“Are you having problems with your tie? Here let me look at it,” Melisande said as she came up behind him. “There. You look wonderful, so handsome. I am going to be the luckiest woman at the party.”
Grigori grabbed her waist when she tried to move away.
“Just remember, you’re mine, Melika.”
“You’re so primitive sometimes, Grigori,” she said, patting him on the shoulder, then kissing him on the cheek.
“I’m a wolf, and wolves mate for life.”
“Don’t worry. I know who I belong to. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“Not tonight. Do you like my dress?”
“I wish it would cover more of you.”
Melisande looked down at the strapless beaded bodice of her sapphire silk dress. She knew she looked good in it. But it was delightful to know Grigori was worried.
Grigori, the limo is here, came Brencis’ mind call.
“Your cousin sent a limo,” Grigori said.
“He did? How fun.” Melisande picked up her purse and wrap. “Are you ready?”
“I suppose so. Are you sure we must go?”
“We do if you don’t want my parents showing up on our doorstep.”
“Let us go then.”
Melisande walked down the stairs with Grigori behind her. Both Valerii and Brencis were waiting at the door. Like Grigori they were dressed in their finest. Melisande felt as if she were looking at an issue of GQ magazine. Her new family looked hot, and as the only woman, she was proud to know they were hers. Valerii opened the door with a flourish and a wink. Tonight is going to be wonderful, Melisande concluded.
Grigori sat in the back of the limo, Melisande tucked into his side. His fingers moved up and down her arm in a feather-light caress. Her skin was so soft under his hand. He loved touching her.
The limo driver pointed out famous landmarks, and Melisande looked around in childlike delight. Brencis sat sullen in the corner, while Valerii asked questions of the driver. Neither one of the young wolves had traveled out of Russia before and had rarely left pack lands.
Grigori himself had been traveling in only the past few years. When Russia opened up to the world, the pack was required to adapt. He discovered he possessed a flare for business and liked to deal with the pack’s out-of-country partners. The Alpha Dmitri, finding himself a new mate and father, gratefully handed the business dealings of the pack to a select few, Grigori included.
Brencis inherited business acuity as well and normally handled business transactions on the computer. Together Grigori and Brencis made a good team. Few others in the pack liked the new business climate. Kolya Tosyanov, the Alpha’s Beta, was second to none in finding profitable business ventures for the pack funds. So much change, so quickly. But as the world changed, the pack adjusted and tried to find which members were gifted in different areas. As the pack flourished, so did its members.
Now that mates were being found in human populations, more change was on the way. But Grigori thought it would be good to have young families and more children in the pack. At one time, when the world was a younger place, the lycanthropes of Russia lived with their human counterparts without fear, serving as trusted advisors to the royal families. Lycanthrope military powers were coveted by all.
Now they hid away in one small village, learning to deal with a new way of being. The world was more open, but was it more accepting? Keeping their secret of shapeshifting seemed prudent for their own protection.
As the London Eye came into view, Melisande squealed in delight, pulling Grigori from his thoughts. Valerii chuckled at her antics, but Brencis scowled.
Feeling homesick, Brenka? Grigori sent.
No.
You need to forgive her. She is my mate, and I love her. Plus, remember humans do not think as we do. They don’t rely on their instincts or trust their hearts like we do. They rely on logic and hide their true essence behind screens of obscurity.
She turned away from you. How could she do that when your hearts are tied together?
Humans do not trust their hearts like they should. She felt wronged and reacted in anger and fear.
But can you trust her? Will she turn from you again?
I do not know. I hope not. But, Brencis, I love her. I will follow her wherever she goes. Please try to accept her. She is my mate and a good person. Our lives are forever tied together.
I know. I am angry with her. If she loved you, she wouldn’t turn away.
You do not need to be angry on my behalf. Mates sometimes have disagreements. Having a human mate, brings our differences into the forefront. You may find yourself mated to a human one day. Try to be more understanding of their human frailties. See how we are alike, instead of how we are different.
I will think about what you have said.
