I don’t want anything else.
I rise and undo my robe, dropping it on the chaise lounge.
I have a scrunchie on my wrist, and I whip it off to gather up my braids into a loose bun.
“I’m going for a dip.”
Without waiting for Madi’s response, I turn and walk down the steps into the long infinity pool.
It’s heated to the perfect temperature, and the sensation of pristine water lapping against my bare skin relaxes me.
I swim to the edge and lean against it, letting water slosh over the infinity edge.
This side of the spa overlooks a gorgeous stretch of the beach.
There are a group of guys down there, running back and forth over the sand, shouting to each other and tossing around a ball shaped like a rounded lemon.
I realize it’s Billy.
And Brick, Jake, Nickel, and the rest.
They’re playing some sort of sports ball.
Maybe rugby?
All but Nickel have stripped off their shirts, and I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit that they’re all premium grade, A grade beefsteak.
I didn’t know guys really had abs like that.
Tight and chiseled with enough contour to keep Michelangelo busy sculpting for a lifetime.
When do they even have the time to work out so much?
Billy
What started as a relaxing morning on the beach has turned into an intense game of shifter rugby.
Shifter rugby and human rugby are pretty similar.
At least, when we’re in public.
In private, there are a lot less rules-and wolf forms are allowed.
We have to play with a special ball because our wolf teeth puncture the traditional rugby ball and deflate it.
I’ve played games where the ball was the jawbone of a deer or a piece of antler.
Now that I think of it, shifter rugby and human rugby have nothing in common.
There are a lot more fights, a lot more biting.
And howling.
Our game on the beach is pretty tame.
Until my skin prickles, and I realize that someone is watching us.
I turn and spot the culprit.
The fancy spa Madi took her bridesmaids to overlooks this stretch of the beach.
Aubrey’s there, watching me from the pool.
With her braids piled on her head, she looks like a queen.
My chest swells.
Time to put on a show.
I huddle up with Vance and Sully, facing Brick and the others.
We sign our plans to each other and then break apart.
I do the kickoff, and immediately start running.
Sully races to catch the ball, narrowly missing Nickel and Jake, who dive to stop him.
Vance hollers and Sully passes the ball back to him.
It’s tricky because Brick is barreling down on them both.
But then I tackle Brick.
I aim for center mass and slam into him, driving us both into the surf.
We fall into the water.
The next thing I know, he’s trying to drown me.
He’s got some new moves-he slipped my hold using a technique his werebear sparring buddy must have taught him.
“Submit,” he growls.
Normally I’d give in, but Aubrey’s watching.
“Never,” I shout, and dive at his legs.
I get a kick in the head and a mouthful of seawater, but Brick goes crashing into the water again.
“Are you kidding me?”
Brick roars.
It comes out garbled because I splash him when his mouth is open, and he swallows seawater.
“Smile.”
I splash him again.
“We’re on candid camera.”
I turn and wave to Aubrey.
Madi has joined her on the edge of the pool, and they’re both waving and laughing.
Brick grumbles but waves, and his face brightens when Madi blows him a kiss.
“Did we win?”
I ask Vance, who’s watching us from the beach, covered in sand.
“Yeah.
Nickel and Jake tackled me, but Sully got the ball to their goal when we all stopped to watch you guys wrestle.”
I pump my fist into the air.
Our distraction tactic worked this time.
It won’t work again, but winning once feels nice.
“Dumbass,” Jake signs at me, and we start insulting each other again in ASL.
A scent on the breeze alerts us that we have company.
We turn as one to face the group of shifters walking up the beach towards us.
Jake signs in ASL, “Who are they?”
Shifters have a heightened sense of hearing.
Knowing sign language gives our pack an edge when we don’t want to be overheard.
“King of Monaco and the top wolves in his pack,” Sully answers.
“We sent word that we’d be here.
As a courtesy.”
“Let’s say hello,” Brick says out loud in English, and we follow him up the beach, arranging ourselves in a loose formation with Brick at the head and me by his right hand.
The wolves facing us are big and burly.
In the human world, they’d be clocked as body builders.
The leader has a dark beard and a wild tangle of hair down his back.
With his deeply tanned skin, he looks like a pirate.
Sully gave Brick and I a dossier on him and his pack, so I know his family were shipping tycoons.
“Luka Atlantea,” Brick greets him.
“Wolf King of Monaco.”
“Blackthroat.”
Luka’s voice is deep and resonant.
“The Wall Street Wonder.
Welcome to my kingdom.
We’re honored by your visit.”
“We’re the ones who are honored,” Brick must have dug deep to find some respect for King Luka because his words ring true.
“You are here to celebrate your upcoming nuptials, no?”
Luka looks around as if searching for Brick’s mate.
“Yes.
My bride is here with her friends.”
Brick sweeps a hand out, indicating Madi and Aubrey at the spa.
I tense slightly.
My wolf doesn’t like calling attention to Aubrey.
We don’t know these wolves.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sully shifting on either foot.
He’s our security.
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