Chapter 8 – All within the growl

"I don't like this." I pushed in the last pin into my French twist hair style as I stared at the man in the mirror; his bring green eyes alive with anger.

"It's just a ceremony, Elric."

"At their land." I sighed as I stood up from my bench in front of my vanity and stepped into the red stilettos, zipping them up from the back.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes!"

"Than trust me when I say I know, with the upmost faith, nothing will happen to me." His eyes narrowed slightly as he stopped forward, reaching his hand out for the necklace. "It's silver."

"I know; I've been handling it a bit more to build up my tolerance like you."

"That's good to know. It can still kill us, but maybe a few stabs and slices won't be our undoing."

"Are you sure this piece is right to wear?" he asked as he clasped the chain together.

"Don't you think the single ruby pendant brings out my eyes?"

"And the point at the end makes the eye catch the cleavage it's pointing to Fire, but you know why I am asking."

"When the piece begins to be too heavy, or if it starts to burn, it's my clue to come home. You know I don't do anything without thinking it through." He nodded and looked me over. "Well, do I approve the black tie affair requirement?" I smoothed down the satin black dress, the lace running along the top of my bodice that dipped down to a sharp v right between the breasts, making them push up without being indecent while the rest of the satin material clung to the body. The dress also had a slit on the left side from the bottom of the dress, all the way up to the left hip.

"You look amazing Fire."

"Thank you. If anything happens, call me." The vampire nodded and I grabbed my purse and

my keys, heading to my car.

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"Alpha Grayson, can you please come here, we have a problem." I ground my back teeth as I tapped my nails against the black steering wheel cover of my new corvette, waiting for Grayson to show. Even though I had my invite, and had already given it to this security team, they weren't allowing me out of my car with the reason being, and I quote 'your stench is too foul to allow in there'. It took all my strength not to string them up but for fear of ruining my dress, okay, and a party, I wasn't going to do that.

"What is it Steven?"

"There is a vampire here." Grayson turned and looked at the car before walking over and opening the door for me.

"Nice car." I smirked as I set my leg out to climb out, the slit opening wide to revel the leg. "Nice legs." This time the twinkle reached my eyes as I climbed out and looked him in the eye, the heels making me damn near the same level. Although, he broke eye contact as he took in the appearance before him, from the top of my do to the toes peeping out. "God damn, you look stunning," he growled slightly. The wolf behind him cleared his throat and Grayson turned around. "I know you are just doing your job but those invites can't be forged and Fire is a personal guest of both my dad and myself, vampire or not."

"Yes sir, and sorry sir."

"No worries." And with that, Grayson walked me through the house and out the back area, his hand burning as he touched the skin on my lower back, the dress being backless. "Fire?"

"Yes?"

"Next time I say black tie affair, please don't look so fuckin' sexy. I have a job to do and can't when you look that good." I laughed at that, glancing at him, taking in his all black suit, noticing how it was tailored to fit him like a second layer of skin.

"Guess the saying applies to you as well; it's not fair to look so damn good. And besides, you make it seem as if other men are going to want me." He nodded his head with a smile on his face at the compliment.

"To some, they won't care about your stench."

"Touché." Score one point for Grayson for hitting below the belt. "Ah, Alpha Black," I said as we reached his parents. I dipped my head down in a slight bow.

"Ah, Fire, I wasn't sure if you would be joining us."

"Thank you for the invite, I wouldn't have missed it." His eyes twinkled as if he knew about Grayson and me. "Luna Black," I said, offering her a small but cordial smile. She lifted her nose and sniffed the air, frowning at me.

"God that stench is only getting worse. And I must be forced to smell it all night. My poor members." And with that, she walked away. Grayson looked at the spot she was at and then at me, quite amazed.

"She is never that rude, I'm…" before he could finish I waved him off.

"Don't. Judith doesn't like me and I don't care for her. It's not the first time her bark has come out."

"Still, as someone who should be running the pack…and to a guest…"

"Really Grayson, please don't worry. She's been like that every time I have come." Grayson looked at me and smiled, turning around as someone clapped him on the shoulder.

"Ah Dylan!"

"Alpha." They laughed and Dylan handed Grayson a glass of wine.

"Thank you. Dylan, meet Fire. Fire, meet my Beta Dylan." I smiled as I took the hand he offered.

"Ah, you are the famous Fire. But," he paused, sniffed the air and smirked. "I wasn't expecting so much…fang."

"Funny, this coming from someone who has longer canines than I do." Dylan laughed and Grayson smiled.

"Oh I like her spunk, she's fun."

"Thank you, it should be a pleasure working with you."

"What do you mean?" I glanced from Grayson to Dylan.

"Why I usually deal with the Beta's, so I knew Beta…or is it just David?"

"No, they can still be called Beta outside of the pack."

"Thanks Dylan. I can count on one hand how many times I had Alpha Tyler in my office. Usually it's the Beta's I talk to and they take it all back to their Alpha." I lifted a brow as Grayson growled softly and I had to smirk to myself, shifting slightly to touch his arm.

"Well, you can forget that, I'm more of a hands on kind of guy. So, you won't be talking to Dylan too much."

"I see." I glanced at Grayson and lifted just a brow at him.

"Fire?"

"Yes?"

"That's an amazing necklace you have, although I've never seen white gold look like, like it's dull."

"That's because it's not white gold, its silver." Both men opened their eyes wide and I had to smile.

"And you can withstand that?"

"I'm trying to build up my tolerance. This does bother me," I say as I move the piece, already having it burn my skin slightly, "but I can handle it quite well."

"Why did you start?" Dylan asked.

"I can still be killed by silver, but by building this up, maybe I won't have to deal with the pain of a few slices."

"I never would have thought about that."

"Well, being 1800 plus years, you start thinking outside the box."

"Beauty and brains, huh?"

"Dylan," Grayson started and Dylan just looked at Grayson, wondering what was going on.

"What? You can admit she is gorgeous, stench and all."

"Better than a mutt," I smirked and he grinned.

"I like to keep you around," Dylan joked which made Grayson full out growled at.