The large formal dining hall was decorated in red, black, and gold. A band was playing soft music in the background, and at the other end of the room, a beautiful fireplace made the whole space warm and welcoming
The room was crowded with guests already, men in suits and women in evening dresses. They scattered around, socializing in small groups. Vicky was right – I didn‘t overdress, Servers were busy laying down the food plated in delicate dishes on the dining table. I couldn‘t stop admiring everything. For all dinner parties I could remember, I was the one busy serving the guests, and never had the leisure to really enjoy the event. “Alpha, here‘s Miss Rosalie.” Talon had brought me straight to Ethan. Ethan‘s blue eyes locked on me. I saw surprise in them, but after that flicker, I couldn‘t discern any other emotion. Was he not pleased with how I looked? “Alpha…” I said softly. Then, noticing the others in the room. Quickly I bowed my head to him, and then did likewise to Alpha Romero next to him. “Why, don‘t you look stunning,” Romero said, stepping forward with a smile. “Absolutely stunning.” His words were complimentary, but I was still very uncomfortable around him. The fearful shiver that crept up my spine had me hesitating in my approach. “Join us,” Ethan said, and held out his hand. I looked at Vicky and Talon, and they both smiled, giving me the nudge I needed to accept the offer. My hand slid into his.
This was the first time I had felt his hand in mine. His palm was dry and warm, and as soon as he held
mine tight, my nervousness about being around Romero faded away.
Keeping myself composed, I tried to remember what Vicky had said – just be myself. A scoff came from Madaylnn as she looked me up and down. Her glare made her distaste for me clear. “We were still talking…” she grumbled. However, she seemed to be much more polite compared to this morning. To my surprise, she didn‘t finish her sentence. Instead, she bit her lips and managed to put on a smile. Ethan gave her a glance, and then turned back to me. “The conversation can continue over dinner.” “I agree. I would hate to have such lovely women eating cold food because of us. Let us sit down,” Romero added, smiling at me.
Romero, and then gestured for me to follow. I followed behind Ethan as he pulled my chair out for me. After I took my seat, I realized that he had sat me near the head of the table – next to
eyes fell down. I placed my hands in my lap and waited until the
of me, and Vicky next to
thank you again for your hospitality. We very much enjoyed our stay here. I look forward to working together
in and the food began to be served, I started to feel trapped in a social situation in which I didn‘t belong. “I have to admit, Ethan, your pack is quite lovely,” Romero said after a moment of silence.
said before his
to be an Alpha‘s daughter, I smiled politely at him. “I
