Sharp Edges

Cocktail...More like Hightail

When we arrived at Hudson manor, it was around six in the morning. We were expecting the games to take place today, so now, with plenty of time to kill, Jules and I are jumping on the massive bed in my room like children. Jules had finally made her way to my room about twenty minutes after Andrew had left, and Zack had filled her in on the fact that all four sons, of the richest werewolf in the country, are going to be competing in the mating ceremony. The childish acts we are now partaking in, are Jules’s attempt at distracting me from the impending doom I feel. I thought it was a ridiculous idea at first, but after the pillow fight started, and one of the expensive looking pillows burst open, sending feathers flying all over the lavish room, I must admit I am successfully distracted.

Around noon, food is delivered to my door, like hotel room service. With the little cart and everything.

I ask Zack, "How rich are these fricken people?" 

"Rich enough that every one of the dresses, in my wardrobe, costs more than I make in a year." Jules answers.

I roll the cart into the room and look over its contents. We have been provided with a mixed salad, breadsticks, and two different types of pasta. In the middle of the cart is a red rose with a note folded over the stem.

'I look forward to meeting you.'    

-David

I read the note aloud, looking to Zack for help.

"David Hudson. He is the youngest brother." Zack answers, clearly annoyed.

I am terrified of being forced to commit, especially to a stranger, and I have been so self-absorbed in my own s**t that I haven't paid much attention to what this is doing to Zack. He looks exhausted, and when he looks into my eyes there is pain hiding beneath the surface. Zack and I have become so close he is almost an extension of myself. His pain IS my pain.

With a sigh I climb into his lap and rest my head on his chest. Some of the tension leaves his body but I can still feel its presence.      

"We will get through this." I tell him.

After a few deep breaths, Zack replies, "I know we will, baby girl. It's just hard for me. I like having you all to myself, but it is more than that. I can't protect you out there tomorrow. This game, regardless of the romantic notion behind it, can get bloody… and that is just the physical obstacles. There are also emotional obstacles that I can't protect you from. You do not want this. They are forcing your hand, and there is nothing I can do if one of those assholes claim you tomorrow." 

Nothing I say will make our situation suck any less, so I just let him hold me. I never thought I would be able to trust a man again. I assumed I would always be on edge. Waiting for them to walk away... like Jaxon. I know, without a doubt in my mind, Zack would never leave me. He would die before letting anything separate him from Jules or me. I know he is doubting his ability to protect me tomorrow, but he has given me a strength I never would have known without him in my life.

I fall asleep in Zack's arms with one thought on my mind... I have to avoid being caught tomorrow at ALL costs...For MY pack."

Jules shakes me awake slightly and I realize I am no longer in Zack's lap. I have been moved to the enormous bed and there are loose feathers stuck to my skin. Zack is nowhere in sight, but I can hear the water to the shower running. 

"Hey Hun. I thought you might want to eat something. We have a couple of hours left until the cocktail party, but since you and Zack missed lunch, I had them send something else up." Jules informs me.

"The pasta looked amazing. What did they send this time?" I ask getting out of bed and making my way over to the cart.

This time there is a beautiful club sandwich with grilled flatbread and chipotle mayo. It melts in my mouth, and I let out a small moan. I didn't realize how hungry I was, and I finish the whole sandwich in two minutes flat. Jules laughs at me and tosses me a cloth napkin, which intentionally hits me right in the face.

"You have sauce on your chin." She says shaking her head.

"That was probably the best sandwich I have ever had in my life." I tell her.

"Apparently, one of the perks of being a billionaire, is being able to afford a personal chef to cook for you twenty-four seven." She tells me.

"Well, I plan to take full advantage of that chef while we are here. 'Mr. Hudson' can just consider it my inconvenience fee for his extension." I tell her. Air quoting his name and everything. "How did you order? I want another one." I add.

Zack emerges from the bathroom rapped in only a towel. His looks still managing to silence me even after all this time.

"Want another what?" He asks, trying to understand the conversation he just walked in on. 

"Skye just inhaled a whole club sandwich from the Hudson family’s personal chef." She tells him laughing. "Apparently food is now her 'inconvenience fee'."

They tease me some more, but Jules eventually orders a round of club sandwiches for us all. I demolish the second one as quickly as the first, and then leave them to finish eating while I shower and start getting ready for the cocktail party.

My hair is blown out in lose waves that fall down my back. I apply minimal makeup and decide on a white pants suit with a blood red body suit underneath, and pair the outfit with a bright red set of heels. I look hot as f**k, but Jules is ranting about the fifty or so waisted party dresses still in the wardrobe.

In an attempt to console her I say, "It's not that I don't like the dresses. I just want everyone downstairs to know that I mean business. Just because some rich dude decides he wants to make me a pawn in his game does not mean I have to put on a short dress to impress his stuck-up offspring." 

"That's my girl." Zack says, joining us. He is in a dark, navy blue tux, and looks so hot that I think I might have to go change my panties.

Jules has chosen a lacy, pastel purple, halter-neck dress that flows out around her waist and falls just above her knees.

