Page 25 of Taming the Wicked Wolf

Shit.“Both.” The answer feels safe enough, but the truth is, as always, more complicated, “I’ve been in a few, none of them lasted past a few local concerts.”

She looks up from her phone and mutters under her breath, “Wow.”

I follow her gaze across the lobby towards the elevators and freeze, if I had a tail, well, you can imagine.

Emilia changed into a black skirt that barely brushes her fingertips, showing off her shapely legs with a low cut red top, her long hair falling over her shoulders. It’s a stark difference from the jeans and t-shirt she’s been wearing most of the day.

“We ready?” She asks, looking between us, then down at her phone, “It’s getting close to 8:30. The band should be out at 9.”

Carly Beth walks over, threading her arm through Emilia’s, “I’m ready.” She looks back at me, “How about you, Silas?”

There’s a twinkle in her eye, as to say, isn’t she beautiful? She is so much that sometimes it hurts to look at her knowing that I cannot touch, not yet. Hopefully soon.

“Let’s go.” I say with a nod.

From the hotel, it doesn’t take long to find the general flow of the foot traffic naturally directing us towards the large dance hall. The building itself spans an entire city block, two stories’ worth of entertainment, though the entire second floor looks to be closed for renovations.

The venue is split down the center with a large bar that stretches along the length of the space, on either side, there’s a dedicated stage, one side is gearing up for the show while the other features a DJ with a crowd of people dancing in six fairly straight rows and off to the side there’s a large padded area with a mechanical bull in the center.

“This place is amazing.” Emilia says, looking back at me, the neon lights paint her a celestial being, “The bar. Oh my god, look, they have five bartenders. No, six. I can’t imagine having so much help.”

Recorded music blares from the speakers as the crowd lurks around the stage, watching as the silhouettes rush across to bring in equipment.

“If you want, I can grab you something while you find a spot up close.” I gesture toward the bar.

Emilia looks back at me, her brows creasing, “Yeah, uh, just a beer for me. Anything they have on tap.”

“I’ll have the same. You’re such an angel, Silas.” Carly Beth says over her shoulder, grabbing Emilia’s hand and leading her towards the stage.

A laugh catches in my throat, if only you knew.

It’s hard to keep my gaze from trailing down to Emilia’s round ass and thighs as she walks away. I’m not the only one who notices. She remains blissfully unaware of the way she turns heads everywhere she goes. It makes me even more lucky to have her attention.

There’s more weight to her lingering glances now that we’re far from Moonstone Ridge, like she’s broken free from the small town’s spell.

I lean against the edge of the bar and hold out my hand to flag down a bartender as I fish my credit card out of my pocket, making a mental note of where they are in the crowd.

“What can I get you?” The deep voice asks.

“Just two beers, whatever import you have on tap.” I glance over to see two charcoal eyes studying me. A pride demon, with rich red skin and two twisting horns jutting out from his head. The small tag on his navy polo reads, “Joe”.

“Don’t see many wolves these days.” He flashes a fanged smile, taking my card, “Want me to start a tab?”

“Yeah.” The word hangs on my lips as I turn towards him, “What do you mean by that? Not seeing many wolves.”

He shrugs, looking towards the concert. I feel a pang in my chest at the thought of him picking Emilia out, though it would be easy, she’s covered in my scent and I in hers.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect.” He holds up his hands before passing my card back, “You’re one of the good guys. Protecting and bringing change, making a difference. I thought the entire line of demonic do-gooders died off long ago. From what my friends say, it’s hell back there. Everyone climbing over each other to feed the beast, so to speak.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Couple centuries, the nightlife keeps me sated. Not as well as if I was an incubus, but I do okay.” He nods, angling the plastic cup under the tap and filling it, then moving onto theother, “It’s a sweet deal. You have your own life, no overlords or demonic royalty to bow down to.” He places the two beers in front of me.

“Thanks.”

He inclines his head and leaves to serve another customer.

I grab the drinks, holding them up as I walk across the floor towards the pull of Emilia’s magic. What Joe said sticks in my mind.

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