Page 381 of Flirting with Darkness

As I came down from my high, I vaguely heard Cooper let out a growling roar before he coated the insides of me with his hot release.

Breathing heavily, I swiped my hair out of my face and said, “Well, I think I’m ready for Friday night’s meeting.”

Cooper chuckled and then growled, flipping me over onto my stomach. “Not until after round two.”

7

“Where are we going?” I asked from the back of the car. “I thought we had a meeting with the pack?” We had left the city and were going further and further into the woods. If I didn’t know they needed me, I would think they were taking me to the middle of nowhere to whack me off.

Cooper turned in his seat and said, “We can’t have our meetings in the city. Sometimes the discussions get a little heated and you know how that can be with werewolves…”

I frowned at the way he trailed off. I didn’t know weres had such a hard time holding onto their control when under duress. How else would they handle day to day life?

“Don’t worry,” Duke said, leaning over to my side of the car. “We won’t let it get too out of hand. We’ll get you out of there before anyone starts to shift.”

Jax grunted.

I didn’t know if that was a grunt of agreement or disbelief. Either way it didn’t make me feel any better about myself or the situation we were about to be in. This would be the ultimate test of whether or not I could pass as their sister. One on one with their parents was one thing. Playing the part in front of all those wolves? I suppressed a shudder.

No. I told myself. I can do this. I am a badass witch. I can do this.

As we pulled into a large clearing with what had to be at least a hundred people in it, I swallowed hard. Nope. I was screwed.

The car stopped next to several other vehicles and the others climbed out of the car. I stayed right where I was.

Duke ducked his head back in the car with a frown. “What’s going on? Aren’t you coming?”

I chewed on my lip and pulled my legs underneath me. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

Duke climbed back in the car and shut the door. “What do you mean? Of course you can. No one is going to notice you’re not Laurie. Besides,” he chuckled. “They might be wolves but they aren’t the brightest bunch.”

I chuckled with him, unable to help myself. “I just…” I sighed and rubbed my arm. “I’ve never had to fool so many people at once. I’m not sure how it will go and I don’t think testing it out on a large group of werewolves is the best idea. What if someone eats me?” The last part came out a squeak.

Lips ticking up at the sides in a sly grin, Duke purred, “I know I would like to eat you.”

Flushing from head to toe, I shoved a hand at him. “Stop it already. We have work to do. And no messing with me. I can’t keep my glamour up when you touch me like that.”

Duke gave me a wolfish grin before ducking back out of the car.

I inhaled deeply and then let out in one go. Well…here we go. Either I’d pull it off or I’d be dog meat. Either way, I guess I wouldn’t have to worry about my grandma’s hospital bills anymore.

With that morbid thought in mind, I climbed out of the car and adjusted my skirt. We had decided on a more casual look for the meeting since apparently sometimes they shifted unexpectedly and didn’t want their clothes ruined.

The blouse and skirt I was wearing was loose and flowy so that it was easily discarded or I guess in Laurie’s case shifted in. It made me wonder if I could shift into a wolf…I shook my head. A thought for another time.

The grass crackled underneath my tennis shoes, name brand of course, nothing cheap for this girl. Thankfully, I wasn’t the last one into the mix. There were several others still walking in from where all the cars were lined up around the clearing. A fire pit sat next to several picnic tables and a small wood stage stood at the top of the area, next to what seemed to be a small enclosed bathroom.

A few of the wolves said hello to me and it took me a moment to realize they were talking to me. I kept my mouth shut and bobbed my head in greeting. It was probably best to keep my talking to a minimum, no need to give them a reason to talk to me longer than they need to.

I pushed up onto my toes looking for the guys. I didn’t have to look far, they were up on the makeshift stage next to their parents. Oh. Great. Them again.

Blowing out a breath, I made my way through the crowd and found my place next to them.

Duke wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side with a grin. “Heya, sis. Why don’t you stand by me today?”

I gave him a wary smile in return but didn’t leave his side. At least I knew Duke would be true to his word. I didn’t trust Jax to not feed me to the wolves himself.

A throat cleared and the werewolvess quieted for their leader to speak.

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