Chapter 2
Wren
“Are you okay?” Kimberly whispers to me as I exit my room seven and a half minutes later. I didn’t have time to shower, but Ididwash all the paint off my face and hands.
The high necked, sleeveless black dress Freida left in my closet is tasteful, if not a little stiff. My hair, now pulled into a slicked-back bun, is giving me a headache, but all I have to do is get through one dinner.
One dinner with Pack Caruso, and then I’m gone.
With Teddy.
Who apparently thinks I’mbeautiful.
I have to squash my smile down so I don’t give anything away. My fingers twitch, and I try to resist the urge to touch my lips just to make sure I didn’t imagine the whole thing.
“I’m fine,” I whisper back, walking down the hall and to the grand staircase that leads to the foyer. “Just got caught up with…some things.”
Some things. Meaning: my life will never be the same and I’m so fucking happy I could combust right here and now.
Kimberly nods, but doesn’t answer. My parents are not keen on me befriending “the help”.
“Wren.” Mother is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. “Good, you look presentable, though I do wish you would have tried a little harder with your makeup. You’re the face of a company now.”
All those happy feelings I had just a moment ago? Gone.
My eyes dart to the ground, my instincts screaming at me to make myself as small as possible. “I apologize, Mother. Should I go fix it?”
“No, no, it’s too late for that now. Come,” she loops her arm through mine a bit forcefully, and marches us towards the dining room, “and wipe that fucking terrified look off your face.”
I stumble briefly, but right myself quickly. “Sorry, Mother.”
Forcing my expression to look as relaxed as possible, I nod at Gregory, who opens the dining room door for us. He gives me a polite smile, and nods his head. “Mrs. and Miss Messina.”
Mother’s head doesn’t even turn in his direction. Instead, her attention is fixed on the large dining table, placed centrally in the room. Three large, imposing men sit opposite of my father, a glass of whisky in each of their hands.
Fighting the chill that wants to take over my body at the sight, I paste a demure smile on my face.
Pack Caruso.
I’m not sure what the fuck they’re even doing here, considering I haven’t laid eyes on them since the night of my party when they tried to make me dance with them for half the night, despite my protests.
“Wren.” Father’s stern voice commands my attention, and years of conditioning has my head snapping in his direction. “Don’t be rude. Greet Pack Caruso.”
My mouth starts to drop open. I hadn’t even had time to look at anyone properly, let alone greetthem, but arguing is useless. Instead, I nod my head again. “Pack Caruso. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Good manners,” Kellan, the head alpha, comments as he takes a sip of his drink. “Even if she did need to be reminded.”
Mother’s grip on my arm tightens painfully as Father’s jaw ticks.
My head starts to go fuzzy as something dark grows in the pit of my stomach. This…this isn’t going how first pack-dates normally go.
“Yes, well, it’s no secret that we’ve had our share of problems with her.”
Jasper, one of the other alphas, smirks as his disgusting gaze rakes over me. “We don’t mind…refiningher etiquette. I have a few ideas.”
I’m sorry…what?
Father’s lips lift in a snarl, and for a moment, stupidly, I think he might defend me. Or at least his parenting skills. But…that’s not what’s happening.
