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“Ha! Another alpha unable to resist the allure of a Hartwell omega. They are the flame and we mere moths gathering about them. Now, missy, you behave. With all these strange alphas about, you keep close to Drexler here. He and Puck and that strapping lad next to him will protect you.”
“Now, my lord. I assure you, Hippolyta is more likely to protect us. If you will excuse us?”
My father’s old admirer winked at me, waving us off. Oberon led me away, his hand still on my waist.
“You must know, I am familiar with most of the alphas here,” I reminded him. “I was raised among them. Would have married into that world if I had chosen.”
“Thank the goddess, you had the good sense not to. I can count on one hand the number here I would permit you to speak with.”
“Permit me? Sirrah—“
“Hippolyta, I’ll spank you if you persist in goading me in public,” he said, his voice full of sinister promise. “Enough socialising for the night. Cards?”
“If you like.” Cards would be boring but cards would also limit my exposure to alpha scents which, now that I was relatively alone with Oberon, seemed almost oppressive.
“I like everything that keeps you close.”
My lips twitched at his teasing tone, though for a reason he could not guess. There were a multitude of eyes on us, which he no doubt knew, but amongst the crowd were two I knew hated the sight of me at his side. Biting my lip I looked over my shoulder to see the couple glaring daggers at our little display. I smirked at the sight. They meant nothing to me but that did not mean their presence did not make me reckless with the desire to cause a scene. So many alphas made my omega aggression bubble to the surface.
“Who are you looking at?”
“The Lloyds.”
“Why?”
“Oh, my dear, dear Oberon,” I purred. “You are a fool to think they like seeing me at your side when they had hope to incorporate you and Puck into their pack.”
He blinked at me. “What?”
I swished my skirts and sat in the chair a footman placed in front of me. “This is why my spies are so far superior to yours. My people ferreted out this information almost before the plot was hatched. In short, the Lloyds are under the impression your wealth is beyond calculation. They hoped to draw you and Puck in with their adorable little omega. Then they would have you fund their investments.”
“That gives them no reason to have murder in their eyes.”
“You can see it now?” I asked.
“Yes.” He lowered himself in the chair across from me.
“I ensured their omega found a less…” I searched for a word that would not have the alpha now watching the pair behind me standing and banning them from the Hell. “Demanding pack.”
“And what do you—” His eyes flashed. “They know you took the omega. You personally. They saw your face.”
I hummed in agreement and began shuffling the cards. “What game shall we play tonight?”
“Never again,” he said in a barely modulated growl. “You tell me this in a crowded room thinking I will not react to the knowledge the Ton knows of your omega stealing. No, do not bite my head off,” he snapped. “Not stealing, you are correct, but rescuing. You shall never put yourself in such danger again.”
“I shall do as I please. You’ll struggle to find a cage I cannot escape.” His answering grunt—so masculinely eloquent—provoked a real smile. The kind reserved for the twins when they pulled some prank or when Bea was forced from her beloved city to spend time in Hertfordshire.
“Don’t grin like that. It makes me worry you dream of stabbing me in your sleep.”
“Every night.”
“You’re getting on well.” Puck appeared through the gathering crowd and at his elbow, Jude. I finally took the time to look at my old bodyguard. He was dressed as befitted a gentleman, not quite to the height of fashion but the clothes on his back likely cost more than anything he’d worn before. However, the ease with which he wore these new weeds shocked me less than the distinctive alpha scent. I’d say it was impossible to notice his amongst the density of alpha around me, but I smelled him before in the intimacy of the residence’s dining room. “Go stand by her,” Puck said over his shoulder. “You can better watch your master from that vantage point.”
“You think his face will give away my cards?” I asked, eyes focused on them while heat flooded my core. I’d cause a riot if I became aroused.
“What’s this, eh?” A man appeared at the table, pulling back the chair that had been set for Jude. Lord Deverill not doubt considered himself a young buck, a pink of the ton, but he was more dandy than dashing.
“You’ve not been invited to join us,” I snapped with enough bark that several alphas jumped.
