Candy was the firstborn daughter of TheMist pack, one of the packs that inhabited under my father's dominion. We were introduced a couple of months ago at a party, and my mother did her best to get us to go out.
For my mother, finding me a mate was priority number one, and not just any mate but one worthy of taking her place, and before Cathy arrived, the heiress of The Mist pack was her favorite.
"We were waiting for you," My father said. "We didn't know you were bringing a guest, but for you, my dear, there will always be a place at this table."
My father said that because that was his way of showing hospitality, but the comment really rubbed Cathy the wrong way.
"Thank you so much, Alpha Patric," she replied. "It's always an honor for me to be here."
Cathy no longer disguised her discomfort. She raised an eyebrow and made involuntary movements with her ears.
"Let's not wait any longer. Let's have dinner," I said.
I led Candy by the hand to her chair, right next to where I would sit. I arranged it and helped her sit down.
"Is that okay?" I asked her.
"Yes, honey," she replied.
I didn't turn to look at Cathy, but I could feel the pressure of her gaze on me, her annoyance, and how she was holding back her anger. And I was loving it.
My mother waited for me to sit down and gave me a murderous look, judging me for bringing Candy just today.
I shrugged. Then I took Candy's hand and put them together on the table, making sure Cathy could watch.
None of this was planned, but Candy had been insisting on me for days to have dinner, although I always excused myself to spend more time with my mate. Cathy did nothing but push me away, so when my father arrived from hunting and announced that he'd arrange a dinner to meet Cathy, I saw a unique opportunity to make her feel jealous so that once and for all, she'd accept that she does have feelings for me.
"Who's hungry?" my father asked to end the awkward silence that reigned at the table.
I raised the hand I was holding Candy's with and looked Cathy straight in the eyes. She was serious, silent, and clenching her jaw.
"Girls, please bring dinner," my mother announced.
Beatrice and a new woman came out of the kitchen wearing the white uniform they only dressed for special events. Between the two of them, they carried a metal tray with meat from the deer my father had hunted. It smelled fresh, and I could tell it was cooked with rosemary, garlic, and butter. The smell was exquisite to the palate.
Behind the two women, Magda brought a cart with salad and several bottles of red wine.
"It wasn't easy prey," my father said, looking proudly at the meat.
After leaving the meat on the table, Magda served our plates, added the salad, filled our glasses, and returned to the kitchen along with the new one. Beatrice stood in the doorway with a bottle of wine in her hand and a cloth napkin dangling from her forearm.
"Bon appetite," my mother said. "You may eat now."
We tasted the deer as my father watched our faces looking to catch our reactions. "The deer is so soft and fresh. I’ve never tasted something like this," Cathy said after her first bite.
My father smiled, pleased.
"So, you're a fragrance designer," my father started to feel comfortable enough to talk to her.
"Yes," she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I have my own brand of products and branches in the U.S. and a new one in Paris."
"That's impressive that such a young woman has accomplished all that," my father continued. "And what did my wife do to persuade such a busy woman to come and teach her."
My mother shook her head rolling her eyes.
"Nothing, she was just nice to me, so when she asked, I couldn't help but accept," Cathy said.
Candy took a sip of wine and looked at her with intrigue. "You are the famous Cathy North everyone is talking about. It's an honor to finally meet you. I didn't know you were one of us. What pack do you belong to?"
