Page 36 of The Iron Flower

Gunther nods, then glances around. “Diana also tells me you have family here at University. Your sister and brother?”

“Yes, sir,” Rafe replies.

“Last chance to make a run for it,” Trystan says wryly.

The pack’s gaze shifts in unison to rest on the two of us. Diana’s father smirks, and I blush, realizing that they’ve heard everything Trystan and I have said to each other.

Diana’s mother looks increasingly worried as Trystan and I approach the pack.

As I near, their curious expressions fade, quickly replaced by looks of shock and concern. I realize my cursed looks and maybe even the smell of my blood could very well ruin this for my brother. My face grows tight and uncomfortably warm as I glance at each Lupine in turn.

Gunther eyes me shrewdly after giving the other Lupines a brief glance. I decide to go for broke and extend my hand to him and he takes it into his firm grip.

“When most people meet me,” I tell him, “they’re shocked by how much I look like my grandmother.”

“You look exactly like her,” he comments, his gaze searching.

He releases my hand, and I take a deep breath. “I may look exactly like her,” I say, my voice quavering, “but I’m very different from her, in more ways than you might imagine.”

Everyone is silent for a long moment as their alpha considers me, his wild eyes probing.

“Elloren Gardner,” he says finally, his voice low and commanding, but his expression kind, “it’s long been my view that a person’s appearance often reveals little about their true character. I am quite willing to believe there may be more to you than meets the eye. Perhaps time will tell, eh?”

I nod, feeling surprisingly touched, tears welling in my eyes. “Thank you, sir.”

He places a broad hand warmly on my shoulder, and I blink back my tears. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” I say, the words heartfelt. “We all think very highly of Diana and Jarod.”

Diana’s father nods, pleased, and turns to Trystan, who’s wearing his usual unreadable expression. “And you must be Trystan,” he says with amusement as he shakes my younger brother’s hand.

“Yes, sir.”

Gunther Ulrich’s mouth quirks into a smile. “Trystan Gardner, I have no plans to kill your brother.” He pauses, a mischievous look in his eyes. “Not today, at least.”

“That’s a relief, sir,” Trystan replies.

A whirlwind of introductions and conversation ensue, led mainly by Diana. She introduces us to her mother, who appears reluctant to meet us and a bit dazed by the sudden turn of events. Then Diana introduces Kendra, who seems fascinated by Rafe, and then Ferrin Sandulf, her father’s beta, who’s mated to the crimson-eyed woman, Soraya, and father to the little Lupine boy.

Two large, blond-haired guards, Georg Leall and Kristov Varg, briefly acknowledge us, then go back to suspiciously scanning the dining hall. This is obviously not a pleasure trip for them. But the fourth member of Gunther Ulrich’s guard, a red-haired young man named Brendan Faolan, seems to be particularly good friends with Diana.

“I’ll spare you the lengthy introductions,” Brendan tells me, smiling as we meet. “I know it’s not your custom to share lineage.”

“Maybe you should clue Diana in about this,” I say teasingly. His smile widens.

“Refusing to establish lineage is just rude,” Diana interjects with some irritation. Then a new thought sets her grinning from ear to ear. “I heard you took Iliana Quinn to mate.”

“It’s true,” Brendan replies, beaming.

“I’m so happy for you, Brendan!” Diana enthuses, embracing him affectionately.

I look around the room as they catch up with each other. The hall is rapidly filling with mostly Gardnerian scholars and their families. All around us, people are chatting and embracing, but there are also quite a few shocked and disapproving stares leveled in our direction.

Then, among the gathering crowd, I spot a familiar figure—a small, disheveled Gardnerian man dressed in a plain, dark brown tunic and leaning heavily on a cane, struggling to make his way through the maze of people.

“Uncle Edwin.”The words come out of me in a choked whisper. Everything around me recedes, like fog exposed to sunlight. It’s really him, after all this time. After all that’s happened.

I stumble into a run, lurching toward him. Uncle Edwin catches sight of me, his eyes lighting up as I almost knock him over with the force of my embrace and break into tears.

“Elloren, my sweet girl,” he laughs, hugging me back warmly. “Now, what’s this? Don’t cry. It’s all right, my girl.”

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