Page 97 of It All Started with a Bite

“I’m sure they won’t,” Victoria said diplomatically.

Danielle excused herself and left.

“By the way, I heard what you said to Helen the other day,” Lauren said as a waiter poured her and her sister tea. “That woman needed someone to take her down a peg or ten.”

The rumor mill in Amberford was a scary thing.

“Is it true you threatened to punch her in the throat?” Beatrice asked carefully.

“It was a manner of speech,” I half protested.

“No, it wasn’t,” Bo said.

Lauren and Beatrice stared at my dog.

Lauren arched an eyebrow. “He talks?”

“I’m Abby’s dog.” Bo preened a little. “And Pearl’s friend.”

Pearl flicked her tail in a pleased manner at this.

I grimaced. “We think he might have werewolf blood in his ancestry.”

“Which part?” Bea asked warily.

I noticed a pair of vampires rise and start to make their way to our table. A witch followed at a leisurely pace. I straightened, Caroline and Victoria growing similarly alert beside me.

They’d warned me that this would happen. No one could ignore a new luna, let alone a white wolf. As such, the leaders of the various supernatural factions in Amberford were bound to pay their respect to me.

The afternoon progressed with most of the assembled socialites coming over to officially meet me. Though I sensed wariness and hostility from some, the majority seemed merely curious.

Everyone having finally done their duty, the subtle tension in the salon gradually abated. I started to relax.

“You did well,” Victoria said quietly.

“Yeah.” Lauren grinned. “Shame no one did anything that warranted a punch in the throat.”

Caroline chuckled.

Beatrice looked disappointed at the lack of social-media-worthy drama.

I sighed, gave Bo a muffin, and decided I might as well enjoy the rest of the tea party.

I was in the middle of explaining to Lauren and Beatrice how I’d ended up as a werewolf when my skin prickled with awareness. A hush fell over the salon.

My breath caught when I looked toward the entrance.

Samuel cut an arresting figure as he crossed the floor to our table, his dark suit molded to his muscular physique in a way that made my inner wolf stand to attention and pant.

He stopped at our table and leaned down to kiss my cheek, his eyes smoldering behind his designer specs. “You look beautiful.”

I managed a strangled greeting.

Victoria stared at her son as he took a seat. “I thought you had somewhere to be.”

“I rescheduled.” His gaze found mine, the mate bond humming between us. “I love what you’ve done with your hair.”

My cheeks grew warm. “Thanks. Caroline helped.”

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