Downstairs we exit out onto the patio. Zack in the middle. Jules on one arm and me on the other. There are more people here than I thought, and several of the men eye me hungerly. I ignore them and move my body closer to Zack's. We each grab a champagne flute off a waiter’s tray and find ourselves a section of patio, away from the crowd. There is a small stage across the balcony from us where a band is playing beautiful, classical music. The weather is perfect, and the view takes my breath away… again. If we manage to stay hidden over here for the next hour or so, this event might not be so bad.

I spoke too soon.

Not five minutes after the thought crossed my mind, the music stops and an older man in a suit makes his way to the center of the stage. Four men stand near the steps. I notice the handsome biker and Andrew amongst them.

Those must be the four sons Zack had mentioned would be competing in the games... for me. I plan to make them regret that decision. I pry my annoyed glare from the group of men when the man on stage begins to speak.

"Welcome everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I am Mr. Hudson. I wanted to personally welcome everyone to my home and to this year’s mating game." He pauses and people clap before he continues, "This mating game is especially important to me, because all four of my sons have decided to participate."

Some cheers erupt from across the room where several of the women, who I assume will also be participating in the game, are leaning against the balcony railing. I roll my eyes at them and turn my attention back to the stage. The two sons that I have yet to meet are eyeing them hungerly, and I let out an audible sigh of relief. Knowing at least two of them have their eyes on anyone who isn't me, only makes my life easier at this point. The biker ignores the girls and stands, arms crossed over his chest, and a look that matches the annoyance I feel on his face. Andrew is scanning the crowd, and I realize for who when his eyes find mine.

Well f**k.

Refusing to let him rattle me, I meet his gaze with icy indifference. I don't care that he is the eldest son of the richest man in this country. I am not for sale.

His father begins to speak again, forcing him to look away first, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Boys?" He calls and they make their way up to stand beside him. "Everyone this is Andrew, Ethan, Jacob, and David," He introduces them.

They nod in turn. The two I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, (sarcastic eye roll), are Ethan and David. The brooding, good-looking biker goes by Jacob. The women cheer again, and the men eye the Hudson boys, obviously sizing up their competition.

I study David while he is studying the women appreciatively. His note said he was excited to meet me, but it seems he would be happy to meet any and all of the ladies here. If I had to guess I would assume he is the playboy of the group, while Ethan seems more laid back. Still flirty but almost shy in comparison to his outgoing siblings. Jacob is just as good looking on stage as he was, when he stormed passed me when I arrived. Unlike his siblings, he is not dressed in a tux. He is still wearing his black jeans and his top has been changed out for a black dress shirt which is untucked, and the sleeves are rolled up revealing colorful tattoos covering both arms. 

Yum.

I have to remind myself of the circumstances. It does not matter how hot he is. I refuse to take a mate. Plain and simple. Casual fling with mutually beneficial s****l entanglements, yes. Love, long term commitment, producing pups for a stranger, no thank you.

When the crowd quiets down Mr. Hudson continues, "Now, as most of you have probably heard, we also have an alpha female participating this year. Skye Colman, can you join us on stage please?"

You have got to be f*****g kidding me.

Everyone looks around waiting...

Just kill me now.

Mr. Hudson follows his oldest sons’ line of sight, to find me tucked up in my secluded corner behind Jules and Zack. "Come on up here sweetheart. We won't bite. Unless you are into that kind of thing."  He calls.

His attempt at a joke causes some scattered laughter and everyone turns to look at me.

Seriously... Just kill me now. This is supposed to be a cocktail party, but all I want to do is hightail it the hell out of here.

The crowd of people between me and the steps to the stage part, allowing me to make my way up to stand opposite of Mr. Hudson's sons. Now that I am front and center the females no longer look excited, and the males are the ones whooping and hollering.

"She is a pretty little lady isn't she boys?" He asks the crowd.

I grit my teeth to keep my temper under control while he continues to speak. 

"It has been many years since we have had an alpha female compete, and while there is no guarantee that she will be caught and take a mate, my money is on my eldest boy Andrew here." He pats his son on the back like a proud father before continuing, "However, with all four of my sons competing I would be happy if any of them won her."

Sweetheart? Little lady? Won me? I feel myself begin to shake. My wolf ready to rip this guy to shreds.

"I wish you all the best of luck in finding a mate."  He finishes and the crowd claps.

I take the opportunity to make a beeline for my friends. I am still shaking, and I need to get far away from anyone with the last name Hudson if I want to have any hope of getting my wolf under control. I am almost down the stage steps when Andrew reaches out and grabs my hand, spinning me around to face him.

Big mistake buddy.

I use my lower position on the steps and his downward momentum against him, giving my arm a slight tug. Andrew falls, very ungracefully, down the remaining three steps. Attempting to make it seem like he simply lost his footing, I descent the steps and help him to his feet.

"You will NOT put your hands on me without permission. Understood Hotshot?" I growl into his ear as he stands to his feet.

"We will see about that after tomorrow." He answers, winking at me.

This guy just can't take a hint.

I still have his hand in mine from when I helped him to his feet, so I use a move Reggie taught me to effectively break his hand.

"That is your last warning." I tell him, dropping his mangled hand, and heading straight for the woods.