He grins like a Cheshire cat. “You having a hard time focusing, Bro?” he asks.
I level a look at him, but he just grins. “Did you need something?” I ask, my voice clipped.
His grin widens. “First game. What’s your take?”
I force myself to think about basketball and our first game in just two weeks. “SGC. We’ll see what their team looks like this year, but based on other years, I expect a win by,” I pause and think. “Thirteen points.”
Riley turns to look at me. “Wow, somebody’s confident.”
The guys around the table laugh; they’re used to this. I shrug. “We play them every year. I’ve got a feel for how things will go.”
She studies my face. “Do you do this for every game?”
“Yes,” the guys say, diming me in.
“How accurate are you?” she asks.
I shrug. “Sometimes I get it pretty close. Other times, I’m way off.”
“Yeah, remember last year against North Carolina? You called that game that we’d be ahead by twenty at halftime, and—”
“Don’t remind me,” I say, cutting him off; but he continues.
“But they had two new freshman that were outside shooters. They killed us. They were up by nearly twenty at halftime!” The guys all laugh, and I shake my head ruefully. I can admit it when I’m wrong.
I look over to see the host for tonight walk up to the podium. I sit back in my chair, ready to get through this part and on to the rest of the night. “We are honored tonight to have Coach Bellani with us.” I look over at the coach, not surprised they were able to get him. They usually pull in some pretty big names for these banquets, and Coach Bellani is definitely a big name in the world of basketball with three rings to show for it in the NBA. We all turn our attention to him, and I discreetly pull Riley’s chair closer to mine. He talks about our upcoming season and gives us a motivational speech that normally would appeal to me. Tonight, however, I just want to get to the part where I can have Riley in my arms. We’ve never attended a dance together before. I’ve never actually even stuck around for the dance at these events. Tonight is different. Tonight, Riley is my date, something I’ve dreamed of the past three years I’ve had to attend this event alone. Riley must feel somewhat the same way, because about halfway through she starts absently drumming her fingers on mythigh. Any attempt to pay attention flies out the window. Finally, he finishes, and the music starts. The tables around us empty quickly as players partner up and head to the dance floor. I stand beside Riley and put out my hand.
“Dance with me?”
She smiles up at me and takes my hand. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I lead her out onto the crowded dance floor. Normally, I wouldn’t want to be around this many people. Now, I’m grateful because it pushes Riley even closer to me. I drop my hand to her back and pull her close to my body. She fits in my arms like she was made for me, which she was. Her heels almost put her eye to eye with me. We sway to the romantic music, and I relish the treasure of simply getting to hold her. “I didn’t think he would ever stop talking.” Her voice isn’t super loud, but I can still hear her over the music.
“Can I tell you that I’ve envisioned this night for three years?”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
I nod. “Every year, when we get to this part, I always leave.”
She stares up at me with wide eyes. “Thanks for waiting for me, Reid.”
I pull her closer. “I would wait for you forever.”
She smiles. “You can’t say stuff like that.”
I smirk. “Sure, I can.” Her body stiffens against me, and she frowns. “What is it?” I ask.
“Do you feel that?” Her eyes scan the crowd.
I’m instantly alert, letting my wolf come just to the surface. I reach out to my wolf.Feel anything?
And then I feel it—an unnatural slimy darkness. Shadows line the walls, and I feel something...evil. Then dark creatures, black as midnight and hideous in form converge on the room. People start screaming and running for the exits. There’s chaos everywhere. I pull Riley off the dance floor. “Stay right with me.”Then we start for the exit; I reach out immediately.Alpha, we’re under attack. Skinwalkers are here. Basketball banquet at the Hilton.
Riley?He sends back immediately.
She's with me.
We’re on our way. Get my daughter out of there.
