Billionaire Wolf's MateDate - Serena Meadows Page 0,23

a feeling of recognition washed over her, but a moment later, the shadow disappeared, leaving only an empty space.

“Tell us about yourself, Janice,” Philip said, making her turn away, but her mind was still on the shadowy figure.

“Oh, umm...there isn’t that much to tell,” she said, wanting to look again but forcing herself to look at Philip. “I work as a stylist, and I’m hoping to buy the salon when the owner retires in a few months.”

“Well, isn’t that sweet,” Philip said, patting her on the arm. “But you won’t have to worry about working now; the men of the clan always provide for their women.”

Janice looked at him, not sure she liked what he was implying. “Oh, well, I haven’t decided that I want to stay. I have a life that I like in Stoney Bridge,” she said.

Philip raised his eyebrows at her, then looked over at her father. “Of course, you’re going to stay,” Betty interjected. “We’ve finally found you. We can’t possibly let you go now. We’re just getting to know one another.”

Betty’s words were supposed to make her feel better, but there was an edge to them that she didn’t like, and this time, she wasn’t going to be pushed around. “Oh, well, I only planned to spend the weekend,” she said. “I have clients to get back to. I couldn’t possibly stay longer.”

She caught a flash of anger in her father’s eyes, but just then, the band started up and Betty said, “Oh, the band is finally starting. You and Jacob should open the dancing tonight.”

Chapter Ten

***Reggie***

Reggie hung back in the shadows, watching Janice as she danced with first Jacob and then a successive string of partners, a jumble of emotions washing over him. She looked stunning in the white silk gown, and he ached to get his hands on her but hung back, feeling surge after surge of jealousy as she smiled and flirted her way through most of the single men in the room.

Coupled with the jealousy was a sense of possession that he had no right to feel but was there nonetheless, and it frightened him just how powerful the feeling was. Overriding it all was a throbbing desire that make his heart pound and his body vibrate with need. Part of him hated the fact that his father was going to get his way, but another deeper part of him felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of marrying Janice.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Jacob slide up next to him or the way his old friend was looking at him until he said, “I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but I don’t think I like the way you’re looking at my sister.”

Startled, he looked over at Jacob, his thoughts vanishing when he saw his friends face, but he knew he’d been caught. “I’m going to marry her,” he finally said, bracing himself for Jacob’s anger.

“Have you lost your mind?” Jacob hissed at him through clenched teeth.

Reggie took one more look at Janice, then pulled Jacob out of the ballroom and onto the balcony. “If I don’t marry her, your father is going to marry her to someone on the council. I overheard them talking earlier today,” he said when he was sure they were alone. “Your father said that Janice was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, and he’d make sure she cooperated one way or another.”

“He’s selling her to the highest bidder,” Jacob said. “I knew something like that was going on but I haven’t had any proof. What does your father gain from all of this?”

“Your father is brokering votes on the council for a proposal he’s going to introduce at the meeting this week, but that’s all I know,” Reggie said, his frustration building. “We never should have let Janice come here. I should have stopped her when I had the chance.”

Jacob was silent for a long time, staring out over the manicured grounds, his jaw locked in anger. Reggie gave him a few minutes, then said, “There’s something else you should know; your father wants Betty eliminated as soon as the wedding is over. My father agreed to help.”

“Is there anything else?” Jacob asked, finally turning to look at him.

“Only that we’re about to get sucked into the middle of a clan war,” Reggie said, shrugging his shoulders.

“What have you heard?” Jacob asked, pulling Reggie farther from the doors.

“It’s not so much what I’ve heard as what I’ve been told,” Reggie said. “My brother’s