He gestured for a passing omega to bring another place setting.
“Yes, well Shade is also still a candidate in the choosing,” Caelan reminded him. “This dinner is as much for her as it is for Sunny.”
My father gave a terse nod. It was clear that he didn’t like it, but he was trying to play nice with the leaders from Harvest Moon. He needed their allegiance, and he desperately wanted this mating between Sunny and Caelan.
The omega returned with my dinnerware, and I thanked her as she placed it in front of me. It wasn’t the same fine china that everyone else had, but I knew better than to say anything. My father was determined to remind me of my place even as he attempted to please Caelan.
I stared longingly at my mother’s crystal glasses. I’d never gotten to use them before, and I’d kind of been hoping I might get the chance tonight.
Caelan must’ve noticed because he swapped his glass for my plain one.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He smiled in reply.
Is this what they mean when they say your mate always knows what you need? He didn’t know the glass was important to me, but he didn’t need to know. All that mattered was that it meant something to me, so he fixed it.
My heart fluttered at the revelation.
Dinner was served, a beautiful plate of roast venison placed in the center of the table with potatoes, handmade rolls, and salad. An omega came around with a bottle of wine and filled everyone’s glasses.
My father offered a brief prayer of thanks to the Moon Goddess for all that she’d given us, something that I’d never seen him do before, and then encouraged everyone to dig in.
I was going to wait until the others had served themselves before grabbing any food as I usually did. I knew my father would throw a fit if I didn’t follow the rules of hierarchy in his home. But Caelan didn’t give me the chance.
He filled his plate and then set it in front of me before taking my empty one for his own meal. If my father or Sunny noticed, they didn’t say anything, which I was grateful for. This dinner was going to be tense enough as it was.
Everyone ate quietly, but it wasn’t exactly what I would call comfortable. This didn’t seem like the getting-to-know-each-other event that Caelan had said it would be.
My father finally broke the silence.
“I can’t begin to express how happy I am to have you all here,” he remarked. “Now that it seems like we’re going to be family, I think we should make this dinner a monthly thing.”
I saw Luna Maty’s jaw tighten as her sharp eyes snapped to my father. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was furious with him.
“I have to say, you couldn’t have made a better choice, Alpha Caelan,” my father continued. “My princess is smart, beautiful, and kind. She has all the makings of a good luna. Once she gets used to how Harvest Moon does things, I have no doubt she’ll make the perfect partner for you.”
He smiled adoringly at Sunny as she took his hand.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” he gushed. “My daughter. A luna.”
Of course, he’s proud. He sent her on a mission to snag Caelan as her mate, the only thing he’s ever given her to do, and from what he can see, it looks like she’s succeeded. How upset is he going to be when he learns otherwise?
“Which one?” Caelan asked casually.
“I’m sorry?” my father questioned, awkwardly clearing his throat before taking a swig of his wine.
“I was just wondering which daughter you were referring to,” Caelan clarified. “Did you mean Sunny or Shade?”
My jaw dropped open. I couldn’t believe that Caelan had just come out and said it like that. I knew we planned on confronting my father, but I thought we were waiting until a little later in the evening.
I watched my father visibly pale, sweat breaking out along his brow as he scrambled for how to respond. His eyes darted to me for a moment before they settled back on Caelan.
Is he finally going to validate my existence now that the cat’s out of the bag? Caelan made it clear that they knew. The Kendrick family is aware of his shameful secret. All that’s left is for him to admit it.
“You have two daughters, correct?” Caelan asked again.
“No. I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Alpha Caelan,” he replied with a firm shake of his head. “Sunny is my only child.”
