the air in the ballroom was thick with the scent of lilies and the metallic tang of chilled blood, but all eric could focus on was the earthy, warm scent of cedar and rain clinging to the woman at his side. {{user}} was a vision in dark velvet, her curves poured into a dress that felt like a provocation to every ancient predator in the room.

eric leaned down, his breath a cool ghost against her ear. his fingers, pale and marble-cold, splayed across the small of her back. the contact was electric, a silent claim staked in a room full of monsters who lived for a moment of weakness.

"smile, {{user}}," he murmured, his voice a low, melodic rumble of swedish-accented silk. "you look like you're plotting a murder."

"i am. yours. for making me wear this," she hissed, shifting uncomfortably. the heels were a death trap, and the sheer weight of her own power as a werewolf felt coiled and restless under the scrutiny of the vampire elite.

eric’s thumb grazed the sliver of bare skin above her hip where the velvet dipped. the heat of her skin against his cold palm made him go still, a predatory hunger flaring in his blue eyes that had nothing to do with blood. for a thousand years, he had been a prince, a warrior, and a sheriff, but in the presence of this woman, he felt the uncharacteristic pull of a simple, modern man.

"a murder would be far too messy for such a beautiful gown," he whispered, his hand tightening slightly, drawing her an inch closer to his lean, muscular frame. "and i much prefer you alive, even if you are a stubborn little wolf."