Saving Grace (8 page)

Grace held back for a moment. “Thank you for bringing me here. Truly. Thank you. It was a sweet gesture.”

Katarina nodded. “Thank
you
.” She gave Grace’s hand a gentle squeeze and a quick wink.

A moment after Katarina’s wink, they were back in the ballroom. Immediately, she spotted Roman, looking rather wary, and made her way to him.

“I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long.” She whispered in his ear.

He sniffed her.

He sniffed me!
Her stomach clenched.

“From worried to aroused in zero point three seconds. Congrats, Grace. That’s a record for me.” He kissed her neck. “I take it Katarina got her wish.”

She shifted her weight, wanting to apologize, to beg for forgiveness.

“Wish I could have seen that,” He wiggled his eyebrows. One simple movement of the brow and all guilt was washed away.

“That was, uh, a first for me. Very unexpected.”

He obviously tried to stifle a grin. His lips grew thin and twisted to one side. “Needy vamp?”

She grabbed his hand and looked him in the eye. “I’m having visions of the past. It’s something I’d like to talk to you about after the party. Maybe Colin too. Secret or no secret it could be useful to the pack.”
And I don’t want to talk about Katarina.

He squeezed her hand. “They’re not bothering you are they? Causing headaches or anything?”

She shook her head.

“Okay, later then. Let’s go eat.”

*

For once in his life, Roman was glad he had listened to Colin about choice of attire. The pants did a nice job of hiding the massive boner he was trying to control. Grace and another woman…his imagination was running wild.

And she wanted to trust him with something new. This could have been the worst party of the century and this one tiny fact, one tiny gesture made it the best night of his life. It would have only been better if he could have joined Katarina and Grace earlier.

He led her to the food and helped her fill her plate before they found a quiet seat in the corner. He watched in fascination as her gorgeous green eyes shift, her gaze bouncing all over the massive room. Once, they went blank and he wondered if she had another vision, though he’d promised himself to allow her to tell him when she wanted, not pressing the issue.

Xander was sulking at a table near them, fiddling with strawberry stems from his nearly empty plate. A young Lycan girl from their pack sat with him and tried to strike up a conversation, but he was less than welcoming.

He shook his head. The boy would be so much happier if he integrated into the pack.

A woman in Victorian costume dropped off drinks for Roman and Grace before flitting off to the other guests. He watched his mate smile and thank the woman like it was the kindest gesture in the world.

Her name sure fit her. She was Grace—graceful, gracious and warm. She accepted everyone at face value, never shying away from the fact that these were aliens to her.

His heart skipped a beat when she laughed at the jester.

“Let’s mingle!” she insisted.

He didn’t care. He was with her. She was with him. He walked her around the ballroom, introducing her to members from neighboring packs, packs who’d accepted the rules and remained allies.

He studied her as she became acquainted with new people, new species, other Lycans and numerous Vampires. Nothing took her off guard. He expected her to be nervous, since she’d only recently accepted being a Lycan herself.

“When can we go?” Xander interrupted.

He tried to maintain his calm exterior though he truly wanted to strangle the young man. It was a party and he acted like he was sitting in a waiting room, constantly shifting his weight and skulking around.

“It’s early, Xander. Why don’t you try to be sociable?” Grace urged.

“Stuff it, Princess. I didn’t ask you.” He turned to Roman.

“Is that any way to talk to a member of the pack?” Roman’s voice was low, it rumbled, and he was doing everything in his power to remain calm. Grace was his. No man, Lycan or otherwise, was going to disrespect her.

“Why is she so damned special, huh? Why are we wasting time at a party when my mother is out there?” Xander’s eyes flashed golden before he stormed off.

He went to take off after Xander. Grace grabbed him by the arm. “Let him go. He’s just upset. If it were my Gran, I’d be consumed by it too, and angry nothing could be done until the Counsel gave approval. In my opinion that situation sucks!” She tossed a naughty smiled and it melted him.

