Chapter Four
Treffon had to hand it to his uncle. Madok was extremely talented at keeping a secret. He’d told Treffon that he wanted him to come to this dance because he suspected a cyborg infiltrator would be present.
If the Earth woman hadn’t told Treffon about Madok’s plans, he would never have known what he was being led into.
Normally, Treffon would have been furious at the deception; he’d made his position clear many times. He would not allow an arranged mating.
And Madok would expect Treffon’s anger…but he’d also know that Treffon would put on a reasonably diplomatic front, especially because this was a party thrown jointly with the Wor-Lans, and Treffon was committed to maintaining peace with them.
He’d most likely planned on introducing Treffon to some of the most attractive women there, in the hopes that there would be at least a physical attraction. Madok and Zura might not agree on much, but they were both eager to see Treffon mated. Zura genuinely cared about Treffon, and Madok didn’t want to see the pack shamed if Treffon went mad.
When Madok led him through the door into a room full of women dressed in gorgeous Earth finery, Treffon flashed him a fierce grin.
“Well, let us commence at once. We should put all the females in detention, then strip them and scan them to discover which one is the cyborg. Of course, we’ll need to take blood for testing, and I’m afraid the interrogation will be most brutal. But it cannot be helped; the safety of our pack comes before all else.”
Madok’s jaw dropped. “Well,” he stammered. “Perhaps we should take a more subtle approach.”
“Or perhaps you lured me here in hopes of finding me a pair bond, and there is no cyborg?”
Madok spluttered, taking a step back. “You know…I It’s just… I thought that…”
Treffon cut him off. “Excellent. There are many attractive females here, and one in particular I am eager to get acquainted with. Let me go and speak to the Earth women.”
He was rewarded with the look of genuine shock on Madok’s face. Treffon turned and strode off, scanning the room for the female. He didn’t see her anywhere, but he would not stop searching until he found her.
The women thronging the ballroom were dressed in all shades and fabrics – the plush of velvets, the sheen of satin, shot silk, lace, and delicate beading in scarlets and golds, jewel tones of amethyst and emerald, delicate pinks, and lilacs the color of the sky. Only a few couples swayed on the dance floor, but knots of people had gathered around the edges of the room, and the low murmur of conversation twisted through the harmonies of music that drifted from silver floating spheres that clustered around the dancers and withdrew discreetly from murmured tete-a-tetes.
Treffon walked over to the bar and ordered a flagon of Keera.
As he took a long pull of the bitter brew, his chief guardian, Tristao, walked over to him along with his mate, Cora Lee, a human – or rather former human. When Cora Lee had become pregnant with Tristao’s cubs, several years ago, she had geno-morphed. She was now full Vulfan, pointy furred ears and all.
Voljaki was there too, standing across the room with his men. He and a squadron of his men had been assigned to work with the Thorolf guard as part of an exchange program, designed to encourage cooperation between the two packs. However, he and his men still did not mingle with the Thorolfs any more than necessary.
“Greetings, Reginar,” Tristao said with a look of surprise. “I am so pleased that you came here tonight! There are many attractive females here.” He glanced quickly at Cora Lee. “I mean, none as beautiful as my darling pair-bond, whose loveliness…ahhh…”
“Dims the sun? Puts the moons to shame?” Cora Lee’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Yes! Exactly!” Tristao said eagerly.
“Leave the poetry to me, sweetie. And don’t worry, you’re allowed to say that other females are attractive. I know you’d never stray.” She stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
Tristao responded with a kiss on the top of her head, but his gaze was constantly sweeping the room as he did it. That was why he’d risen to his position; he was able to balance duty and his personal life appropriately.
“I am pleased to see that you are ever vigilant,” Treffon said to Tristao. “Your cubs are all well?”
“Delightful as ever. They will be fierce warriors. My oldest chewed through a table leg this morning,” Tristao said with obvious pride.
Cora Lee rolled her eyes, but she looked amused. “Yes, he is his father’s cub, all right. Oh, and you certainly dressed up for the occasion,” she said to Treffon. “Is that Rarsachia I smell?” Rarsachia was a tree whose leaves were crushed to release a mild aphrodisiac scent.
Treffon was temporarily taken aback. He hadnotput any special effort into getting ready tonight. If he’d bathed a little longer than usual, taken a little more time choosing a crisp new tunic, and trimmed his hair with special care, it had certainly had nothing to do with the human female.
No, he’d only paid extra attention to his appearance tonight because, after all, he’d known the Wor-Lans would be there as well, and he would never allow them to see the leader of the Thorolfs looking anything less than his best.
“Enjoy your evening,” he said to them without answering Cora Lee’s question. He began circulating through the crowd.
Zura, who was off-duty and wearing a flowing white tunic-dress , waved at him, and he made his way through the crowd towards her. There circles under her eyes, and her smile appeared forced. She took a drink from her ever-present flask as he walked up to her.
There was a whiff of something oddly familiar wafting from the flask.
