“Then we’d better get moving,” Summer said as she rolled toward the edge of the bed.“I don’t want Amos mad at me because you’re late to your own party.”
****
Two hours after joiningthe party, only a few minutes late, Fenrir was more than ready to take his mate and head back upstairs.He was seated on the big mahogany throne-like chair that he’d picked up in England during the Edwardian era.It had been refinished and reupholstered several times over the decades but somehow was still not the most comfortable seat in the room.But, as with most of the evening’s events, it was tradition that theKonungruse the thing.He’d have to see if Liam and Beck could make it disappear before the next tribe celebration in December.
They’d gone through the official parts where he declared the summer hibernation officially underway, and been witness to the annual fealty ceremony where the members, both vampire and shifter, knelt and swore allegiance to him and their tribe.
Luckily, Summer had stayed beside him, never more than an arm’s length away.The orgasms they’d traded earlier helped his mood, but the way some of his men were staring at his mate has his temper precariously close to its edge.The last thing he wanted on the first night of their fortnight together was to give in to his shifter side’s rage and rip a few tribe members apart.
He gave a low-throated growl and narrow-eyed stare while pulling Summer closer.Then two men frowned but dropped their heads in submission before they stepped back and disappeared into the crowd.He could understand their attraction to his mate.
For this first night of hibernation, he’d chosen a beautiful peach-colored gown for his mate to wear.It bared her shoulders and upper chest, pushed up her breasts and conformed to her body to the tops of her hips before flaring out in a floor-length skirt made up of many layers of tulle.With her hair brushed and left loose, she lived up to her name.
He jolted when Summer touched his arm.She then leaned in until her lips were an inch from his ear before barely whispering, “I’m going to go to the ladies’ room.I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
The kiss she brushed over his temple had his lips twitching.Amos had fussed at him about not allowing him to properly prepare his mate for her first appearance before the tribe, but easing her need had been more important than having his assistant go on and on about proper protocol.
Fenrir nodded without looking at her.He then looked at Liam and tilted his head toward Summer.His most loyal guard nodded and followed Summer from the platform.Liam would watch over her and bring her back to him safely.
Fenrir watched as Summer descended the stairs and headed across the ballroom.A scream to his left pulled his attention away and he frowned as two men had a woman cornered.When he stood, Beck was by his side in an instant.
“The guards will deal with it,Konungr,” his second oldest friend assured him as several large men dressed in black suits converged on the area and pulled the men back.
He wasKonungr, the king.It was not his place to stop arguments or discipline his tribe.It was his place to lead with a cool head and a thousand years of wisdom.
Sitting back down, his eyes swept the room, but Summer was already out of sight.He licked his lips, but the taste of her cream was only a memory.An itchy-squirmy feeling crawled up his spine.
Something bad was coming.The uneasy feeling had saved him hundreds, thousands of times over the years, but tonight, in this place, surrounded by his self-claimed family, it felt wrong.
“Contact Liam and make sure Summer is all right,” he ordered in the soft tone he knew Beck would hear, but only a few beyond the platform would.
Beck nodded and stepped away, lifting the arm with the smartwatch around his wrist to his mouth.It took too long for Fenrir’s comfort for the man to return.
“They’re on their way back,Konungr,” Beck murmured.
A few moments later Summer appeared in the door.She met his intense gaze with a smirk as Liam whispered in her ear.
“Have the DJ play a waltz,” he said to Beck before rising and descending to the dance floor.
Keeping his gaze locked on Summer’s he met her in the middle of the room.With a nod to Liam, he took her into his arms and waited.
“What’s happening?”she asked when he held her still.
“We’re going to dance before we head upstairs,” he said, his voice low and growly.“Just relax and follow my lead.”
When the classical music began, Fenrir smiled and began to dance.There were groans heard around the room, but even more of the tribe coupled up with their female guests around the room and joined them in the dance.
Summer held herself stiff at the beginning, but by the time the music ended, she was relaxed and following him with a grin.Releasing her, he took a step back and bowed, impressed when she curtseyed in return.
Holding out his arm, he could not hold back his smile when she wrapped her hand around his arm and allowed him to lead her back the way she’d come, out of the ballroom.At the doorway, he was not surprised to find Liam and Beck waiting.
The two men had been with him long enough to know that after dancing once, he would leave and allow the party to go on until the wee hours without the formality this night required.Other nights he would join the revelers without the formality of his throne, or the platform raising him above the rest of the tribe.
When the elevator opened, he guided Summer inside before looking at his guards.“We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes,Konungr,” the men said in unison as they gave a formal half bow.“Good sleep to you and your mate.”
Fenrir waited until the elevator doors closed and the box began to rise before he turned and took Summer in his arms.“Are you ready to be claimed as the king’s life mate, sweetness?”