“I thought you didn’t like him.”

“Of course I don’t. He’s a chauvinist and a giant pain in the ass. I’d rather shave my head bald than share a cup of coffee with him. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a little empathy. Maybe he is an asshole because he’s overwhelmed with worry.”

Roman nodded.
Excellent leadership skills, dear.

Dozens of names Grace knew she’d never keep straight, swam circles in her head. Xander had been an ass, as usual, but she was determined not the let it ruin a good time. She’d even convinced her mate to let it drop.

“Roman, who is this vision of loveliness?” The man standing in front of her was tall, with greasy black hair and a long crooked nose. His muddy brown eyes measured her from head to toe causing her stomach to tighten with nervousness.

“I don’t trust him,”
her wolf warned.

No kidding.

“This is, uh, Grace, the newest member of our pack.” Roman stood a little taller.

“Jagger,” the unnerving man said as he nodded at her, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, Grace.”

“Likewise,” she forced a smile. Every instinct told her to get away from this man. His smell, was different than those in her pack. There were salty and metallic notes causing bile to rise in her throat. He smelled like blood.

“Your instincts serve you well.”
Gustav’s voice echoed in her head.

She turned to Roman and raised an brow. “It seems we’ve been summoned by our host.”

He looked at her, then at Jagger, and nodded.

She could hear Gustav laughing in her mind. He was amused by her lie.

“Until we meet again,” Jagger grabbed her fingers and pulled with more force than made her comfortable and forcefully kissed the back of her hand.

“Can’t wait,” she jerked her arm back.

“Grace,” Roman murmured then cleared his throat, “relax your eyes.”

She turned around and headed for Gustav, hoping Roman would follow. Her eyes kept their glow while she hurried toward their host.

Katarina appeared, floating backward in front of her. Her white blonde hair blowing toward her face as she glanced at Roman then back at her. “You’re upset.”

“I’m fine.” Grace smiled and quickened her pace.

“Why is your wolf coming out then?” Katarina cackled then disappeared. In a second she was standing next to Gustav.

“Why can’t I do that?” Grace complained.

“Because you’re not a vampire. Would you slow down?” Roman complained.

“I’ll kill him for us. He may be an alpha, but we can handle it.”
Her wolf was on the offensive.

“He’s an Alpha?” Grace’s hands shook at the thought.

“Yes, he’s an Alpha,” Gustav smiled. “I did not summon you, Princess.”

“I know, but you invited all of these people. Why him?”

Roman grabbed her hand. “The Vampires are neutral, Grace.”

Her eyes flashed again when she spun around to Roman. “I asked
him
, thank you.”

Gustav put his hands together in a single clap. “For my entertainment of course.”

She pulled her eyes nearly closed as she leered at him. “And you find this amusing?”

“On the contrary, Princess. I find you quite riveting, compelling, strong, thoughtful although completely oblivious to your situation. I’ve thrown this party for you, for you to meet other non-humans.”

She re-focused her attention when she heard voices not far from her, they were taunting someone.

“What’s with the hair? You look like a bitch.” Three Lycan males had surrounded Xander and they were harassing him. When Grace saw who was being tormented, she turned back to Gustav.

“Is he dangerous?”

“He hasn’t joined the council,” Roman answered.

“Your mate grows concerned that you’re being offensive.”

Normally annoyed Gustav could pop in her head, she took advantage since Roman wouldn’t allow her to carry on the conversation without his intervention.

Is he dangerous, the Jagger person?

“Yes.”
Gustav nodded at her.
“But only if you allow it.”

She tightened her jaw on hearing his answer.

“What’s it like to be a bitch? Do you get on all fours while you’re being mounted?” She heard the Lycans continuing their taunting of Xander.

“Shut the fuck up!” he barked back.

“Do they use your hair like a leash? Hold you still while they take it from behind?”

