Page 239 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella blinked, and then let her small purse drop from the table. She bent to pick it up and turned to look right behind her, finding a stunning blonde vampiress in a white dress with a generous cleavage. The female was looking at Zeydan as if he were a steak.

Aella clenched her teeth, but a small definitely growly sound escaped, nonetheless. Her stomach flooded with a burning sensation and she felt tempted to toss something at the vampiress’ head. Startled by her own reaction, she turned away and straightened.

Sebastian wiggled a brow at her and grinned.

Zeydan’s eyes widened with surprise, but his closed-lipped smile was full of male satisfaction.

He does look delicious, Aella thought.

A hostess approached, bringing a bucket with a chilled bottle of wine and glasses for them, and Aella was grateful for the small interruption.

“See? It’s not just a male thing,” Sebastian said when they were alone at the table again.

“What is just not a male thing?” Lex asked as he pulled the chair at Aella’s other side for Gabby.

“Irrational, instinct-driven jealousy,” Sebastian supplied with a shit-eating grin.

Gabby chuckled. “Certainly not. I once got into a bar fight with three werewolf females over Lex.”

Aella’s jaw dropped. “Really?”

“They got handsy,” Lex said. “Gabby was defending my honor.”

Zeydan laughed, double canines flashing, and tapped one black nail against the stem of his glass. “I wish we’d taken pictures.”

Lex let out a dreamy breath. “Me too. It was one of the sexiest fucking things I’ve ever seen.”

Sebastian leaned forward. “Alright. I need to hear that story.”

Gabby wrinkled her nose. “I honestly don’t remember much.”

“I was too distracted ogling my back then hot friend-with-benefits while she destroyed half a bar. I barely noticed anyone but her.”

“Fortunately, I did get a good look,” Zeydan said. His jade eyes were full of wicked amusement.

Aella bit her lip. She had the feeling he was relishing the idea of embarrassing his teasing friends for a change.

Zeydan leaned forward conspiratorially. “So, back when Lex and Gabby were stubborn arses and pretended that being fuck-buddies was enough for them—”

Gabby groaned and scowled at Zeydan. “You are enjoying this too much already.”

He ignored her and continued. “They had an epic row, and then Lex left the house like a surly teenager having a tantrum.”

“You don’t get to call me surly, you broody arse,” Lex grumbled.

Sebastian chuckled. “Hush, darlings. I’m invested now.”

“Me too,” Aella said.

Gabby scowled at her. “Traitor.”

Zeydan took a sip of wine and resumed his retelling. “Gabrielle here went after him about five minutes later, so Evan and I followed them to make sure they didn’t kill each other…”

Aella’s eyes were glued to Zeydan. Her chest was full of warmth and her stomach was swamped by butterflies. I adore you; she thought. And it terrifies me.

She embraced the feeling and focused on the story.

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