Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden)

Chapter 26 Brooklyn

The party is, above all, impressive. Drinks of all kinds are flowing, and a twelve-piece band is at the back of the room. Everyone is having a good time and, thank the goddess, mostly ignoring me.

Even though it's technically my party, everyone's too caught up in their own business to do much more than send me a curious glance.

To them, I'm not the one who's important-they're here for the Wolf King, for the mafia god.

I'm grateful for Hudson, who sticks close by my side. Even though he was raised in this environment, I

can tell he's more comfortable sticking by my side, sneaking sips of his champagne and making wry comments that only I can hear.

I can't help but laugh at the things he says. He's right-we always did get along.

Jayde sweeps around the room, almost indecently sexy in her black Versace gown. Looking around, though, I can see that she has competition for her daring choice of clothes. This group of mob bosses and wives, wolves and their mates do tend towards the sexy.

There are lot of women's bodies on display around me, many of the human bodies enhanced with plumped lips, breasts, asses. Whatever they felt was lacking.

Even without my wolf's heightened senses, I'd be able to easily pick out the humans versus the wolves, since we wolves can't really partake in plastic surgery. If we could, Hudson's bodyguard wouldn't have such a nasty scar on his face.

In comparison to the overly showy women, I look demure in my sweeping blue gown. But Jayde picked well-if she had put me in something that showed a lot of skin, she knew I'd feel shy. As it is, the blue velvet gown makes me feel regal.

"You do look amazing," Hudson says, smiling down at me. "I mean, you were always pretty, Brooklyn. But wow."

I smile up at him, pleased by his compliment. I knew he wouldn't say it unless he meant it. I just wish it meant something more...

We both watch as Jayde greets new guests, directing servants to take their coats and ensuring that they have drinks in their hands within half a minute.

How she manages to hold back her disdain when some of the human women arrive wearing fur, I'll never know. I'm not sure I could be so gracious.

"She's really the hostess here," I say, fascinated. "What would your dad do without her?"

"Yeah," Hudson says, studying Jayde. "She's definitely taken up that wifey sort of role." He shrugs. "But who knows, my dad is fickle. One wrong move and she could be out the door."

I look up at him, wondering if that's why he keeps his distance from her, emotionally. How many mother figures has Hudson had in his life who have disappeared in the night, never to be seen again?

Beyond that, where is his real mom? I frown, making a mental note to ask some other time.

Hudson gives me a smile and then clinks my empty champagne glass with his. "Refill?"

I give him a nod, and he heads off to the bar. I tap my foot to the music, enjoying it while I look around at all of the guests.

Is my "father" here yet?

Will I even recognize him when he arrives?

A voice rumbles, shockingly close to my ear.

"If you like the music," it says, sending shivers down my spine, "why don't you dance?"

Turning my head, I see Aden standing behind me. His hand moves to rest on my lower back in what probably looks to others like a casual way.

For me, it's anything but.

The heat from his hand practically sears my skin through the dress, and I hope no one notices the immediate flush on my face as soon as he spoke to me and touched me.

Lena whines, pawing around inside me, and I struggle to control my reaction to Aden.

Goddess, this is bad.

I cannot be in heat for this man.

When I meet his gaze, Aden is staring baldly down into my face, the heat I feel reflected in his eyes.

My heartbeat ratchets up as his wolf flashes in his eyes. I know it's for me.

"Um," I say, working to calm myself. I should not be this worked up right now. "I'm not much of a dancer." He smirks, his eyes traveling over my body, taking in the way I look in this too-gorgeous gown. "Shame," he says. "That dress was made for dancing. You should let everyone see you move in it."

I blush even more. That was breathlessly close to a compliment for Aden Kenwood. He can't give those out too easily.

"Do you know," he continues, leaning even closer as if to murmur a secret in my ear, "I met your mother once, at a party like this."

I spin to look up at him. "You-you knew my mother?"

"Not well. But I remember that she was very beautiful. She had hair much like yours." He raises a hand to curl a tendril of my hair around his finger. It's subtle, so nobody around us notices. A private moment between us. But I notice. I feel it. "And she was not afraid to dance."

I blink at him, suddenly terribly sad to have never seen her like that.

He presses his lips together, studying me. His jaw is clenched, and I can see the muscle jump as he grits his teeth together.

Then he clears his throat and pulls his gaze away, scanning the crowd.

"I have word from your father's people. His car has just pulled up outside."