Grace’s vision went a little hazy. Her shoulders tightened and she stormed off toward Xander, her eyes glowing so bright she was illuminating everything around her. Roman’s nerves were already on edge.

She swung her arm above her head as if wielding a sword and yelled, “
Erit maneas. Perfruere vita; quasi parturiens!
”

A thread of light shot from her hand and attacked the three Lycans who had been harassing Xander. They screamed as they were illuminated by the white bolt. They became too bright to see for a split second. When the beam light dissipated, the crowd erupted in laughter. The three Lycan males were now three Lycan females.

*

“What? What did she just say? What did she do?” Roman turned to the vampires for guidance. He had no idea what language she just spoke, let alone what she said.

Katarina halted her applause. “She just said, ‘these words shall remain, enjoy life as a woman.’ That was her spell, pure and raw emotion.”

His stomach lurched into his chest.
Why does my mate have to be so complicated?

She stood looking confused by what had just happened.

Xander was in shock, standing there looking at his three hecklers who now sported large breasts, shapely bottoms and long hair.

“Oh the Gods! What happened to my pack mates?” Jagger ran up to them. “Who is responsible for this?”

Roman rushed to her side. No one was going to attack his mate. Not while he drew breath.

She cleared her throat, lifted her chin, and narrowed her eyes. “I am.”

Jagger took three large steps toward her.

He jumped in front of her before feeling a gentle hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Roman. I can handle myself.”

Obviously not.

“Remove your curse, Witch,” Jagger growled.

Her lips twitched.

His heart lurched.
She’s enjoying this?

Colin made a mad dash through the crowd when he saw his two pack mates squaring off with the rival pack’s Alpha.

“You should teach your pack mates a little respect for women…hell, respect for their fellow Lycans. I’m not going to stand by and watch them harass one of my pack mates and I for damned sure am not going to sit and listen to lewd and lascivious comments about women.”

“Witch!” He screamed. “Reverse your spell.”

A loud, eerie cackle came from a few feet away. A tiny elderly woman wobbled up with her cane. She poked Jagger in the chest. “Pup she’s no witch. Even I cannot change male to female. She has the power to manipulate matter and manipulate she did. Serves them right.”

She turned to Grace and bowed her head slightly. “Princess.”

Jagger’s eyes bulged.

Roman’s heart skipped a beat. The entire ballroom now knew who Grace was, endangering her further.

“Time to go,” he said as he grabbed her arm.

She jerked free from his grasp. “Xander will drive me home.”

Xander furrowed his brown, then nodded.

What did I do wrong?
Roman looked at Colin who had yet to say a word. “Well?”

Colin gave a weak smile and shook his head. “Let’s round up the pack and head home.”

“You shouldn’t have done that. We’re not exactly friends, you know.” Xander glanced at her as he reached the end of the drive.

“I don’t have to like you to respect the fact that you’re a pack mate. Pack is sort of like a military family. You know, no man left behind and shit.” She smiled at him. Truth was, Xander irritated the hell out of her. But he didn’t deserve to be humiliated because it was a party and he was ordered not to shift. Everyone was ordered not to shift, to behave themselves and enjoy the party.

“Still, you didn’t and probably shouldn’t have done whatever that was. Everyone is supposed to be safe at a Vamp party.”

“How is it I’m new to the whole being a Lycan thing and you’ve been this your whole life and I get what it means more than you? That’s just fucked up Xander. Don’t you understand we’re your family? You’re like the little pain in the ass brother I never had.”

“Gee, thanks.” He shook his head and continued to scowl.

“Really, man. What’s your malfunction?”

Xander scowled at her. “Can you just drop it?”

“Fine, you will tell me. As your princess, I order you to tell me why there’s a huge stick up your ass.”

Xander gritted his teeth. There was a hierarchy and whether he liked it or not, his DNA made him submit. “I hate you.” He took a deep breath. “I can’t think of anything or anyone as my family. My mother is suffering. She’s a prisoner—a slave. Can you imagine?”

