Read Regali (A Walker Saga) for Free Online

boring old party.”
    It wasn’t.
    The crandy flowed and the mingling began. Along with this there was swimming, gambling, arm wrestling, and more arguing and laughter than I’d ever heard in one place before.
    I was on my second drink, sipping it this time because I could already feel a slight fuzziness beating at my mind. I dangl ed my feet in the edge of the lake. Lucy was next to me. We were watching a drunk Talina kick one Walker after another in a swimming race.
    “Hello , beautifuls.” A red-faced Walker stumbled down next to us.
    “Eff off ,” Lucy said without even shifting her head to look at him.
    He looked confused for a moment . I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as I watched him try to figure out what had just happened. Finally he realized I was staring at him. His eyes widened, jaw dropping as he jumped to his feet, tripping and wobbling around.
    “I’m a dead man ,” he moaned.
    “Yes , you are.” Colton was the one standing over Lucy and me. “Now run along before the bigger, badder version of me arrives.”
    “Where ’s Brace?” I asked. He’d gone to get us more drinks.
    “He ’s been waylaid by a few of the Doreen political leaders. They want to discuss trade alliances between Abernath and Doreen.”
    I yawned and Colton laughed.
    “My sentiments exactly. I hightailed it out of there as soon as the words ‘trade agreement’ came up.” He leaned back between us, his arm curving around Lucy’s back.
    “Why do you hate all of this stuff so much?” I didn’t understand Colton very well.
    I noticed Lucy’s focus shifting from the water to our conversation. She would want to hear his response.
    “My wolf likes things to be less restrictive. He hates that people waste time and effort with false words. And that’s all politics are : lies and hidden agendas.” Colton shrugged. “Kind of makes me want to rip their faces off.”
    “Yeah , some friend you are. Abandoning me to them.” Brace dropped down next to me, handing over a new glass of crandy.
    “Better get used to it , Princeps.” Fury gulped down a mouthful as she half sat, half fell onto the ground. “Goooo, Dune.” Her screech had us all jumping. She was cheering for the next swimming race.
    “He ’ll never beat Talli,” she drawled. “But men have fragile egos. Got to show support.”
    I snorted.
    Brace pulled me closer, his lips nuzzling into the side of my face. “My ego is very fragile,” he said. “Do you have anything encouraging to say to me?”
    I turned my head until our lips met. “Oh yes, Brace baby, you have a massive …” I pursed my lips, and he grinned. I lowered my voice. “Really massive … ego already.” I stuck out my tongue. “Enough for two … maybe three people.”
    He laughed as he captured my lips. I groaned as he stroked my tongue with his. I could taste the tart cranberry flavor on his lips. Just as our kiss was deepening splashes of icy cold water flickered over us. I gasped, jumping back. Talina and Dune were finished their last swim, both soaking wet and laughing as they joined our group.
    “You did great.” Fury for once had shelved her snide tone. She threw her arms around Dune. “I’m so proud of you.”
    Dune grinned at her. “How many glasses have you had? I came dead last and had to be rescued halfway through the race.”
    She patted him on the arm. “But at least you tried and that’s the most important part.”
    “We should keep Fury permanently drunk,” Lucy said, “she’s much more agreeable.”
    “Well , if you’re so clever, Lacey, then how about a challenge?” Fury leaned over Dune’s knee.
    “My name is Lucy, you drunken half-wit ,” Lucy drawled back.
    A lthough these two were friends, it was complicated.
    “And what ’s your challenge? As long as it doesn’t involve the ability to light a fire without wood or a match then I think I’m up for it.”
    “Okay , then I challenge you to find my father.”
    Everyone stopped what they were