Page 53 of Sassy Embrace

“But they said they promised they’ll make it another night,” Caleb added.

“Clubs aren’t really Tristan’s thing. But Barbara?” Ellie said with a grin. “Now that’s a woman who can take over a dance floor.”

The table erupted into laughter as everyone pictured their own favorite memory of Barbara Wolfe making herself the center of attention with ease whenever it was time to dance.

“I’m sure Tristan would rather be part of it than leaving Barb to her own devices,” Bea said between giggles.

For a moment, it struck Leigh how abnormally normal their current situation was. They were a group of wolf shifters, happily sharing drinks and stories in a vampire nightclub. And nothing about it was dangerous or uncomfortable.

“Oh, Claude, let me grab you a chair,” Caleb said, standing again.

“No, that’s all right. I actually came to see if my mate here would like to join me for a dance,” Claude said.

Her heart pounded against her ribcage. She smiled wide, placing her empty wine glass on the table, and excused herself. She took Claude’s offered hand and followed him past the lounge seating to the dance floor.

Around them were other couples lost in their significant other’s gazes. Vampire and vampire, wolf and wolf. All of them danced together, pressed closely against the other.

But none of them were like Claude and Leigh. Together, vampire and wolf danced hand in hand with complete abandon. There was no hiding it anymore, no shame to keep them apart.

But there were also no audacious stares, no clicking tongues or shaking heads casting judgment on them. Claude held Leigh close against him, their foreheads pressed together as they spun on glowing tiles underfoot.

A year ago, this would have been unthinkable. Prejudice, mistrust, and histories of bloodshed would have made their union something abhorrent. Worthy of scorn and distrust.

Leigh reflected on her own prejudices, and how grateful she felt to be rid of them. Once more, she and Claude shared a tender kiss under shimmering lights while the echoing sounds of a siren’s song lulled around them.

This was their future to grasp and mold however they saw fit. And nothing was going to stop them now.