Page 6 of From Frost to Flame

“He’s looking for a good time,” Julian answered for Lex as he stood and helped Mora hop off her stool. “We’re going to dance. You catch up with your handsome friend.” He patted Lex roughly on the back before leaving him with the wolf.

“A good time, huh?” Vega said, switching to Lex’s other side and sitting on Julian’s now vacant stool. “Can I help you with that?”

“I know what you’re doing,” Lex said, glaring at Julian and Mora, who waved before disappearing into the crowd.

“Do you?” Vega tilted his head like a curious dog. His lips curled into a devilish smile. “Somehow I doubt that.”

“You want to upset Silas.”

He swirled his drink, letting the red cubes clink against the glass. Werewolves instinctually needed attention and affection from those above them in the pack. Silas was the Alpha, and Lex had watched the entire pack try to get his time in their own ways. Some simply asked for Silas to pet them or spend time with them. Others, like Vega, sought it out in more destructive ways. When Silas neglected him for too long, Vega did things to irritate him, forcing Silas's attention in his direction. Flirting with Lex was a surefire way to win attention in the form of a growl-riddled scolding.

If he’s trying to get attention, maybe they aren’t together after all.He wasn’t sure if that was better or worse with how close he had seen them lately.

“Unfortunately, you’re a few decades too late.” Lex sipped his drink. “I doubt he’d care much about what we did together. You’ll have to do something else to annoy him. Shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”

“You truly are out of the loop these days, aren’t you?”

“I’m unaware of any royal werewolf gossip if that’s what you mean. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Nothing at all. Listen, yes, I enjoy getting under Silas's skin,” Vega admitted. “But I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t genuinely interested. So, what do you say to a night out some other time? You’re untethered, and so am I. Plus, all of Silas’s subsequent playthings haven’t been as fun as you.”

“Subsequent playthings?” The words tasted like spoiled milk in Lex’s mouth.

Not sensing Lex’s discomfort, Vega continued, “Yes, the others he brings around now are well-behaved bores. I liked the attitude you had towards him. You made things around the castle more interesting. The free shows in the garden or the halls were obviously a fun bonus.”

“I see.” Lex’s heart snapped in two, and molten rage poured out the center. Flames pressed on the inside of his palms. The glass in his hand grew hot, and the ice cubes shrank faster. “You know what? Fine. Set up a date, and I’ll be there.”

“Excellent,” Vega said, brightening. “Where shall we go?”

“Somewhere I can see pretty things.” He smiled and leaned closer. “I don’t want to go anywhere cheap either.”

“Deal. A night of pretty things for the prettiest person I know.” Vega stood, took Lex’s hand, and placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Perfect.” Lex gripped Vega’s hand and pulled him down into a lustful kiss. The moan on the Beta’s lips tasted like rum and future regret, but he didn’t care. He was thinking of all the lips Silas was kissing.

“Um. That was, um, uh,” Vega stuttered once Lex pulled away and rubbed his cheek.

“Yeah, I know."Prey always reacts the same."Have a good night. Tell the rest of your pack I said hello.”

Vega’s eyes flashed with lust. He cleared his throat and gave a final goodbye.

Lex held his confidence until the Beta was out of sight. The moment he was alone, he lifted his glass and chugged the now rosy vodka.

He pulled the last bloody ice cube into his mouth and bit down on it, letting the bitter, metallic ice melt on his tongue.

All his subsequent playthings? How many is all? Do I know any of them?

He bounced his leg and drummed his fingers on the obsidian counter as his thoughts ran wild.

He always said he wasn’t flirting with the others. That bastard.

“Darling, werewolves like affections from their king so they can be a bit touchy, is all.”

“Darling, I’m not interested in anyone else.”

“Darling, don’t worry.”

Darling, darling, darling.

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