Page 27 of Dawn of the Pack

Lilliana

It’s not until dusk two days later that Dom returns with his ‘friends’. Roxanne met him at the border to our pack lands and allowed them access, with my uncle vouching for them.

Since he has no actual authority in the pack, he can’t even invite anyone from Montrose in following my proclamation; it’s a small thing but I draw satisfaction from reminding him of his lack of standing in my pack.

Along with several of our security team, Roxanne escorted them—blindfolded—to Harridan House, where my mates and I were waiting.

Four Pack Montrose members come through the door, their eyes immediately devouring the cavernous entrance. Reaching out with my senses, I can get a vague read on their emotional states, but nothing so concrete as what I draw from my pack. There’s a nervous energy, which is to be expected, but nothing that leads me to believe they have evil intentions.

Nothing to tell me they’ll be at all helpful, either. Dom insisted we could trust them, and without a better plan, I decided it was worth a shot.

As I scan their appearance, the only thing that strikes me is that they look… normal. Not remotely like henchmen to a supervillain who wear matching black turtlenecks and combat boots. They’re all just normal guys, ranging from mid-twenties to mid-forties, if I had to guess. However, they all wear matching expressions of distrust as their eyes settle on me.

Dom steps forward to begin introductions. “Guys, this is Lilliana Harridan, and her prophesied mates Jared, Landon, and Milo.” They nod stiffly in my direction. “Alpha, this is Brad, Jeff, Billy, and Matt.” Dom lists their names in order of where they stand facing me, with the apparent oldest and youngest in the middle. All of them are fit, but the eldest, Jeff, is significantly muscled, and the youngest, Billy, is rather thin in comparison.

“Thank you for coming,” I address them directly. “I assume Dom gave you the basics about why we’ve requested your help, so let’s sit down to a meal and discuss what we can do for each other.” I gesture toward the formal dining hall, then turn and walk in that direction with my mates, leaving the others to follow.

There’s really no need for us to dine in this massive room—it’s simple to add a second table to the breakfast room—but I decided a small show of authority couldn’t hurt. We sit on opposite sides of the long table: Montrose with Dom on one side and Roxanne with me and my mates facing them, allowing the security team to claim seats on both ends and make the group feel even larger, and our guests less significant. Jeff is directly opposite me, and I quickly conclude that he’s the de facto leader.

Mr. Carson and Mrs. Dowling have arranged an impressive dinner service, and fragrant dishes releasing curls of steam are soon moving around the table. The guests are served first, but even when they’ve filled their plates, their gazes remain locked on me, their expressions firm as they wait.

I’m not their alpha, but perhaps this is a sign that they’re showing me deference, anyway? The only other thing I can conclude is they either have superb manners or suspect I’ve poisoned the food. Jeff’s steely grey eyes watch me select a fork, and once I take the first bite, he picks up his own and the others quickly follow suit.

My heart has been racing since the second they stepped foot in my house, but I do my best to appear relaxed, hoping it will reassure them. Aside from the scrape of silverware on plates and the crackling fireplaces, very little sound travels through the cavernous room.

Finally, I can’t take the tension anymore. Noting the hat the youngest is wearing, I ask, “Are you a UT fan, Billy?” I state the question casually and continue eating while I wait for this response.

His eyes immediately dart to Jeff, who nods subtly, and then back to me. “Yes, ma’am. I grew up in Knoxville.”

“Do you like it there? Or do you prefer Montrose? I’ve heard both are very scenic. Quite different in sizes, though.”

This time, his answer comes slightly faster. “That’s a troublesome question, ma’am. In some ways, they’re both home for me.”

I flash him an understanding grin. “That makes perfect sense to me. I grew up on the west coast, so I still somehow think of LA as home. But as soon as I came to Smoky Falls, it was also home. I wonder how different it would feel to have always been here.”

Billy seems relieved by my reaction and smiles tentatively before turning his attention to his food. Jeff, on the other hand, is still eyeing me like a snake that could strike him at any moment.

“Did you all grow up elsewhere, or were you raised in Monrose?”

The blond man Dom identified as Brad answers first. “I grew up in Charleston. Most of my family is still there.”

“Did you like it there? Do you visit often? It’s only a few hours from Montrose, I believe?”

“About three, ma’am. And I visit as often as I can. I stay pretty busy with the baby and all.”

A family man, then. “That’s understandable. And congratulations! Is it a boy or a girl?”

His cheeks turn pink and a genuine smile cracks his stern expression. “A little girl, Olivia Jade. She just turned two months.”

“That’s a beautiful name. I’m sure you and your wife have your hands full. Is she your first?”

“Yes ma’am. We do, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s perfect.” Brad is now grinning so broadly I wonder if it hurts his cheeks.

“Congratulations again,” I smile back. Turning my focus to the other side of their group, I ask, “And Matt, what about you?”

“I have two kids, ma’am, and I was born and raised in Montrose. It’s a great town to raise a family,” he adds, as if expecting my next question. “Are you looking to move?”

I laugh lightly. “Not at the moment, I’m afraid. But I haven’t been able to see much of this area since I arrived. I would love to visit sometime.”

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