I ran a hand over my outfit, trying to smooth away my nervousness as if it were a wrinkle in my attire. Ezra would scent that, and I wanted him to see me as confident in this outfit. Like all the other Vampire women that sauntered around in sensual clothing like this. I chewed my lip and slowed my pace so I could get it together.
Now minus my black heels, I wore leather and fur. The leather was the strapless dress, made of material so soft that it felt like butter. It skimmed in a straight line across my chest, revealing a goodly amount of cle**age, and hugged my body to right below my ass. No bending over for me. It was simple and sexy, as Jack had instructed.
The fur came into play with the soft, hooded jacket I wore. It was thin and its length barely skimmed the ground. Four buttons kept it closed, hiding my dress underneath. And it was the color of my wolf’s fur. In fact, it felt just like it because I had designed it that way.
Jack had approved with a whistle, although now he might scowl seeing my black painted toenails instead of sexy footwear. Oh, well. I had tried. If I could just focus on how comfortable the outfit was — because it was — I would be doing fine.
I sighed and rolled my head on my shoulders, hearing masculine voices drifting from the main conference room. I was a few minutes early, but it sounded like the majority of everyone was already in there. Running my hands over the soft fur again, I closed my eyes and relaxed.
It was show time.
Entering the room, I glanced around.
Blinked.
All the Kings were here. In fact, King Venclaire was pocketing a wad of cash. Antonio’s posse were also here, and Cahal was…my God…actually grinning. As in, a real damn smile. I couldn’t help but gape because he was handsome instead of so harshly imposing, with his pearly whites showing like they were. All eight of them stood on one side of the long conference table.
And Ezra was in here, standing on the other side of the table, lips lifting in amusement as he watched what everyone else was watching.
That being: a lion cub.
Specifically, a large lion cub with enormous paws that stalked back and forth on top of the conference table, hissing or growling while he eyed the Kings and Elders. The male cub already had muscle definition, even with its rounded, healthy belly, and his tail twitched in agitation as he moved. He held his head proudly, his chest puffed even though his gaze was watchful.
It appeared as if he were protecting Ezra, keeping the big baddies away. I couldn’t help but grin. He was damn adorable, though I knew full-grown he would be imposing even to a Shifter.
I strode forward, stopping at the end of the table. No one paid the least bit attention since the cub was at the other end. Honestly, I thought they didn’t even know I had entered.
Elder Merrick growled, “One out of two, Cahal. Not two out of two.” He glanced at Ezra. “At least it’s not damn eagles, like we got. Those f**kers shit everywhere they please.” He then glared at Antonio.
I was completely lost, but I didn’t miss how Ezra shot him an undisclosed look of aggression.
“I should probably ask for a cut since he’s my son,” Cahal said proudly to King Venclaire.
“You could ask.” King Venclaire shrugged. “I still won’t give you one.” He pointed at the cub. “He really is large for his age.”
“Hell yes, he is,” Ezra murmured, swiping his hand over the cub’s back as he passed, appearing just as puffed as the cub. His gaze — actually — moved from said cub, and he noticed me. He blinked slowly before his gaze traveled over my hooded red fur coat.
I watched in barely concealed delight as his breath hitched.
Score!
And he hadn’t even seen the dress yet.
My attention was jolted from Ezra when King Fergus asked, “What’s he doing?”
For a second, I thought they were talking about Ezra since his hood was down and he wasn’t exactly being discreet in his ogling, but a quick glance at the eight Rulers to my right and I saw they were all watching the cub. It had stopped directly in front of me and now sat on its haunches, staring up at me.
“I haven’t the foggiest,” Elder Jacobs answered.
Still lost at their commentary, I lifted a hand to pet him since he wasn’t growling at me.
“Don’t,” Ezra barked loudly, his eyes going wide.
I snatched my hand back. “What’s going on?”
The cub chose that moment to pounce. And he was damn quick. His front paws landed on my chest as he rose on his hind legs. His adorable face was now even with mine. He licked my nose.
I chuckled at the cub, even as I felt Ezra’s heat abruptly at my side. “Ah, you’re a charmer, are you?” He nuzzled his head against my face, his big paws beginning to knead, his claws briefly appearing before disappearing, but not hurting me. Tickled by his sweet antics, I rewarded him by scratching under his chin. He seemed to like it, arching his head back for me.
Ezra made an odd noise in his throat.
“What the f**k?” King Kincaid muttered.
“I bet it’s a surprise attack,” King Nelson stated. “He needs to get close to rip into her throat.”
I froze at that, and my face was bombarded with lion slobber as he licked all over my cheek. The cub made a noise, peering up at Ezra, who stood a breath away from my side, his hands raised almost as if they were frozen in mid-motion, aiming for the cub. My eyes followed the cub’s to Ezra. He was staring at the cub with what could only be called shock.
At that exact moment, I felt something slip under my coat.
Already a little freaked, I squealed and jumped.
Ezra unfroze, and in a blur, held the cub away from me, shouting in his furry face, “No!”
King Kincaid rushed to my side. “How badly did he hurt you?” His fingers began effectively unbuttoning my robe, his gaze intent on the action.
“He didn’t hurt me,” I squealed, bouncing on my feet. “Something’s under my coat!”
Everyone froze.
Except for the cub in Ezra’s grip, which batted at his hands, huffing at him. And me, as I continued squalling and bouncing. And then King Kincaid as he shouted, jumping away from me and staring down at the bottom of my coat.
King Kincaid blinked, holding up his hands. “Stop moving! You’re going to hurt her.”
Everyone in this damn room was acting crazy. I sure as hell wasn’t going to stand still and let a critter lie in wait to bite my ass. Quickly, I finished undoing the last button and yanked my robe apart, staring down at the ground. Within my wide stance was a small, reddish lioness cub.