James dropped his arms to his sides. When he released me, I staggered forward a step.

“Me?” He stared intently into my eyes. For just a moment, there was a spark between us. But the moment passed as quickly as it had come. “Why did you come for me? I’ve never even seen you before.”

My world crashed down on me as the image of Ever’s sneering face floated to the front of my mind, her words nearly knocking me to my knees.

James doesn’t even know who you are.

“I’d heard some girl was claiming to be for Cole, so I came to check it out.” James thrust his index finger in my face. “It was you. Wasn’t it?”

I felt pairs of eyes on us, and noticed nearby couples were staring. James must have sensed this as well because he roughly pulled me back into his arms. He bent to place his lips to my ear and hissed. “You’d better tell me what you’re up to before I let everyone know you’re a liar who’s here under false pretenses.”

The seconds raced away from me as I tried to switch gears, struggling to stall him. I needed time to tell the Elders my story before James made his accusations.

As the waltz drifted to a close, the boys got down on one knee. They removed their masks, then gazed up at their mate. Every boy except mine, anyway. James stood there, still waiting for my explanation.

“Everyone is watching us,” I whispered.

“Let them watch,” James said. “I invite their attention. The more witnesses the better.”

When James removed his mask, I was momentarily sidetracked, seeing his beautiful face. My hand rose instinctively to trail my fingers across his jaw and caress his cheek. I stared deeply into his eyes and saw…Yes. There it was again. A brief flash.

“You do know me. Don’t you?” I asked.

James caught my wrist, moving my hand away from his face. “No. I don’t. But if you knew me as you claim you do, you’d know Cole was my best friend. I don’t take lightly to people lying about him.

“I’m not exactly in good with the Elders right now. But turning you in… well, that might make them see me in a different light. Whoever you are, you’re going to be my ticket back inside Judaculla.”