Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
“Our part is over. We fulfilled our end of the deal.”
“Agreed. I wanted to tell you the favor has been returned. In full.”
“Great. Good talk.” Brick turns to go.
“One more thing. The Adalwulfs are busy with their own alpha coup. Seems Odin left some loose ends for his chosen successor to clean up. Your enemies won’t be coming after you for a while.”
Brick’s eyes narrow to amber slits. “How do you know?”
“A little wolfie told me. I figured I would pass it on. Consider it my wedding gift to you. I was disappointed when I found I wouldn't be invited to your mating ceremony, but then I learned humans would be there. They make parties so dull.”
“Not all humans.”
“Yes, well, we can’t all be so lucky as to find the one fate has for us.” Thaddeus turns his head and gives a theatrical sigh. But something about it makes me scramble for the button to lower the window.
“Don’t be so quick to give up hope,” I call.
“Madi,” Brick mutters and stalks back to me. I scoot back to let him in.
“Quick? It’s been over a thousand years,” Thaddeus says. He steps aside, becoming one with the shadows. Only his bright hair gives him away.
Brick signals, and Tony lets the car roll forward. I lean into Brick, wanting to say more to Thaddeus, but Brick beats me to it.
“Fate might surprise you. Your mate might be the person you’d least expect.”
“Or choose for yourself,” I add. Brick gives me a look, and I grin. “What? It’s true.”
“Thank you,” Thaddeus bows his head. He makes the old fashioned gesture look regal.
Brick waits to roll up the window before cursing. “Leeches.”
“Awww, he’s lonely,” I say. “Too bad I don’t know any masochists. Someone obsessed with Dracula.”
“You are not going to play matchmaker with a vampire king.”
“Is that an order?”
“Yes.” He lunges, and I end up on my back under his large frame, giggling as he gathers my wrists and pins them over my head. “Now where were we?”
Chapter Eight
Brick
The Berkshire residence is lit up with stringed lights and festive glowing globes for the engagement party. Ruby and my mom went all out transforming the place.
There’s a whiff of anxiety in my mate. Madi grabs a glass of champagne from the passing trays and downs it in five gulps.
The guest list includes most of those who were invited to the Blackthroat Family Foundation Ball–the uppercrust of Manhattan society, both wolves and humans. People who are important for Moon Co and the pack. Also in attendance are a handful of Madi’s new employees and colleagues from Torrent, including Eleanor Harrington, and of course, her mom, brother, and Aubrey. Her biological father and his insipid brothers weren’t invited.
“Whoa, baby. Are you nervous?”
She lightly shakes her limbs out like a fighter about to go in the ring. “A little. But I’ve got this.”
“Hang on.” I loop an arm around her waist and pull her body up against mine. This event may resemble the charity ball, but this time I don’t have to pretend Madi’s nothing more than my assistant. This time I won’t allow anyone to slight her.
“Who are you worried about impressing? You’ve already won over my pack.” I scan the crowd, trying to guess at what might have her on edge. “Oh. Are you worried about your mom interacting with your grandmother?”
“Oh they’ve interacted,” Madi says tightly. “Eleanor said she must be very proud of me, and my mom said, get away from me, you cow.”
I let out a snort of laughter. “I love your mom. That’s where you get all your grit.”
That wrings a smile from Madi. “She is pretty bad-ass.”
“It’s just a strange mix of people.” Madi’s gaze goes to Aubrey across the room. “I want to ask Aubrey to be my Maid of Honor, but I think she’d hate it. I mean, who’s going to be your Best Man? Billy? He’ll be horrible to her.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. What’s a Best Man?” I’m only partially joking. Of course, I’ve heard the term Best Man, but since it isn’t our tradition, I only have a vague sense of what it means.
Madi laughs, and my wolf settles at the sound. “You don’t know what a Best Man is?”
“Is it like my second in command?”
Madi’s smile grows wider. “Yes. But just for the wedding. And then you ask all your inner circle to be the groomsmen.” Madi claps a hand over her mouth with exaggerated dismay. “Oh my God, I just realized my wedding is being planned by shifters who have no idea how these traditions work.”
“Well, we can play along. But does it mean anything? I mean, what do they do?”
“Everything.” Madison gives me wide, serious eyes. I think she’s playing with me, too, but I can’t be sure. Either way, I’m going to make sure my team meets all expectations.