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“Or it could be the thing that gets us all killed.” Her voice drops as she whispers, “Have you heard of ASHRA?”
I nod, my eyes still on the crowd milling around Vanessa. “They’re encroaching on the wolves of Wolf-Haven.”
“They’ve sent messages to Zach’s office, telling him to kill the film or suffer the consequences.” She glances around. “Which is why security is so tight around here.”
“You think this is tight security?” I ask her incredulously.
Vanessa joins us, wrapping her arm around mine. “Security is fine, my overprotective husband.” Her attention switches to Rachel. “He’s not happy unless I’m bubble wrapped and locked in a closet.” She reaches out, squeezing Rachel’s hand. “How are you doing?”
They talk for a minute while my eyes rove over the crowd, which is getting thicker by the second. I interrupt their conversation. “Excuse us, I need to move Vanessa.”
“Of course,” Rachel says, pointing to a set of doors. “Through there for photos with the rest of the cast.”
Fifteen minutes later, after a loud and huggy reunion with the other cast members, several photos, and a quick bathroom stop for a makeup check, I lead Vanessa into the theatre. Protecting my mate is beginning to feel like being stuck in a riot with unstable fanatics. Noisy and chaotic. Is that cameraperson really a cameraperson or are they a potential shooter looking for an opportunity? Is the woman approaching us really the mayor or is she a decoy sent by ASHRA to take out the lead actor?
I step in front of Vanessa, heading off a woman wearing a smart red business suit with black high heels. “That’s close enough.”
“I beg your pardon?” she asks, her expression offended until recognition dawns. “Prince Keenan Wolven-North, I presume?” Her tone thaws as she offers her hand. “So nice to finally meet you.”
“I wasn’t aware you were trying,” I say, squeezing her hand briefly.
Vanessa steps out from behind me, taking the woman’s hand. “Vanessa Bedalia. I’m so excited to meet you, Mayor Rose.”
I tug her against my side, breaking her handshake. I don’t trust the mayor’s motives.
“I voted for you,” Vanessa continues. “You had such a wonderful ad campaign about helping the unhoused. I really loved the way you showed how non-police intervention can make a big difference to their lives.”
“Right,” Lavinia looks bewildered for a moment, then gathers herself, her gaze moving to me. “I’d love to meet your brother. We have a lot to talk about.”
“Which brother?” I growl. I don’t care if she is the mayor, she’s standing too close to Vanessa.
“Lock Wolven-North. Isn’t he the King?”
“Sure,” I reply. “What do you want to talk about with him?”
She flounders, as if groping for a commonality between herself and the wolf shifter King. “Fostering relations between our two people.” She gives us a toothy smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“He’s already met the President. What more can you offer?” I slide my hand along Vanessa’s waist, urging her past Lavinia.
“You’re so rude sometimes!” Vanessa whispers once we’re out of hearing range.
“She’s rude for assuming the wolf shifters would want anything to do with a woman who actively promotes human welfare over shifter. She wants to ally herself with a powerful faction, I just don’t know why.”
“How do you know she cares more about humans?” Vanessa shakes her head, then says, “You know what, it doesn’t matter. None of her policies to help the unhoused were implemented and she let the issue die, so she’s lost my vote anyway.”
Inside the theatre, we’re ushered to a sectioned off area at the front where we take our seats. “Too close to the screen,” I mutter, looking to see if there are better seats. “It’ll hurt your eyes.”
She smacks me then arranges her skirt over her knees. “You’re my husband, not my optometrist. Stop being my bodyguard for a minute and let me enjoy myself.” Her frown turns to a grin and she holds her hands out as Spoon and his husband arrive to take their seats next to us.
Spoon takes her hands as he sinks into the plush chair next to her. “Darling, did you see that mob out there? God, I live for this shit.”
“And I die a little inside each time we have to walk a red-carpet,” Gerald grumbles, sinking into his seat and leaning around his partner to say, “Vanessa, Keenan, so good to see you again.”
Once the theatre fills, a hostess invites Wesselman on stage to speak to the audience before the film starts. "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence at tonight's premiere!” he says. “It's been an incredible journey bringing this film to life, and none of it would have been possible without the outstanding talent of our cast and the tireless dedication of our crew. Your support means the world to us, and we hope this film resonates with you as much as it did with all of us during its creation. Enjoy the show!"
A round of applause follows his speech and he leaves the stage, settling into the seat next to Rachel. The running time for his creation is one hour and fifty-eight minutes and as soon as the film finishes, the audience erupts into cheers, surging from their seats.
Startled, I leap to my feet, shoving my wolf back as he tries to surface. Vanessa stands next to me and waves as fans chant her name. When she looks at me, tears of joy sparkle in her eyes.