“No.”

“That’s right. No you can’t. No one can. All I think about is whatever horrible thing they’re doing to her now. She risked her life to get me out of there.”

Grace pondered his words. She’d defended Xander to Roman, saying he was consumed. Why did she press him now?

“How can we make this better?”

“How? Are you kidding me? I want to go back with our pack and get her.” He pounded his fist on the steering wheel.

“So the pack, that you don’t treat like your pack, are supposed to risk their hides to rescue your mom when all you do is skulk around treating everyone like shit? Yeah, that makes perfect sense.” She shook her head. “I’ve been a Lycan for three seconds and I know better than to ask that of the pack at this time. And I’m way more valuable than you are, Xander. I may not like it. You may not like it. But they want to protect me. You…not so much.” She folded her arms across her chest.

He pulled off the side of the road and slammed the car into park. She froze in her current position, arms crossed, determination on her face.

“Okay, Einstein. Tell me how.”

She turned her head slightly and cocked her brow. “How to what?”

“How to get everyone to like me?”

“First of all, you little asshole, try saying thank you.”

Xander held his breath for a second. “Excuse me?”

“Hey, Grace. Those guys were being dicks. You were the only one who could act out without Colin having a kitten, so thanks for throwing yourself at his mercy to get even with the douche bags that were giving me a rough time.” She finished by patting Xander on the back. “Just like that. Be humble. Be fucking nice. Stop moping. Talk to your pack about something other than pack business. Ask people how they are. You know, be human.”

He chuckled. “I’m not a human. I’m a Lycan.”

“Semantics,” she said with a dismissing wave.

He turned and faced forward.

She sat perfectly still, waiting for a reply.

He put the car in drive and pulled back on the road.

“He’s thinking. Let the boy think.”
Her wolf urged.

I know. But I want him to feel me staring at him.

“Princess…he needs kindness. He needs the love of the pack.”

She considered her wolf’s advice. “Who was that pretty girl talking to you at the table? Is she from our pack?”

“Uh, yeah. Her name is Emily.”

“Well you do look fetching in the tux.” She smiled at him when he looked at her.

“You hitting on me now?” he asked with a laugh.

She couldn’t help but giggle. “No, but
she
sure was. What’s wrong, don’t you like her?”

“I like her just fine. I just wasn’t in the mood for a party.”

She looked in the rearview to see Colin’s car speeding up behind them.

“Looks like the Alpha and Beta are making sure we don’t kill each other.”

He looked in the mirror and laughed. “Roman’s mate is in this car. I’d bet my bushy tail he’s driving.”

“Good Lord! It’s not like we’d really kill each other!” If she wasn’t already annoyed with Roman, this little move had done it.

“You, uh, sorta already threatened to kill me.”

She snapped her head toward him. “No I didn’t.”

He smiled. “Lycan 101. When you stood over me snarling in the woods—that’s a common kill stance. I thought you were going to rip my throat out.”

Heat radiating through her cheeks, she attempted to apologize. “I’m sorry, Xander. Please don’t take that as a threat. I wouldn’t hurt you. Not really. I mean, I was mad at you for walking up on us like that, but I wouldn’t have…”

He smiled and nodded. “Told me you were serious enough.”

She kept her mouth shut as they drove down the lane to the pack house. Her heart thudded in her chest. She was mad at Roman for interrupting, for talking over her, and not letting her handle herself. She was an independent woman and he was going to get out of the stone ages if she had to drag him kicking and screaming.

Xander put the car in park and shut down the engine. “Grace, before you get out of the car…”

She released the door handle and gave her his full attention.

“Thank you. That was pretty bad ass.”

She smiled and nodded. “Let’s try to get along a bit better. I lost my parents. I might understand you more than you know. I’m not saying we’ll be best friends or anything—but common ground would be nice. And no more walking up on me during intimate moments. That was an asshole move.”

He nodded. “Deal.”