Purebreds and Power

The sound of violins floated through the halls, and Han matched his light steps with the music. After straightening his pin-striped teal pocket square, Han grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing servant. With her head bowed, she didn’t notice her master’s smirk. He drank the expensive liquid in one fluid gulp and dropped the glass back into its original spot.

“Dismissed.”

Han adjusted his suit, rolled his shoulders back. and wiped all emotion from his face. The moment he set foot into the ballroom, heads turned in his direction. Han shook eager hands and kissed over-rouged cheeks.

All the while, his eyes roamed.

One glance. One look would sate his anxious soul.

As he mingled, Han sipped a goblet of his finest blood. Generations of powerful families filled the room, and for once, the coven gathered with many other species.

“Are you enjoying the ball, Lord Kang?” Sera slid her hand around the crook in Han’s arm.

“Indeed.” Han placed his hand over Sera’s. “Stroll with me?”

“Of course.” Sera beamed.

Han caught glances from Chamberlain and his father across the room and nodded.

“Lord Kang!” Adorna grabbed Han’s hand and pulled him closer to a small group. Sera stumbled, and Han righted her.

“May I present Charles Knight and my best friend Rhia.” Adorna gestured toward her friends, and they bowed.

“It’s a pleasure.” Han shook Charles’ hand and placed a chaste kiss on Rhia’s knuckles. Her cheeks flushed pink as Han licked his lips. “This is my companion, Sera.”

Sera straightened and turned her nose up. “What are you?”

Adorna laughed as she slid her arm around Han’s. “Charles, whom I’ve just met, is a fox. Isn’t his red hair just perfect for that origin?” She brushed his bangs to the side and scratched his stubbled chin. “I’m a bear and Rhia… She’s a. . . um. . .”

“I’m a witch.” Rhia stared at Sera. “Lord Kang said the ball was open to all.” She turned toward Han and avoided looking at his face. “I hope I don’t offend you as one of the only non-serving humans in your home.”

“Well, that explains the stench.” Sera took a step back. “If you will excuse me.”

“Well, isn’t she sunshine and rainbows.” Charles watched Sera cross the floor and join Chamberlain and the other elders.

Han had not stopped looking at Rhia. Her heartbeat picked up while she talked, and she avoided eye contact with him. He closed his eyes, then took a big breath.

Nothing.

No scent whatsoever.

Interesting.

“Are you having a nice time, Lord Kang?” Adorna pulled on Han’s arm. “I want to introduce you to another friend, but I think her father is scolding her. Typical.” Adorna stood on her toes, to see above the dancing crowd. “Oh! There she is! The one in the blue-green gown.” Adorna wiggled her fingers in the air. “Lilly!”

Han snapped around and saw Lilly with Dax and another man. He watched Lilly shake her head, play with her nails, and stare at the floor, as the dark-haired man stood over her. His mouth moved at a fevered pace while his brows furrowed. Dax did not intercede and eventually removed his hand from Lilly’s waist and walked toward the bar.

“Dance with me, Adorna?” Han held out his palm.

“With pleasure, Lord Kang.”

The pair entered the foray of dancers when the next song began.

“I’m not so light on my feet, you know.” Adorna blushed. “Being a bear and all.”

“Dancing is more about the pairing than the footwork. The right partner will lead you with flawless ease, Adorna.” With polite distance and a firm hold, Han moved with grace across the dance floor.

Yet, his senses remained trained on Lilly and the dark-haired man.

Adorna smiled when she realized they had taken an extra out-of-step turn near one particular pillar. “And I take it you are still waiting for your ‘right partner,’ Lord Kang?” Adorna stepped on his toe and chuckled.

“Perhaps.” He smirked at her, as he twirled her away and then pulled her back. “When the time is right, we all find what we were destined for.”

Han bowed and Adorna curtseyed as the song finished, and he walked away. With a new glass of blood in his hand, he approached a group which included his father.

“Ah, Jun.” Gideon put his arm around his son’s shoulder, pulling him into the conversation. “Please allow me to introduce Slyvester Knight and his wife, Kathleen.”

The pair bowed. “It’s a pleasure.”

“I believe you met their son Charles earlier. Lovely little chap.” Gideon smiled and sipped his champagne. “Their family trades precious commodities.”

“Interesting.” Han nodded and brought his drink to his mouth. Han did not turn his head as he focused on the nearby conversation.

“Useless. Utterly useless. Showing weakness in front of your mate! The seer predicted your unlimited influence--if only you were a man, her words would be truth.”

