I braced for what was coming next.
“Yeah,” Sunny continued with an innocent shrug of her shoulders. “It really makes your face look so much slimmer.”
Deianira’s mouth dropped open in shock. Sunny had already moved on to her next victim before she could reply.
“That’s a really pretty dress, Briggita,” my sister began. “Bold of you to wear that color with your skin tone.”
Briggita gasped, her eyes dropping to her gown. I felt a twinge of guilt that Sunny had targeted her. She didn’t deserve it. She really was a sweet girl.
Sunny set her sights on Talulla next, but the she-wolf quickly put up her hand to stop her.
“Don’t start with me, hon,” she warned, giving Sunny an icy glare.
I instantly liked her. There weren’t many who were willing to stand up to my sister.
Sunny’s face twisted for a moment, and I knew she was irritated at the slight. However, she quickly schooled her features into a politely puzzled expression.
Suddenly, the strong scent of fresh-brewed coffee with a hint of vanilla and that tantalizing musk filled the air. I found myself taking deep, eager breaths, desperate to fill my lungs with the intoxicating aroma as it soothed my nerves.
I glanced around the room, trying to determine the source of the delightful smell, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. Then I felt someone’s fingers trailing across my back, leaving little sparks of sensation in their wake.
I jumped in surprise, glancing over my shoulder to see Alpha Caelan passing behind me on his way to his seat.
Why does he keep touching me?
I tried to shake off the feeling as he settled into the chair across from mine, a satisfied smile on his ridiculously handsome face.
Now I understood why Sunny had shuffled the place cards. Her new seat put her on the left of Alpha Caelan, a prime position if she wanted to catch his eye.
Everyone stood as Alpha Leal and Luna Maty entered the room, waiting respectfully as they made their way toward the head of the table.
As soon as the alpha and luna took their place, everyone began to reseat by order of rank, but I stayed standing. They were all higher ranked than I was and deserved the respect of being seated first.
Alpha Caelan growled, obviously upset by something I couldn’t see, and I risked glancing up. I immediately checked for any threat to Sunny as Taffy grabbed my arm and yanked me unceremoniously into my chair.
I started, realizing the problem had been me, though I couldn’t imagine what I’d done wrong. I had followed protocol.
Servants stepped forward and placed large servings of food onto our plates before setting the dishes in the center of the table for anyone who wanted seconds.
It was customary for the higher-ranked members to eat before those below them, so again, I waited. I wouldn’t even pick up my utensils until everyone else had begun.
I finally heard the scraping of a fork and glanced over to see the luna taking a bite of her food. Immediately afterward, Alpha Leal took a bite of his. I was certain this would trigger everyone else to start eating, but it didn’t happen.
Instead, their attention turned toward Alpha Caelan. He was technically the alpha in this pack, so by the rules of decorum, he still needed to take his first bite before anyone else could.
Everyone stared at him expectantly, but the alpha made no effort to reach for his fork.
I finally looked up, curious as to why he was taking so long.Perhaps he’s making bedroom eyes at one of the she-wolves and hasn’t realized that everyone is waiting on him.
However, I was shocked to find him watching me. I stared hard at his chin, trying not to squirm in my chair.
That can’t be right. Why would he be looking at me? He has to be looking at Briggita. Or perhaps he’s having a conversation with Taffy through the pack’s mind-link.
He turned his head, his gaze briefly falling on Beta Dillon before returning to me.
I stared purposely at his plate as he finally relented and scooped up a bit of mashed potatoes. He lifted his fork slowly to his mouth, his plump lips closing around the tines before he withdrew it.
My eyes narrowed as the others began to dig into their own meals.He didn’t swallow. Why?
