Page 73 of Rocked By the Alpha

“You know each other?” Ruby’s dad asks.

“Oh no,” Julia says, shaking her head.

“West plays in a very successful rock band,” Ruby’s brother explains to his dad. “One of the most successful.”

Ruby’s dad frowns. “Don’t know why he didn’t just say.”

Julia beams at them both. “I’m surprised you’re not on the front page of every gossip magazine.”

“We’ve been keeping things quiet,” Ruby says, stiffening beside him. She hasn’t told her family about the fall out with her band and he’s under strict instructions not to mention it.

Obviously, they don’t know about the feud between their bands too. How closely do they follow her career?

“How did you meet?” her mom asks.

“Ruby seduced me,” he says, wrapping an arm around her and kissing her temple.

He thinks they’ll all laugh at that but his joke is met with stony silence.

“I hear you have some solo concerts coming up,” Ruby says to her brother, and he launches into a round of gossip about various members of his orchestra and the progress of their rehearsals.

“You should take Westley to one of the concerts,” her dad says to Ruby.

“West,” he corrects, “and sorry, man,” he says to Anthony, “but classical music puts me to sleep.”

Anthony nods stiffly and continues where he left off, telling the table about the orchestra’s European tour plans for next year.

West gulps at the wine, his plate untouched. Several minutes into the monologue that seems to have everyone else enraptured, he interrupts, “Ruby starts her tour in a couple of weeks. Are you going?”

Ruby turns to look at him, horror written over her face. The tour is up in the air but her family don’t know that.

Anthony smiles and takes a sip of his water. “No, I can’t. Might damage my hearing.”

“It’s a very sensitive thing,” Ruby’s mom says as if speaking to a child. “He can’t risk damaging it when his career depends on being able to define pitch and tone.”

“You’re missing out,” West says, trying to keep his tone light when the irritation is stirring in his stomach. “Ruby’s band and their music is fucking awesome.”

“West,” Ruby whispers.

“We like to keep the conversation clean,” her dad adds.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, holding up his hand.

“You don’t like caviar?” Her mom peers at his untouched plate.

“No. Anyone else want it?” He tips his plate, but the response is once again cool.

“It’s an acquired taste.” Anthony smiles flatly.

“I think I’ve got good taste.” He reaches under the table to squeeze the Omega’s thigh. Her leg strains with tension. These people are fucking snobs. No wonder someone free spirited like Ruby rebelled.

The next dish is as disappointing as the first. At least this one is edible, but the portion is the tiny size expensive restaurants like to serve. It won’t even touch the sides. He’s fucking starving. If it was just him and Ruby, he’d order some fries.

The conversation moves on to developments in the banking market and West empties his glass and starts on another. Ruby picks at her food, asking the odd question about her dad’s business.

Wolfing down his food, West finishes before the others and taps his foot absentmindedly.

Ruby leans in. “What’s wrong?”