Chapter 11
My room was large, decorated in the same rustic chalet style as the foyer and the hallway had been. A fire burned low on the hearth and I stepped in front of it, appreciative of its gentle heat on my back while I looked around. Two large windows overlooked the lake and the forest beyond on the opposite shore where we'd driven in. It was a far cry from my tiny apartment.
I used the better part of the hour to soak in a long, hot shower. For the first time since arriving in Castle territory, I took the time to style my hair and swipe some mascara through my lashes. They were pin-straight, always had been, but at least they were long. I zipped myself into the simple black dress I'd purchased in town. On a taller woman it should have hit mid-calf, but it was floor-length on me. The straps were also slightly too long, but the bodice fit well enough and with heels on, the hem didn't drag too obviously. I pinched my cheeks, trying to draw some color to them.
When I heard a knock on the door, I took one last glance in the mirror and adjusted the dress. Suddenly I felt like a child playing dress-up. I looked afraid, and I hated it.
I opened the door, expecting a cold greeting, but Gabriel was already halfway down the hall. I hiked up my skirt and kept a distance of several paces. He was in a full black suit, finely tailored to his proportions so that it only just hugged his strong shoulders and back. Tonight, he wore his hair loose and wild around his shoulders in opposition to the propriety of his attire.
"Hurry up," he said loudly. I was tempted to take my shoes off to catch him, but I thought better of it.
As we drew closer to the dining hall, I could hear voices and laughter growing louder and I realized my palms were sweating.
The double doors stood open to a staggeringly large room. A long table adorned with candles and decorated with piles of greenery from the forest outside ran up the center and a fire roared under a grand mantle at the far end. The other guests were mingling near it, speaking with each other in small groups.
I hesitated in the doorway, unsure of my place here. Gabriel didn't look back at me before he strode in confidently, so without any cues I followed after him. I wasn't halfway in before I was swept up in a warm embrace: Constance had crossed the room before I could react and wrapped her arms around me. Her perfume was strong and intoxicating and I nearly melted into her arms. She was the first bit of home I'd had in a month.
"Kiera," she drew back to hold me by my shoulders at arm's length. Her eyes sparkled in the firelight and they were filled with compassion. "Are you well?"
I could only nod; if I opened my mouth to speak I knew I wouldn't be able to stop the tears. She led me by my arm to where Dmitri stood with Gabriel and another man. Dmitri greeted me with a hand on my shoulder.
"It's good to see you," he said sincerely. I could tell there was more he wanted to say, but he held his tongue. He looked tired.
"Can I get you anything to drink? A glass of wine?" Constance asked. She was in her element, playing hostess in someone else's home.
"Wine would be good, thank you." More than good. I needed the liquid courage. I took in the other guests: there were twelve in total, all beautiful, all dressed for a gala. I felt even more ridiculous in my too-long gown and wished I'd put greater effort into my hair and makeup. When Constance handed me a glass of red wine, it took all of my self-control not to gulp the whole thing down at once.
"Kiera, this is Barrett, the Blackfoot Pack Alpha." Dmitri introduced me to the man he had been speaking with and he reached out to shake my hand.
"A pleasure," Barrett grinned. His relaxed manner reminded me a bit of Jack and it instantly put me at ease. Seemingly dead set on ignoring me, Gabriel turned to speak with another group. I didn't mind, and was in fact glad for the respite from his looming presence.
When Dmitri and Barrett resumed their discussion, Constance led me to the table to top off our glasses. Unsubtly, she gestured with her own to each group in the room.
"Down at the end is the Bitterroot Pack Alpha, Archer, and his son. Kellan. He turns 18 this year, I believe. Already being groomed to take over." She sipped her wine casually while she spoke.
"They're with Liam, the Wenatchee Pack Alpha and his mate Nadya. I tend to avoid those two; they're unpleasant at the best of times." The pair Constance was describing wore bored expressions, openly disinterested in whatever story Kellan was telling with large gestures of his arms. His father was oblivious to their judgement and watched him proudly.
"You met Barrett already, and the couple that just joined them is the Olympic Pack Alpha Isaiah, and his mate Amari." They were striking, easily the most elegant in the room. Amari stood several inches taller than Isaiah and her caramel skin glowed in the firelight. He kept one hand protectively on her lower back.
"That's our host talking to Gabriel, Alpha Erick. This is his estate, but his mate Alanna runs it for the most part. I believe their eldest daughter will also be joining," Constance glanced around the room. "I know Alanna was looking forward to introducing her to Gabriel since he's the only unmated one here."
