NOLAN

The prince took the emerald green handkerchief out of the breast pocket of his jacket and folded it into a tight ball.

He pressed it into Yena’s mouth, and she kept it there.

Then he touched her again, softly. She moaned a little, though it was muted with her teeth clenched over the wad of silky fabric.

Nolan shook his head and shushed her again.

Her face moved into what would have been a smile, if she were not gagged.

“You will be silent,” he said sternly into her ear. “And you will like it.”

Her eyes rolled back a little and fluttered closed. She panted, breathing through her nose, and started to shiver.

Nolan moved Yena’s panties to the side and slipped his middle finger inside of her, and curled all his other fingers into her skin.

“Look at me,” he demanded, and Yena opened her eyes.

“Now,” he said, pulsing his finger in and out of her. Carefully.

Her shoulders flew back against the wall behind her, and her hands scrambled against it, searching for purchase. She almost clutched onto Nolan’s jacket collar, but restrained herself, shaking.

Nolan tore the handkerchief out of Yena’s mouth and she let out a little growl as he did so. It was drenched in her saliva. He folded it flat again and put it into the inside breast pocket of his jacket.

He let her catch her breath while he carefully moved her skirt back into shape for her.

“Wow,” she whispered at last.

Nolan beamed. But then he winced, looking at her makeup.

“Do you have a mirror in your pocketbook?” he asked quietly.

Yena chuckled and nodded. Nolan retrieved her clutch purse from the floor, and Yena gave herself a look in a tiny round mirror, muttering, “Goddess,” as she did so.

YENA

Fortunately, I had mini versions of all the makeup I needed in my purse, and I was able to get my face fixed up pretty well.

I was flushed now, and Nolan and I were both glistening with sweat. But I glanced at my reflection and kind of felt like I looked even better than I had before.

We went back to the party and Nolan got us some fancy cocktails from the bar. The drinks had a little stick in them onto which a bunch of berries had been speared in a row. Dried sage leaves were floating on top of the ice.

It was strange and spicy. I took one sip from my glass and then ditched it, sneaking it onto an empty tray that a waiter was carrying, as he passed by. Neither Nolan nor the waiter noticed.

Nolan led us through the crowd, greeting everyone we went along.

I didn’t know what to do with myself, other than hold his hand, follow along, and try to keep smiling at all the faces.

We reached an area that had been cordoned off for privacy, and I saw that Luna was there, watching the two of us approach.

Nolan and I neared his mother and I almost started to bow, but he held tight onto my hand, giving me to understand that I should stay on my feet.

Luna strolled over, looking severely beautiful as always.

“You look wonderful, Yena,” was the first thing that she said.

I thanked her, a little bewildered.

“And so does your husband,” she added.

She looked at the two of us together, and I only then realized that Nolan and I had our arms all over each other. I wondered if it was obvious, what he and I had just been doing.

I took a series of deep breaths. Trying to keep my face from flushing.

“Did you make your own gown,” Luna asked, “as well as this gorgeous suit?”

I told her, “I did.”

The queen nodded vigorously, giving me a first look at what her sincere approval looked like.

I noticed an empty champagne flute in her hand at the same time that a nearby server did, and the man rushed over to refill the glass.

“Your guests are here,” Luna said to Nolan. She gave him a serious look, then nodded to a seating area behind her.

Four men were sitting there. Huge, hulking men. They were all dressed in black.

From any distance further than where Nolan and I were standing, the men would have blended into the shadows. They were quiet, and only one of them had a drink in his hand.

Whoever they were, this bunch was definitely not enjoying the party the same way the other guests were.

Nolan squeezed my hand, and then let it go.

“I need to meet some people,” he said. “Will you be okay on your own? You can hang back in this area, if you want to stay away from the crowd.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I told him. “Do whatever you need to.”

He gave me an earnest smile and a quick kiss.

Luna waved to me as she and Nolan turned to pace away.

I turned around and thought about what do. This was not a party where I would happen to know any of the people in attendance.

The man who had filled Luna’s wine glass helpfully brought me one of my own and poured me a little splash of bubbly.

I took a small sip to taste it. It was tart and delicious. Not too sweet.

My eyes roved the crowd, taking in the sight of all these wealthy and well-to-do nobles and politicians. Most of the men were in tuxedos, and the women wore a range of fancy, expensive gowns and ensembles.

Somehow, I picked out an individual in the crowd.

Maybe my eyes went right to her because she was the one and only person in the entire room that I knew.

Well. I didn’t know her, exactly.

But I knew who she was. I’d seen her before. Smelled her.

It was Nolan’s ex.

She was wearing a black lace dress. And was moving across the ballroom quickly. Headed right for us.

My body was hot, and my pulse was racing.

Lily was growling. I heard the grumble so loudly, I worried I might be making the sound from my own throat.

Stop, I told her.

But she was livid.

Nolan had woken the wolf up earlier. She was happy, then. Smug and cocky, but happy.

And now, this.

The deep dive from wild joy to rage and jealousy was not a fun ride.

My body started to tremble, and for the very first time since my and Nolan’s wedding, I felt truly afraid that I was about to shift against my will.

But I remembered to breathe.

And somehow held it together.

I slurped back the rest of my wine, keeping my eyes on Gina as she advanced in my direction. I meant to put the empty glass down on a nearby table, but I guess I missed. It fell to the floor and shattered.

No one noticed.

I started walking in Gina’s direction, ready to cut her off before she could make her way to Nolan. Feeling, suddenly, like this was someone I needed to protect him from.