Chapter 37 Dinner invite
Jeremy's POV
The next day, I was in my office.
Trying to focus on pack business. Territory reports. Alliance documents.
But all I could think about was her.
Lady Margaret.
That touch. That feeling. That impossible connection.
My wolf wouldn't shut up.
MATE. FIND HER. GO TO HER.
"She's not our mate," I said out loud. Again.
But even I didn't believe it anymore.
A knock on my door.
"Come in."
Mia walked in. Smiling. Bright. Excited.
"Jeremy! Guess what?"
"What?"
"Lady Margaret invited us for dinner tonight!" She clapped her hands together. "Isn't that wonderful?"
My stomach dropped.
"Dinner?"
"Yes! She's booked the pack VIP guest dining room at the inn." Mia moved closer. "She wants to thank us for making her feel welcome."
"Mia..." I stood up. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Her smile faded. "Why not?"
"We need to be careful. We don't know this woman."
"I know her. She's my friend."
"You just met her yesterday."
"So?" Mia's voice got defensive. "She's nice. Kind. Generous. What more do you need to know?"
"We still need to be cautious about who we trust."
"You're being paranoid." She crossed her arms. "She's a Southern princess, Jeremy. From a good family. What's there to worry about?"
"Look." Mia held up her foot. Showed me her ankle. "She gave me this. This morning."
An anklet. Gold. Delicate. Beautiful.
And expensive. Very expensive.
"Pure rare Southern gold." Mia's eyes sparkled. "Do you know how valuable this is?"
"Mia..."
"She sent it with a note. Said she wanted me to have something special." She looked at me. "See? She's genuine. There's nothing to worry about."
I stared at the anklet. At Mia's happy face.
Something felt wrong. Off.
But I couldn't explain it.
"Fine." I finally said. "We'll go to dinner."
"Really?" Mia smiled again. "Thank you! You'll see. It'll be wonderful."
She kissed my cheek and left.
I sat back down. Rubbed my face.
What was going on?
I was aware of second chance mates. Heard stories.
But I was told there was only one person who could break my curse.
One person whose touch could make my body work again.
Out of curiosity, I had met with the priest after Zoe's death to read into my future. To see if there was someone else who would make me feel like I did with Zoe.
But the priest had been clear.
I could only meet that person once in my lifetime.
And that person was Zoe.
Only Zoe.
But now Zoe was gone. Dead. Thrown in the river.
And another woman was here. With the same effect. The same power.
How was that possible?
Unless... Rebirth. I'd heard stories but those were just superstitions.
No. I pushed the thought away.
This was someone else. Had to be.
But my wolf didn't agree.
And neither did my heart.
...
That evening, we arrived at the VIP guest dining room.
It was beautiful. Elegant. Private.
Candles everywhere. Soft music playing. White tablecloth. Fine dishes.
A special chef stood ready. The same one I used for important guests.
Lady Margaret was already there.
She wore a blue dress tonight. Simple but elegant.
Her dark hair down. Flowing over her shoulders.
She smiled when she saw us.
"Alpha Jeremy. Mia. Welcome."
"Margaret!" Mia rushed over. Hugged her. "This is beautiful!"
"I'm glad you like it." Margaret's eyes moved to me. "Alpha. Thank you for coming."
I nodded. Couldn't speak.
Because just seeing her... just being near her... made everything worse.
My wolf went wild.
MATE! MATE! MATE!
The bond pulled. Hard. Strong. Undeniable.
Like a rope around my chest. Dragging me toward her.
We sat down. Margaret at one end. Mia and I on the sides.
The chef brought food. Course after course.
Soup. Salad. Main dish. Dessert.
All delicious. All perfect.
Mia talked throughout the meal. Laughed. Asked about the South. About Margaret's family. About everything.
Margaret answered smoothly. Easily.
But her eyes... her eyes kept finding mine.
And every time they did... something passed between us.
Heat. Recognition. Something deeper.
My wolf wouldn't shut up. Kept howling.
And the bond... it burned. Ached. Demanded.
CLAIM HER. TOUCH HER. SHE'S OURS.
I tried to ignore it. Tried to focus on the food. On Mia's conversation.
But then Margaret would look at me.
Really look at me.
Her gaze... seductive. Knowing. Challenging.
Like she could feel what I was feeling.
Like she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
"Jeremy?" Mia touched my arm. "Are you alright? You've barely eaten."
"I'm fine." I forced a smile. "Just tired."
"You work too hard." Margaret said softly. "An Alpha needs rest too."
Her voice. So gentle. So caring.
It reminded me of...
No. Don't think about her.
"I rest enough," I said. Harsher than I meant.
Margaret just smiled. Unbothered.
"Of course, Alpha."
Mia was lost in her own world. Talking about gold. About Southern fashion. About things she wanted to see.
She didn't notice the tension between Margaret and me.
Didn't see the way we kept looking at each other.
Didn't feel the electric current in the air.
Or maybe she did notice. But chose to ignore it.
Because Margaret was giving her gifts. Attention. Things she wanted.
The dinner continued. Course after course.
Margaret was the perfect hostess. Charming. Engaging. Warm.
I've hosted hundreds of guests here myself.
But it had never been this smooth.
And I saw through it. Saw something else beneath.
Something calculating. Deliberate. Hidden.
She was playing a game. I just didn't know what game.
Or why.
Finally, the dinner ended.
"Thank you so much, Margaret." Mia hugged her again. "This was wonderful."
"My pleasure. We should do it again soon."
"Yes! Absolutely!"
They made plans. Talked about shopping. About showing Margaret around more.
I stood back. Watched. Said nothing.
Then Margaret turned to me.
"Alpha Jeremy. Thank you for joining us tonight."
She held out her hand. For a handshake.
I stared at it. At her slender fingers.
Knowing what would happen if I touched her.
But I couldn't refuse. Not without being rude.
I took her hand.
And fire exploded through me.
The same feeling. Times a thousand.
Heat. Electricity. Connection. Recognition.
My wolf howled. Loud. Desperate.
MATE! MATE! MATE!
I pulled my hand back fast.
Margaret smiled. Small. Knowing.
Like she felt it too.
"Goodnight, Alpha," she said softly.
Then she turned away.
We left. Mia chattering the whole way back.
But I heard none of it.
All I could think about was that touch. That feeling.
That impossible, undeniable truth my wolf kept screaming.
When we got back to the pack house, Mia went to her room.
I went to mine. Closed the door. Sat on my bed.
Stared at my hand. The one that touched hers.
It still tingled. Still burned.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
Then I made a decision.
Tomorrow. First thing in the morning.
I would go see the pack priest.