Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was quiet.
Laura was getting used to Evelyn’s presence, which her absence highlighted.
She uncrossed her legs, moving from the bed to the small desk in the room, munching on this morning’s breakfast. She pulled her notebook out, going over the details for anything missed. She would meet with Queen Lana tomorrow night, but given the activities planned for the next few days, she wasn’t sure she’d get the chance to look back over anything before then.
Hannah approached silently, leaking her scent for Laura.
“Come in.” She contemplated fighting the inevitable.
New smells filtered through as the door opened.
“Let’s get you ready. Maybe your family has already arrived.”
*Hah. Family.*
Laura continued stuffing her face.
“I’ve got the perfect outfit.”
Hannah pulled cloth from the protective cover draped over her arms, revealing—to Laura’s surprise—something that wasn’t a dress.
“You can leave it on the chair, thanks.”
“Don’t sound so excited.”
“So excited,” Laura entoned.
“I’ll leave you to it. The queen is calling everyone in for brunch to greet the families who have already arrived. If you’re not ready in five, I’ll be back.” Hannah smiled as she scurried out the door before Laura could speak.
*Ugh.* She was *already* eating breakfast.
***
Three minutes later, Laura was dressed in the most relaxed outfit of any event thus far. A simple red, long-sleeved, blouse and jeans paired with heeled sandals.
...And like she promised, Hannah was back at the door.
She knocked before opening this time.
“You look wonderful. Now, Let’s figure out your hair.”
Laura was accosted, driven to a chair, and had her roots tugged into an updo. Shortly after, Laura was briskly walking through the halls, following the most concentrated scent of shifters–the majority unsurprisingly Alpha.
The scent carried her to the garden–to the same patio the candidates occupied yesterday.
Laura stepped into the sun, removing her shoes as the others had and placed them near the door along the wall of the castle.
The tables were arranged further apart, giving the illusion of privacy. The decorations were comparatively muted–showcasing the garden’s flowers, with the seating arrangement by clan.
“Laura!”
The rich baritone made her gag as she locked eyes with a demon–Alpha Grayson, along with his evil twin of a son, as they sat at one of the center tables flanking either side of Sophia.
The Alpha looked every bit the part, dressed from head to toe in a neutral suit–a light blue dress shirt that carried to his eyes. He smiled at her so brightly she almost imagined him waving.
*Ick.*
Derek presented similarly from what she could see of his back, his hair neatly pulled back with a hair-tie. Sophia–unsurprisingly– dressed in a gown more suited for the evening, and she didn’t have to be close to the she-wolf to smell the copious amounts of product filling her pores. Laura watched as Sophia spoke with flourish, to which her father would softly reply, with Derek’s laughter occasionally interjecting.
Projecting the picturesque family they weren’t.
She didn’t know what she was hoping for, but the sight before her only fueled the urge to leave.
“Laura!”
*Get your ass over here.*
She winced as Alpha Grayson forced their link, before her body began moving naturally–on memory at the command of his voice. Her jaw was fast becoming sore from its clench.
She approached the table, followed intensely under the Alpha’s gaze. His face belied his true annoyance.
“Please, make yourself comfortable.” His smile couldn’t have been more menacing in Laura’s mind.
She sat down quickly, completing the circle between the two males as she faced Sophia, a neutral look on the girl's face. A quick glance at Derek showed similar disinterest.
Laura breathed. Slowly.
If she could just get through brunch, she could feign illness for dinner.
“Sophia has shared some interesting things.”
Her breathing hitched.
“Things must be so hard.” He reached out to pet her hand, the false sympathy in his voice making her skin crawl–especially at their point of contact.
“Don’t hesitate to ask Sophia for help, I’m sure she can guide you in the right direction if you’re lost.” The hand covering hers cinched.
She got the message, but pray tell what lies were told for her to receive it.
The queen began speaking, pulling the attention of Alpha Grayson, giving Laura a reprieve.
Now if her body would just cooperate.
Her heart blurred her vision as she forced her breathing to slow. Her ears were filled with the sound of rushing as she tried to focus on the queen’s words. The heat from the sun did little to help.
Neither did the heavy scent of Alphas.
There was a collective whistle, and a toast, before the low hum of chatter carried on the breeze.
After affirming she was not on clan lands–in that tiny room, Laura was able to calm down.
*Mostly.*
She peeked at the spawns, who seemed content to ignore her existence and speak chipperly with their father. Literally, disgusting.
Laura couldn’t eat watching them–could hardly move in the Alpha’s presence.
A new fear pierced her. Was her repeated exposure to Alpha Grayson going to force her body to fully reclaim its inglorious past?
She shuddered.
The heat moved slowly across her body as the sun moved across the sky. She was ready to take her leave, mustering the courage to open her mouth.
“Good afternoon. Apologies for my late intrusion.”
A different tingle raced up her spine.
She could feel the collective sigh from the females.
*Ugh.*
Now it was really time to leave.
Rowan stood by the queen, eyes surveying the tables around him. A small gasp escaped her lips as their eyes met, a zing of electricity coursing through her.
He looked breathtaking, per usual. Fitted in casual, dark grey, slacks and a lightweight, dark blue, long-sleeved shirt. Smoldering copper eyes.
She could only hope he didn’t feel anything off. She risked another glance to find him intently staring at her table. His scent began wafting toward her.
She held her breath.
He didn’t appear to be joining them. His attention turned to his mother, speaking quickly in hushed voices, but before long a few of the Alpha males approached the prince, prolonging his stay.
A spark of anger generated the creative curses she rattled mentally.
She would end up sitting through the entire brunch, actively avoiding any attention.
She nibbled hatefully on a carrot.
***
The sun had moved to the opposite side of the sky, and bodies were finally moving indoors or away.
“I’m gonna go rest for now,” Sophia spoke past a yawn.
“Of course dear, we’ll see you at dinner,” Alpha Grayson smiled before turning to Laura, “and I’ll expect you there as well.” His eyes bored into hers.
She swallowed.
With no other words shared, both Laura and Sophia rose from the table. She moved slowly behind Sophia, belatedly realizing how close they had to walk by the royal’s table to retire into the castle.
“Your Highnesses.” Sophia bowed, receiving a nod from both Queen Lana and Rowan.
*Tsk.*
Laura followed suit to avoid being seen as rude, before swiftly stuffing her feet into her shoes and scurrying inside. She could feel the weight of Rowan’s gaze as she went.
*One obstacle at a time, Laura.*
She breathed deep, not realizing the extent to which she’d deprived herself of oxygen in the presence of the distasteful.
Sophia appeared to have waited for her.
*Distasteful.*
Laura fought an eye roll as she intended to move past her, but the girl clamped her arm, dragging Laura in the direction she was already moving.
“Remember your place,” She hissed before Laura could speak.
The tiresome phrase made her lungs spasm.
“... and if I were you,” she continued, “I’d focus on lifting the image of your betters. You may even be well treated.”
Laura stared.
Incredible.
Was *the* Sophia Grayson asking for her help? Albeit in a twisted manner.
Laura blinked.
*Sure.* She’d help.
Help her on the enlightening path to muteness before anything else.
“I wouldn’t look so amused. One word from me, and your future might not be what you want it to be when you go back to our territory.”
The threat was real, Laura was sure, but she couldn’t muster the same fear to the words that didn’t come from Alpha Grayson directly.
The smile on Laura’s face stretched wider.
“I’m sure we don’t need to come to threats,” a soft voice interjected, saving Laura from whatever words of rebuttal she would’ve used and possibly come to regret.