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ldL6qo+FTeGrjEDPm7rZvJhhj+igiAS+9v0tGxm4rSyUSSTh29g8DeGhnZeQ9GmHOngV5t4cXbfAfnlSgnR+I52M7eMNJcuKt/HWB2et7taRZqqCVeqUa7C++n3yUsHH249R/eycdDOitm0SFNz5nyCieQnUnVlaycUcLNoPXAqUEPXOoi1RuW504CA4QPPkHsZl+j/iithtWZ/1wqGMa+C2Ow0dc9jfnYad8Vf4oYe8XlpVF5cO2BSOB8T3xvp5pvHQVXeYF/zghz7blLZvNsM2jaRvOtwUCVRwEoIAzzwupxhgxzewLv4tMJ557e++z4w1cyuJ+laCNTAljloYuA72MkkYnc0XutOROXry1UmzCvFWDV553LbQK2AjZQItDI24RTU+2lQ/HCjH5cyYwMhXnpEXvGcRYrXbThRrgf/QHG+jr9FpHgebV7vrvIUa7J4I0lJa5QH80F1F/CKfQeh1CuRN40UJqZfyREMjWZHy4B66r24K+2B/cKGDAJbarBJc5yKyvs8HlQgXMxbJ7ug1p88wWEpcsmyBFXFs+YZUyDFTMb7cbF/v0VkFZ0pOaeaNcarjXQuVw6cPmP7el7syJA4s1GJ48Z0fTHlmQwykcM7k76AY6jqZfXeBzE4B6ZatJInQUqRlwvbVw5ykDXRGJdFGB0Wh2sUf1O5rran/Ldv17LiaxreuY3JOqVTvTQO9qzf1fsaxJWBSb5oHBxch2/IoLtXLv7LDL1WdvIpWRELxqxFG4bNE6G0BGNRV8PIDwigOwQ4Gst+2oUoVQwyicLW+Mn2AUvsYaV7Sl2KzvBp40Ox/SkF+xzbvJAoFCtXKQ9iFzh+NJ2S4nqeXbmgEbfovIg1l2kFIRvcvM2TRtF0Q5YHK6FmPxVPUfcyShNS+i/ov+FbojfUv1omOuMaIsQGaM6eQdNuHgMfnQ86bGF5UNHGNafqugdzpSMUoRSTrPYE58wD9xBjvJpPcprWyuEL43o35Yr0gdg5Ykt1U13p4KY28LN7Nt0k281eTGPbtRRlyVR7Jht0Mdc+svUcP5CC4hH7jTV7umqJL9arFqx+MmyVSgybikCsOdgzFgDV1FHPieikksxYjSrmB4oKUONc3aeTgDGi6RzDnPPmH19I6eVcCkRkOA99IYXWBT0G2sKwnhcZFi6NiGFyDAzKX5t2MDUSu+Iec4TTuezqQC0KVP7EUARfYX9YEQIBAz0zlPAqbO5ueJDZiGhcna4rjC4JtvU1yyfaFHoWsQfYS1IWclY0/0oPt4nhUFpUd/QbcuOR5wuNi+Ra0PbtoKlsE6b+y1fogReQZuwSyUnOXyrAx6R8K5GyDJ9s4PfWjO7AN2/c2Ry8JRX/9toOGu/aVO+r3Jd6wL0nF4F9SToqFt8n7e4kzLg+naPze2WHRg7donG979FxZWrvbapezjNwbRpfNw9upO+DhL3m+cPEJfP9SDIXo/d5S6VVHBHG2q3gJOViPwWneFT3YyePI+Wf7huy3iyWl+ZDokNeeYMMazsLH4AdGg+yo47sjRmh1atZDWLipg21mqzUGiS0U3ztV5iVP6AXIyhfrTYP0u7gWBcAb1ytjN1WS86kWarXFpfwcFC7XkB6T+dz0jDezHTg2kz5Q9XINt13r6FqX4M8/LzC8tiUCetSomp9TgcUFwzPzOTeM/ZWOdsro+y+xBAq0UQep5dTErXUyp6eY+GafdXpi7d9dWyKim1JBUakTC4nHyWy4dKK3iEqURuRALkp59JCnoFrGfBuMHVNwY1QPCo/HuX4jk/LRGcMY24BuUe6/pYciM53T7QYVtvNrz0a3DS5tPOkfgoCi+2QSg2G+SuKc1LklqJ/6kt1eVLd0qxeXJUvWZlN27Tfu3s0LvBDfCZNrsTG6y6FkDWpDnTQ0SAZxNDt3SdckhBsRQHM1Jx5Y4ds5EJ9Cl24BeJXJjwPJm59D/amNXZAycEsi86w9v8m7GVVu0/dTZs05pv/KuNYvBNYr8XFKSQKqvJogmVJ1EVFZylz9YKqDkk3h/QUXOgoKLsixnrt4n+/+CP44C2lI49dejbrgOKLyC6eiH7JA15IPXjqYw+nWI2xb4Vpx7CHMZMXhvPj+YMJHvNRHLjm2vUZ83LJqDEYsGyEbmq18nsA417BtFW/k1TXCQMsdJH9DnFRIc7RTcgeVvGF7OnWDkvK5aheFKLFgsdA3JNbNox4dn1/9ZCTkLQKq/1AriDwAEYjXFtWotTv7B6kywjhSN9iZHqRi3IkvvnRa7JZOKMeIidKxQ3Vr04F44oEqd9RZOPxlRbt6/hnFE1Ukni2tgRBRVVNSQodPFbqCRvjf6sQAQ3dyVqNM7lfw4sWX1MG3EcRaZcpdlLcZoiiHgOYBWQcDHmjX/NtdT5z03m+XFnIXj4J5w7eJy/ETOwrF2rLUMR1P/UX2h+ClSDJjyW88QZ1RbEMom5pZv9r0AI7Ht6jqLEULtOiA+4eToH1MDA393X6CbGqHVvm37H5lwg9KyFv8MuRCj2qr8BW8Hyp8QCK5aH66m2mQp/LsD7Kcltr9LVL8WpzE6fiGjahl1+dL+aeY4OJ+diqoJKh9YYUBNSgERtouJYHgk288Yuji/ZLKa4AbbDgSy9zgnDshj7zTfDs9ngzlb6hqztmH73TZuXoLeOezTVt8+04B+4ifOygt7HnaunEIGTPsaOVCuebhi9Qs0cInzf9z5hf0zTptTaTk6x6Jw/BbjKbT5TBLHMaFWIFUucMSHLISOboQjjDDQe0cngiV9Y/GHAYHWlMBHvgnVcFB+alj+F+r1T7e8WzwCHAApu7rHl4upFyXn0gHgv7WGXK7NbpaN8HW0aP3aBb7mtKnZMy5VFrqDk9UhA3bjj0QoOtJTd7nGsIexQFwhx5JVwt63MRRIxPbTfbNxfo=
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