Bianca tapped her index finger on her chin, pretending to think, then began to offer: "You're in luck. We ordered traditional pastries, especially for the party. You could try one. Although, with your size, I suppose you could even try one of each... Do you have any special allergies?" Harry shook his head again in denial. Bianca smiled patiently before listing: "We have biscotins from Aix. They're little shortbread with orange blossom flavor and hazelnut on top. We have Chanteclair, which is a meringue-based cake flavored with praline and mocha, and it is served with ice cream. We also have Jausiereine. It's a round cake with an inner filling of raspberries or blueberries. But I think it's blueberries in the ones we got. And I also got some Alpine pie." Harry stood perfectly still, unintentionally causing Bianca to smile awkwardly. "There's no vanilla in these desserts?" he asked. Bianca puffed out her cheeks before emitting a loud pff as

Emmanuelle was almost grateful to the band. From the moment they had found themselves on the dance floor, the musicians had been playing catchy and quick rhythms. She had to admit it, Raphael was an excellent dancer. He made her turn and guided her with an expert hand. "You are gifted!", she finally declared to her dance partner. "Thank you. But, I must say, it's only possible because you let me," the young man replied happily. "Are all pastors' sons such good dancers?" she asked, her eyes shining with amusement. Raphael burst out laughing before nodding quickly. "Maybe they are. Years of practice making our old parishioners dance at fairs! It gives us unexpected skills with the ladies!" he replied, half amused, half embarrassed by his answer. Emmanuelle was surprised to hear herself laugh. Decidedly, if she had known that he would be such good company, perhaps she would have made the effort to talk to him earlier. The music ended and Rap

They were now just two motionless bodies amid the bustle of the enamored couple. Harry leaned his head toward her to fill his lungs and heart with the heady scent of vanilla. They slowly began to follow the rhythm of the music, their bodies moving harmoniously as if they had always danced together. Emmanuelle had kept her eyes closed. She knew the horrible truth that he would see in her eyes the moment she opened them. Her beloved would see only the blackness and darkness of her blood. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed when she felt the tongue of her soul mate come to caress the junction between her neck and her shoulder, where the wolves put their mark. She shivered violently as she felt the tips of his canines scratch her alabaster skin. Her own fangs came down, coated with the venom that would mark this wolf as her beloved. She bitterly admitted to herself how happy she was with the growing crowd of

Emmanuelle was startled.When the blood of her beloved had touched her tongue, she suddenly returned to her senses. The black veil covering her eyes had immediately dissipated to reveal the blue of her irises.Harry held her firmly against him.She let out a sigh of satisfaction at the domination that her beloved exerted over her. Then, she quickly passed her hands through his hair and pulled him against her body. She began to nibble his lower lip, causing, without meaning to, soft purrs in the throat of the wolf."Mate," Harry growled as he tried to pull his head back.But, it was impossible for him. His soul mate had clamped her fingers tightly on his hair, preventing him from moving.He gradually felt the torn skin on his lip regenerates with the power of his wolf._Ah-whoooo! If Mate had been a wolf, she would have been an Alpha female," Till barked happily.A shiver ran down Harry's spine as he felt his soul mate's canines pierce his lower lip ag

One of Father Francis' nephews came to guide the couple toward the back room."I'm surprised my uncle let you through, Manu," he said, giving the vampire a friendly smile."Don't mention it to me. I would have preferred that he wasn't here tonight. That would have avoided me a lot of unpleasantness." Emmanuelle immediately fell silent and looked at Harry with a surprised look.The young Alpha had just put his arm around her waist, and he was staring at this stranger who dared to smile at his Mate."Does he even know you are mine?" growled Harry to Emmanuelle without taking his eyes off the young man.Father Francis' nephew dramatically rolled his eyes and pressed a wooden board into the wall.Immediately, a sliding door, previously unseen, appeared and cleared a space for Harry and Emmanuelle to pass through."I swear, I don't get paid enough for this crap! Good thing it's not Valentine's Day, or I'd have been puking somewhere. I am so disgusted with thes