Page 30

SERAPHINA

A fist pounds against the door in the distance.

Ignoring it, I flip the page, pushing Landon's cot back and forth with my free hand. He holds up a figurine, hitting against the crib's side excitedly, giggling.

Smiling, I drop the book, hovering over him. "You want me to touch it?"

His only response is flashing it in my face, somehow managing to get my hair curled around it. His blue eyes are wide, long lashes fluttering against his cheekbones as he mouths something unintelligible and pumps his fists twice.

I bet Soren would understand what that meant. Right on cue, the pounding on the door grows heavier, startling Landon enough to make his lips quiver. His belting cry is nothing pretty, and I lift him off his cot, cradling him to my chest as I storm for the door.

Unlocking it, I glare into the face of Ruslan, the Head Guard. "I made it clear that I was not to be disturbed."

He looks truly apologetic, but he steps aside, revealing Landon's nurse. "Forgive me, but the Head Alpha has summoned you downstairs for dinner."

"I will eat in my bedroom," I snap, rocking Landon up and down, patting his back with gentle 'shhs.'

Ruslan looks over his shoulders, and I note the guards standing behind him for the first time. Three of them. "I'm afraid it isn't a request." His eyes implore me to hand Landon over to Juliana, who looks unsure if she should step forward or scamper away in the face of my temper.

Begrudgingly, I hand Landon to her, but not before I kiss both his cheeks. "I'll be down after I change into something...more appropriate," I say, looking pointedly at my robe and the lacy thing it barely covers.

Ruslan notices it as well, snapping his gaze upwards and keeping it sternly on my face, red cheeks and all. "Alpha Winter has ordered that you not be given a moment to change, fix your hair, or alter your appearance. We are to accompany you downstairs immediately."

What he doesn't add, even if it is clear as day, is that my refusal will result in the use of force.

Refusing to give me even a moment to myself is downright dehumanizing, but every day for the past two weeks, I have avoided breakfast, lunch, dinner or whatever interactions I consider unnecessary with excuses like those, leaving the guards waiting outside until they grow weary, until the timeline is over.

He's grown tired of my antics. And he has also grown tired of pretending to be the patient, loving husband.

The rare flowers he's sent me every morning have fueled the flames of the hearth in this guest room.

The priceless stones and jewels have all been gifted to the Omegas of various packs who have better uses for them.

His apologies have fallen on deaf ears and the only time I grace him with my presence is during public appearances that require my attendance.

Mother always did say I wasn't the most forgiving person out there. She would hardly fault me on this one if she were here.

My hands clutch at my robe consciously but I drop them, letting the robe fall open. If he wanted to show off his strength by ordering me around, I would make him sorry for that, too.

I nod. "Well then, lead the way, Ruslan."

Ruslan blinks, struggling to keep his eyes off my cleavage and he sidesteps quickly as I walk past the threshold.

The Dining Hall is tastefully decorated in soft shades of ivory and purple, delicate drapes cascading from the high-arched windows while hints of lavender and deep plum cover the velvet chair cushions and the center table that runs long enough to host a party of twenty.

That is why I was summoned. We have guests and I am severely underprepared.

Faint scents of lilac and spices carry through the air and everyone looks up at the sound of my growling stomach.

Several sets of eyes widen as they take in my appearance.

My messy bun with stray hairs forming a layered fringe around my eyes.

My bare face. The deep blue robe hanging loosely over my shoulder, shielding the lacy blue chemise that stops mid-thigh, my matching flip-flops and the anklet around my right foot.

Lilia has a funny look on her face, like she's reeling her laughter in.

Eric looks like he might be having an aneurysm.

Quinn stares lazily at me, not quite surprised at the display.

Alpha Baldwin stares pointedly at my face and nowhere else.

The men on the other side of the table, however, don't bother with trying to look at me respectfully.

They ogle the sight of me, eating every inch of my skin up in the most disgusting manner.

It happens to be so prominent, Soren who is at the head of the table with his attention on some woman on his left, cocks his head in my direction.

The crystal goblet that had been pressed against his mouth shakes and he chokes on his wine, coughing harshly.

