Page 23 of Tethered Magick

It made me wonder if Jolon was pulling for Dason and me to figure out our shit, even though there was a decent chance he’d lose his role as an alpha if we did.

Packs only ever had one alpha.

My respect increased tenfold, adding to how much I cared about Jolon. He cared about me and wanted whatever was best, even if it meant he might have to make sacrifices.

And there was no question. I needed Dason as much as I needed Jolon. As much as I needed all of them.

Would Dason learn to care about me in the same way? Would he ever be ready to make sacrifices for me and the pack if that was what it came down to?

My two mates trailed after me as I went back to the gathering. Pausing, I considered my options.

“I think I’ll go back to using the stage.” Wariness crept through me. As much as I wanted to trust the fellows at the bloodletting, I wasn’t naive. There were good people in every supernatural race just like there were shitty people. I wouldn’t put my future on the line just to move this shindig a little faster. It wasn’t worth it.

I settled into my seat, feeling like a queen on a throne. I didn’t particularly enjoy the feeling, but it was tolerable if it meant keeping my neck and other body parts bite free.

Motioning for the next in line, I surveyed the thinning crowd beyond. Thank God a lot of the onlookers had portaled home over the last hour. There were only about thirty men and a few women left eating, drinking, and flirting. The night was coming to an end, and I couldn’t wait to get home.

My social life had been dreadfully lacking when I lived with the witches, but now I recognized myself for what I was—an introvert. Luckily, I could socialize when needed, but there was nothing quite as rejuvenating as being home, surrounded by my mates.

I’d already peopled enough for one day, and I was counting the seconds until this night was over.

The optimism that rose from the dwindling line of suitors quickly popped, however, when I caught Mara glaring at me from the middle of the gathering below. If daggers could fly from her eyes, I’d have been chopped liver.

Then realization dawned. She must have seen Dason scent marking me earlier. There was no other reason for the sudden increase in her disdain.

I felt marginally bad she’d had to witness it, but I hadn’t done anything wrong, and it should be proof she needed to move on. Dason and I were working on sorting out our relationship. We were true mates. Nothing would change that.

The sooner she realized I wasn’t going anywhere, the sooner I hoped she’d get past this.

Still, I remembered the determined glint in Mara’s eyes when she’d told me she wasn’t giving up on Dason and the others, and my stomach dropped like I was on a rollercoaster as our eyes locked across the clearing.

The silent exchange was tense, and I was grateful when the next guy stepped in front of me and gave me a reason to divert my attention. The alpha spirit within me wouldn’t have allowed me to break away otherwise, and I didn’t need a bitch fight tonight.

I just wanted to go home, curl up in a blanket, binge watch movies with my men, and forget this night ever happened.

Another tedious hour passed, and the moon was high in the overcast sky.

Chayton had conjured a bowl of coffee beans for me to sniff when my nose needed a cleansing, and I dove for it now, inhaling the earthy aroma.

Beyond my better judgment, I looked for Mara again, spotting her in the midst of the party talking to Mr. Maple Syrup who’d growled at me earlier. Their heads were dipped close together as they discussed something.

Good.

The possessive part of me hoped she’d decided to move on, though I didn’t believe that to be true. At least she was keeping busy though. The last thing I wanted to deal with tonight was watching Mara make a move on my men while I was otherwise occupied.

Sighing, I went another round, and my heart lightened when I realized I was getting closer to the end.

When I was ready for a break, I stood up and wandered over to Dason’s side of the stage where he was waiting for me with a bottle of water.

“Only twenty more to go,” Dason promised, handing over the much needed drink. “You’re almost done.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the much shorter line.

“Thank fuck,” I murmured, my body relaxing marginally. So far, so good.

It only lasted a moment.

“You really think that girl doesn’t have any more mates here? That we’re all just going to accept that answer?” a deep voice growled behind me. One I recognized.