Page 38 of Beginning at the End
“Well, now I firmly have gold digger stamped on my ass.Not a great look for independence.”
Sern paused.“What?”
“Well, I have gone from one very wealthy guy to you, and I googled you yesterday.”She paused.“That sounds dirty.Anyway.I am no longer able to pass as an upright beta making her way through the world.To most, I appear run-through by one alpha and am jumping onto a second.”
Fen winced.“I will do what I can to stem the rumours.”
“Don’t hurt yourself.They are going to happen with or without you.”
Sern frowned.“No one will speak a word against you.”
“They will, but I am fine with it.I know what I am.You are interested in finding out exactly how strong I am, and I am willing to show you.”Eudora grinned.
Madame Fen smiled.“No one has ever doubted your strength.You navigated the society of the city with grace and ease.”
“It does help when you know you can snap the egregious alphas in half.”She fluttered her lashes and sipped her tea.
Madame Fen blinked.“So, when you said strength...”
“I mean strength.”She shrugged.“It isn’t useful in the day-to-day, but it comes in handy for special occasions.”
Sern finished.“I think that concludes our speedy lunch.I would look forward to seeing you again another time, Madame Fen.Perhaps when Eudora doesn’t need to get back to the office, we can chat longer.”
Madame Fen suddenly turned sly.“Are you going to be attending any events after Sunday?”
Sern smiled.“She is going to attend a total of six events with me.After that, we will see where we stand.”
Fen grinned.“I will never understand you elves and your slow courtship.Why not just catch a scent and follow it home?”
Eudora smiled.“With an alpha and beta, the door can stick if you don’t jiggle the handle.”
He snorted and covered his mouth, “Accurate if hilarious description.”
“I am in advertising.It is my job to put an image in your head.”
His eyes were glowing, and she blinked.He was currently fixed on jiggling the handle.
“Madame Fen, not to be rude, but can we get the bill so we can leave?I have to face my ex tonight, and I would like to be able to dress down for pity beforehand.”
Fen smiled and looked her over.“It can get worse?”
“Oh, absolutely.”She rubbed her hands together.“I have worn jeans and torn tees with underwear whose elastic smells like it is about to go brittle.”
Fen blinked.“Can I send you to the aunties?”
“No.Absolutely not.”
Fen whined.“Please?You could be so pretty.”
“If the charity auction makes over five hundred thousand, I will let you send me to the aunties, but just to look.I can’t afford anything yet.I am working on getting back on my feet.”
“But, Mr.Copperwell can help.”
“I don’t ask people to volunteer resources for me.I earn them.”
“But you are going to the auction.”
Sern spoke softly.“I am in the situation where mothers are throwing their eligible daughters at me, and I wish for someone to make them unsure of that course of action.”
