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"Indeed, we wouldn't want King's little flower to lose her appetite because of our poor table manners," she replies lightly, sliding a cheese board over to me with a friendly smile. I nod at her, hoping he can see the gratitude in my eyes as some of the tension thins from the air.
I glance over at Tristan, who's still glaring at his Beta. Mark, bulky and muscled as he is, dons the expression of a dog with a tail between his legs.
"Right, then. Let's hurry and eat so we can head downtown," Lucy adds, eager to change the subject, and Nico quickly nods in agreement. "There's a little shop that sells the prettiest sweaters, and we should probably get you some new shoes while we're there."
I'm still wearing the same scruffed-up brown flats from the day of Oscar's mating ceremony. Though I'm in no position to be asking for favors, I really could use a decent pair of boots... especially if I'm going to be working in the gardens and walking around the moss-covered cobbles of the Rovers' quaint town.
We finish lunch in tentative pleasantness, with everyone falling into a casual sort of meaningless chatter. Amara inquires about the stores Lucy and I are going to visit and makes a few suggestions. Mark asks Nico about his run earlier. The males fall into easy banter, arguing over whether Mark's brute strength makes him fast enough to outrun Nico's own speed and agility. The conversation wraps up as we finish our meal, and Lucy points out that Tristan could easily run circles around both of them. The Rogue Alpha merely smiles to himself.
Once we've eaten, Lucy happily drags me away from the veranda, and I'm surprised when Amara asks to join us. She presses a kiss to her mate's forehead before we leave and, though she's still stern and imposing, I'm starting to find her presence somewhat soothing.
As we head back through the villa to the main exit, I glance over my shoulder and see Nico poking at Mark's side, and the other laughs and bats his hand away while Tristan smiles to himself.
Even when they argued, there was no actual fighting. No physical show of force, no insults exchanged, nor punishments issued for doubting and offending the Alpha's word.
I'm beginning to understand just how different Rovers are from the Banes.
My uncle had pack elders and advisors, but they did not challenge or question him. They were his minions more than his council. However, each of the Rovers, mismatched as they may be, seems to have a clear part to play in the pack. Mark is obviously the muscle of the group, strong and stubborn to a fault but loyal down to his bones. Lucy is charming and disarmingly kind. She's clearly cunning underneath her sweet smile, and I suspect she listens just as much as she talks, which says a lot. Nico is clever and agile in his own way. From what I've heard, he's a sharp scout with a quick foot and a keen sense of curiosity. Then there's Amara, with her dark eyes full of patience and wisdom. She is the anchor of the pack, steady and certain amid the chaos.
They're a family, and maybe... maybe I'd like to become a part of it.
Chapter Seventeen
Tristan
I shouldn't have snapped at Mark. I'm glad it seems to have put an end to the discussion around my mate, but I shouldn't have reacted that way. When I saw the look on the girl's face when Mark spoke of her, when I noticed the way she shrank into herself, her shoulders sagging under the weight of shame and uncertainty, something inside me broke.
The sun is beginning to set over the mountains. After the girls went downtown and I went over some pack affairs with Nico and Mark, I'd gone for a run in the woods. I needed to blow off some steam or, at the very least, unleash my wolf long enough that it would settle within me.
By now, Amara, Lucy, and the violet-eyed girl must have returned.
I step out of the shower, feeling refreshed from the hot water after my run. Drops of water roll down the curves of my muscles, and my chin-length brown hair is slicked back, my skin glistening with moisture. I wrap a white towel around my waist as there's a knock at the door to my room. Even from here, I can smell her, her scent like lilies and morning dew.
"Come in," I call, stepping out of the bathroom.
She peers her head around the door, cheeks flushing when she notices my current state of undress.
Shit.
I should have thrown on some clothes first.
"What is it?" I ask as she hesitantly steps into the room and closes the door behind her.
She's dressed in a terra cotta-colored blouse that has a relaxed and flowy silhouette, with billowy long sleeves that are gathered at the wrists. The neckline is scooped, allowing a hint of skin to show, and the hem is tucked into a pair of high-waisted khaki pants, which sit comfortably on her waist and hug her curves. The pants have a slim-fit design that tapers down to her ankles, showcasing a pair of brown ankle boots made from soft leather with a low block heel and delicate lacing up the front.
It fits her perfectly, and I can't help but smile in approval at her appearance. "I'm glad Lucy didn't go overboard getting you a new wardrobe," I tell her as she lingers past the doorway. "You look good."
She tucks a strand of golden hair behind her ear, glancing down self-consciously. "Oh, she did," she says softly, her lips curling slightly with tender amusement. "She picked out over a dozen outfits for me, and... I just wanted to say thank you."
My eyes narrow, though the faint smile remains. "For unleashing Lucy on you? I'm sure it made her day. I'm just sorry you had to put up with being her living dress-up doll."
"No, it's not that; I didn't mind it," she says quickly, her tone still gentle and breathy with delight. "Lucy said you paid for everything. And..." she hesitates again, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "Earlier today, when Mark asked about my name, and before that—the other night—you came to check on me. You gave me my own room and let me work in the garden. I don't know if I ever thanked you for any of it."
I frown for a moment, unsure of what to say to that. I never expected her to thank me for any of it. I dragged the girl away from her home and into an uncertain future. Trying to make her feel at home is the least I can do. "What did you think I was going to do? Drag you to my pack and throw you in a dungeon?"
Her eyes flicker up to meet mine, and for a second, she looks like she's about to say yes, but then she tears her gaze away and simply shakes her head.
Something nags at the back of my mind, and a very stupid idea begins to take form. "Mark had a point today, you know," I say slowly, and her brows furrow. "He shouldn't have spoken to you like that, but he's right about the fact that we don't know anything about you."
