Fox Fate (10 page)

The club was small, but we carved out space along one side. The band was good, and the dance floor ample. We ordered drinks, and then I waited for Lara to ask me to dance.

It was James and Hanna that broke the dancing ice for our group. Eric looked at Elisabeth and then at Joanna.

"Four of us on duty at all times," Elisabeth declared. "We'll rotate who is dancing." She then nodded to Eric, and a moment later he was leading Joanna onto the dance floor.

Three songs later, I still hadn't danced. And Serena hadn't released my arm. I finally leaned to her. "Will you dance with me?"

"I'd love to," she said back, "but I value my life." She glanced at Lara, who had her back turned to me.

"Fine," I said curtly. "I'll get one of the humans to dance."

"I don't think it's fair to pull Carissa's humans into your tiff with Lara."

"Who said anything about Carissa's humans?" I gestured with my head. "That guy over there looks like he knows how to dance, and he's been eyeing us. I don't think it would take much encouragement to receive an invitation."

"You wouldn't," Serena replied.

"It would be rude to turn him away if he's brave enough to ask me." I paused. "Huh. That would make him braver than you."

She didn't rise to the bait.

"I'm not trying to have a tiff with Lara," I said. "I complained about something. She told me I was wrong. I told her she was alpha, and if she said I was wrong, then I'm wrong. I've been trying to drop it ever since. I even apologized for my accusation. If she doesn't want to dance with me, I'll dance with someone else."

Serena studied me carefully. "You're not telling me something."

"I'm sure there's a great deal I'm not telling you," I said. "Are you going to dance with me, or should I smile at one of the men stealing glances at me?"

"You're going to make it worse," she said. "And you know it. Is a little dancing worth it, Michaela?"

"I'm not her property. If she doesn't want to dance with me, she shouldn't begrudge me if someone else does."

"Michaela, you know she reacts emotionally around you. She's under a great deal of stress this week. Why can't you cut her some slack?"

I considered a sharp retort, but I was able to tone down my reaction. "You're on her side," I accused, but I said it softly.

"Right now I'm pointing out what will happen if you push this. Am I wrong?"

"She's the one who cheated," I said hotly. "And now I'm getting punished for pointing it out."

"What are you talking about?"

I explained, very briefly.

"Ah," Serena said. "I don't think Lara was expecting Elisabeth's wager. I don't think it's fair to blame her."

"She could have put a stop to it."

"You could have backed out once you heard about the rest of Lara's game," Serena pointed out. "You didn't."

"It was a half hour later before I discovered the little cards weren't two points like everything else. We'd have won if they'd only been two points each."

"It was just a game," Serena said. "Are you that upset we laughed at Lara's jokes?"

"No. It was Elisabeth's wager on top of the joke."

"I think I need to understand her wager."

I gestured to the dress and explained.

"You look really nice, Michaela."

"I feel naked!" I complained.

Serena pursed her lips. "You know, there are a lot of wolves who wish they could pull off this look. We'd all look absolutely ridiculous. Scarlett and Ava are the rare wolves that can pull off a more feminine look, and neither of them holds a candle to you. Many wolves go through a period of adjustment during their teen years where they try to dress like this, eventually discovering they look ridiculous. My daughter is going through it right now. She's growing into her adult height, but it will be several years before she realizes this is a poor look for her. It doesn't help that she wants to be just like you." She paused. "I went through the same thing at her age." She paused again. "And so did Elisabeth."

"Elisabeth tried to wear skirts and dresses?"

"Frilly skirts and dresses," Serena clarified. "Can you imagine?"

I looked away for a moment, then turned back.

"If there's trouble, I'll never make it to my knives in time. You know I hate depending on everyone else for my safety. But that's why Elisabeth does this. She likes seeing me vulnerable and dependent on your protection."

She paused before answering. "Michaela, I have never lied to you."

I considered her carefully before saying slowly, "I know. What does that have to do with it?"

