Page 101 of Untraced Magic
We walked toward the building, and he leaned in close, as if sharing a secret. “You’re a powerful witch. Remember that.”
“I barely know how to use my magic,” I whispered, keeping my attention ahead of me.
He subtly shook his head. “No one here knows that.”
He linked his arm in mine as we started up the stairs, the solid wooden doors opening for us as we approached. Beside each door stood two more guards dressed in matching suits.
I inhaled sharply as they ushered us inside, stepping into another world.
We stood on a mezzanine floor that wrapped around a ballroom below, a grand staircase curving its way down to where a mass of dresses and tuxedos gathered at the bottom. Two bronze chandeliershung from the ceiling, their dim glow casting shadows onto every wall, an inky presence mocking a room of glitz and glamour.
Laughter and music filtered through our ears as we watched from above, taking in the interior of the building in awe. It was the epitome of high society, dripping in wealth and luxury, and suddenly I felt very out of my depth.
What was I doing, thinking I could fit into…this?
These people? Thesebeings?
They oozed power as they drank from their flutes. Moved through the dance floor not a step out of rhythm. Smelling like a grand scent aged to perfection, like they bathed in their own riches.
As if reading my thoughts, Tyler leaned into me. “Powerful witch, remember.”
I glanced at him, a breath of air bobbing in my throat.
The expectations of the evening slammed into me with each step down the elaborate staircase, and I veered my gaze to meet Tyler’s, who still had his arm linked with mine. He raised his chin, and I did the same, as if the small motion would somehow create an allure of power.
Three steps to go, two, one.
Tyler led us into the crowd that mingled on arrival, his hand suddenly tightening on my waist, pulling me flush against his side.
An astonishingly tall male approached us, towering over Tyler by at least another half foot. With wide shoulders and a square jaw framed by brown eyes that matched his hair, any woman would be blind to miss his good looks.
“Tyler, nice to see you again,” greeted the stranger, shaking Tyler’s hand.
He turned to me, giving me an obvious once-over.
Tyler cleared his throat beside me. “Alpha Aden, I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Morgan.”
Mate.
The word struck a beat within me, and I was all for it. Tyler asserting his claim on me had my insides thrumming.
I extended my hand to the Alpha. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Aden.”
I stiffened as he lifted my hands to his lips, brushing them against the top of my knuckles. “The pleasure is all mine,” he nodded.
Tyler’s fingers dug into my waist, and the wordminepinched the back of my mind.
I knew one thing about wolves in the wild, that the Alpha was the leader of the pack. I had no doubt the same rules applied here.
The Alpha’s eyes moved between us, his presence one of dominance, and when he released my hand, it quickly found Tyler’s strapped to my waist.
“Thank you for having us,” I complimented, trying to break the unwavering tension that seemed to simmer between them. “Your pack house is exquisite.”
He nodded. “Thank you, Morgan.” He gestured to the crowd of people before us. “Please, go ahead. Help yourselves to a drink and enjoy your night.”
Tyler dipped his head. “You too, Alpha.” With that, he steered us into the crowd.
“He seemed friendly enough,” I mused.
