Chapter Forty-Eight
Dinner had been served and Catherine was exhausted. She and Mable sat on the marble island each with a glass of champagne while they glared down at the unwashed dishes and every dirty surface.
“How long is Alpha Lucien supposed to be here?” Mable asked again.
Catherine chuckled. “Only a couple days. We’ll be free soon,” Catherine said with a sigh. She hopped down from the island and looked around. “I’ll need to find someone who will work for us.”
“That would be nice,” Mable said with a slight blush.
“Catherine?”
Catherine and Mable turned to see Luna Rebecca in the doorway. “Oh, good evening, Luna. How was dinner?”
She smiled brightly. “It was phenomenal.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“I was wondering if you might…. Well Alpha Lucien would like to give his thanks to the chef.”
Mable’s face blanched and her eyes whipped to Catherine. “Sure, that will be fine,” Catherine agreed.
Catherine followed Rebecca out of the kitchen and to the dining hall. They’d closed the hall for the time in which Lucien would be visiting. The other members of the packhouse were forced to eat in the outdoor pavilion. She walked in and saw there was a raging fire in the fireplace. All of the chandeliers had been lit and the linens were changed out into a deep mahogany. Fit for a king. Her eyes lifted to the upper seating area.
Alpha Jensen sat in the middle of the table with an empty seat beside him, no doubt for Rebecca. On his other side was a man who looked to be in his forties. His gold eyes landed on her immediately and she felt a captivation. He had long silky black hair that was pulled back into a loose braid. He had olive skin and sharp features with a clean shaven face. He smiled and her eyes widened as she realized he was the centuries old Lycan Alpha.
She forcibly tore her gaze away to the other people at the table: Stuart, Lucas, Theo, Jensen’s two guards, three men she had yet to be introduced to, Chloe and Graham. Graham’s eyes were locked on to her as Rebecca led her onto the stage. She directed her eyes meaningfully at Chloe and wondered how she’d garnered an invitation when his mate and Jensen’s daughter hadn’t. Right. Food had to be served.
“Good evening!” Lucien exclaimed, shooting up out of his seat to appraise her.
Catherine put her hands behind her back and bowed slightly. “Good evening, I hope everything was satisfactory.”
“Satisfactory?! It was superb!” Lucien said.
She looked at the table and noticed two plates seemed to be licked clean: Lucien’s and Graham’s. Her lip twitched a bit. “I’m so glad to hear that, Sir.”
Lucien stepped forward and touched her elbow. She casually pulled it out of his reach but if he noticed, he didn’t let on. “I was expecting the same old filet mignon and baked potato. Imagine my surprise when I’m presented with fresh croissants, a roast beef sandwich with fresh bread and then roast duck with all the accoutrements? It makes me wonder if I need a change in staff at home!”
Jensen chuckled a bit tightly. “Do sit down, Lucien.”
Lucien did so with the same humor as before. He glanced at Jensen and then again at Catherine. “Am I sensing some kind of family tie, Jensen?”
Jensen cleared his throat. “She is my daughter. We only met a few weeks ago.”
Lucien’s eyes widened and he looked back and forth between them with more scrutiny now. “Daughter? I should have known immediately with the eyes. And yet… she’s your cook? She’s not in training to take over your position?”
Jensen glanced at Graham with a meaningful look. “We’re working on it.”
“I enjoy cooking,” Catherine interjected.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lavien sniffed the air. “And she’s togue?” Everyone around the table stiffened. “What is wrong with you, Jensen?”
“We have a few loose ends we’re working out,” he repeated.
Lucien stuck his nose up. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Weeks without accepting your daughter?”
“How long will you be staying, Alpha Lucien?” Catherine asked, hoping to change to subject.
“It was only for a few days but after meeting you I believe I may stay to see this Beta challenge everyone’s talking about. It’s been so long since I’ve witnessed such a high ranking challenge!”
She heard Rebecca take in a sharp breath and Jensen placed his hand over hers on the table. “Lucien, two of my sons are competing. It’s not something to be excited about.”
“It sounds like you may have made a mistake not acknowledging your daughter sooner, Jensen,” Lucien said, almost as if he was trying to provoke those at the table. He glanced up at Catherine and his gaze suddenly turned predatory. “Tell me, Catherine. Are you mated at least?”
If the air in the room could be any thicker, it happened. Catherine looked to Graham, as did everyone else. His face was turned down to his lap where he had been typing on his phone. His thumbs hovered over the keys though as if something had shocked him into stopping. Anger filled her. Who the hell was he texting? Who was more important than his mate who he hadn’t seen in a day?
Catherine stood straighter and met Lucien’s eyes. “I am not marked.”
She heard someone choking on their drink, probably Theo. Lucien’s eyes darkened and he reached out and touched her elbow again. This time she didn’t pull away. She felt something warm creeping through her. It reminded her of what Chloe had done to her when she was having a panic attack.
“Tell me, what are you doing after dinner? There is a bar a few streets over and I would love to pick your brain about what on earth is happening around here,” Lucien said softly.
Catherine felt her eyes droop as everyone in the room fell away. Lucien’s gold eyes sparkled and his lip curved up into an inviting pout. They looked so soft. She wondered what it would be like to kiss them. A man of his age must be quite well practiced in the art of seduction.
Catherine jerked herself away from him and had to grip Jensen’s chair to keep upright. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she saw Graham’s head was still turned down but his phone was now cracked.
“I appreciate the offer, Sir, but the kitchen is understaffed and we have a good bit of cleaning left to do. I am glad you all enjoyed your dinner.” Catherine turned on her heel and left without being excused.
Surrendering to Destiny