"The pack is very proud of how fierce you are," Serena said. "As your head of security, I feel a lot better knowing you can take care of yourself so well."

"But-"

"Elisabeth and I have talked about that. She is almost as protective of you as Lara is, and she wishes you would let us protect you the way we try. But she admits that's an emotional response, and it is better for the pack if you act like an alpha."

"She's going to make me dress like this whenever she wants to take my knives away," I complained. "Like she did tonight."

"If you need your knives here, we're in serious trouble."

"If we're in serious trouble," I replied, "then you're all going to need my help."

"And you'll have time to pull them out of your purse."

"I only have two."

She scanned the room for a moment then turned back to me. "If losing this wager upsets you so much, why did you accept it in the first place?" She paused again. "I think your outrage is a smoke screen."

"For what?" I asked, my tone harsh.

"Would you have been upset if it had been some minor wager?"

"Probably not," I admitted.

"It wasn't a given we would do well in the game," Serena said. "You accepted the wager knowing you could easily lose. If you are that upset about it, why did you accept? You know as well as I do not to take a wager you're unwilling to lose."

"I learned that lesson the last time Lara cheated!" I said hotly. I was referring to the night I lost a wager and thus was obligated to wear the wedding dress she picked out. It actually wasn't the last time she had cheated, but it was the last time I had accepted any wagers with either of them that was at all substantial.

"So why did you accept this one, especially as it's permanent? I know it wasn't because you wanted Elisabeth to teach your classes so much you were willing to risk it."

I looked away.

"I don't think you're that upset at losing," Serena said.

"I'm upset at the way I lost," I muttered.

"Like I said, the dress is a smoke screen," Serena explained. "You look nice, Michaela, and you're the first to call yourself vain. You like knowing you look nice. Lara enjoys you dressed like this."

"It makes me stand out," I whined. "A fox hides."

We were both quiet for a few minutes. The song changed, but I avoided accepting the gaze of any of the human males.

Finally Serena said, "That might be a fair complaint. I bet enjoying the attention versus standing out causes a certain amount of emotional conflict. I also imagine those make it harder for you to make smart choices."

I turned to look at her.

"Do you want to dance?" she asked.

"I thought you said it was a bad idea," I pointed out.

"Not with me. With your mate. Do you want to dance with her or not."

"I thought that was why we were here. Yes, I want to dance with her. But she's not interested."

"Lara will give you anything in her power to give you, Michaela, and if you swallow your pride and go ask her for a dance, you know she'll give it to you. And after you've danced a few songs with her, you can ask permission to dance with everyone else, and she'll hand you off to Elisabeth."

"I don't want to dance with her."

"You know she's going to apologize, and you're not ready to hear it."

"I don't want her apology!" I said hotly.

"Why not?" Serena asked. "Because if she apologizes, she also has to cancel the wager, and you don't want her to? Did you want to lose, Michaela?"

"No."

"Then what?" she asked. "I'm not sure I believe any of your complaints. It was obvious they were setting you up. I don't think that way, and it was even clear to me." She paused, and her eyes grew wide. "You're not mad at them! You're mad at yourself. They outfoxed you, and you didn't see it coming even when it was plain as day."

I looked away again, trying to ignore her.

"Lara outfoxed you with the game, but it was in fun," Serena said. "I bet that amuses you. Elisabeth outfoxed you, but it was also in fun. If you weren't willing to lose, you wouldn't have accepted. If you wanted the wager reversed, you'd guilt them both into whatever you want."

"Maybe that's what I'm doing."

"Then why did you tell Lara to drop it? Why did you tell her not to talk to Elisabeth about it?"

I didn't respond to that. I let it simmer for a minute before looking back at Serena. She was watching me carefully. "Shouldn't you be watching for threats?"

"Right now, the biggest threat to worry about is you."

I didn't think that was fair. I always gave ample warning when I was going to storm off. "Will you dance with me later?"

"I'd love to."

