Page 22 of The Alpha’s Heir

“No need.” I winked, touching the side of my nose. “I’ll just follow the smell of food.”

I swear I saw her smile.

*

The pale yellow dress wasn’t something I’d ever pick out for myself, but Katrina had a good eye. It did look pretty against my skin, complementing my darker brown hair and brown eyes. Dressing up wasn’t something I did much of. My sisters were more into clothes. Being an alpha wolf, I stayed in fur more often than human skin.

But I couldn’t wait for Roman to see me in this dress. I took one last look at the stack of romance novels on the nightstand before steeling myself to head downstairs.

It was time to write my own romance story.

Damn straight. Let’s get our man.

As I told Katrina, it was easy to find the dining room. My stomach was eating itself and my nose led me straight to the food. But my excitement waned when I realized the table was empty.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a suitcoat similar to the style and crisp white of Katrina’s outfit, was busy setting up the side table with serving trays.

“You must be Stephen.” I took a step back, almost colliding with Katrina, who carried in a bucket of ice and bottle of wine.

“At your service.” The butler bowed.

“My apologies,” I said. “I must be early.”

“No, Miss Meg. You’re right on time.” Katrina offered a tense smile. “I’m sorry that your hosts are late. Please take a seat. Would you like some wine?”

I didn’t want to sit, not when everyone else was working. It felt strange to have them wait on me.

“Here,” I offered. “Let me help.”

“You’ll do no such thing.” Helen’s voice was jarring and sharp as she entered the dining room. “They’re paid to do this. You’re our guest.”

I slowly took a seat and pulled the napkin to my lap, feeling chastised and not quite sure why.

From her? She doesn’t have any meat on her bones.

Yeah, but she’s Roman’s mom.

“Have you been waiting long?” Helen sat too, taking the offered glass of wine that Katrina had poured without a sound.

“Not for too long,” I said, frowning as Helen dismissed Katrina with no more than a wave of her hand.

“I trust my staff has taken care of you and that you had a relaxing afternoon,” Helen said.

It didn’t sound like a question, but I nodded anyway. “Thank you for your hospitality.” I’d directed that gratitude in Katrina’s direction, but she had her back to me.

“Of course.” Helen raised her wine glass. “Who would I be if I didn’t treat my new daughter-in-law well?”

She stared at me as she finished the wine in a single swallow.

Katrina rushed to refill it, already waiting with the bottle of wine.

“This is a lot… For everyone,” I said slowly. “But I have a feeling it was meant to be.”

“Meant to be.” Helen’s red-painted fingernails tightened around the goblet stem. “How fortunate for us all that you think so positively.”

Don’t… My wolf warned.

I gripped the napkin on my lap, seconds away from putting it back onto the table. “Have I offended you in some way, Councilwoman Troy?”