Page 47 of It All Started with a Bite

I narrowed my eyes. “Why would I need to make a quick getaway?”

“Your new job might land you in situations where that might become a priority.” He made a face. “Also, you’re about to have dinner with a pack of werewolves who are dying to meet their new luna. Some of them can be…persistent. And by that, I mean you might experience the sudden urge to make yourself scarce mid-dinner.”

Great. I wasn’t even through the front door and I already wanted to leave.

Samuel clocked my expression and escorted Bo and me into the mansion before I could change my mind. Bernard materialized out of nowhere and took my coat.

“The pack is gathering in the formal dining room,” the butler said with a dignified nod. “Welcome home, Miss West.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. From the way Bo suddenly pressed against my leg, he wasn’t certain what to make of it either.

We followed Samuel down a corridor lined with more portraits of judgmental Hawthornes. The sound of voices and laughter reached us as we approached what had to be the dining room. My pulse quickened.

“Ready?” Samuel asked quietly.

“No.”

His lips twitched. “They don’t bite.”

“Technically, your brother already did,” I pointed out.

Samuel’s expression darkened a little. “Hugh won’t be joining us tonight.”

I stared, surprised. “Victoria grounded him?”

“Something like that.” He opened the double doors.

The dining room was as opulent as the rest of the mansion. I looked past the decorative wood paneling, crystal chandeliers, and the large windows overlooking the rear gardens to a long table dominating the polished parquet floor. It was already set for dinner with gleaming cutlery, glassware, and china that probably cost more than my apartment.

About twenty people were standing around talking, many with drinks in hand. Kids ran around the room playing. A teenage girl who looked like she would rather be anywhere but here sat next to the fireplace reading a book.

They all turned to stare as we entered.

Samuel waited until the brouhaha settled down before he spoke. “Everyone, this is Abigail West, our new luna.” He glanced at Bo. “And this is her Husky, Bo. He’s now an honorary pack member.”

A heavy silence followed. Bo gulped and slinked behind me.

A tall woman with pretty features and dark hair finally stepped forward. “About time this pack got a luna.” She offered me her hand with a friendly smile. “I’m Caroline Walsh, pack enforcer.”

I relaxed a little and shook it, noting her firm grip and wondering what an enforcer did. “Nice to meet you. I’m Abby.”

“This is my partner, Kent. He’s also an enforcer.” Caroline indicated the bear of a man who’d appeared at her shoulder.

I stared. Kent’s muscles had muscles.

“Welcome to the pack,” he rumbled.

It dawned on me that enforcers probably meant pack security of some sort.

Caroline jerked her head at the reading girl by the fire. “The brat over there ignoring everyone is our daughter, Amanda.”

Amanda apparently pretended not to hear her, licked a finger, and carefully turned a page.

“And this is our son, James.”

A boy with bright eyes and sharp canines appeared in front of Caroline. He beamed at me. “You smell like Uncle Samuel.”

Heat warmed my cheeks. Luckily, Samuel had drifted off to talk to a family member. Others came forward to introduce themselves.

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