"I'm going to beg Lara for a dance and ask her if she likes how I look." I looked towards Lara, standing stiffly two small tables away. I took two steps then turned back to Serena, now over my left flank. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

But they had cheated, and I wasn't going to forget. It was possible, but unlikely, I would accept infinitesimally small future wagers, but I was never again wagering over anything I cared about.

Yes, it was a wedge, and it was one I would foster.

* * * *

I stepped up behind Lara. I couldn't tell if she sensed me approaching or not. I set my hand on her shoulder and then stepped next to her, pressing myself against her. I looked up at her.

"My love," I said, "There is something I want. You seem to enjoy giving me the things I want. Do you think you'll give me this?"

"Perhaps," she said cautiously. "Do you want me to negate your wager with my sister?"

"No. I want dances. And then I want permission to dance with my other friends here. And more dances with you. But before that, I want an honest answer to a question."

"You can ask," she replied with even more caution.

"Do you like when I dress like this?"

"Not if it's going to make you angry."

"Skipping that. Do you like it?"

She looked carefully into my eyes.

"This isn't a test, Lara. I want the truth."

"Yes, Little Fox," she said. "I very much enjoy when you dress like this, but not if it upsets you."

"What if I like it?"

She smiled, at least a ghost of a smile.

"What if I'd really like it if I got to dance with your arms around me while I was dressed like this?"

Her smile grew.

I glanced at the dance floor until I found a couple that was dancing in a particularly intimate fashion. "What if I want to dance like that?" I gestured with my nose.

"Not with anyone else!" Lara growled.

"Only with you," I said. "What if I want that, while dressed like this? I could feel your hands on my bare skin in front of everyone. I could feel your breath against my neck. Maybe you'll bend down and kiss a shoulder. And I'm taller in these heels, practically five-foot-three almost."

Lara's smile began to include her eyes.

"Well?" I said. "I asked a question. Do you like when I dress like this?"

She nodded slowly.

"Do you wish I always dressed like this? Answer honestly, Lara."

"I don't know," she replied. "Well, certainly not literally all the time, because it's not always appropriate."

"You know what I mean though."

"Yes, I know what you mean. Michaela, I don't know." She looked away, out to the dancers. "Yes, probably." Then she looked back. "But you shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Because when you need your knives, they need to be more accessible than your purse. You can't dress like this for pack play nights or for council meetings. You need your knives. And you damned well better have a place for them under your costume tomorrow night."

I hadn't let her see my costume. I wouldn't have even considered a costume that left me defenseless.

But she had never, not once, encouraged me to be self-sufficient the way she just had. It felt... I didn't know how it felt.

"Lara," I told her, offering my hand. "I love you so much. Will you dance with me?"

"Oh, Little Fox," she said. "Of course."

She took my hand, nodded once to Elisabeth, then led me through the other wolves and onto the dance floor. Then she turned to me, and I stepped into her arms, pressing myself against her. She wrapped her arms around me, I closed my eyes, and we began to dance.

* * * *

I lost track of how many songs I danced with Lara. She did, indeed, find opportunity to caress and kiss my bare shoulders, and I found myself melting more completely against her.

Neither of us was that good a dancer, but I didn't care. I was in my mate's strong arms, moving together with her, and that was where I wanted to be.

Eventually she pulled me from the dance floor and back to our haven, surrounded by enforcers. We kissed briefly, and then she handed me to Elisabeth with a smile.

Elisabeth was prepared to stand two feet away from me and, well, whatever you want to call that wiggling thing people do on the dance floor, but I pulled her arms around me and laid my head against her shoulder. She held me stiffly for a moment, but we began to dance.

The music was loud, but not so loud we couldn't talk into each other's ears.

"I'm sorry," she said, but I reached up with a hand and pressed fingers against her lips and shook my head.

"But-"

I shook my head again. Then I said, "Head enforcer, I need your help."

"What is it, Alpha?" she asked.

"My knives," I said. "I won't complain, but I want my knives."

"They would be a little obvious," Elisabeth replied. "And you don't need them tonight."