Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Oh my,” Sophia shifted to address the new arrival, “did anyone ever tell you it’s rude to step into others' conversations?”

“Did anyone ever tell you it’s rude to grab someone and make threats?” Evelyn stared intently at Sophia, daring her to continue the meaningless loop as she repeated herself.

Evelyn stepped closer before sliding her arm between the grip Sophia had on Laura.

Instead of looking indignant and leaving in a huff, Sophia spoke loudly, drawing the attention of those lingering and heading deeper inside.

“Is it really okay for you to even be here? Given your status..” Sophia stood with one arm cocked against her waist, pressing her fingers to her lips with her free hand to hide her smile.

“She has just as much right as any of us,” Evelyn responded evenly, clearly displaying the lack of threat she felt from Sophia.

“Not only are you wolfless, but your pedigree isn’t even known,” she continued. Much to Laura’s disinterest, murmurs did begin at Sophia’s statement.

*What are we? Ten?*

She could understand their interest though, given most shifters could list their ancestors back at least twenty generations.

It could be seen as a matter of pride. Though, Laura always found pride to be–laughably–something most valued by the most depraved.

A sweet scent spiked.

Laura’s eyes widened at the contorted look crossing Evelyn’s face.

*This* had to be the most emotion she’d ever witnessed from her.

“To clump Laura in with the likes of you..” She muttered behind gnashed teeth, and for a second Laura thought the white wolf would take form and do something about Sophia’s mouth one and for all.

“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you?” Sophia really played games.

Evelyn took one threatening step, winning a small look of unease from Sophia.

*An idiot collecting bees.*

More bodies collected in the shallow entryway–no doubt drawn by the scent Evelyn was heavily releasing.

“That’s enough,” the deep voice pierced the small crowd, just before Laura was about to step in.

Rowan emerged, looking the most regal she’d seen him as he prepared to diffuse the situation.

***

He’d heard from her assistant–Hannah, as well as heard a few of the rumors in passing, regarding the treatment of Laura.

But seeing it first hand by the class of shifters who should be above this level of intimidation was appalling, to say the least.

But more interestingly–he gave Laura a once over–was the lack of interest and the absence of a reaction from the female in question.

He’d stepped in without a thought, but now his curiosity was pulling him. She was either truly unfazed, or overly used to it.

He passed a hand over the lower half of his face to mask the crooked smile passing across his face.

*How will you handle this, Pup?*

He was pulled from his thoughts by a vexing babble.

“We don’t mean to disgrace your highness with a disagreement as simple as this.”

Rowan’s eyes cut to the heavily preened female speaking at him.

His only response was a cocked brow. Her confidence seemed to wane against his silence, her smile faltering.

“Prince Rowan.” He turned to see a pair of Alpha males approach him. *Clan Grayson.*

“Garrett Grayson,” Rowan intoned, the male bowing his head along with his son.

“Please excuse the squabbles of females,” his eyes slitted to his daughter, expression unreadable past the courtesy smile, “things of this nature shouldn’t be bothered to involve your Royal Highness.”

“Things of this nature shouldn’t be dismissed as squabble if the aggrieved party is one who should be protected,” he countered.

The Alpha’s smile stretched.

“Yes.. you’re right. In this case, my daughter is in the wrong against our dear Laura.” Rowan followed the Alpha’s gaze as it shifted to the small brunette female clutching a pissed Eveyln.

*Pissed?*

Rowan's face threatened to crack again.

*How uncharacteristic.*

“I believe the situation warrants an apology,” Rowan hedged, riveted to the small creature as her face quirked into one of satisfaction.

He chuckled then.

A noise of discontent came from Grayson's little mistress. Her face stated her clear refusal.

Rowan opened his mouth to stoke the situation further, when Alpha Grayson spoke again, stepping forward as he did.

“I sincerely apologize for the discourteous behavior Sophia presented upon you today,” he came to rest in front of Laura–or more precisely chest to chest with Evelyn’s tall frame, “I beg you as her father to overlook this matter.”

There was nothing wrong with his tone, as Rowan observed the interaction, but it was hard to hide the malice even with gentle movements. Sophia fell under the Alpha’s scrutiny, briefly, and Rowan didn’t miss the slight waver in her body as he reserved displeasure for both parties.

Garrett’s eyes were locked on Laura–whose body now seemed to barely stand as she stared at his feet.

Rowan’s eyes widened slightly as his stomach twisted. He knew that look.

A low rumble penetrated the air–so low he didn’t think anyone other than him could hear it–and it came from Evelyn. He glanced at the Alpha, who gave no indication of knowledge to the danger he’s put himself in with the white wolf.

“I think it’s best if you three leave now,” Rowan wasn’t unaware of the body of Derek Grayson hovering just outside the sphere of interest.

Like a wolf waiting to pounce its prey.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Garrett bowed, followed suit by his offspring, and took stride in brushing past Laura.

Such deplorable behavior for Alphas.

“Are you oka–?” He’d reached out to touch her arm, but not only did the small female retch back, Evelyn actually smacked his hand away.

He was stunned into silence.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Evelyn looked at him almost as coldly as she had the Graysons.

Rowan didn’t collect himself until they were almost out of sight, and most of the onlookers had dispersed.

He’d meant to actually find Laura at some point today to apologize for their interrupted meeting. He was sure he wouldn’t need to reschedule with her, but it was indecent to allow a personal situation to take precedence over an official duty–though that too doubled with his personal interest…

He glanced in the direction they’d left, remembering the look of fear she showed.

He’d make it a point to enact policies and regulations that benefit the wolfless, and the least he could do for her was look into her situation.

There weren’t too many eyes to watch as his face took a dark shade. He turned, returning to the garden to finish his discussion with his mother.

Some dogs have lived too long.