Vice (Fireborn Wolves Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

their curse with a relatively conservative human life. Not so with Jason. The man mated with any female, wolf or human, who would have him. The copulation was quick and the relationships rarely lasted longer than the act itself. Still, she had to hand it to him; her little brother was always brutally up-front about his intentions, and thanks to a pretty face and his career as a highly successful venture capitalist, there was rarely a shortage of females interested in what he had to offer.
    The ballroom of Rivergate Manor had been decked out in pale flowers and bright twinkle lights that perfectly complimented the stucco and ivory marble of the Italian palazzo-style mansion. Against this monochromatic backdrop, the colorful attire of the guests became like works of art: ruby, emerald, and sapphire swirling against heavenly white. Laina accepted a glass of champagne from a passing server and took her place beside Jason, slightly behind and to the left of Cameron. Silas stepped to Cameron’s right side, in the true place of honor.
    “Should we kneel before our brother-savior,” she groused to Jason.
    “Hmm?” Her brother wasn’t listening. He was staring across the ballroom at a blonde in a tight green dress.
    “Stop staring,” Laina said.
    “Why? She’s been catching my eye all evening.”
    “She’s only sixteen,” she whispered. “That’s Cameron’s little sister, Allie.”
    “How sixteen? Sixteen, almost seventeen, or…”
    “Fifteen, just turned sixteen. Allie has only shifted once before. Just got her Rivergate tattoo. The last thing she needs is the complication of your stow-and-go dick. Plus, it’s against the law.”
    “The human law.”
    “Your brother and alpha is a cop. Don’t make me ask him to order you to leave her alone.”
    He drained his glass, the smell of bourbon filling her nostrils when he spoke again. “Relax, big sister, I’ll leave her be. Plenty of other bitches in the doghouse.”
    “Gross.”
    “It’s my responsibility as a royal male to sow my noble DNA. There isn’t a woman in this place who’d turn me down.”
    “And that doesn’t bother you?” She raised an eyebrow. “Spare me the DNA business. You’d have several litters of pups by now if you weren’t being careful.”
    He straightened his bow tie. “Just keeping my equipment in good working order for when it is needed.”
    She rolled her eyes. Cameron raised his glass again and the room went silent.
    “We’ve come here tonight to honor Silas Flynn and the royal family of Fireborn pack. Just weeks ago there was a mortal threat on every life in this ballroom. Because of Silas, Alex Ravien Bloodright is dead and the dragon scale amulet has been returned to the dragon fae, restoring amicable relations between our communities. Please raise your glasses, and help me toast leader, alpha, and all-around hero, Silas Flynn.”
    Applause broke out in the expansive room, and Laina caught Jason wrinkling his nose as if he’d stepped in dog shit. All-around hero? he mouthed to her, left eyebrow raised. She stifled a giggle.
    It wasn’t easy living in Silas’s shadow. No wonder her little brother was such a manwhore and she was a workaholic with no discernable personal life. At times like this, it was impossible not to feel like a pawn in a game she couldn’t win.
    “How long do you think we have to stay?” she whispered to Jason.
    He chuckled. “Just long enough for Silas to have his ego properly stroked. And for me to find a woman who will properly stroke me.”
    She snorted despite herself.
    “And now,” Cameron continued, “Silas has given me the honor of kicking off the evening by joining his stunning sister, Laina, in a traditional folk dance.”
    Laina almost fell out of her shoes. In fact, she wobbled so violently that Jason had to steady her. Her glass tipped, spilling champagne.
    Cameron approached and took what was left of the drink from her hand, passing it to one of the servants for safekeeping.