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I slipped into them as I looked back at him over my shoulder.

My hair was loose down my back, and he brushed it aside as he stepped close behind me.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” he said roughly into my ear. “All of this to go on a date with another man?”

I shivered at his tone. “It’s not a date. And the point is to distract him, right?”

“Mission accomplished,” he said and bit my neck hard enough to leave a mark. “Later I’m going to take it off you with my teeth. Let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and tugged me along.

“Why did I need to be ready so early? The meeting’s not for hours. What’s going on?”

“I have some last minute druid business to attend to. My presence is required, and I’d like you to accompany me. Everyone needs to get used to seeing you on my arm again.”

“This should be fun.”

He slowed down to kiss my hand, his gaze holding me so deeply that I had to look away or we wouldn’t make it even one step farther from his bed.

“What kind of business is it?”

“The bloody kind.”

“Sounds fun.”

“It’s not. It’s quite unexpected and unwelcome. Collin surprised us all by challenging Patrick this morning. I had no idea he had such ambitions.”

I remembered Patrick, though I hadn’t known him well. I could’ve guessed he’d be one of Dom’s lieutenants. He was part of Dom’s childhood pack of friends. “Patrick is higher up than Collin?” I asked, surprised.

“He’s number four. He took it a while ago, and Collin didn’t even fight him for it. This move now is both poorly timed and a shock to everyone. It couldn’t have come at a worse moment, and I still haven’t gotten a good reason why. Nonetheless, it is his right.”

“Will he win?”

“Patrick is the more vicious fighter, and he’s always had an edge over Collin. Besides that, he’s very angry about the challenge. I think he’ll prevail. I just can’t figure out what’s going on in Collin’s head.”

“Are you worried about him?”

“I’m worried about them both. A challenge always carries risk, and I thought all of their ranks were settled. My lieutenants fighting is the last thing I ever want or need.”

I held his arm as we strode through the casino floor and to its attached coliseum.

Security was tight, it wouldn’t due to have any humans slipping in and witnessing some druids tearing each other apart, but we were waved past it all easily, and I could feel every druid eye we passed staring at us. Dom was making quite a statement today.

We were escorted into an owner’s box that led out to a balcony with a clear view of the arena. It held twenty thousand, at least, that I recalled, and it looked to be filled to a seat.

“You really did mean everyone,” I said softly, eyes scanning the huge crowd.

“I did.”

“Quite a showing on short notice,” I observed.

“It’s a rare event, and seats are coveted,” Sloan said as she joined us near the balcony. “Some drove from hours away, some even booked last minute flights to see this. These don’t happen often. There’s a waiting list a mile long.”

“Where are the rest?” Dom asked her, referring to the other lieutenants, I assumed.

“All except Cam are down by the arena floor, in view and on display for the crowd. Unless you’d like me to call them up here?”

“No, that’s good. Where is Cam?”

“I’m here,” a deep voice growled from behind us. I glanced back at him. He glared at me, then at Sloan, then even at Dom.