Page 29 of Wolf Promise
Right in front of her.
She had so many questions, but couldn’t ask any of them in front of Malena.
“That is so beautiful,” the tall stylist said with a sigh.
Regie loved the ring even more than she loved the dress. She’d already made her mind up to buy it from Heimdall Shield, once they completed their job. When they finally caught the stalker and she could get on with her life.
She’d gotten so caught up in the pretend relationship with Bolt that she’d almost forgotten the true purpose of this charade. Catching a nasty predator so the IPO could proceed without incident, and she’d finally be able to pay back her grandfather for the fortune her father had squandered. And for raising Regina.
And yet, her thoughts returned to the handsome fake fiancée she hadn’t seen since he’d turned into a silver wolf. The whole supernatural aspect should have bothered her more, but instead, it gave her a weird sense of comfort to know that other people had unusual powers.
Bolt had texted her to let her know he wouldn’t be around for a while. She guessed it had something to do with the injured man…wolf shifter he’d protected her from at the Palace of Fine Arts. Nora had been her protective detail for the last twenty-four hours. But he’d promised he’d be at the gala tonight.
The thought made the butterflies in her stomach flutter their wings faster.
Malena wound the last uncurled strands of Regie’s hair around her heated magic wand and then fluffed and sprayed the style to her liking.
Regie swiveled her head from side to side, admiring the artwork the woman had sculpted. Dozens of interwoven braids kept the style off her face but created height. Much of the hair cascaded down her back in loose curls, creating both a dramatic and playful look.
“Like I said, genius.” Nora waved her fluted glass. “This goes perfectly with the dress.”
Malena turned to where the lavender silk garment hung off a cabinet doorknob. “I used the garment as my inspiration. The braids of the dress called for something similar in her hair.” She fluffed the Regie’s hair one more time and smiled at her through the mirror. “Your fiancé won’t know what hit him tonight.”
Regie blushed and stopped the thoughts in her mind that wished for some part of this to be real.
For Laney and Nora to be real girlfriends.
For Bolt to be a real date.
The stylist packed up her equipment and left the apartment, wishing the women a fantastic evening. Regie made a note to add a large tip to her bill.
“Right.” Laney put down her glass of prosecco, still almost full. “Now that you look amazing, let’s make sure you’re comfortable on the inside too.”
“What questions do you have about us being wolf shifters?” Nora asked. She’d barely touched her beverage, either.
Both of them had been in work mode the whole time while Regie had dreamed of make-belief becoming real. She squelched the flare of disappointment rising in her chest. “So many,” she answered Nora. Thoughts twisted around each other in her head. “Are you born as shifters? Are you immortal? Are you allergic to silver?”
“It’s unusual for a shifter to be born with their ability. Usually, we gain the capability to transform into our animal when we’re injured by a shifter, and our blood absorbs theirs. No to immortality, but we live a long time. And yes, silver is unpleasant.”
“Your animal,” Regie said. “There are more than just wolf shifters out there?”
Nora nodded. “But that’s not my story to tell. Our pack is only wolves.”
Regie’s mind raced. What else did she need to know? And then she took a deep breath.
Nothing. She didn’t need to know anything.
The Heimdall Shield people were not her friends. They were professionals she worked with, and they had proven they were capable of doing their jobs. After they’d caught the stalker, she would most likely never see them again.
Some of her thoughts must have reflected on her face because Nora asked, “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Yes. I don’t have any more questions.”
Nora exchanged a glance with Laney, but didn’t say anything. The other woman stood and walked over to Regie. “So next on the agenda, we need to talk about the powers I sensed inside you when we first shook hands. What can you tell me about them?”
“They materialize when I’m stressed. I don’t know what they are, but I want them gone.” Regie swallowed hard.
Laney pulled out a chair and sat opposite, their knees almost touching. “Describe them to me. How do you see them in your mind’s eye?”