That is a good start, cousin.
“You two are missing all the sites. I wonder where Andrew is taking us to dinner,” Melisande said, patting Grigori’s knee and then squeezing lightly.
“Dinner is at the Babylon at the Roof Garden, Miss,” the driver informed the party. “Just a ways farther down Kensington High Street. We should be there in a few minutes.”
The limo pulled up to the covered drive and stopped to let the passengers exit. Several parties were standing near the limo door, and several other cars were pulling in behind the limo. An attendant opened the door, and Grigori exited before reaching back to assist Melisande from the car.
“My goodness, there is quite a crush, isn’t there?” Melisande whispered as Brencis and Valerii walked up beside them.
A young woman in a white-silk business suit made her way toward them. “Miss Reule?”
“Yes, I am Melisande Reule.”
“I am Kimberly Wentworth, Lord Barras’ assistant. If you will follow me, I will take you upstairs to dinner.”
“Thank you. With all these people, it is a little overwhelming,” Melisande said as they followed the young woman into the building.
Grigori kept his arm around Melisande’s waist. The many people surrounding them made him uncomfortable. He glanced at Valerii and Brencis and noticed how stiffly they were moving. They were having a difficult time as well.
Keep it together. This is good practice for you, Grigori sent into both of their thoughts.
“The Babylon is on the seventh floor,” Wentworth said, leading the way through the crowd to a bank of elevators. “Lord Barras reserved the whole restaurant for this evening.”
“The whole restaurant? Who all is invited?” Melisande asked.
“Oh, only the top contributors to Lord Barras’ campaign. It is supposed to be a very intimate party, where anyone can speak with him. To be included on the guest list is a sign of affluence,” Wentworth explained as they stepped into the elevator.
I know I will never like elevators. I always feel trapped in a box, Valerii sent back.
Let the lovely Miss Wentworth distract you. She’s your type, Brencis suggested.
“How long have you worked for my cousin?” Melisande asked.
I will expect all of us to be returning to the townhome this evening. This may be a respite, but the danger is still with us, Grigori reprimanded the two young wolves.
“I’ve worked for Lord Barras for the last three years. It’s been very exciting. But I’m an assistant, not much more than a glorified lackey, if you must know,” Wentworth said with a sigh. “But I do get to rub elbows with the elite and powerful.”
“Do you enjoy that? Dealing with people?” Melisande asked.
“Most of the time, it’s quite nice. But every once in a while you meet someone who is downright obnoxious,” Wentworth said as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.
“Sandy, Darling, so nice to see you again. And Mr. Solovyov, good evening,” said a high-pitched voice.
“Oh, dear . . . ,” Melisande murmured.
Wentworth smiled in commiseration as Lady Ashtown bore
down on the little group.
Chin up, lyubov moya. You need her business, remember?
Grigori smiled at his mate as she straightened her shoulders and pasted a smile of welcome on her face.
“Lady Ashtown, how nice to see you. Andrew didn’t tell me you would be joining us this evening.”
“But, of course. Henry is around somewhere. I’ll introduce you.”
“Lady Ashtown,” Wentworth intruded. “I was escorting Miss Reule to Lord Barras. Would you mind terribly if I steal her away for a few minutes? He is very busy this evening.”
“Oh, I suppose not. I’ll find Henry and come by your table later, Sandy.”
“Thank you, Lady Ashtown. I will see you in a few minutes.”
Lady Ashtown gave a wave and moved into the crowd.
“Thank you, Miss Wentworth,” Melisande said with a smile.
“It was a pleasure, Miss Reule. This way. Lord Barras is out on the terrace for the next twenty minutes.”
Grigori thought about releasing Brencis and Valerii, but decided to make a statement of strength when he met Melisande’s cousin for the first time. He nodded his head, encouraging them to follow, as Wentworth led the way to the door of the terrace.