It is a scandalous nightwear, especially for Soren who has never seen me naked. I hope he chokes and dies.

Sadly, I don't get my wish. He seems to get his bearings right as I reach the table, though his neck and face take on a bright hue of scarlet.

He inclines his head towards the guests as I slip into the seat on his right.

"I don't believe..." His words trail off as I adjust, my arms coming around me, making my cleavage push higher.

He loses track of his words for a long moment, staring from my chest to my face, performing an odd x-ray on me.

I arch a brow, inclining my head toward the watching guests and he seems to remember himself. "A number of you have met her in person, but for those who haven't, this is Seraphina. M-my wife."

The stutter is unlike him. Well. Not that I care.

I turn a beaming smile at the woman on his left with vibrant red hair and a sour expression.

Something about her seems vaguely familiar, but I can't quite figure it out.

The man on her right though, I recognize as Alpha Atticus of the White Fur Pack.

We were briefly introduced at the Summit, but not much after that.

If I remember correctly, he's stepped down from his seat as Alpha and his son, Lance, who is currently seated beside him, attends the gathering in his stead.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," I say cheerfully. "I hope you find our home comfortable." I pat Soren's arm. "Soren here is quite good at creating only the most beautiful illusions."

Eric chokes on his wine and Quinn snickers. Soren's muscles tense under my grip and I withdraw when Alpha Atticus laughs, diffusing the tension only slightly. "That is yet to be seen, High Luna."

It feels weird being addressed in such a manner by a man old enough to be my father, but etiquette has me nodding. My gaze shifts to the redhead again and I don't miss her droning gaze, the mean scowl, the judgment. "I'm Rayne," she says. "A close friend of Soren's. He's told me a lot about you."

I take the knife and fork, mumbling absentmindedly, "Funny, because I've never heard about you."

The comment is louder than I intended and for some reason, Eric hides another laugh behind his wine.

The woman bristles, sitting straighter. "I was present at your delivery and after your accident.

" The words are laced with something harsh and her smile is not at all warm when she suggests, "We should hang out some time. We have quite a lot in common."

I cut into the steak, waving her off with the sharper end of the knife. "Sure."

"A shame," a woman says from the far end of the table. "I heard of your engagement. You two would have made a beautiful couple."

The table falls silent, eyes droning heavily on me again. I note Soren's tight shoulders and the redhead's catty smile. My fork sinks into the steak as information after information runs through my head.

Lilia once mentioned in passing that Soren had been engaged once, when I kept drilling into what she knew about his past relationships, seeing as it didn't make sense that a man like him didn't have flings here and there.

Our marriage was only an agreement on paper but his respect for our relationship had been both admirable and disturbing.

In the third month of our marriage, I was convinced he was fulfilling his desires elsewhere and had the conversation with Lilia. It was mostly drunken slurs and placing probabilities on who his likely choice would be, or what his usual type was.

" He's into tall redheads," Lilia slurred, toppling her glass and spilling liquor all over the sheets. "Almost married one. Would've, if she didn't call things off."

I had tried to get more out of her but it had been a long day and we were both spent after dancing the evening away at Solstice. She passed out and asking her when she was sober was like asking a wall to grow apples.

It's almost easy to put two and two together, and the blast of jealousy I feel is abysmal. I turn my gaze to my food and force the steak past my lips, all the while keeping my expression pleasant.

He brought his ex to dinner? To spite me? To show me just how little I truly matter and how easily he can replace me if I continue to act stubborn?

I can see why he'd choose her. She's tall enough that you have no doubt about how creative they'd both be in the bedroom, exploring styles that have probably never been heard of before.

She is beautiful, in an exotic way that belongs on those human magazines.

Silver gray eyes that bewitch, lips that are made solely to bring a man pleasure and a face men would go to war for.

Yes. They would make a sickeningly perfect image.

I tune out the rest of the conversation, eating even if I don't feel like it, engaging even if I no longer feel the need to please Soren's guests.

At some point, Rayne leans forward, saying something to Soren that I don't catch. Something that earns her a small laugh.