The Beast in Him
Page 5

Sierra continued to ramble for a bit, and May grabbed two glasses of champagne off a tray passing by. She offered one to Smitty, but he waved it off. Sorry. On duty. Need to keep a clear head.
I thought wolves just had to stay away from tequila.
If he drank tequila, Mace muttered, youd find him passed out on the dance floor by now.
Smitty glared at him. So now you decide to contribute to the conversation?
Onstage, Sierras voice rose. So without further ado, let me introduce the CEO of Kuznetsov Security Systems... Jessica Ward.
Smittys head snapped around and he watched Jessie Ann walk out onto that stage like she owned it. Maybe she did.
The applause Sierra received upon her entrance was nothing to Jessie Anns reception. It sounded like they were at a rock concert with the reaction she got.
She didnt look anything like the Jessie Ann he remembered, all gangly limbs and lots of bruises. Shed finally put on some weight and it fit her perfectly, giving her some sexy curves. Shed cut her hair so it rested on her shoulders, straightened it, and dyed it one single colordark brown. No jeans and sci-fi tees either. Instead, she wore a simple blue silk dress with tiny little straps barely holding it up and five-inch heels strapped to her feet. She looked mature and polished... and nothing like the Jessie Ann he remembered. He almost mourned the loss of that know-it-all geeky Jessie Ann. Hed always liked her raw edges and weird behavior. It made her different from everyone else around him. Now she looked like any other important CEOgorgeous but average.
Jessie Ann stood in front of the mic and waved at the roaring crowd.
When they quieted down a bit, she said, Its the shoes, isnt it? Then she turned her foot in a bit so they could see it from the side.
The crowd went even wilder. Clearly, she knew her effect on this mountain of male geeks. But Smitty could see the predators in the room watching her toowhen they should be doing their damn jobs.
Jessie waved her hands again. Okay. Okay. Look, I dont want to take up a lot of your time. Cause this is a party. But I did want to echo Sierras sentiments and thank each and every one of you for coming tonight. Each year this party gets wilder and better, and thats down to you guys. As usual, every cent we raise goes to the Kuznetsov Foundation, and all that money is to help orphans and foster kids find permanent placement in loving homes. Other than that
A blond-haired wild-dog male sidled up to Jessie Ann, cutting her off. When he began to whisper in her ear, Smitty decided he didnt like the wiry little bastard.
Jessie leaned back, eyebrows raised. Smitty remembered that haughty expression quite well.
Is that really necessary? she asked.
The male nodded and she sighed, turning back tothe mic.
Phil here has asked that those who use our gaming room tonight, if you lose, please dont throw your mouse, controller, or cards across the room. And those who win, please dont dance around the loser singing, I won. Youre a loser. The crowd burst out laughing and Jess shook her head, a good-natured smile on her face. Anyway, have a great night and thank you.
The crowd burst into applause, and Jessie Ann strutted off the stage.
May turned back to him, one glass of champagne empty, the other half filled. Thats our Alpha.
Your Alpha? Jessie was someones Alpha? Smitty had a hard enough time thinking of Jessie as a CEO, much less the Alpha of a Pack. Of course, they were dogs. Much easier to handle a bunch of dogs than wolves probably.
Yup, has been for nearly sixteen years now.
That didnt make sense. Shed barely been sixteen herself sixteen years ago. And except for Jessie, thered been no wild dogs in Smithtown.
Are you sure? Jessie Ann should have been in school.
May almost choked on her champagne. If you have any sense, my wolf friend, you will not call her Jessie Ann.
But I always called her Jessie Ann.
Mace gazed at him. You know Jessica Ward?
I went to school with her. Sissy Mae mauled her on more than one occasion. To May, he said, But Id like to not mention that if possible.
Gee, she giggled, I wonder why?
Wait. Mace faced him. You know Jessica Ward?
Why do you say it like that? I know lots of people.
Yeah, but theyre not Jessica Ward.
What the hell does that mean?
Im just saying, Smittyshes a little out of your league.
His wolf pride threatened, Smitty snapped back, As a matter of fact, that little gal had a huge crush on me at one time.
Mace snorted. Yeah, sure. I can see thatin a parallel universe.
Before the two males could get into it, the female they spoke of worked her way through the dancing crowd and over to May.
How did I do? she asked.
May gave her a thumbs-up and handed over her nearly empty glass of champagne. Jessie Ann finished it off and dropped it on the serving platter of a passing waiter.
She looked at Mace and smiled in surprise. Mace Llewellyn!
Hi, Jessica.
Oh, my God! When did you get out?
Over a year ago.
She went up on her toes and gave him a brief hug that had Smittys eyes narrowing. Im so glad youre okay. You are okay, right?