Part 29

“Meet your family?” I echoed the question, throat going dry at their request. For a long second, I kept on hoping they would burst out in laughter, call it off as a joke. It did not happen. “Are you serious?”

Alpha Reed made a face, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin before setting it to his left side. “Why would we joke about these things? Besides, we have already met your family and talked to them. It’s only fair you reciprocate the action.”

Reed’s words kept ringing in my ears, but I could not focus, vision getting blurry. The thought of stepping into the packhouse with the sole intention of meeting Luna and the rest to those people. A shudder racked through my body, especially as I thought back to their treatment towards me.

His cousins behaved like I did not exist, especially their sister; Valerie acted as if we did not know each other. It’s insulting. Why would I ever want to be in the same vicinity as them again?

“Erin”

“Erin?” Rowan raised his voice, the green of his eyes appearing golden underneath the ceiling lights. “Are you alright?”

I bunched the material of my dress, feeling my hands twitch. “Umm…is it really necessary? I mean, they will be present during the announcement anyway.”

The twins shared a look, doing that creepy communication thing again, which made me feel unsettled. Why could I not read them? Maybe if I had their bond mark on my neck, it would have been easier.

Reed cleared his throat. “It’s not the same thing, Erin. You will be the Luna of our pack, more than our mate, so you should meet our family. We all will be seeing a lot of each other.”

How could I argue with that logic? I shakily picked the glass of water and gulped the contents, trying to swallow the rising anxiety. They did not need to know the reason I was avoiding seeing them. The less they know, the better.

“Fine…” I exhaled. “Send me the date and time. I’ll clear my schedule.”

“Oh!” Rowan exclaimed, his mouth forming an O shape, not blinking. “You agreed?”

“Why? What were you expecting?”

“Probably more fight.”

“Sorry to disappoint.” I put on a fake smile and continued to pick at my food till the end of our dinner.

***

Apart from that heavy, gloomy topic, we talked about the ongoing arrangements. As their beta was resting, the twins would distribute the responsibilities among themselves and handle them. I had no objection, considering my sole focus was on getting my book fair announcement out.

The newspaper will interview us after making the news public, which the twins trust the most, unlike a gossip rag. In that way, we could also alert the Council of our decision. So to summarise, we decided, mostly Reed, that it's wise to have a family dinner once they are done with all their work. I couldn’t have agreed more.

I took a few hesitant steps around the couch, nearing the closest bookshelf. Reed was busy cleaning up, always the neat freak that one. We offered to help, but the Alpha refused and asked us to lounge in the living area for the meantime.

The backs of the books on the shelf appeared faded and worn as if read multiple times and placed under the bleaching sun. From the corner of my eyes, I watched Alpha Rowan tentatively smile at me, his brows slowly rising encouragingly. It was glaringly evident that he wished to indulge in a conversation, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say or if I wanted to talk at all.

I pursed my lips, watching him in silence for a moment where he uncertainly shifted on his feet. The silence between us was nothing new, but when he controlled it, it left me feeling anxious. Especially after our last encounter where he declared to find out about my past.

The air in the room shifted, brushing against my bare skin. I took a step forward in the direction of the shelf, groping the edge and leaning my weight against it, inhaling a deep breath, forcibly squeezing my eyes shut. After a few seconds, I lifted a book and inclined my head up, moving my gaze slowly around the house.

Twisting on the balls of my feet, I raced towards the couch, all the while aware of his intense stare.

I crossed my knees together, sitting in the left corner, leaving a lot of space for him to sit. Rowan complied, his back straight as an arrow, eyes peeking at my book.

“Have you read this?” I cleared my throat, slowly breaking the ice and handing the book to him. Rowan took it, careful not to let our hands brush, and shook his head no. The movement caused a curl to fall over his forehead, taking my breath.

“Really? Haven’t you read Kafka? It’s a classic!” I blinked in genuine surprise, my lips folding together. Rowan was more inclined towards sports and physical activities from a young age, but this book was a must-read. It’s a wonder he has no idea.

“Could you read it to me, Erin?” He asked, uttering my name oh so softly that my breath stuttered.

“Why? You can’t read?”

“I can, but it would sound much better in your voice.”

At those words, my cheeks turned bright red, but I didn’t look away, watching his eyes fall to the arch of my neck once more. His fingers tapped at his thigh impatiently.

“Alright!” I turned back to the book and flipped to the first page. Lifting a hand, I tucked a few loose strands of hair behind his ear, exposing the delicate arch of my neck. I swiped the tongue over my bottom lip, eyes zoned on the words.

From my peripheral vision, I could see the Alpha watching my every movement, adjusting in his seat like whatever instinctual thoughts he had made him shifty.

I hid a pleased smirk at that and began to read.

***

“Excuse me…” I cleared my throat, closing the book and stepping out. Rowan didn’t question me, only giving an understanding nod. I shook off the frayed nerves, steeling myself as I pushed against the wood of the door, slipping through it, cat-like before it slammed shut behind.

The familiar thud almost made me jump, but it was grounding – a firm reminder that this was real. After I was done using the bathroom, I stepped out.

My ears perked up as I heard the soft shuffle of bare feet against the lush carpet coming closer, and I positioned my body against the balcony railing. My ankles crossed in front of me, and my arms protected my chest.

Reed approached me, almost swaying lazily, barefoot, his sleeves rolled till the elbow, exposing those tanned arms. The Alpha had a glass of wine in his hand, lips red.

“I thought you went away without saying goodbye!” The tone of his voice was amused, not angry the way I had expected. Reed slid in next to me, heat rolling off his body in waves.

“I could never! Could you imagine the horror?!” I faked a gasp, slowly followed by a dainty yawn that I hoped would rattle him, covering my mouth.

“I wanted to get some fresh air.” I added.

The Alpha let out a chuckle, shaking his head. His beautiful chestnut curls swayed with the movement, crinkles forming by the corner of his eyes. Reed inclined his head then, green eyes sparkling and glass in hand.

“Did the plethora of books bore you?” Reed asked, his lips quirking as he bowed his head slightly, touching his hand to his heart. “I humbly apologise.”

I pushed off the railing and strode towards him slowly. Reed was very much like me when it came to reading. That’s the one thing we bonded over in our past.

“No. It’s the opposite!” I hummed, my hips swaying with each step. “Books were alright, but it’s the company. It was decidedly lacking in….” I trailed off as I stepped into his space, peeking up at him from beneath my lashes. What was wrong with me? It’s the wine. I thought quietly.

“In…?” The Alpha prompted, smirking down at me. Our faces were so close that the tips of our noses would touch if I so much as raised a hair’s breadth. I could hear the sound of his heart beating, almost deafening and relishing in the way his dimples deepened. He was eager to find out the answer.

I plucked the glass confidently out of his hand and pulled away, taking a teasing sip with my eyes still trained on the Alpha. Swallowing the liquid, I let out a pleased sigh.

“I am sure you will figure it out.”

Reed chuckled, moving in close again, his mouth nearly resting on the shell of my ear. I tried my best to fight down a shiver that ran through me at his whisper.

“Don’t tempt me. Two can play this game.”

***