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“But why did they say they are expecting their first cub?” Danielle pointed out.
“A typo. They meant a baby. Or they do that for fun. You know, marketing gimmick.”
Danielle tsked. “A scam. I can smell it to high heaven.”
“Gosh, you really are a Negative Nancy.” Kate continued typing. “We’re still doing this. They asked your name and birthday. That’s it? Nothing else? Okay. No pain no hot guy gain.”
Danielle frowned. “Kate—”
“Hold on. I’m almost finished.”
“Kate, cut it out.”
“One second. Send.” Kate grinned triumphantly.
Suddenly, the world around her flickered like a dying television. Danielle blinked back in surprise. The reality shifted and a new scene emerged.
She was no longer in Miami.
Chapter Two
Dane Edwards stood under the archway that separated the dining room and the living room, watching the party underway in his apartment with a forced smile. His face hurt from putting on a fake smile when he didn’t give a shit about it at all. His aunt had put him up to it. His family had raised concern about him not being inclined to get a mate anytime soon.
Okay. They made a big stink about it. Dane’s father, Prima of the clan, had announced that he would soon abdicate his position to the oldest son, Dane, and it was a rule that before a prima took over, he must already have a mate.
Since their clan was a prominent House in the underground supernatural community in New York, the mate of Prima was a coveted status by the lesser Houses. Dane’s House preferred to avoid complicated political favors by taking a mate and the guarantee of a future heir was at hand.
Problem was Dane hadn’t met any woman he liked, let alone head-over-heels enough to marry. Plus, his close bond with his twin brother rather complicated everything.
Collin stalked by him and motioned him to follow.
Dane withdrew himself unobtrusively from the party and shadowed his twin to the second floor of the penthouse. Collin closed the French doors of the library behind Dane.
Dane sank into a wingback chair by the fireplace.
“See anyone you like?” Collin asked. He took a seat on the opposite side.
Dane only grunted in displeasure. “This is the last time I have to sit in this kind of ridiculous party. I won’t fall for another of Titania’s tricks.” Their aunt was a perennial busy-body who made her life mission to stick her nose into other people’s business. Since Dane and Collin’s mother passed away when they were in high school, Aunt Titania appointed herself as their mother replacement.
Collin chuckled softly. He was born one minute after him and dodged all obligations expected from a future Prima. They were identical straight down to their voices. When they were young, Dane and Collin loved switching identities and tricking people. They were always involved in mischief, one after another, and people couldn’t distinguish one from the other, not even their own mother. Weighed down with heavy responsibilities of the clan, Dane grew to be a serious man, rather cynic at times, while Collin maintained his happy-go-lucky persona.
Dane checked his wristwatch. “When will she arrive?”
“Anytime now,” said Collin.
“I wish Titania hadn’t scheduled the party for today.”
“I think the timing is perfect. When she comes, you could announce you’d found your bride. I’m sure everyone will get off your back from now on.”
Dane smirked. “Yes, and they will hound you next.”
“They can try. I’ll just tell them I’m gay.”
“No one would believe you. Your womanizing past is quite a legend.”
Collin shrugged. “Hey, people change over time. Maybe I want to play on the same team now. You can’t fault me for that.”
“Shut up.”
