Nothing my mother did was ever a coincidence.
Dinner was served. Roasted chicken, vegetables, some kind of grain I didn't recognize. Everything perfectly prepared, perfectly presented, perfectly tasteless.
My mother dominated the conversation, asking Edward questions about his work. He talked about bypass surgeries and stent placements and research grants. It was all very impressive.
It was also incredibly boring.
But my mother hung on every word, making sure to steer the conversation back to him whenever it drifted.
"And you're unmarked, Edward?" my mother asked, though she clearly already knew the answer.
"I am," he confirmed. "I've been focused on my career. Haven't really had time for... personal entanglements."
"How wise," my mother said. "So many people rush into bonds without really thinking about compatibility. About stability."
She looked at me pointedly.
I focused on my food, pushing vegetables around my plate.
"Reina works with both the Frost Kings and the Steel Wolves," my mother continued, her tone deceptively light. "Isn't that right, dear?"
I looked up, caught the glint in her eyes.
She knew something. Or suspected something.
"I rotate coverage between teams," I said carefully. "It's part of the job."
"Both teams are based here in the city, correct?" Edward asked.
"Yes."
"That must be convenient. No travel required."
"Sometimes there is," I said. "But yes, mostly local."
My mother's fork clinked against her plate. "The Frost Kings' captain is Luca Vale, isn't it?"
My entire body went rigid.
"Yes," I said, my voice carefully neutral.
"And the Steel Wolves are captained by..." She paused, as if trying to remember. But I knew she knew. "Jaxon Roarke?"
"Yes."
The table had gone quiet. Kia was staring at her plate. My aunt and uncle exchanged glances.
"Interesting," my mother said, taking a sip of wine. "I believe you knew them as children, didn't you? Before we moved?"
My hands clenched in my lap. "Yes."
"Such a small world," she continued, her voice light but her eyes sharp. "Running into old friends after all these years."
"They're not..." I stopped myself.
"Not what, dear?"
I met her gaze. "Not relevant to this conversation."
