Page 66 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“Tough times,” I say.
“How did things go with Asper-Jay?” she asks, deciding to ignore her mates completely.
“I’ll tell you later.”
The horn sounds again, announcing Morven’s entrance. The alpha looks ever so suave in a proper tuxedo. Astrid and Mia enter after him, the luna in a maroon dress, and Mia in a tartan gown that’s totally giving Merida fromBrave.On their way past, Mia shoots me a cheeky wink.
Before we can eat, Morven gives another speech all about the blood moon and how lucky we are to be in such a privileged position, and in such good company. Because he can’t help himself, he makes a number of subtly suggestive comments about the growing bond between our packs, while grinning wildly at Jasper and Mia.
We get it! You’re obsessed with your daughter boning my boyfriend.
I want to roll my eyes but don’t want Morven to see and feel disrespected. Plus, the whole time he’s speaking I can feel Clayton’s unyielding death stare boring into the side of my head. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, I pretend like he isn’t trying to drill a hole through my skull with his eyes. I keep my gaze focused on Morven. Besides, I’m not the one who pulled rank and commanded he keep quiet.
The food they serve is ridiculously delicious. Honey-glazed ham, roasted potatoes, turkey, stuffing that I could eat for days, brussels sprouts, gravy, and so much more. There’re dishes I don’t even know the name of, let alone think of as Christmas fare.
Katie’s stalemate with her boys cools off a little during the meal, and finally the four of us are able to chat and have a nice time.
Between courses I risk a glance at Jasper, who is talking animatedly with Mia. Yesterday—hell, this morning even—this would have filled me with jealousy. But now I’m glad he has someone nice to talk to at that end of the table. As I move my attention back to the conversation at hand, I’m once again caught in the icy glare of Clayton, who is holding his knife upright in one hand and stabbing a piece of meat with the fork in his other.
Damn, am I that interesting?
For dessert we have traditional Christmas pudding, which isn’t my cup of tea, and sherry, which despite being underage, we get to partake in. The alcohol makes my chest and cheeks warm. By the time dinner is over I’m worried I’ll need to be rolled back to my room.
“Everyone,” Mia says, standing and clapping her hands to gather our attention. “I hope you’ve brought your dancing shoes. When you’re finished, we’re hosting a little soiree in the Bjørn Labraid Ballroom. I hope to see you there and celebrate this Christmas with music and dancing!”
Roll me to the dance floor then, I guess!
Dinner guests stand and make their way back through the lounge toward an area of the lodge I’ve yet to explore.
“Let’s go,” Katie says, huffing at her mates, who glare at each other threateningly. “Fine, stay here. Max and I are going to dance.”
Katie takes my arm and we leave with the river of Rocky Pack wolves heading for the ballroom.
Up a winding set of stairs we ascend to the next level of the packhouse and come to a wide pair of oak doors, through which music and light comes flooding out. Katie and I enter the ballroom, which must have been named after Mia’s great-grandfather, and wander a little ways into the expansive space. Heavy iron chandeliers hang from a lofty beam; much like the dining room we’re surrounded by golden wood and rocky columns. One wall is entirely made of glass with doors leading out to a wide balcony and through which the mountain range glimmers in the moonlight.
“May I?” I ask, taking Katie’s hand and bowing.
“But of course.”
I lead Katie out onto the dance floor and spin her around like I’m Beast and she’s Belle and the teapot is singing. As we make our way around the floor, I take in the crowd of well-dressed wolves. Mia is standing by a table off to the side and raises a glass in our direction when we swish past. Mason and one of his friends are dancing, and we nearly collide with them while spinning too fast. I’m shocked when I even spot Jasper dancing slow and gracefully with Olivia.
I want so badly to be the one dancing with him. If I close my eyes I can almost pretend I am, except Katie’s hands are way too small to be Jasper’s. But I know that’s not an option, so I try and push the thought away.
After a song or two, Todd and Simon approach us slowly. Simon clears his throat and Katie and I come to a standstill.
“We were hoping…” Simon begins.
“That you might…” Todd continues.
“Dance with us.”
Katie looks between her mates in astonishment. Then she glances at me as if to ask “What the f is going on?”
I shrug.
“You mean both of you?” Katie asks.
“We were thinking…” Todd says.
