no human high school affair. Stepping into Ravenscroft’s ballroom had been like stepping back in time. Instead of a DJ, there was a string quartet, their darkly beautiful melodies a perfect accompaniment to the couples swirling around the dance floor. They wove intricate patterns around each other as they participated in dances you’d expect to see in a Regency-era movie, not in the middle of a modern-day school dance. No matter how elaborate the ball or antiquated the establishment.

Kingston’s eyes hardened, and his nostrils flared as he gave me a tight nod. It wasn’t a stretch to see he’d taken my answer as yet another rejection. Spotting one of the cocktail servers, he waved her down and plucked two flutes of champagne off her tray, handing one to me without a word.

We stood in awkward silence, his confession racing through my mind. I felt horrible and confused, and even though I knew I had to prove myself to the powers that be by getting through this ridiculous test, I really just wanted to go home and crawl into bed.

“I could—” Kingston started, but Alek appeared out of nowhere and plucked the drink from my hand, passing it to Kingston with a cocky wink.

“Hold that, will you?”

He pulled me out onto the dance floor, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“What in God’s name are you dressed as?” I asked, laughing and forcing myself not to look back at what I was sure would be a fuming werewolf.

I glanced down Alek’s form, my gaze trailing over the tightly fitting leather getup in shades of green, black, and gold. It was the horned mask that made me grin. It didn’t cover any of his face, stopping just over his brows instead.

“I thought you hated the Marvel movies?”

He smirked. “Not when I have a glorious purpose to serve.”

“What’s that?”

Leaning close, he whispered, “You.”

Heat crept into my cheeks and pooled low in my belly. Trying to play off my reaction, I slapped him lightly on the arm. “Okay, Loki. Good luck with that.”

“I don’t need luck. Trust me.”

He spun me out and then pulled me back, my dress swirling around me in a graceful fall of fabric. I felt like a princess in that moment. For such a big man, Alek moved lithely, completely ignoring the choreographed steps of the dance as he pulled me against his body and we swayed to the music.

“I should get back to my date,” I murmured, not wanting to cause any trouble between him and Kingston. We were supposed to keep our heads cool tonight, and Kingston was already strung tightly.

His focus flicked over my shoulder. “A little distance might be just what you both need.” Then those blue eyes caught and held mine. “You know, things would be easier for you both if you stopped fighting so hard.”

“What do you mean?” I was all innocence and naivety.

He smirked. “You’d have to be a fool to miss the way you two look at each other. He’s yours every bit as much as we are.”

“None of you are mine. Not really. I have to choose and if I choose wrong . . .” I trailed off, not wanting to get into the dirty details of Moira’s vision.

Alek frowned, clearly not liking that I’d censored myself. “I don’t think you understand, K?rasta. We’re yours whether you claim us back or not. There’s no choice to be made, simply acceptance. Things will be far more enjoyable, not to mention pleasurable, when you give in.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh. “You act like Kingston is going to roll over and accept the concept of sharing me with anyone. That’s not going to happen.”

He gave me a look tinged with sincerity. “You’d be surprised what a man would be willing to sacrifice for the woman who makes his soul cry out ‘Mine.’”

“Is that something you have personal experience with?”

His lips curled up in a sensual smile. He leaned close, his mouth brushing against the shell of my ear as he whispered, “Perhaps.”

“He hates me even though he says he loves me, Alek. I don’t know what to do.”

“If you’re asking for advice, I don’t have any. But I will say this. I know that I’ve not found my way into your heart yet, and that’s okay because you still allow me in your orbit. You are that man’s sun, and yet you refuse him any of your warmth. Shine for him, Sunny. See what happens when you give a dying man hope like you give me hope.”

I closed my eyes against the overwhelming wave of rightness I couldn’t deny when he was so close to me. Opening my mouth to respond, I stopped at the scent of bergamot and the pull of my heart toward Noah. I hadn’t even seen the man, but I knew he was there. I opened my eyes, and sure enough, Noah stood at our side, gaze soft and expectant all at the same time.

“Mind if I cut in, Viking?” His smooth voice flowed over me, blanketing me in pure happiness.

Alek ran his warm palm down my spine, giving my ass a cheeky squeeze before letting me go. “Not at all. She’s just as much yours as she is mine, after all.”

I expected Noah to deny it, but all he did was roll his eyes and offer me his hand. “Shall we, darling?”

“Are we allowed to?”

He swept me into his arms. “Who the bloody hell cares?”

My gaze traveled across the room until it landed on Callie, clad in a gown cut so low I could see her navel. Her mask was white feathers, tall enough she looked more like a stork than a woman. I chuckled. “Your bird.”