Page 7 of Bound to the Dragon
I’m surprised no one came with her. It wasn’t against my wishes. I hadn’t forbidden anyone from coming with her, but she had shown up alone, anyway. Was that because she has no friends, or because she doesn’t trust me? Both thoughts bother me equally. It makes me wonder who I let into my house.
In a few days, her entire pack will be here to keep her company, and maybe one of them can stay after the ceremony so she has someone familiar nearby.
I head up the back stairs to the west wing, my private section of the house, and enter the bedroom to change into a proper suit and tie. I wouldn’t admit it, but it’s nice to have someone to share a meal with for once. Except for the occasional enforcer or council dinners, most of my meals are spent alone. That doesn’t mean that they need to be done improperly, though.
My father, who knew I’d be the Alpha of Shadow Pine one day, had been a stickler for details like this. I consider what he would have to say about Madison and this whole mating arrangement. He would have wanted to see me mated, to see more heirs for the pack.
Of that I’m certain. Even on his deathbed, he asked about heirs.
It’s a moot thought. My father had always done what needed to be done for the pack. He would endorse this union and tell me to suck up whatever feelings I have about it.
If it’s for the good of the pack, then it must be done.
Snapping on a pair of silver cuff links, I give myself a final once-over in the mirror and run a hand through my chestnut hair. No grey yet, no lines—remarkable considering the stress of losing my father and all the pack’s recent troubles. But I’m only thirty, so it’s not surprising. The issues will catch up with me eventually. For now, I’ll just take it one day at a time.
Retreating from the west wing, I make my way toward the staircase and freeze. Madison emerges from her suite in the east wing, well across the way in a long, form-fitting gown. Every piece of the blue fabric clings to her petite but curvy frame. Her ebony hair lies loosely over bare shoulders, taking me aback for a moment. She’s breathtaking.
At least she’ll look good on my arm.
Quickly, I avert my eyes before she can catch me staring and hurry down the stairs, but my pulse hasn’t resumed its normal rate after seeing Madison in such a made-up state. I wasn’t expecting to see her like that.
The dining hall is lit with candlelight, the chandelier set to the lowest level, and the scent of dinner sweeps through the swinging doors as the staff hustles back and forth in last-minute preparations.
I take my seat at the head of the table and lay the linen napkin on my lap, keeping my eye purposely averted from the doorway as Madison slips inside, her assistant a respectable distance behind her.
I personally picked Lillian to manage the future Luna. As unassuming as she appears, she is one of the sharpest staff members I have in my house. Her powers of observation are unparalleled, and if there’s an issue, she’ll figure it outwithout my eyes on Madison, and she’ll report back to me with everything I need to know.
Madison sits at the far end of the table, casting me an uneasy look.
“Have you settled in sufficiently?” I feel like it’s the first question I’ve asked her since she arrived, and a spark of guilt ignites inside me.
Her dark eyebrow rises as if she’s holding back what she really wants to say. I can tell by the flash of her dark eyes, but for some reason, she’s keeping herself in check. A part of me appreciates it, but another part wants her to say what she’s thinking. Or do I?
“Define sufficiently,” she finally says. It’s not the way she says it so much as the way she’s looking at me that sets me off.
My nostrils flare. “Do you not know what the word sufficiently means? I think there’s a dictionary in the library. Maybe Lillian can take you there later.”
She scoffs and sits back, folding her arms over her chest, causing the swell of her cleavage to mount more. I can’t help but stare at the creamy flesh of her breasts as her skin turns red.
“I know what it means. I just don’t know…” She trails off and inhales. “This isn’t my home.”
Here we go. She’s already complaining, and she just got here.
I grit my teeth as the staff watches us like a tennis match, though they remain against the wall, unmoving otherwise.
“If there’s something you need, you can inform Lillian, and she’ll see that you get it. I’ve done everything to ensure you have everything you want.”
Madison slides her napkin onto her lap without answering, and one of the staff members approaches to fill her wine glass.
“Well?” I prompt when she doesn’t respond.
Her head tilts upward. “Well, what?”
“Do you need something?”
A smirk touches her lips, and I notice for the first time how full they are.
She truly is exquisite, despite her terrible attitude. Our children will be beautiful. Hopefully, they will take after me in the matter of personality, but I won’t mind so much if they look like her. At least one of them.