Once they stepped outside, Grigori took a long breath of air. A cool breeze blew in from the river, and some of the smells of the crowd cleared. He knew the air would be fresh only as long as they stood outside. For a moment he felt homesick, missing the smells of pine and fir, the clean crisp air of Siberia. But then Melisande moved closer, her special scent surrounding him, and he realized home was this woman at his side.
Wentworth made her way through the crowd toward the man holding court near the railing. Barras was a little taller than Meli, but he possessed the same hair coloring, as well as the same cobalt-blue eyes, which were looking seriously at a man who waved his hands at Barras, trying to make a point
Grigori watched as Barras looked up and saw them approaching. His eyes warmed in welcome as he saw Melisande, then cooled as he looked at Grigori and his arm around Melisande’s waist. For a moment, Grigori wanted to take Meli and run. But instead, he straightened and moved a little closer to her. It didn’t matter who this man was, he couldn’t be allowed to take Melisande away from him.
“Easy, Grika,” Melisande whispered, feeling aggression in his posture.
“Mine, Melika,” Grigori whispered as he nuzzled her ear.
He saw the flash of annoyance in Barras’ eyes and grinned unrepentantly. Barras patted the other gentleman on the arm and made excuses as Wentworth finally reached his side.
“Melisande, you look delightfully fetching this evening,” Barras said, taking her hand and pulling her forward into a hug.
Grigori reluctantly let her go. He wouldn’t cause a scene with her cousin.
“Andrew, when you invited me to dinner, I thought you meant just the family. I didn’t realize it was going to include a hundred of your closest friends,” Melisande chastised him.
Barras chuckled. “I’m sorry, Meli. It was either this or giving you an appointment to visit my offices in parliament. I’ve hit the big times, and my personal time is limited. Now introduce me to your supposed fiancé.”
“There is nothing supposed about it. Melisande is my future wife,” Grigori said.
“Andrew, behave yourself. This is Grigori Solovyov. Would you like to see the ring?” Melisande said, flashing the large diamond.
“Very impressive, Meli. Nice to meet you, Solovyov. I’ve heard a few things about you,” Barras said, shaking Grigori’s hand.
“All pleasant, I hope. This is my cousin, Brencis, and his friend Valerii Belikov,” Grigori gestured to his pack members.
“Nice to meet you gentlemen. Well, Solovyov, you’ve got your hands full with Meli. When she was younger, she used to be a hellion, running wild all over our grandfather’s estate.”
“An estate that is now yours, Andrew,” Meli pointed out.
“Actually, grandfather left you the hunting cabin in Somerset, as well as several thousand pounds. The only stipulation was you return to England to claim the inheritance. I’ve been holding it in trust for you. I’ve already instructed my lawyers to transfer the property into your name.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Melisande asked, shock apparent on her face.
“Part of the stipulation of the will, actually. Grandfather feared you might never come back to England after he died, and decided that until you did, the small estate should be left in the hands of the larger one. I’m glad you came back, Meli. I never wanted to keep it a secret from you.”
“He was a wily one, Grandpa. He always hoped Mother would come back, and she never did. Maybe he held the same fears about me.”
“I think you were his favorite, not that he wasn’t proud of me. But he had a soft spot for you and your mother.”
“Thank you, Andrew. Is there anything else I should know?”
“He left you a letter. It’s in the paperwork. We can talk more about it later. Kimberly will make sure you have all my contact information, as well as the lawyer’s information. I’m really busy, but not impossible to get a hold of. I’m worried about this police business, but now isn’t the time. I guess we’ll have a meeting at my offices after all. I’m getting the signal that I’m needed in the dining room. Kimberly, show them to their table. I’ll wait a moment to go in so you can avoid the crush. It’s good to see you, Meli. Take care of her, Solovyov.”
“With my life,” Grigori answered solemnly.
Wentworth led them inside and got them seated as a musical gong announced dinner. Grigori felt glad to be seated against the wall where he knew no one could sneak up behind him. It was an old habit of an older wolf. He saw a good portion of the room as well as the head table. Barras’ voice could be heard over the murmurs, encouraging people to take their seats. Grigori was surprised to find that Wentworth was joining them.
