The Assassin’s Mate
Masquerade Ball (part 2)

We strolled down the aisle trying to avoid the cameras but the bright lights from the flashes were making it hard for us to navigate through the crowd. Eventually we made it through and entered a huge room that was decked out in black, purple and silver hues. The whole place was sparkling, from the sequined dresses to the fancy silverware and the extravigant jewelry adorning the necks of all the women in here. The sensation running up and down my body began to increase the closer we got to the crowd causing my breathe to quicken and my body to shake.

"Mila? Are you ok?"

Before I could answer the feeling disappeared. I shook my head a few times making sure I hadn't imagined it but the look on his face said he knew something was wrong too.

"I'm better now. I think I was just nervous. I'm not very good with crowds."

"Here sit down. I'll go get you some water, ok?"

I nodded my head and forced myself down onto the chair being careful not to let the dress slip off my lap causing a peep show. He returned rather quickly with a glass of water and a wet cloth that he placed on the back of my neck.

"It sounds like you were having a panic attack. We can leave if you want, we don't have to stay."

"No, it's ok I'm fine. I just needed a moment. Thank you though." I said wanting to slap myself at how weak I appeared. He already thought I was a diva before, I can only imagine what he thought of me now.

Geez Li, you better start acting like the assassin we know you are and not some giddy little girl who lets some man take care of your every need. Stick that head up and let's do the job we were hired to do!

I took the towel off my neck and placed it on the table then I got up and walked to the bar and ordered a double shot of scotch as a very concerned Finn followed after me. He eyed me cautiously as I threw it back and ordered another.

"You may want to take it easy there, lil bit, you don't want to do something embarrassing."

I glared at him through the bottom of the glass as I shot it back then set it down on the bar. Who the fuck does he think he is, calling me lil bit?

"I appreciate your concern but as I've already told you, I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself." I brushed past him back towards the crowd strutting like I was walking down a runway, letting my thigh show through the slit in my dress as I glided towards our table. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I found our seats and mananged to eloquently sit without showing off the goods. I crossed my legs and leaned back against the chair and waited for him to come to the table.

I could feel his eyes burning holes into the back of my head as he approached and when he sat down he never spoke another word. In fact he remained quiet, only mentioning certain names of wolves who passed us or came to introduce themselves. The night went just as planned and I managed to find out who three of the 12 potential wolves in line for the throne, were. I remembered their files and what they were accused of but looking at them, it was kind of hard to imagine any of them being that ruthless.

A slow song came on and Finn held out his hand "Dance with me?" He had an apologetic look in his eyes and a soft smile playing on his lips.

I looked at his hand and then his face and reluctantly placed mine in his letting him lead me out onto the dance floor. He spun me into place and slid his other hand down my side pulling me close until his hand was on my back holding me to his chest. He started humming along with the song and I could feel the vibrations from his chest against my breasts causing my nipples to pucker at the feeling. My hands started to tingle again but this time there was a trail of heat leading from my fingertips all they way to my face leaving behind a deep blush across my cheeks.

I sucked in a breath and pushed myself back leaving enough space in between us that you could fit another person there. He looked down at me as I narrowed my eyes causing him to chuckle and shrug his shoulder. Sneaky bastard knows exactly what he's doing. Well I won't give in that easily! I'm not here for love or even lust, I'm here to find my target and finish him off.

The song ended and everyone slowly left the dance floor and returned to their tables. As we walked away a shiver ran down my back like someone brushed along my spine with a feather. I turned around abruptly but no one was there. I wrapped my arms around myself and when I reached the table, Finn saw me and offered me his coat. I shook my head and headed back to the bar. This time Finn didn't follow and I was grateful for the space.

After the bartender poured me a scotch, I headed outside to the patio that overlooked a beautiful harbor filled with boats. Their lights twinkled in the night and reflected off the water creating a mystical experience that drew me in. I walked off the stone steps and towards the boardwalk when goosebumps began to appear along my arms and the heat from earlier came back. Instinctively I turned around but was disappointed when there was no one there. The feelings dissipated once more and I was left cold and alone staring into the ballroom while everyone was dancing and talking amongst themselves.

I sighed and sipped the rest of my scotch as I slowly walked back towards the patio. Finn appeared in the doorway and motioned that it was time to go. The night was over and I was happy that I was able to get a glimpse of some of those shitty wolves but the weird feelings I was getting all night had me on edge and I wasn't the type of person who let things like that get to me. Being around so many people was messing with my head. I needed to kill something, anything, and I needed to do it fast before I lost myself.

Once we got back to the condo, we both slipped into our pjs and I invited Finn for a drink on the patio. He happily accepted and as I was pouring his Jack and coke, I slipped an ambien into his drink. If I was going to satisfy my urge for blood I didn't need him following me and finding out who I really was, so a half an hour later when he started dosing off I helped him to his room then waited for my chance to sneak out.

I finally made it to the thick patch of woods outside the condo and as soon as I was out of sight I stripped and let my wolf come forward, this was her domain and I only seemed to get in the way. She sniffed out a doe the minute she put her nose to the ground then pounced as soon as she could, tearing into the flesh leaving blood and fur all over the ground while she gnawed at the hind leg. When she was finally sated she trotted back home towards the condo.

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