As though conjured by Constance's gossip, a leggy redhead appeared in the doorway and crossed the room gracefully, nearly floating. She had porcelain skin and wore a silken emerald gown that flowed off of her like water as she moved to stand between her parents. Something that felt awfully close to jealousy flared in my chest. Constance eyed me over the rim of her glass. She'd caught it, too. I dropped my chin to observe my wine as though I was suddenly immensely interested in its color.
"Odette," Constance supplied.
"Maybe he'll be nicer to be around if he gets laid." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them and I covered my mouth with my hand, shocked by my own brazenness. Constance laughed loudly, tossing her head back. I could swear Gabriel's eyes flickered in our direction.
"I knew I liked you." Constance refilled my wine once more.
"I should probably slow down with this." I lowered my glass. My cheeks were hot, though whether it was from the alcohol or shame I wasn't sure.
"We'll get some food in you soon." She winked and we made our way back to where Dmitri and Barrett were still talking beside the fire. She had just finished introducing me to Isaiah and Amari when Erick invited us all to take a seat at the table. Having firmly taken me under her wing, Constance sat me across from her at the far end. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Gabriel appeared at my side to take the empty seat to my left, across from Dmitri. So much for my respite.
At the head of the table, Erick stood and waited for us to quiet down before speaking: "I'd like to welcome you all to my estate. Although we have a number of serious matters to discuss during our time together, I am looking forward to reaching favorable outcomes for each of our packs. But we can talk business tomorrow. For tonight, enjoy. Cheers," he raised his glass and everyone around the table followed suit. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Gabriel toasted with water.
The waitstaff entered carrying plates for each of us: individual Cornish game hens, potatoes, greens, and risotto. My mouth watered; I'd been eating canned soup for weeks.
I enjoyed the low, steady hum of conversation around me as I ate. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and even listening to Dmitri and Constance discussing news from home wasn't quite as painful as I would have expected.
"What do you think?" I looked up and realized both Constance and Dmitri were watching me.
"I'm sorry, about what?" I set my fork down.
"The storeroom raid. You were there when it was discovered, right?" Dmitri asked. I nodded. "What do you think about it?"
"I think we shouldn't be discussing politics over dinner," Gabriel muttered before I could speak. Dmitri raised his hands.
"Fair enough."
"Dmitri!" Constance gasped, elbowing him in the ribs. "The letter, don't forget."
"Of course." Dmitri reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. He held it out to me across the table. "For you."
I leaned forward to take it, frowning. "What is this?"
"It's from Jack." My breath caught in my throat and I clutched it to my chest, a wave of pain washing over me as fresh as the night he'd dropped me off at my new home.
"Thank you," I croaked. I swiped at my tears quickly before they could fall. "If I wrote back, would you mind taking it to him?"
A loud clatter beside me made me flinch when Gabriel dropped his knife onto his plate. A low growl rumbled in his chest, nearly too quiet to hear. Constance shot him an annoyed look.
"Of course we will," she said, turning back to me with a warm smile.
"Thank you. I'm sorry to ask you to play messenger." She waved me away.
"It's the least we can do," Dmitri said. An unspoken apology wavered in his voice.
I hardly spoke for the rest of the meal, my fingers itching to open the envelope in my lap. I glanced down periodically to read my name in Jack's handwriting on the outside, each time feeling the same combination of comfort and heartache. My head spun slightly from the wine, and when I stood after the plates were cleared I had to concentrate to remain steady in my heels.
Gabriel rose abruptly, shoving his chair back with a noisy screech. His sudden movement startled me and I almost dropped Jack's letter. He didn't say anything as he stormed out of the room, his broad shoulders tense and his fists clenched at his sides. Dmitri went after him.
"Don't mind him," Constance said, placing a comforting hand on my arm as we made our way out of the dining hall towards the guest wing. "He's just...Gabriel. He's always angry about something."
As we climbed the stairs, I could hear the sound of raised voices ahead. Curiosity piqued, I slowed my ascent to eavesdrop and Constance did the same.
"You should never have asked me to bring her here." Gabriel's voice echoed sharply off the walls, followed by more muffled speech I couldn't make out.
"Enough, Gabriel," Dmitri interjected. "She has done nothing to warrant your hostility."
Gabriel grumbled something again, too low to hear. A door slammed. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. I'd tried so hard to be on my best behavior, to fit in and make a good impression. But it seemed that no matter what I did, Gabriel was determined to dislike me.
I retreated to my room, too anxious to spend any more time around the others. As soon as the door was closed, I quickly stripped off the dress and after regarding it on the floor for a moment, I threw it in the trash bin under the bathroom sink. It was yet another reminder of how unwelcome I was in the Castle Pack, and I was eager to be rid of it.
Jack's letter burned between my fingers and I curled up in the bed against the mountain of pillows there to read it. I needed to hear his voice in my head to force Gabriel's words out.
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