Chapter 24

"Your human will attend…?"Anton was going over the final plans for the ball tonight.

"She will."

"Sire," Phillipe, one of the sycophants surrounding Anton, raised his hand to speak.

Anton flicked his hand in the male's direction.

"The Burke male would like to attend tonight. He has heard rumors and would like to take part."

"Absolutely not," I thundered before Anton could speak. My objection was a risk because Anton would be angered that I spoke before him. However, I needed to stop this before it began. "We are in violation of the Council's mandate by granting him sanctuary. We should not broadcast the decision."

Everyone waited for Anton's reaction.

I was doing my best not to be obvious in my disagreements with Anton's decisions. I needed his approval for my mating with Sage.

I'd not yet disclosed to her that I was Lycan. There never seemed to be the right moment. Truthfully, until I knew that Anton would grant us his approval, I wanted her to have a way to be free of me. I would not force her into a life of being treated as an outcast while living with the Redds.

"Lycans of importance know of my decision to house the Burke heir," Anton shared with pride. "I am certain he did not bring appropriate clothing, and there is no time to bring in a tailor. My answer is no."

"Very good, Sire." Phillipe bowed his head.

The meeting lasted another hour. When we adjourned, Sig followed me to my office.

Sig snorted. "He is an outlaw on the run. I would hope that he didn't pack a tuxedo." He claimed his regular chair.

"Knowing the Burkes, I doubt there was much call for formal wear."

The rural Texas Pack rivaled the Redds for struggling to survive and thrive. No one knew where they'd found the money to buy the Seer. However, she'd been transferred from Novus to the Burkes. Because of Charles Burke's aggression against the Seer, she'd been returned to Novus, and they hadn't had to give back any money.

"Is Sage excited for tonight?" Sig asked.

"No." I relaxed in my chair. "She is uneasy. She has no experience with balls. Additionally, she knows that I am keeping information from her and is unhappy about it."

"You haven't disclosed what you are?"

I shook my head once. "You know my reasons." I didn't hide my frustration. My jaw tightened.

"Perhaps she already knows what we are. Talia may have told her." Sig gave a slow, one-shouldered shrug. "You have mentioned that she can be tight-lipped."

"No." I shook my head. "Natalya would never do that. It would put Sage at risk for Anton's wrath."

Sig frowned. "True. He would punish Talia harshly."

"I hope that Anton will be impressed by Sage and approve our mating."

"What if he does not?" Sig leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "Finding Sage gives him power over you."

"She should be finished organizing Talia's work in two weeks. If Anton refuses to approve our mating…I'll have to let her go."

"You will not," he said, his voice thundering. "You deserve happiness."

Sage's future weighed heavily on my mind. I wanted her with every bit of my being. However, keeping her here, knowing she might never be accepted and treated rudely at every turn...I would not make her endure that life.

"There is another choice." He held my gaze. "You could go with Sage," he said quietly.

"We are damned." I frowned. "Being complicit with the Burkes will not be forgotten. No Pack will accept us because of my title with the Redds. They would fear reprisal from the Council, Novus, or The Lady."

"You do not need a Pack. You are strong."

I shook his head. "I cannot put you and Natalya in danger. Anton would make you pay for my resignation. He would view it as forsaking our bloodline and an act of disrespect." I felt guilty because I had often dreamed about walking away to a better life.

"Talia could go and never look back. She hates Anton and this place."

"What about you?"

"I would go right now with you without a backward glance."

Sig's answer didn't surprise me. However, the seriousness of the idea caused my wolf to become uneasy. "It could be judged as treason."

"It would mean survival," Sig fired back.

There was no good answer.

Five hours later, I stood with Sage far from the ballroom's once grand entrance, where Anton greeted his guests.

"Do you use this room often?" she asked as she looked around the room.

"There was a time when the family entertained several times a year. This is the first ball Anton has hosted in years."

"The weather didn't affect the attendees." She seemed uneasy and was chattering.

"I believe many feel they had to attend, or they would be talked about. In our world, perception is important."

"I think that is true everywhere. Look at the Kardashians' popularity."

His eyebrows lowered. "I do not recognize that family name. Where are their holdings located?"

She gave a snort-laugh as she smiled and then covered her mouth with her hand. "They're a family with a TV show that turned themselves into billionaires. They live in L.A."

"Why are you hiding in the shadows and not dancing?" Talia said as she joined us.

"You look amazing," Sage told her, then turned to me. "She made sure I was dressed and then left me so she would have time to transform into this gorgeousness."

"You both look beautiful." At first glance, Sage's dress appeared to be plain dark blue. However, the material carried a design and shimmered when the light struck it. Her hair was up in an intricate braided design.

Talia's dress was made of shiny gold discs. The slits at the sides revealed her long legs. Her blond hair was pulled back from her face with a black ribbon that sharply contrasted with her overall golden look.

Sig joined our group. "I see the old families dug out their jewels for the night."

"They are rarely invited to events. I'm sure they miss the good old days when they were seated at the head table, and only their equals were allowed to approach," Talia opined, lifting her nose.

"Some find the need to change very difficult," I said. "The relaxation of certain social rules would upset their worlds."

"What do you think of Anton?" Talia asked Sage.

"Oh…uh…" Sage struggled to find the words.

Sig mumbled, "Nattie, now is not the time."

"My introduction was quick," Sage told them. "There was a line behind us, waiting."

"He might attempt to seek your presence later," Talia warned her.

Sage grimaced. "Don't tell me that. I'm nervous enough. I've had dreams where he met me and yelled, ‘Off with her head.'"

Sig's gaze met mine.

Her dream was nearly prescient; that could have transpired.

Talia let out a low growl. "Here comes the Francis heir. His hands are always damp, and they wander."

The male approached with a confident swagger. His attention focused only on Talia. "Dance with me." He reached for her hand.

Sig stepped in front of Talia. "Her dances are with me tonight."

The male paled. He gave a slight bow and scurried away.

"Why did you do that?" Talia grumbled. "Now, I'll have to dance with you."

Sig held out his hand. "A terrible fate."

She placed her hand in his. "I can think of many far worse."

They joined the dancers on the floor.

"I can't figure out what's up with them," Sage murmured while watching them. "There's chemistry there."

"He loves her enough to let her be free." I watched the striking couple circle the floor.

"That's sad." She frowned. "Yet, it is beautiful."

I wanted to feel her in my arms. "Dance with me, Sage."

"I told you that I haven't waltzed since I was a teen. If your toes get squashed, don't complain."

I pulled her into my arms. "Understood."

She could hurt my heart but not my toes.