Han continued to drink and nod as his father and Slyvester exchanged pleasantries. Kathleen smiled and yawned, while she fingered her dangling emerald earrings.

Han’s smile froze as his senses remained on Lilly.

“Dax is not my mate,” Lilly tucked her hair behind her ear and pulled her shoulders back.

“Dax and his warriors found you asleep in the woods after you ran off to follow some sound--nothing other than your sleeping form.” Lilly’s father grabbed her arm. “Well done showing your prowess, Lilly. Well done.”

“He’s not my goddess-given mate, Father,” Lilly looked up at him. “And I’m not ready to choose one yet.”

“You have remained mateless long past your date of discovery at 18.” He loosened his hold. “This is a smart match. Our people need protection in these trying times, and this union will solidify both our packs indefinitely. Dax is a strong alpha and willing to accept your difficult personality.”

Han swallowed hard and fisted his hands, nearly breaking the glass in his hold. “A pleasure to meet you both. Excuse me, Slyvester. Kathleen.” Han turned and strode toward the bar, dropping his bloodless glass on a nearby table.

“Alpha Dax.” Han pushed his hands into his pockets-- his nails digging into his skin. “Are you enjoying your evening?”

“Han! You don’t mind me calling you ‘Han’ do you?” Dax placed a hand on Han’s shoulder, wobbling a bit in the process. “How did you get wolf spirits? They are delicishoush.”

“I have a great many things at my disposal, Dax.” Han grabbed a full glass of champagne from the bar. “The bottle you were looking for seems to have been misplaced. We will have to reschedule a tasting.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.” Dax folded his arms over his chest. “Yesh, let’s do that.”

“Where is your chosen, may I ask?” Han took a gulp and looked Dax dead in the eye.

“Lilly? Sweet, sweet Lilly.” Dax looked down into this empty drink and swirled the ice around. He glanced to the dance floor and sighed. “With her father. Mean S-O-B that one. Power-hungry. Driven. It’s no wonder Lilly excels at everything” Dax leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Do you know he once dropped her into a ten foot mud pit in the rain? Had to dig or climb her way out. Took her three days. Three days!” Dax tapped the bar and winked at the bartender. “She got out though. Amazing woman.”

Han swiped his hand over his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her father. Would you mind?”

“Oh! Of course.” Dax snatched his refill and flicked the edge with a tink. “Can’t forget thish guy!”

The heated conversation died the moment Dax stepped into Lilly’s periphery. She stiffened and picked at her cuticles. Dax grabbed onto her waist and pulled her into his side. “Lilly! I brought Lord Kang. Alpha Eckard Whiteshadow, please meet the vampire lord and gracious host of this gathering, Lord Jun Inhan Kang.”

“Lord Kang.” Eckard pulled his shoulders back and puffed his chest, then extended his hand.

“Alpha Whiteshadow.” Han raised his chin and looked down at the man who called himself Lilly’s father.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the all-powerful lord.” Andrew glared at Han as he twisted a large ring around his finger. “I’m surprised we don’t have strippers wandering around, given your propensity for debauchery.”

“Come on, Alpha Whiteshadow. Don’t be like that. Han here is a good guy.” Dax patted Han on the back, then turned to Lilly. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “Lilly, darling, why don’t you and Han have a twirl or two. I’ll get your father a drink.”

Lilly met Han’s soft gaze. He turned his hand upright, and Dax placed Lilly’s hand into his.

The pair strode toward the dance floor. When the din of the room rose again, Han lowered his head toward Lilly.

“You look breathtaking this evening.” Han turned Lilly with a flourish before placing his hand on her back.

“And you look handsome as always.” Lilly patted his chest before wrapping her small hand around his muscular arm. “Nice color.”

Han chuckled as the music began.

Their scents had directed them, their eyes had connected them, and the electricity in their touch ensured their bond.

Neither had any doubt.

They didn’t speak as they floated across the floor, and their chests rose and fell in perfect harmony.

The sound of applause pulled the pair from the moment, and Lilly blushed under the scrutiny of their onlookers’ gazes. They remained standing in the center of the dance floor.

Alone.

Han squeezed Lilly’s hand and pressed his other palm into her shoulderblade. His thumb traced a small path across her bare skin. She returned the gesture, closed her eyes, and sighed. Then Lilly stepped back and curtseyed. Han bowed and dropped his eyes to the floor for just a moment.

Then he turned away.

“Well played, Han.” Gideon handed his son a drink when he exited the dance floor. “She is the daughter of a very powerful alpha and would make a strategic alliance.”

Han downed the champagne. “Disgusting, filthy beast.”