Page 33 of Dark Auctioned Mate

"What? I am only chatting about it.” His voice sounded deceptively calm. "I'm curious about what she found educational. The training or the drama that followed it?”

“It is never boring at training,” Sara said. “You remember last week when you and August had that fight over knife-work, and you almost stabbed one another?”

“That was no drama,” August shook his head. “It was a disagreement.”

“You threw a knife at his head!”

"I threw it past his head. There's a difference."

The tension simmered down a little as the table burst into laughter, but Rael could still feel Alanis stiffening next to him. His hand rubbed on her thigh in an effort to bring her back to earth.

“Uncle August threw a knife at Uncle Javi’s head?” Isa asked wide-eyed. "That's so cool!"

“That is not cool, and you should not throw knives at or in the head of anybody, Isabella.”

“But what if they are mean, mama?”

“Doesn't matter.”

Isa pursed her lips, then looked at Alanis. “You are pretty. I like your dress.”

“Thanks,” Alanis smiled. “I like your dress, as well. Is that a wolf on it?"

"Yeah!" Isa glanced down at her dress, which was covered with little cartoon wolves. “Papa says I will be able to shift into one some day, but first I must wait until I am bigger.”

“That is exciting,” Alanis said softly.

"Are you going to turn into a wolf?"

The table was again silent, but this time it was uncomfortable, not tense.

“No, sweetie," Alanis replied after a moment. “I cannot shift, but that's all right. There are many ways to be strong without shifting.”

"Oh, okay. But you can be in the pack. Right, Papa?"

Clearing his throat, Silas responded, "Right. Being in the pack is not only about shifting, but it is also about being loyal, brave, and protecting those who are dear to you. I am sure Alanis possesses all of the above.”

"Exactly," Elle agreed. “Some of the greatest wolves I know can’t shift. Your aunt Alanis is one of them.”

“Cool,” Isa nodded and went back to moving her vegetables about her plate.

The conversation continued on to less dangerous subjects like the approaching annual harvest festival and work that had to be done on the training ground. In the midst of all these, Rael never removed his hand from Alanis's thigh. His thumb moved higher, brushing dangerously close to where her thighs met, and she bit her lip.

"Rael," she whispered, so quietly only he could hear. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you're okay," he murmured back, his lips barely moving.

"By trying to make me come to your brother's dinner table?"

His cock hardened at her words, at the breathless quality of her voice. "Is it working?"

She glared at him, but there was no real heat in it. Her hand dropped under the table, settling over his and stilling his movement. "Behave," she hissed.

He complied, but didn't remove his hand. Just let it rest there, warm and possessive, while they finished dinner.

By the time dessert was served, Alanis had relaxed considerably. She was laughing at one of August's stories, her eyes bright, and Rael realized this was the most at ease he'd seen her since she'd arrived at the pack.

This was what he wanted. This ease, this belonging, this sense of family. He wanted Alanis to feel like she had a place here, people who cared about her.