Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Chapter 56

Verando had left me in the high-class section of our event, despite that he would be closer to the stage than I'd rather him. With the risk of attack from Caspian's men low given that he was in our custody, I was free to do what I was trained to do and that was to speak to political figures. It would be my job to ensure that those floating around this room of free-flowing alcohol and low whispers of scandalous behavior remained on our side. 

That was best achieved without a warlord looming in the background. Must as he was valued by the public, the natural fear of the startling eyes and the presence of the Alpha was hard to avoid.

Given that it's partly sponsored and partly donated to the public, entertaining those who funded our mission was a priority if we would be fleeing the country. Sponsors who wanted to be on this side of the war could fund the opportunity for a free concert, and keep us within the funds that we needed to survive these months of anarchy. Leave it to my warlord to find a way to give away his talent yet still make money at it.

Tiberius's unique music style creates an atmosphere that is almost electric. It reminds me too much of the day we encountered the wraiths, looking to collect magic, hunting me to aid them in sniffing it out. My wolf was on edge, my body rigid as I move from person to person, greeting them and taking in the small details that I immediately dismissed in their remedial lives. 

I couldn't care about sports, the latest gossip, or much of anything assuring that this event was a success. With the sun attempting to set and the city coming alive with the weekend night life, the theatre was only becoming more flooded with patrons every passing second. Thruthfully, it was probably one of the safest spots in town given that our target audience was magic users. Hero's patrol the grounds, keeping  watchful eye, but I struggled to trust their judgment on true danger.

I take a drink of my jack and coke, enjoying the burn on the back of my tongue. It was not my normal drink of choice, but I didn't want to risk a spike of something sinister slipping into my known preference. This drink would remain in my hand, and it would be the only one I'd have for the night. 

"How is married life treating you?" I recognize Chispa's voice as I tug at the oversized button-up. It shouldn't surprise me she was here, she was one of the most prestigious wedding planners and with our outing as homosexuals, it seemed that it was becoming more widely accepted. Since the wedding, multiple other celebrities had staked their claim to their preference, it would seem they had felt similar to we had. How would people perceive us? 

"Interesting choice to a concert, though I suppose we aren't at a symphony such as your husband normally entertains. Nice to see you've decided to join the common folk." 

Often times I didn't allow myself to look like a civilian, I attempted to keep myself as groomed as possible in public events. But, today, with my lack of tolerance for anything other than Verando, I was allowing myself to look the part to keep from drawing too much attention. Verando and I had fans to appease, a society waiting on bated breath for our next move, but it didn't mean I had to torture myself with the discomfort of a stuffy outfit. 

My body was on fire, uncomfortable in my own skin, I wasn't sure how else I would survive the night but in his borrowed clothes.

"Fine. Never better." I shift in my jeans, adjusting my belt. The tear in the knee was driving me mad, it was so unnecessary, but such was the style according to Pascal. She seemed to think the people needed to see me as one of them, considering that Verando looked nothing like a mortal man with his gray hair, startling eyes, and scarred body. 

I could pass as a human, people were more comfortable with my appearance. The only issue was it seemed I wasn't nearly as likeable. As Pascal liked to point out, I had a resting bitch face as my default.