“Lord Barras asked me to make sure you enjoyed a nice time tonight. Is it all right if I join you?” she asked hesitantly.
“Of course, please sit down Miss Wentworth,” Melisande said with a smile.
“Kimberly, please.”
“You must call me, Meli. And this is Brencis and Valerii, and of course, my fiancé, Grigori.”
“Thank you. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I appreciate the welcome,” Wentworth murmured.
“Let me assure you, a beautiful woman is always a welcome addition,” Valerii said.
Wentworth blushed and smiled.
“You’re such a charmer, Valerii. Pay him no mind, Kimberly. What is on the menu tonight?” Melisande asked.
Grigori sat back with a sigh. It was going to be a long evening.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Grigori looked down at an itty-bitty piece of chocolate cake with a red raspberry on top. Should he pick it up and eat it in one bite or use a fork to cut it apart? The whole meal had consisted of gourmet servings. Grigori thought it meant, as small as we can make them, but kept his conclusion to himself. Except for his need to eat a snack when they returned to the townhouse, the evening had progressed fairly well.
Lady Ashtown and her husband had turned up to introduce themselves and had chatted for a while about everything under the sun. Lucky for all, it appeared she suffered from a sweet tooth and, once dessert was served, excused herself to go back to her own table.
Grigori was surprised to see Officer Kincaid on duty tonight. Evidently, he needed a little extra money and hired on to help out at this evening’s event. Or Ralf Lewis may have been trying to keep a close eye on Grigori and Melisande. Grigori wasn’t sure which explanation was valid.
“Is it true, what Lady Ashtown said? Are you related to royalty?” Wentworth asked.
“There is no royalty left in Russia, Miss Wentworth. You know that,” Grigori teased.
“So, there is no truth to the family legends?” she asked disappointed.
“None that I’m aware of. But if you like, I will tell you one
of the family legends.”
Miss Wentworth turned a boring evening into a delight. She entertained them and encouraged them all to relax and enjoy themselves. It was too bad she didn’t seem to have any psychic ability. She would make a good mate for one of the pack. Grigori felt she deserved a reward for her openness and acceptance.
“Yes, please, that would be lovely,” Wentworth answered, blushing.
Grigori looked over at Melisande, and she nodded, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Very well. It’s rather long, but if you don’t mind, I will begin . . . ,” Grigori said. “A long time ago when Russia was young, there was a prince who fathered a very beautiful daughter. She was his oldest child and only daughter, and he loved her mightily. He gave her anything she asked for. But she was never greedy, or unkind, and grew into an enchanting young woman with golden hair.
“The one thing she loved to do was go into the woods surrounding her father’s walled city and speak to the animals or pick wild flowers. She would ride her favorite horse with her maid accompanying her. They spent hours playing in the sun.
“One day she raced her horse down a trail. When the horse stumbled, she was thrown. Her maid did not follow her or see the accident. The prince’s daughter tried to move, but her ankle was sore, and she couldn’t get up. She looked around for a stick or something to lean on, when out of the trees a huge white wolf appeared. The princess stared in amazement at the beautiful animal with eyes the color of the deepest emerald.
“The wolf came toward her, and she realized she should be afraid. As she opened her mouth to scream, a rainbow of light came upon the wolf, and he changed into a handsome young man with emerald eyes and light-brown hair. The man leaned down and offered the princess his hand to help her up.
“It is said that, as they touched, their hearts were tied together with a golden cord, and the pair knew they were destined to mate. The young man helped her to her horse, and the princess gave him a scarf from around her neck. Promising to meet again, the princess returned to the city.
“She rode out many times to meet her wolf prince during the summer, and their love bloomed into an unbreakable bond. But at the beginning of the harvest, a horde of marauders rode out of the mountains and attacked the city. There was a terrible fight, and the field of battle was covered with bodies from both sides. The marauders were forced to ride away.
AMAZON KINDLE VERSION A Siberian Werewolf In London EDITED 3 9 2012 Page 10
