“Well, a lot of the humans there tend to ignore the fact that they already lost that particular war,” says Remy.
“And also the fact that the ‘rights’ they were fighting over were the rights to own people,” I add.
Julien leans back to look down at me, his brows drawing together. “I thought your old pack was isolated. When did you learn about the human Civil War?”
“I might not have had a human education—or even a high school diploma—but once I was out on my own, I snuck into a few community college classes,” I say. “Ignorance is not bliss to me and I knew I needed a better idea of how the outside world worked than what I was taught in my pack.”
Julien tucks my head under his chin, and his arms tighten around me. “You amaze me more every day that I know you.”
“All five of them?” I joke before miming looking at a watch. “Or is it six now?”
The huff from Julien is barely a laugh, but it’s something. He sighs. “There’s no point in worrying about this right now. There’s nothing we can do until we know for sure what argument the Sweet Water pack is trying to make.”
“You’re right,” says Remy. “We should try to relax this evening. We’ll get this all straightened out tomorrow when the magistrate gets here.”
“Tomorrow?” asks Julien. “You actually received confirmation of the schedule?”
“Yes,” replies Remy. “A rep from the triumvirate called a little over an hour ago to let us know the details of where the hearing will be held and the general policies and procedures.”
“Any idea who they might have sent to hear the case?” asks Julien.
Remy shakes his head. “We won’t find that out until we get there, but I don’t think it matters much.”
“What about who my old pack is sending?” I ask, dreading the answer. “Were you able to find that out?”
Another head shake from Remy. “The only thing I know is that since William put this all in motion yesterday or the day before, whoever your old pack is sending is likely to be on their way if they’re not already in the area.”
Nerves twist in my stomach. If things continue going the way they have been, whoever they sent is going to be bad news for me. But, like Julien said, there’s nothing to be done today.
My stomach lets out a loud rumble and Remy chuckles. “What? I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Yeah, you were too busy screwing my brother,” retorts Remy with a semi-normal grin.
I follow his lead in lightening things up, waggling my eyebrows. “Well, there are some things better than food.”
“You haven’t had my mom’s lasagna yet,” says Remy. He tilts his head toward the house. “Come on. She has dinner in the oven.”
The three of us head inside, and Julien leads me into the dining room. He pulls out a chair for me, then takes a seat at the head of the table.
Rachel comes in and out of the dining room a couple times, the first with a salad and the second with a basket of what smells like garlic bread. The third time she enters, she’s carrying a large casserole dish that she sets in the center of the table.
She raises her brows at Julien and then pointedly glances at the table. “Just because you’re Alpha doesn’t mean you can’t set the table. You and your brother go get the plates and silverware.”
Julien stands, then walks into the kitchen and returns carrying a stack of plates. He sets one down at each place setting while Remy follows along behind him, distributing silverware and napkins. The process is so practiced, I can almost see younger versions of the two of them completing the same chore together. Once everyone has what they need, the two Matisse brothers go back to their seats.
Rachel grabs the dish from the center of the table, lifting the lid and setting it to the side. She cuts herself a piece of lasagna, then passes the dish to me. The salad and bread follow the same path until everyone has a full plate.
Julien cuts a small piece of the lasagna off and brings it to his mouth, but before any of the cheesy pasta can pass his lips, the doorbell rings. The sound is normal enough, but in this moment it seems almost ominous, making every instinct in my body vibrate with apprehension.
Forty-Eight
Keir
Thedoorbellringsagainand everyone at the table freezes, going silent as they all—including me—look to Julien. He is the Alpha after all. His brows pull together as he sets his still full fork back on his plate. He glances at Remy. “Are we expecting anyone else?”
Remy shakes his head. “Dante and Brody went downtown. They aren’t planning to come by until tomorrow before the hearing.”
Julien frowns. He pushes away from the table and rises to his feet, then heads toward the front door. I leave my own seat and follow him, catching up just as he places a hand on the doorknob.
