Dark Wolf: 1 (Spirit Wild) Read Online Free PDF

old man was up to now.
    “I’ve had some other business come up,” he said. His stare was direct, his manner as formal as always. “You will go. I understand Mr. and Mrs. Cheval will not be at the reception. Their daughter will represent them.”
    Interesting. Why would that matter? Well, two could play this game . . . if a game it was.
    Of course, with his father, it was always a game—or a contest—of some sort. “Which one?” Sebastian checked his cuff links as he spoke. “Don’t they have two daughters?”
    “They do. The oldest girl, the one who runs Cheval International. Her name is Lily. Lily Cheval. She’s single, very intelligent. She’s also quite attractive.”
    That caught his attention. Sebastian raised his head. “You’ve met her?”
    Aldo nodded. “This week.”
    “Why do you mention her?” He watched his father’s face. As usual, the man gave away nothing.
    He shrugged, as if the question meant little to him. “You’re young. You’re not seeing anyone. I thought you might be interested.”
    Sebastian raised one eyebrow. “You’re playing matchmaker? With the daughter of the most powerful Chanku alpha alive? A man you openly dislike? Why do I find that so interesting, Father? So unlike you.”
    There was the slightest flicker of . . . what? Indecision? Discomfort? Now that was a rarity. He focused on Aldo’s eyes. Dark brown. So dark they almost appeared black. Nothing like his own, but their physical resemblance was still remarkable. The same tall, lean build, the pronounced widow’s peak, a certain intensity . . .
    “Matchmaker?” His father chuckled. Unconvincingly. “Not at all. I merely thought you would feel more comfortable attending without me if you knew our neighbor’s daughter would be there.”
    “I’ve never met her. Never had any desire to. She is, after all, the enemy, isn’t she? Or at least the enemy’s daughter.”
    His father’s eyes went wide. Sebastian almost laughed. The man couldn’t look innocent no matter how hard he tried.
    “I’ve never said that. Anton Cheval and I have met on more than one occasion. We are always quite civil to one another. I have issues with the species as a whole, but not any one shifter in particular.”
    “I guess I misunderstood. Still, I don’t see how her presence should change things.” Sebastian turned away from his father, but he watched him in the mirror as he finished adjusting his bow tie. “I hope your business goes well.”
    Aldo nodded and left the room. Sebastian watched him leave, aware of a faint buzzing in his head. He’d noticed it a lot lately. Almost as if someone pushed at his mind.
    From the inside.
    It wasn’t until the bedroom door closed quietly behind his father that he remembered to breathe.
     
    Lily stared into the vanity mirror and clipped the diamond studs first to one ear and then the other. Such a nuisance, not being able to pierce her ears, but the holes closed up after every shift, and it was hardly worth the trouble.
    She smoothed her hands down over the silky fabric and wondered if this was the right dress for the CEO of the largest import business in the city to wear to an event honoring her father. Dark russet shimmered over her skin. The halter top plunged deep in front and was almost nonexistent in the back. The color shifted with reflected light. Turn this way, the gown looked black, that way, russet. Yet in the direct light it was a brilliant, almost metallic copper.
    Almost an exact match to her hair and close to her caramel skin. She’d chosen to wear her hair long and loose tonight. Thank the goddess the tight ringlets of her childhood had loosened into softer waves and manageable curls after so many years of shifting.
    Even so, it hung almost to her hips when it was dry, but stretched past her butt when wet. Leaving it loose when the back of the dress dipped to the upper curve of her buttocks kept her from feeling half naked, though she loved the sensual feel of her thick