Page 78 of Spider Demon's Kiss

“Matteo,” Kuroi said staring at him as if my brother was a snake about to attack.

“Do you want me to take that?” Matteo offered referring to Kuroi’s box.

“He has it,” I interjected wanting to present it personally.

After Matteo, I introduced Kuroi to Giovanni and Marco and then stepped into the kitchen to find Ma. Wearing her white and blue apron with the bird print on it, I watched her as she dished up the serving plates. Without turning around she said,

“I hear you’re responsible for Lorenzo joining us today?”

“I asked him to be here. Ma, can I introduce you to someone?”

She turned around spotting Kuroi in the doorway behind me. She stared at him.

“I want you to meet my husband, Kuroi.”

Her eyes bounced to me. She didn’t know what to say. I had to add some context.

“It was an arranged marriage to link our two packs after what Matteo did…” I caught myself. Ma was in the dark about what we got up to in pack business. So she definitely didn’t need to hear about what Matteo had done. “But it doesn’t matter. Kuroi’s my husband now,” I said pulling him to me and putting my arm around him. “And I’m happy.”

That was when Ma smiled and approached him. Throwing her arms in the air in celebration, she tried to hug Kuroi and was prevented by the box.

“What’s this,” Ma said asking about the box.

“It’s a surprise, Ma.”

“Well, do you want to help him with that?” Ma said trying to free Kuroi from the box.

“I got it,” I said taking it from him. When I did, Ma hugged him.

“It’s always a blessing to have another son.”

She turned to me. “Don’t think this relieves you of your duty to give me a grandchild.”

Kuroi’s eyes darted to me.

“One step at a time, Ma.”

“Yes, one step,” she agreed. “Sit, sit. Your father will be down soon. I’ll set another plate.”

With everyone gathering in the dining room, I took my seat at the opposite end of the table and placed the box on the side table behind me. When we were all settled, Pa descended the stairs like an emperor. I couldn’t tell whether he was surprised or disappointed to see me. Either way, I stared at him coldly.

His eyes momentarily turned to Kuroi before looking away. Pa didn’t like Kuroi. Considering who his father was, I didn’t know if Pa ever would.

That was okay. He didn’t have to like Kuroi. But he sure as hell was going to respect him as the man married to the alpha.

Pa sat without a word and Ma finished setting the food on the table. After she sat and before she led grace, I stood.

“If no one minds I want to say something before we start because we have a special guest here today.”

Everyone turned to look at Kuroi.

“I know only a few of you have met him. The rest of you have heard about him. But we can all thank Pa for him being here today. That’s right. It was Pa who invited him.”

Everyone turned to Pa.

“I never invited your disgrace into my home,” he sniped.

I turned to him.

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