Chapter 13 - Rissa
Accompanying Alpha Brooks to Whittier…
I must have thought myself brave when I accepted the offer.
It doesn’t feel that way right now as we’re seated around the grand table in the Blood Moon’s lavish hall.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, feeling heavily out of place when wealth and opulence are flaunted so freely, as if we’re visiting royals.
That’s what Alpha Dane appears to be as he sits at his throne—I mean, his chair at the head of the table—as instructions to his men and servants flow from his lips as easily as breathing.
I stifle the urge to laugh, turning my attention to the other Snehvolk wolves in attendance for the celebratory dinner. At least Aurora and Yvonne are glad that I’ve tagged along, offering me encouraging smiles as they sit beside their mates. That’s more than I can say for the Elders, who haven’t missed a chance to show their contempt by passing scornful looks my way.
It’s only because we haven’t made the mate bond official, and there isn’t a mark on my neck to prove it. I can’t imagine that the Council is against this mate bond when they’re the ones who suggested it in the first place.
What I am concerned about is tagging along when I don’t really belong in this entourage of Snehvolk wolves. Seated amongst alphas, their mates, and the betas of the pack, I feel as misfitted as I was back in school.
Brooks seems to notice when a servant comes along to serve a tray of hors d’oeuvres by our side of the table, and he gently places a hand on my thigh.
“Is everything okay?” he whispers.
I nod tentatively, becoming highly aware of his touch.
It was a bad idea to wear a summer dress for tonight’s gathering—not because it doesn’t fit with the aesthetic of the Blood Moon hall, which it obviously doesn’t, and I stick out like a sore thumb—but because it’s impossible not to feel the heat of Brooks’s hand slipping through the thin cotton material.
Gulping hard, I distract myself by picking up a cracker off the tray. I bite into it, sending crumbs gathering on my chest.
Brooks reaches for a napkin and holds it out for me. I can feel myself blushing profusely when I realize he’s seen the mess I’ve made, and he looks at my bosom peeking through the low-hanging neckline.
Quickly snatching the napkin and using it to brush away the tiny crumbs, I gasp when Brooks suddenly leans in.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he whispers with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Gulping hard, I only reply when he draws back.
“I’m fine,” I lie, glancing around at the room as more servants come over to serve the main course. “I’m just hungry, that’s all.”
“Sure you are,” Brooks teases with a wink that stuns me.
If I weren’t feeling so out of place and uncomfortable, I might have suspected that Brooks was flirting with me.
I ignore my suspicions, being careful to exercise my best table manners throughout dinner to avoid bringing unnecessaryattention to myself. As I become invisible, there’s only one set of eyes I should be worried about, as he seems to dote on me, refilling my wine and offering to pass me more sourdough bread when I run out.
“Th-thanks,” I say hesitantly, wondering what happened to the Brooks I know. Was he swapped out on our way to Whittier, or is the air out here doing something to him?
I shrug off my wariness and enjoy the rest of the lavish dinner. When the servants roll out the desserts and flutes of champagne, Alpha Dane of Blood Moon stands up and taps a fork against his champagne flute, passing a smile of adoration at his pregnant mate seated beside him before turning to address the werewolves gathered at the table.
“Tonight, we celebrate the alliance between two of the most powerful packs in Alaska: Blood Moon and Snehvolk,” he says as he nods at Alpha Elias. “Though it is debatable which is the strongest pack of the two.”
Alpha Elias lifts his glass and chirps, “I would think Snehvolk is the better of the two. We have four alphas amongst us, remember.”
Alpha Dane chuckles bemusedly, and the whole room follows with a joint chorus of laughter.
“Now, now,” Alpha Dane chimes. “That’s not why we’re here tonight. Tonight, we celebrate the alliance between our two packs and become friends instead of enemies. There is a greater threat out there, and we’ve lost a few of our own to the demon’s attack.” His face turns grim as he reaches for his mate’s hand, the touch of her dainty fingers seemingly soothing him so that he can continue his speech. “Though we know that trouble is nigh, we should take this night as a chance to celebrate that there hasn’t been a demon sighting in over a week. We will now joinforces and combat this threat once and for all. Cheers!” Alpha Dane raises his glass even further, and everyone seated does the same.
As I take a small sip to commemorate the alliance along with the other members of both packs, Brooks holds his glass out toward me.
“How about a small toast to celebrate my favorite witch?” he suggests with a cocky smile that throws me for a loop.
