Page 23 of Deceived

I growl to show my displeasure but at least I don’t want to tear his throat out for being near my mate. That’s usually a side effect of being newly mated.

“What is it?” Griffyn asks. He’s staring at Anna and I like he wants to join. He could.

“We were summoned for the Electi Ball,” Aksel says.

Fuck. That’s not what we need to deal with right now.

“Seriously? Can we tell them to fuck off? We are on a mission after all,” Griffyn says.

I agree. Why should we have to go when we are on a mission? I don’t want to go anywhere near the pricks at that thing.

“Our team was chosen for our exemplary service. They know we can get away for a day from our case so it is non-negotiable. It was clear in the invitation that if we didn’t show up, we would be fired.”

Fuck! We can’t lose this job and we certainly can’t be taken off this case.

My Kitten needs us to be the ones hunting Killian.

Griffyn groans.

Blaze is staring at Anna and me with no expression on his face. He’s a blank slate.

“It is Saturday, which doesn’t give us much time. We need to get tuxedos for it. I’ll handle it,” Aksel says.

I appreciate it. I don’t know the first thing about events like this. Aksel was raised around this stuff, it’s his home field.

But he didn’t mention Anna and I can’t let that happen.

“What about Anna?” I ask.

Griffyn looks to Aksel for a response too. His shoulders tighten like he’s ready for a fight. I love having him on my side. If anyone knows how to piss Aksel off enough to get him to agree to something, it’s Griffyn.

“Anna isn’t coming.”

Hell no.

“I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again. We aren’t leaving Anna behind.”

“This has nothing to do with the case and we won’t be fighting anyone. It is better if she stays off anyone’s radar,” Aksel says, teeth grinding into dust.

“Are you crazy? I’m not leaving her behind alone when a stalker and Killian are after her. How could you think of leaving her here?” I ask firmly. A growl seeps out. She is my mate and I have to protect her.

“It’s not like the ball will be threat free!” Aksel snaps.

We all stare at him in silence, waiting for him to elaborate but he doesn’t.

“She’s Felix’s mate. It’ll be obvious he’s mated to everyone there and they’ll wonder why he didn’t bring her. No one will pay attention if she’s there, but it will draw attention if she’s not,” Griffyn points out.

“Felix isn’t going to do well with all those men around her and I doubt Anna will like all the female attention he gets,” Blaze points out.

“Right now it’s under control. I’ll keep it that way for the ball,” I say.

Anna nods that she too will handle it.

I won’t like it but it’s better to have her by my side than be in danger alone.

Aksel looks like the blood vessel in his forehead is going to burst.

“Fine. I will get her a dress but you’re responsible for her. Rion will be here alone but no one is to tell him that. I don’t want him attempting anything. You aren’t going to the hospital now that we need to prepare for the ball, so call and check-in.” Aksel’s expression drips with disdain and I want to rip it right off him.

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