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"Whatever, heifer; I got this!" Her clothes shimmered again, and she was now wearing a red sequined dress.
Kari tilted her head. "Were you going for high class Vegas call girl?"
Meryn screeched in frustration. "Don't make me assume my ultimate form!"
"And what is that, dear? A homicidal hobbit?"
Meryn's mouth dropped, and then her lips began to twitch. Soon, she was giggling. "Okay that was fun."
The red dress shimmered, and she was in a black dress with pearls. Kari winked at Bethy and then turned to Meryn "There is nothing more satisfying than winning the game."
Bethy's mouth dropped open. "You totally just handled Meryn."
"Game?" Meryn asked.
"Politics." Kari answered. "It is the ultimate strategy game."
"But how do you know if you're winning?"
Kari winked at her "You will know."
The doorbell rang, and she looked between Bethy and Meryn. "Game on," she said, echoing Meryn's earlier sentiment.
By the time three of them arrived in the antechamber, tensions were already high and fake smiles were flashing all around. Holding a wine glass, Ivan DeLaFontaine stood between Magnus and Aiden.
"There have been too many changes lately, Prince Magnus, and much too quickly," Ivan observed.
"I disagree. If given a choice, the city would never change. Look how quickly they adapted to the wolves and Wi-Fi," Magnus pointed out.
"You are changing our way of life." Ivan protested.
"Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the interruption, but dinner is now being served," Sebastian said bowing and indicating the dining room.
They filed in and sat down. Kari was relieved to be seated between Declan and Law. Across the table, she kept an eye on Meryn. Magnus lifted his spoon for the soup entrée. "You keep saying our way of life, but never have we had arranged matings before."
DeLaFontaine shrugged. "They are consenting adults; it is their choice."
Magnus turned to Kari. "Is this true?"
Kari knew that Magnus was asking for the results even though they had discussed it earlier to make a point with DeLaFontaine. She nodded. "In all of the interviews, everyone we spoke to was willing, however, most did point out that in the event that they found their true mate, they would dissolve their arranged mating immediately. If more citizens find their mates among the wolves, having the trust fund will go a l
ong way to help those that may need to break away from their arranged matings if they are feeling trapped." Kari deliberately mentioned the trust fund. Ivan's eyes tightened at the word.
Kari's attention turned to Meryn when she began to rub her temples. Tarragon stepped from the corner where he stood next to Tarak and placed a hand on her shoulder. He frowned then looked around the table to Law.
Law stood, walked around the table, and laid a hand on her back; he whispered something, and Meryn's face began to clear.
"I say, is the human okay?" DeLaFontaine asked.
Meryn nodded. "Yes, I've been getting really bad sinus headaches lately. Tarragon and Law have been helping," she explained fibbing her butt off.
"That is kind of them," DeLaFontaine stared at Meryn, and then his eyes took on a different light. "Let us get an outside perspective. Meryn, what do you think of our way of life and the way we do things here in Noctem Falls?"
Kari could tell that she wasn't the only one holding their breath for Meryn's response. Bethy looked green around the gills.
Meryn shrugged. "It's a bit old-fashioned, but I think it's part of the city's charm."
Ivan nodded graciously. "Go on."
