Page 16 of Claiming Claire

CHAPTER 8

CLAIRE

On the days leading up to the mating celebration, the men showered me with attention, both in the bedroom and out of it. At first, it was a bit uncomfortable, always having someone around to help and give me anything. My body was always under their gaze, and it made me self-conscious until I finally accepted that they didn’t care about the dimple on my thighs or the awkwardly shaped birthmark on my back. In fact, they lavished those flaws with extra attention, convincing me that each defect was their personal favorite part of me.

Except for Jace. The alpha avoided everyone in our den like the plague, me the absolute most. He spent a lot of time in his office, or out doing pack business, not once coming to bed, dinner, or on an outing with us. I tried not to let it defeat me, not when I was lavished with all the attention I could want, but still, I wanted just one more. Just Jace’s.

I knew that tonight Jace couldn’t avoid me. Not when our whole family was to be the center of attention, the guests of honor, the main attractions at the celebration thrown just for us. This fact both excited and terrified me. On one hand, he was forced to say more words than just a stiff hello to me, since he was in charge of all the guests. But on the other hand, I was afraid how the conversation would go after he spent days intentionally ignoring me and keeping his distance.

I heard a soft rap of knuckles again the bathroom door, and I froze, afraid to turn around. After I didn’t answer, Laden’s voice filled the room, “You have to be the prettiest sight I’ve ever seen; I swear it.”

I looked over my shoulder. “I can’t get my hair just right.”

He wrapped his arm around me from behind, aligning himself with my back. “Leave it how it is; it already looks flawless.”

I grumbled about him being a suck-up under my breath, “You’re only saying that because you’re stuck with me either way, might as well make the best of it.”

He pinched me through the silk material that was clinging to my body. “I would still pick you again, you know.”

His lips came down as he placed slow kisses on the crook of my neck. “Are you trying to make me feel better? Because it’s not working.”

I turned in his arms, and he raised a single eyebrow. “No?”

I sighed, “Okay, it’s working a little.”

He leaned down again, burying his nose in my neck. “What are you so worked up about? We’ve all felt you pulsing with nerves all day. God, you smell divine.”

“Do you think Jace will show up?” I blurted out.

He let go of me and sighed exasperated, “Of course he will show up, it’s his party.”

I grabbed onto his shirt tightly. “Why doesn’t he like me?”

“Doll, I don’t think it’s you. I don’t think he likes himself much right now, either.” He leaned down, his lips a breath away from my own. “But he doesn’t matter. You have three other mates who have spent their daydreaming about all the ways to remove that exquisite dress and show you a good time.”

His lips touched mine, and he moved them slowly, lazily kissing me until my body was frantic for him. It didn’t take much, not really. Just the lightest touch of his lips had my body grinding on his thigh and gripping his shirt so tightly my fingers left wrinkles in the fabric. He pulled away and tapped my nose. “Are you almost ready?”

I felt the nerves ball in the pit of my stomach again. No, no, I wasn’t ready to have to actually face Jace after days of him ignoring me, but I guessed I was as prepared as I was going to be. “Almost.”

He took my hand in his, lacing our fingers together before pulling gently. “Let’s go. The party has already started, and you’re here, fixing everything that doesn’t even need fixing.”

My mates, excluding Jace, were all waiting for me by the back door leading out to our yard, where a crowd of people was already gathered. Strings of lights were hung from posts creating a soft glow as the sun set behind the trees. Tables with food and refreshments sat to one side, while the other side held tables and chairs for guests. Surrounded by the tables was a giant dance floor.

“Do we just go out?” I asked a bit timidly as I peered down at all the people.

“I mean, we can. If you want, but we were waiting for . . .” Vix’s voice was cut off by the sound of Jace’s deep timbre.

“You look beautiful.” I turned to see Jace standing a few feet behind me, his hands in the pocket of his slacks, his dress shirt perfectly wrinkle-free.

I felt shy at his compliment, completely exposed under the scrutiny of his gaze. I looked down at the silk of my dress, my fingers instantly finding one of the tiny beads and fidgeting with it. “Thanks, I . . . um, couldn’t get my hair just right. And my make-up, I’m not used to . . .”

He held up his finger to cut me off. “I said you’re beautiful, Claire.”

He stepped next to me, taking my hand, and I had the urge to pull away, to seek out the comfort of Vix’s loving arm, or Laden’s humorous laugh. To hide behind Gabriel’s bulking size and pretend that nothing else around me existed. His grip tightened as he pulled open the door and led me outside. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, low enough for the other men not to hear him, “Are you afraid of me?”

Was I afraid of him? Not exactly. But he hadn’t let me have the chance to know him like the other men. I hadn’t had one on one time, learning his likes or dislikes, or group outings. Hell, we hadn’t even shared a meal together. “I don’t know you.”

“You know me in all the ways that count.” His voice was rough, his breath against my ear made goosebumps cover my body, and I hated that I reacted to him, even when I didn’t want to.

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