Free Wolf's Fall by J.D. Tyler

smiled.
    â€œHello, Tom,” he said pleasantly. “Just dropping in for a quick bite.”
    *   *   *
    Nick hadn’t seen Calla since she’d brought him the cookies a few days before, and that didn’t set well with him. At all. He found he missed her company—and her kisses.
    Cookies
. His heart warmed all over again as he recalled the gesture. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done something so thoughtful for him. It made him miss her even more.
    Why the hell hadn’t he thought to get her cell phone number? Even vampires had them. He could call Tarron and ask for it, but that would mean a bunch of explanations neither of them was ready to give. Tarron would likely question him about his sister inviting Nick to the gathering as it was. Dammit!
    The party was tonight, though, so his wait was over. He’d chosen to concentrate on Calla and not on the fact that he’d be surrounded by dozens of the elite of her kind. Or that was how it was
supposed
to work. His suit chafed against his skin, so uncomfortable he felt like stripping it off and going dressed in his jeans, a black T-shirt, heavy boots, and a few weapons strapped on for good measure.
    But that probably wouldn’t bode well for diplomatic relations.
    Not that he cared what anyone else thought—just a certain vampire princess. He’d endure the whole thing for Calla, and maybe he’d find out why it was so important to her for him to bepresent. He knew she liked him, but he sensed there was something more behind her invitation.
    With a sigh, he made one last adjustment on his tie, then left his quarters and made his way to the recreation room. Jax, Hammer, Aric, and Micah were supposed to meet him there, where they’d be picked up by the coven’s guards and teleported to the stronghold. All of them except for Hammer, whose Psy gift happened to be teleportation. A handy skill. As disorienting as that form of travel was to shifters, it beat hours in a plane or helicopter.
    Nick walked into the rec room, and all eyes fixed on his attire. Predictably, the comments were teasing but good-natured.
    â€œJesus, who’s having a funeral?” Ryon cracked.
    â€œI didn’t even know he owned a suit,” Zan said.
    From his position sprawled on the sofa, Kalen eyed him. “Nick, is that
you
? Hey, you clean up okay.”
    â€œWell,
I
happen to think he looks rather handsome,” Mac said in his defense, bouncing baby Kai on her hip. That earned her a frown from Kalen, which she ignored.
    â€œThanks, Mac,” Nick said, then rolled his eyes. “Christ, people, haven’t you ever seen a guy dressed up before? We need better entertainment around here.”
    Snickers sounded and he ignored them. The heat was taken off him when his chosen men forthe evening walked in dressed in similar dark suits. Another round of razzing ensued, followed by verbal heartfelt relief from those who weren’t chosen to go.
    â€œSounds boring as hell, making nice with a bunch of uptight, prissy vampires,” Kalen said. “Have fun with that.”
    â€œTheir bunch
can
be pretty snooty,” Ryon put in.
    Zan arched a dark brow. “So, you’re taking one for the team in the name of political alliance? That’s your story?”
    â€œAnd I’m sticking to it,” Nick confirmed.
    A few knowing grins and glances were exchanged, but he didn’t rise to the bait. Let them think what they wanted. They probably weren’t far from wrong.
    Their escort showed, appearing outside and knocking rather than popping into the room. A common courtesy observed, same as not barging into the house of someone you don’t know very well.
    â€œWe’ve been invited to stay overnight as Tarron’s guests,” Nick told him as they walked out. “So don’t wait up.”
    â€œBe safe, dear,” Kalen called out. “Use protection!” The others