Page 44 of Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf

As more eyes turn toward us, my fingers fidget with the fabric of my dress. I'm the only human in a sea of Others.

And everyone knows it.

"Adrian." A tall, silver-haired woman approaches, her movements fluid and purposeful. Meredith Wolfsbane is even more intimidating in her element, dressed in a floor-length silver gown that emphasizes her sculptural curves. Her gray-green eyes, so like Adrian's, flick over me with cool assessment.

"Mother." Adrian's voice carries a warning edge as his hand finds my lower back.

"You're late," she says, her gaze still fixed on me. "The alpha has been waiting."

"We're exactly on time."

“Spoken like a true future alpha,” a deep, masculine voice calls from behind and we all turn to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with salt-and-pepper hair stalk toward us with a deadly grace.

I need no one to tell me who this is. This is Jeremy Wolfsbane, Adrian’s father and the alpha of the Saltford Bay Pack. He is as impressive-looking as his son, with a chiseled jaw and piercing eyes of a vibrant, cold blue.

The alpha stops just beside his mate and wraps a possessive arm around her shoulders. Meredith's mouth curves into something almost resembling a smile as her cold gaze fixes on me.

And just like that, I decide that Adrian is right. I’m not a rabbit in a room full of wolves. I may not have claws or fangs, but I’m not prey, and they’re about to see it.

"Son, I see you brought your human to us."

I feel Adrian tense beside me, but before he can respond, I extend my hand.

"Julia Schroeder," I say, my voice stronger than I feel. "It's a pleasure to formally meet you, Mr. Wolfsbane."

Surprise flickers across his face at my boldness, but he shakes my hand, his grip firm but not harsh.

“Please call me Jeremy.” He inclines his head, the ghost of a smile on his full lips.

“Nice to meet you, Jeremy.”

Then Meredith comes to my side and takes my hand, and I notice her fingers are cool despite the warmth of the room.

"You have spirit, I’ll give you that," she says, something like approval in her tone. "Come, Julia. Let me introduce you to everyone while Adrian speaks with his father."

I glance at Adrian, who looks ready to object.

"Go on," I tell him. "I'll be fine."

His eyes search mine for a moment before he nods.

"I won't be long."

As he walks away, I feel unexpectedly bereft, like I've lost my shield. I straighten my spine and turn back to Meredith, whose expression has shifted to one of assessment.

"It takes courage to mate with a wolf," she remarks, guiding me through the crowd. "And it takes even more courage to be the only human in a room full of wolves."

"I'm honored," I reply, watching the faces around me. Some openly stare, others pretend not to while stealing glances. A group of older wolves huddles near the fireplace, their gray heads bent together as they observe us.

"The Council of Elders," Meredith explains, following my gaze. "They're very traditional in their viewpoints. No alpha in our pack has taken a human mate for generations."

"I didn't know that," I admit, absorbing this new information with a flutter of anxiety.

"Of course not. How could you?" Her tone isn't unkind, merely matter of fact. "Our ways are ancient, our traditions sacred. The mate of an alpha carries heavy responsibilities."

As we move through the room, Meredith introduces me to a blur of faces and names. Some greet me with genuine warmth, particularly the younger wolves. Others barely conceal their skepticism. I fall backon my professional skills, remembering names, asking appropriate questions, managing the social dance with practiced ease.

Inside, though, my heart races. This isn't just meeting the parents. This is being evaluated by an entire community that will one day be Adrian's to lead. A community that clearly has expectations about what kind of woman should stand beside him.