Page 58

“Of course,” I say. “I hope you have a wonderful visit with Nina. Please, enjoy.”

My feet feel heavy as I force myself to walk back inside. I’ve done everything possible to set her up for success. I didn’t even set up cameras outside because I didn’t think of this eventuality.

My breaths are even as I walk to my sitting room. I can’t see anything here, but I did it for a reason. The last thing I need is for one of the alphas to say I didn’t trust their word.

Fuck. Don't screw this up, Nina.

Nina

I have four packs of alphas and a couple of betas surrounding me at the table. My mom only focuses her energy on what’s important to her, so she tends to ignore the betas when she’s speaking to me.

What if I fuck up who is from what pack? What if I forget someone’s name? What if I offend someone?

Breathe, Nina.

There’s roughly fourteen people here. As someone who tends to be alone, it’s very nerve wracking, and I take a deep breath to fight through the anxiety crawling through my veins.

My nose still hasn't recovered from being waterboarded atWeeping Willow, so my scent is off. It’s also affected the way I’m able to taste things, which affects what I enjoy eating now.

For my mother, she thought Weeping Willow would be a small piece of my life, but it’s causing lasting effects. I have to remind myself I’ve only been out for a few months, however, that makes me feel like an ex-inmate. It’s not that far from the truth.

“I think it’s safe to say that this could be overwhelming for anyone,” an alpha says kindly, filling my cup with fragrant tea.

The housekeeper thankfully put a pot of tea that she knows I’ll enjoy. My mother may rule with an iron fist, but the staff here try to make my life easier in small ways.

The female alpha mom mentioned, leans forward, her nostrils flaring as she inhales deeply.

“The last thing we want to do is make you anxious,” she says quickly. I memorized her name first from the cards my mom gave me. She left me speaking topics as well, but they all feel so wooden and insincere.

Cassidy. That’s her name.

“There’s a lot of you,” I say carefully, looking around slowly.

“Your mother wanted you to be able to meet us so you could decide who you’d like to see again,” Cassidy says, turning the tiers of food slowly. “This strawberry sandwich looks delicious. Would you like one, Nina?”

“Yes, please,” I say immediately, though eating was the last thing I thought I’d actually do today. My stomach has been in painful knots since I woke up.

I’m also surprised that Cassidy seems to think that I would be able to make any choices in regards to who I see again.

“Your scent smells… odd,” Lyle murmurs, frowning.

“Are you saying that I smell bad?” I ask, finding a smirk somewhere within me.

“No,” Lyle grins. He is in his mid thirties, and older than some of the other people at the table. Everyone is wearingclothing fit for an afternoon tea, but seem to relax a bit as we talk.

Why are these things so stuffy? Even my feet are beginning to pinch in these shoes, and it hasn’t been very long since I slipped them on.

“Scents change when someone is feeling intense emotions,” Lyle explains, taking pity on me. He seems like someone who enjoys knowing more than anyone else in the room. “For some, it can end up being a truth meter. I’m a lawyer, and I use it regularly to learn about people.”

“You all seem really nice, but I feel like a small fish around much bigger predators,” I murmur softly.

The alphas around me freeze for a moment, and someone rolls his eyes at them.

“You’re not the only one who feels like that,” Carter says, leaning around someone to meet my gaze. “They don’t realize they’re doing it. Alphas have big personalities and big?—”

“Ahem,” Cassidy says, shaking her head with amusement. “Nina really doesn’t need to hear that.”

Dicks. My cheeks heat a little as I think about Carter’s words. I think I’m a little innocent for this conversation. My mother has isolated me from everyone. All I have are the words of those from Weeping Willow Institute that I entered into a relationship with someone that was inappropriate.