Chapter 4 Blade would have acted on her first impulse

But the two she-wolves kept talking over him, admiring his new appearance and size as if he were a statue to be talked about and not a person to talk to.

Mate, aid!

Blade giggled, aware that it would annoy him even more. Why? You are doing an outstanding job on your own. It'll be enjoyable to see the number of more she-wolves that will give themselves wholeheartedly to you this evening.

She gave him a wink and a kiss after Rex glared at her.

She let out a deep sigh, making sure he could feel her growing irritation. Rex, I'm doing my best to be a good sport about this. I'd rather test my knives on their eyeballs than tease you, so you really don't want me to get involved.

He abruptly called out, "Luna Marina," in a low, booming voice, as he abruptly moved away from them and stood by Blade's side. He had conveyed enough Alpha authority in his words to compel both she-wolves to freeze and pay attention to him. Blade Essa, my destined mate, is here. During the most recent Blood Moon, she became my Luna. He lowered his gaze to her. Blade, Kal's partner Luna Marina Hunt and their daughter Charlene are here. When I first met them a few years ago, they gave me a very warm welcome.

Blade was met with a blank stare from the two she-wolves. They looked at one another and afterward turned around to her. Even though Marina tried to appear neutral and polite, her disappointment was clear. On the other hand, all that was on Charlene's face was disdain and contempt.

Blade stated, "I don't think they like me."

Yeah. Even though I didn't think they would, I still hope they won't act foolishly. If they upset you, it will be awkward for Kal and me to continue doing business.

Blade said, keeping her tone light and conversational, "It's very nice to meet you." Many nice things have been said about you by Rex.

Amused, Rex said, "Liar."

I'm aware of this.

Marina indulgently smiled at Rex, but Charlene's hostility persisted.

"Has he since? Has he informed you that he will be my date tonight? Did he tell you that he had promised to choose me if he didn't find a suitable partner by now?

Blade would have acted on her first impulse if they weren't in a public place with people staring at them and she didn't think it would make an already awkward situation worse. She wanted nothing more than to make fun of Charlene and use a very sharp knife to get some of the makeup off her face.

Let's go, bitch. Try it. Try to acquire what I own.

Because he immediately sent a soothing wave of warm assurance that he was and would always be hers, it was evident that Rex had heard about her violent thoughts and emotions. He opened his mouth.

"I am sorry, Charlene. At the time I said either of those things, I was obviously intoxicated and had no idea that I was going to find my fated mate.

Marina nodded her head in understanding as he bowed his head in apology and respect. Sadly, Charlene's hostility was unaffected by Rex's apology.

They were interrupted at that point by a hotel worker wearing a dark suit coat and holding a clipboard.

"The event is about to begin. May I direct you to your corresponding seats?

Rex responded quickly, "Yes, please." Essa's Blade and Rex."

"Rex, I'm sorry, but you have to sit next to me tonight!" I said to you. Charlene spoke swiftly. exactly as planned."

Marina stated, "Sweetie, Rex must be wherever his mate is."

I can't believe she doesn't give up. Blade became irritated.

My apologies, Mate. I intend to provide you with a plausible explanation for everything that has transpired and to compensate you for it.

Blade was temporarily placated because their Bond conveyed Rex's sincere repentance.

She smiled at him and said, "I'll give her that she has good taste." How many additional she-wolves did you say you would?

I've made this promise to you alone.

She made the decision to let it go because Blade could feel his painful mortification and regret for even attending. Poor man. He already had enough trouble.

Rex was seated to Charlene's right at the main table, as per her promise, while Blade was seated to his left. Charlene tried to persuade Blade to sit at a different table on the opposite side of the room because there wasn't enough room, but Rex shot her right away.

"Blade is my partner, and she will not leave my side," he said. His hard tone alarmed Charlene, and she turned away. He received assurances from Marina, embarrassed, that they would not be separated.

While Charlene tried to get closer to Rex, Rex moved his chair close enough to Blade's that their thighs touched. While Charlene brushed her hand on Rex's arm and shoulder, he encircled Blade's knee with his hand.

She must cease touching you. She's playing perilously near the edge of my cutoff.

Rex exhaled. I know. I'll do everything in my power to keep her on track without offending Kal.

After looking around and determining that no one was watching her, Blade took out her lighter, lit it, and passed it to her companion in front of the bottom of the wine glass. She did the same thing with hers, quickly put them back where they belonged, and then she put her lighter back in her clutch.

Her knee was being squeezed.

Gratitude, Mate. And to think that before I met you, I never worried about being poisoned.

As she drank from her water glass, she chuckled. Wine was poured into their glasses by an elegant waiter wearing a dark vest, white shirt, and a tie. She tasted from her wine glass and was dazzled with the nature of the Beaujolais she had decided for Rex and herself. She was aware that it would complement the Steak Tartare she had ordered for them very well. Several weeks ago, Rex had asked her to handle the RSVP for this event. Despite receiving the invitation months in advance, he postponed attending due to conflicts and wars.

The smell of old books in a bookcase of decaying wood preceded Blade's other dinner companion, and the seat on Blade's right remained empty for a considerable amount of time. A tall man with ebony-colored skin quickly approached Blade's empty seat as Charlene tortured Rex with talk of various shoe styles.

His face had the smooth freshness of youth and was elegantly dressed in a pearl-grey tuxedo that made his skin appear cold. She estimated that he was around her age. The differentiation between his face and his snow-white dreadlocks that arrived at mostly down his back was captivating in the faint light similar to his eyes, which mirrored the close by candle's fire like two dark gleaming marbles. His eyes appeared tired at the same time, as if they had seen too much, most of it unpleasant.

"It appears that I will sit next to you," Although he spoke with precision, his accent was foreign. The voice of a Spanish speaker. However, something was off about it.

Within Blade's mental space, Talon shook with rage.

He doesn't like me. She growled, "Get rid of him."

Blade also felt uneasy. She smiled politely and motioned for the stranger, who was neither a human nor a wolf, to take his seat.

Talon, I'm sorry. We are expected to be courteous until he poses a threat, according to social norms.

Screw social shows. They are nonsense.

He said, turning to his side and extending a hand, "My name is Alexander."

Blade took his hand, perplexed by his willingness to extend it, and ignored how cold it felt. He must have also known who she was if she knew who he was. She concentrated on his accent in an effort to find common ground.

"Have a nice day, Alexander. This is Blade. What is Spanish? Where are you?"

"Falo. Mas sou brasileiro e falo portugûes. E vôce?"

Edge shook her head. " She laughed and said, "I only speak Spanish, and English, I guess."

Blade could clearly see the tips of a couple of razor-sharp fangs, Alexander's white teeth shining like pearls in the darkness, and Alexander grinned. It is an honor to meet Blade.

Rex said, suddenly turning toward Blade and Alexander, "Her name is Blade Essa." Furthermore, she's my mate. Alex, welcome. Where's your sibling?"

You were listening in.

Rex squeezed her knee in a playful way.

I will continuously snoop on any male that moves toward my mate. Adjust to it.

Alex gave Rex a nod in his direction. Regards, Rex. It's good to see you again. Soon, Hans will join us. I take it you two have urgent business to discuss?

"That's what he said," I say.

I assumed you were more interested in Charlene's discussion of various snow boot styles.

Is that the subject of her ranting? As soon as Alex sat next to you, I ignored her. He is significantly more fascinating than Charlene.