I continued watching Alpha Caelan as he discreetly spat the bite into his napkin.
“Shade, why aren’t you eating?” Taffy questioned, nudging me. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Oh, Shade is very well-trained, Beta Taffy,” Sunny interjected, gesturing to her own plate to emphasize that she hadn’t taken a bite yet. “As an omega, she can’t eat until her superiors have eaten. Respect for pack hierarchy is very important at Thunder Moon, as I’m sure you can appreciate.”
She paused, flashing her pearly whites toward the alpha and luna at the head of the table. “My father and I took Shade in. She was a pack orphan, you see,” she continued as if anyone had asked. “He had her trained by the best so that she could fulfill her duty of protecting me.”
“An orphan?” Luna Maty asked, her voice soft yet commanding. “Pardon me, but you two look remarkably alike. I would’ve thought you were related.”
“Definitely not,” Sunny spat a little too quickly. “I mean…thatwasone of the reasons she was chosen for this position. She acts as a body double for me when necessary, like during the most recent attack from Dark Moon,” she pouted.
My suspicions kicked into overdrive at the mention of Dark Moon. I looked at Alpha Caelan’s plate, confirming that he still hadn’t touched his food.
Perhaps he hasn’t eaten because someone tampered with his meal. But why wouldn’t he warn the others? What if he’s waiting for one wolf in particular to eat before he saves his own?
“Sunny, don’t eat anything,”I warned using our mind-link.“I think something may be wrong with it.”
“What do you mean?”she demanded.
“Alpha Caelan spit out the bite he took. He must sense something off with it.” “Then get over here and try my food!”she snapped.
“Okay,”I replied, racking my brain for any excuse to get to Sunny without seeming disrespectful to our hosts.
“Shade,” Sunny called. “Could you get me more wine?”
She tapped her near-empty glass, raising her eyebrows suggestively.
“Yes, miss,” I replied as I rose from my chair.
I was rather impressed with her quick thinking. I could bring her drink and discreetly check her food.
“She doesn’t have to do that,” Taffy protested. “I could just pass you the bottle.”
“It’s all right, Beta Taffy,” I assured as I grabbed it and made my way toward Sunny. “I don’t mind.”
“You see, Alpha Caelan,” Sunny said sweetly. “If you choose me as your mate, you won’t have to worry about my safety. I already have my own personal bodyguard. Shade does whatever it takes to ensure my well-being.”
Alpha Caelan hummed in response, completely uninterested in Sunny’s words as he watched me come closer.
I leaned over Sunny’s shoulder, and he put his hand out, his fingertips brushing against my arm. Sparks danced across my skin as an unexpected desire flared to life, the rush of heat making me jump.
The bottle of wine tumbled from my hands, landing with a clunk on the table in front of Sunny as the dark-red liquid spilled down the front of her dress.
I cringed as she jumped from her chair with a shriek. Before I could apologize, she slapped me sharply across the cheek. The room fell silent.
I didn’t react, my fingers digging into my palms at the sting.I deserve that. This is punishment for my carelessness. Mistakes should always be met with swift and severe correction, just like my father says.
Sunny reared back to strike again, but as her hand swung forward, Alpha Caelan stepped in, catching it and stopping her in her tracks.
“This is how you treat your servants?!” he snarled.
“Did you see what she did, Alpha?!” Sunny scoffed. “My dress is ruined. The only thing she’s good for is taking care of me, and she can’t even get that right.”
Taffy growled as Briggita gasped. I hung my head, noticing Luna Maty was watching the exchange closely.
“Your lack of respect for your fellow pack member disturbs me greatly,” Alpha Caelan grumbled, his jaw clenched tightly as if he were fighting to control his anger. “Allof this disturbs me greatly.”
Then he stomped out of the dining room without another word, a scowl plastered on his face.
