The large formal dining hall was decorated in red, black, and gold. A band was playing soft music in the background, and at the other end of the room, a beautiful fireplace made the whole space warm and welcoming.
The room was crowded with guests already, n in suits and won in evening dresses. They scattered around, socializing in small groups.
Vicky was right – I didn’t overdress.
Servers were busy laying down the food plated in delicate dishes on the dining table. I couldn’t stop admiring everything. For all dinner parties I could rember, I was the one busy serving the guests, and never had the leisure to really enjoy the event.
“Alpha, here’s Miss Rosalie.” Talon had brought straight to Ethan.
Ethan’s blue eyes locked on . I saw surprise in them, but after that flicker, I couldn’t discern any other emotion.
Was he not pleased with how I looked?
“Alpha...” I said softly. Then, noticing the others in the room. Quickly I bowed my head to him, and then did likewise to Alpha Roro next to him.
“Why, don’t you look stunning,” Roro said, stepping forward with a smile. “Absolutely stunning.”
His words were complintary, but I was still very uncomfortable around him. The fearful shiver that crept up my spine had hesitating in my approach.
“Join us,” Ethan said, and held out his hand.
I looked at Vicky and Talon, and they both smiled, giving the nudge I needed to accept the offer. My hand slid into his.
This was the first ti I had felt his hand in mine. His palm was dry and warm, and as soon as he held mine tight, my nervousness about being around Roro faded away.
Keeping myself composed, I tried to rember what Vicky had said – just be myself.
A scoff ca from Madaylnn as she looked up and down. Her glare made her distaste for clear. “We were still talking...” she grumbled.
However, she seed to be much more polite compared to this morning. To my surprise, she didn’t finish her sentence. Instead, she bit her lips and managed to put on a smile.
Ethan gave her a glance, and then turned back to . “The conversation can continue over dinner.”
“I agree. I would hate to have such lovely won eating cold food because of us. Let us sit down,” Roro added, smiling at .
“After you,” Ethan replied to Roro, and then gestured for to follow.
I followed behind Ethan as he pulled my chair out for . After I took my seat, I realized that he had sat near the head of the table – next to him.
My eyes fell down. I placed my hands in my lap and waited until the others took their place. Talon took a seat on the other side of , and Vicky next to him.
“Alpha Ethan, thank you again for your hospitality. We very much enjoyed our stay here. I look forward to working together with you.” Roro raised his glass. “Cheers.”
“My pleasure.” Ethan replied, nodding his head.
I watched as Roro’s eyes turned towards .
“I am glad you are able to join us, Miss Rosalie.” Roro ’s words seed polite, but I just couldn’t shrug off the unsettling feeling he gave .
As we settled in and the food began to be served, I started to feel trapped in a social situation in which I didn’t belong.
“I have to admit, Ethan, your pack is quite lovely,” Roro said after a mont of silence.
“Thank you. I have been trying to keep up with the changing tis,” Ethan replied.
If my mory served, Ethan had spoken more words tonight than in all the ti I had ever been with him added up.
Roro chuckled at what Ethan said before his gaze slid over again.
“So, Rosalie... How did you manage to find yourself in the Drogomor pack?”
His question caught completely off guard. But, rembering how to be an Alpha’s daughter, I smiled politely at him.
“I was... saved by Alpha Ethan. He has been kind enough to allow to stay in his pack until I am well enough to leave.”
I wasn’t completely lying, but at the sa ti, I didn’t want to tell him sothing I shouldn’t either.
Ethan also tilted his head. Although I couldn’t tell whether he was happy with my response or not, I knew he was listening.
Then I looked at Talon, whose eyes t mine, and a small smile ford across my lips as he gently nodded his head in approval of what I had said.
“So you have plans, then – for when you leave?” Roros asked.
I stopped eating my food and looked up to him again.
“One day, I hope to be able to do so traveling. There is so much of the world I wish to see – but of course, that will be with permission from Alpha Ethan.”
I looked towards Ethan. Seeing no negative reaction from him, I continued, “I love to read, and my books give ideas of places yet to explore. One day, I hope to be able to see those things for real. There is still so much I know nothing of...”
A cold feeling made turn my head and look right into Ethan’s piercing blue eyes. There was sothing in his gaze that made flinch.
“...But of course, that will be with permission from Alpha Ethan...”
My eyes shot toward Vicky and Talon. Both smiled, seemingly pleased with what I had said.
“Oh, very interesting.” Roro said, sipping his drink.
“I have never known a book to make want to visit sowhere...” Madalynn said with a sarcastic tone.
I turned to her with a smile. “I’m sure the books you are reading are equally entertaining in other respects.”
She just glared in response to my words.
“Madalynn isn’t much of a reader,” Roro replied for his daughter with a chuckle. “But if you happen to pass by my pack soti... I would love to have you stay with us. Show you around my ho, and take you to see so of the wonders we hold.”
I couldn’t help but feel like there was a hidden ssage in his words, and that did nothing to make feel more comfortable about what was going on. Even Ethan’s aura seed to change a bit, and the tension grew thick in the room.
Laughter filled the air as the conversation changed for the mont. Madalynn decided to go on about how she had traveled to different places and learned things from well-experienced Lunas – things she offered to share with Ethan later, if he was curious.
As much as it was plain that Madalynn admired Ethan, it was the way Roro looked at him that really made believe sothing was going on.
And like she said, she... was supposed to be the future Luna of this pack.
“You know, Ethan... Having a companion is always a wonderful thing. Besides, eventually, you have to settle down and find a Luna to take care of the womanly things around here. My daughter seems very comfortable in your pack, and I believe she would make an amazing Luna for you – don’t you think?” Roro offered boldly.
My eyes widened at his remark, and before I knew what was happening, my fork clanged against my plate.
All eyes turned to , and a shock ran through . I coughed, having swallowed my food too quickly, and gave Ethan an apologetic look before looking down at my plate. My face was flushed red with embarrassnt.
“I am flattered by your offer,” I heard Ethan say, “but I am not seeking a mate at this mont, Roro.”
“That is a pity,” Roro replied. “I thought you would make a wonderful pair.”
A giddy laugh ca from Madalynn, who was next to him.
“Oh father, that isn’t how you purpose a union. Ethan barely knows yet, and I am sure, if we spend more ti together, he may change his mind. I am very skilled at proper etiquette.”
I couldn’t help but feel, from the way she said “etiquette,” that it was directed at . As my eyes locked with hers, I saw the sneer upon her face – although it faded away as soon as other people turned their attention to her.
“That may be so, dear, but unfortunately, etiquette isn’t the only quality a Luna should hold.”
Vicky’s voice rang clear, and as I looked her way, I saw the shocked expression upon Talon’s face. Vicky simply shrugged her shoulders with a smile as she continued to eat.
“I am sure Miss Madalynn will find what she is looking for in the capital. I hear the halls are flowing with eligible n.” Ethan’s voice was firm in his stance on the situation.
I lowered my gaze, lifted my glass to my mouth to cover up a relieved exhale.
If he were seeking a mate, then he would have no need for any more. Although I would need to leave here eventually, I had to admit, by now, that I was more and more drawn to him – and was enjoying the small monts I had with him.
“What about you, Rosalie? I take it you have no mate. Are you looking for one?”
Shock filled once again, and as I looked up to Alpha Roro, I found myself speechless. There was a dark look of lust in his eyes, and I wasn’t comfortable with the way he was gazing at .
I didn’t know how to respond, and unconsciously glanced at Ethan.
What would he say?
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