Page 130 of Bite Me

I pull the satin dress off the hanger and make my way into it. The white fabric hugs my hips, leaving behind a long, flowing train. The straps fall off my shoulders, and I tug at them as they fall.

Mom, what have I done?

Wearing a wedding dress without marrying the person I love isn’t something my mother would do. If she were here, what would she suggest? Run? Jump out the window?

I hate that I don’t know the answer to that question. I don’t know what she would do. I don’t know what she thinks or if she’s even looking down on me, and I’ll never know. I’ll never meet the old version of her or the person she’d have become.

I’m completely alone.

“Here you are! We have a landline between the houses. I called the house he’s at, and there was no answer, so I snagged his cellphone number.”

“You’re actually the best. Do you know that?”

She smiles and hands me the phone, watching me punch in the numbers. I wait.

It rings and rings. When he doesn’t answer, I try again.

That’s it. I really am alone in this one.

There has to be a positive. Maybe the vampire who picks me will love my glitter. Maybe they’ll be the glue that holds me together and makes something else entirely. Something even more bright and beautiful. The structure to my shine, just like my father did for my mother.

Or maybe it will be some rich guy’s wife who wins me and locks me in a cage for harvesting because she hates me. The jury is out.

“Maybe we can try again a little later?” She pats me lightly on the shoulder.

I nod. “Thank you . . . Can you . . . help me with the back?”

“Of course.”

Chapter Fifty-One

Dacre

The Central Lawn of Doxlothia is ablaze with lights, and the main road that leads into the grounds is lined with parked sports cars and limousines. Doxlothia is big enough that it tends to be the preferred venue for high-end private events. There are multiple people on the board of directors who, like my grandfather, have connections to the Donor Program, and Dean Abrams loves to suck up to them. She was probably ecstatic when this was brought up in some meeting months ago.

Every gala has a theme, and this year, I think I may have finally hit a rare stroke of luck because it’s a masquerade ball.

It is invitation only, and I recognize a lot of the men and women attending. Legacy families, some new money, some old.

The black tie dress code is certainly not optional, but the masks are. Most appear to be wearing them, though. An exuberant display of wealth, where precious jewels are wasted on a mask that will be worn for one night. They love them for pictures.

I straighten, checking my hair in the car’s visor mirror.

“Just tell me who to fight,” Parker says, watching me from the passenger seat.

It’s been a long trip in the car with Parker’s pack members, plus the addition of Olivia and the other sister, Evangeline, whom I hadn’t really met until now.

“That’s the worst thing you can do here. You need to stay calm. Absolutely no shifting.”

“I’m not letting some stranger buy her and lock her away.”

“I think you should be more worried about how stubborn she is. If she thinks she’s doing the right thing, she won’t go,” Olivia says.

“I’m okay with being the bad guy here.”

“Do you know anything about being subtle? You can’t kidnap her from the gala. There’s security, not to mention the wealthiest families in Vviveren and the press.” I turn toward Olivia, who is adjusting the hem of her black dress. “You want to help me here?”

“No. He’s right. We have to think of every option.”