The attendees slowly filed through the open double doors across from the entrance framed by two men dressed similarly to the valet.
Alpha and Omega scents mingled in the air, along with cloying perfume. All designations were in attendance. Dorian stepped ahead of us and shook the hand of the man standing right past the entrance, but my attention was already on the glamour of the decorations.
Dozens of round tables with white cloths covered the tables. The centerpieces consisted of a small vase of white roses.
“Ironwyld,” the man speaking to Dorian said, pleased. “Thank you for attending today.” He leaned closer. “And thank you for your donations.”
Dorian nodded tightly, squeezing his hand.
“Your table is right over there. You.” He snapped his fingers and a slim man dressed identically to the other servers scurrying around walked over.
“Yes, sir?”
“Please show the Ironwylds to their table.”
The red-haired guy turned toward us, keeping most of his focus on Dorian. “If you’ll follow me, please.”
He walked us to the left and strode closer to the stage. I kept my gaze forward and chin lifted, not lingering on anything or anyone. The redhead motioned to the table, waiting for us to sit. No other chairs were available at our table. Only four. Dorian held out a seat and raised an eyebrow. Cade guided me to it with a palm on my ass.
“Cade,” I hissed. He ignored me and nudged me forward again.
I plopped onto the chair. Dorian sat next to me, and Rafe settled on my other side.
“I was going to sit there,” Cade groused moodily and strode to the chair on the other side of Rafe.
I remained silent and on edge. Mainly because this felt good. Being with them . . . around them.
“What is it?” Rafe asked. It took me a moment to realize he was speaking to me. I chewed on my lip and shook my head. He watched me with eyes that saw more than I thought they could.
The speakers hanging on the side of the stage crackled.
“Please welcome the Director of Child Services for the Orphanage Foundation,” a deep voice announced. A smattering of applause echoed through the auditorium. A woman with more gray than black hair strode across the stage toward the microphone perched on the holder.
The chatter softened, and once the lights dimmed, went silent.
“Thank you to all in attendance.” Each table was full of different pairings and across all age ranges. “In honor of a few of our benefactors . . .” She droned on, and I only perked to attention when I heard their name. “ . . . Ironwyld Pack, for the donations that have helped our children receive the best instructors and have their fundamental needs fulfilled.”
Dorian watched the speaker, but he didn’t really seem present. Rafe and Cade seemed just as lost in thought.
Based on what little Cade had told me, they had not had a happy childhood in the orphanage they’d grown up in. Now they were making sure it would be a more positive environment. And my heart squeezed.
I tuned out the rest of her speech, trying to shove down the sympathy, awe, and longing taking root.
My emotions were getting out of hand. And they’d become softer with me. Only two days of their kindness and I was buckling like a babe.
No.
No.
No!
After what they’d done . . . I wouldn’t give them their way. I almost forgot myself and my decision to contact Robert.
I leaned close to Dorian. “I have to go to the restroom,” I whispered.
He grunted and started to push up. I put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him in place. My touch seemed to rock through him.
“You can’t go into the bathroom with me. And it’s not like I’m going to try to escape. With what money?” I mumbled, laying it on thick.
