But I was still the Luna. And I wasn’t about to let some childhood friend waltz into my territory without at least asking some questions.
“Why?” I asked, my voice pleasant but firm. “What brings on this sudden desire to reconnect after so many years?”
Isabella’s smile tightened almost imperceptibly. “I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately. And I’ve heard such wonderful things about the changes here. I thought it would be nice to see them for myself.”
“Don’t you have responsibilities with your own pack? An education program to run?”
“I’ve taken a sabbatical.”
“How convenient.”
The tension at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife. Serena and Marcus exchanged uncertain looks. William Cranecleared his throat. Margaret sipped her wine with studied disinterest.
Knox’s parents looked happy about the arrangement, which meant I couldn’t outright refuse without making enemies of my in-laws. They’d finally started warming up to me. I didn’t want to ruin that by being openly hostile to their family friends’ daughter.
So I smiled. Sweetly. With all the false warmth I could muster.
“Well then,” I said. “Welcome to Ravenshollow. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
The threat underneath the words was clear. Isabella heard it. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she smiled back.
“I’m sure I will.”
I reached out and placed my hand on Knox’s thigh, sliding it up slowly. Just to make a point. Just to remind everyone at this table who Knox belonged to.
His knee slammed into the underside of the table with a loud bang.
Everyone jumped. Glasses rattled. The twins looked around with wide eyes.
“Sorry,” Knox said, his voice strained. “Leg cramp.”
Hunt snorted into his water glass. Noah developed a sudden coughing fit. I kept my expression innocent while my hand stayed exactly where it was.
Isabella’s smile had gone brittle around the edges.
The rest of dinner passed in a blur of forced politeness and barely concealed tension. By the time dessert was finished, I was exhausted and ready for everyone to leave so I could collapse on the couch and process everything that had happened.
William Crane seemed to sense the mood shift because he cleared his throat and set down his napkin with deliberate care.
“This has been a lovely evening,” he said, his politician’s voice smooth and practiced. “But it’s getting late and we don’t want to impose any further. You’ve been wonderful hosts.”
“Yes, the food was excellent,” Margaret added, though her tone suggested she was just being polite.
“You’re welcome anytime,” Serena said warmly. “It’s been so wonderful catching up. And Isabella, we’ll get you settled in the guest house tomorrow morning. You’ll be very comfortable there.”
The guest house. At least she wouldn’t be staying in the main pack house with us. Small mercies.
Everyone stood and began the awkward shuffle of goodbyes. William shook hands with Knox and Noah. Margaret air-kissed Serena’s cheeks. The twins ran circles around the adults, hopped up on sugar from dessert and completely oblivious to the tension.
Isabella approached the twins as everyone was preparing to leave, crouching down with a wide smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“You must be Rowan and Thea! I’ve heard so much about you from your grandmother. Such precious little ones.” She spread her arms wide. “Can I get a goodbye hug?”
Rowan went completely still, his whole body tensing in a way I’d never seen before. He didn’t say anything, didn’t move, just stared at Isabella with those too-old eyes of his. His hand found mine and gripped tight.
Thea, my fierce little girl who never backed down from anything, actually retreated. She moved behind my legs, hiding herself in my skirt and gripping the fabric with both hands.
“No thank you,” Thea said quietly. “I don’t want to.”
