Jesper stepped in front of him. “Sir, allow me to guide you to your seat.”
Slade narrowed his eyes at him. “Where’s Cricket?”
“She is helping Mia.”
“With what?”
He pointed to a tunnel connecting to another tent. “They are in the dance hall choosing the music.”
Slade adjusted the lapels of his dress coat. “Good. I need to have a word with her.”
“About?” asked Jesper.
Cricket’s breakup text kept him awake all night. He paced, reading the message over and over. To rid his excessive energy, he’d shifted and ran through the forest, like a rabid wolf looking for some creature or hapless soul to devour. Did she think they had just a tryst? And who gave her permission to be the first to call off whatever the hell they had? He barreled in her direction, but Rylee blocked his path.
“Prince Slade, where are you off to in such haste?”
“I need to speak to Cricket.”
“If it’s about the last mission, we’re having an all hands meeting Monday.”
Wait three days? You’ve got to be kidding me. “It’s not. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since we left Patagonia.”
Her normally stern voice softened. “I understand Cricket sent you a text about finding a mate, perhaps tonight.”
Fuck. Did everyone know? “Yes, she did.”
She snorted. “It’s what King Conan commanded.”
Rylee must think him a fool for allowing a runt to break his heart. Fine. He faked his new identity with Wolfstrom; he’d pretend all was good. “Yes, ma’am.”
Jesper caught up with him. “Prince Slade, everybody is taking their seats.”
“Go on, looks like you are at the alpha singles table.” Rylee winked.
Slade raised his eyebrow. “Will you be joining me at my table, then, ma’am?”
“I might be single, but it’s complicated. I’m sitting at Dominic’s table. Kind of a mixed status table, but Mia arranged it.”
Hypocrite. “Next to Carson, I see.” Rylee had been in a long-term relationship with Dominic’s beta second. She should know better than to push an alpha in love with another to find a proper mate.
Rylee whispered in his ear, “I’ll be in between Carson and Mia’s best friend.”
Cricket sitting as a guest of honor at Dominic’s table gladdened his heart. Damn, right where she belonged. He followed Jesper to a seat next to Nik. They shared their table with other available male alphas and over a dozen gorgeous single female alphas. Those closest introduced themselves. The scent of desire like cheap cologne fogged the air. Fucking awkward.
Two of the females sweet talked two males sitting across from him into exchanging their seats.
Oh brother, it starts. The two women were stun
ning, but they did not please him. Only Abella did.
Nik smiled at them. “I’m Nikolay.”
They both said, “Hi,” but then turned their attention to Slade. “Prince Slade. I’m Oriana and this is my sister Dacia.”
Cricket’s bitch half-sisters. Remain calm. “Pleasure.”
Oriana, the blonde, batted her eyelashes. “Prince Slade, you went on a mission with our little sister Cricket. How wonderful.”