Page 28 of Curvy Alpha Bride
I narrow my eyes a little, feeling like her words imply there is something worse to be afraid of.
“Listen,” Serra asks, leaning forward. “I’d really like to know how you felt on your first night in town, especially out in the cabin. It’s far from town, and not at all what you’re used to.”
“Oh. It was nice. Why?”
“I just want to make sure you’re settling in,” she answers, smiling warmly. “You slept, okay? No strange dreams?”
“No,” I reply cautiously.
“And you felt comfortable in the cabin? Relaxed and safe?”
“Yes,” I answer, puzzled. Even though I’ve been on edge, there is nothing specific to mention, and I’d feel like an idiot trying to explain it.
It’s probably just stress from sleeping in the same bed with Xavier… and I’m not going to open up and tell her about that.
“Wonderful, my dear,” Serra says, giving me a hug. “If there’s anything you need, or you feel troubled, then please come to me. We value having you here, and I want to make sure all of this works out.”
“Okay,” I say. As I look away from Serra, I see that the other elders have been listening and are watching us with interest.
What the fuck is going on here?
Xavier is over at the refreshments table and hasn’t noticed the exchange. Even though the atmosphere felt tense fora few minutes, the moment passes, and I wonder if I completely imagined it.
“We might actually be able to stay outside through the night!” Rhiannon says, taking Eileen’s hand as she sits down with us. “I’ve always wanted to watch the meteor shower, but it’s only visible after midnight on a new moon.”
“Maybe we could have run on the full moon, too,” Hector replies. “The whole pack, running the mountain, just like we were meant to.”
“No more fear on the night of the new moon,” Rhiannon whispers.
I look over at her with some concern, and her drawn, tense expression makes my guts bubble with nerves again.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, alarmed.
“Nothing!” Eileen answers with a little laugh. “It’s all in the past now. Don’t worry about our silly little superstitions. They were handed down through the generations, and it’s time to put them aside. Don’t even think about it.”
Her smile is so warm, and her expression so genuine, I almost believe her. I desperately want to believe that we are safe, and the town is as peaceful and beautiful as it looks.
But the longer I stay here, the more I feel like the good cheer is forced optimism, thinly spread over a deep well of dark, terrible horrors.
Chapter 10 - Xavier
After the meeting, I stand by the snack table, watching Mabel as the women surround her. She seems happy and relaxed, and for a moment, I let myself think about what it might be like if she decided to stay.
The pack is so excited to have her here. I can’t imagine what will happen when she tells them she’s leaving.
Mabel looks so comfortable, it’s hard to believe she could be inwardly counting the minutes until she can leave Valentine Creek forever.
And me.
As I wash down a mouthful of cinnamon cake with a swallow of strong, hot coffee, I realize I’ll be left alone here when Mabel goes. I’ll probably be expected to take another luna—but I know I don’t want to.
How can I possibly choose another mate, now that I have the chance to reconnect with Mabel? But if she really does leave, I can’t deny the pack their luna. It clearly means so much to them.
“How are you, son?” Ivan asks, coming up beside me. “You seem besotted by your bride, as all good men should be.”
“I am,” I admit, my eyes caught on the sight of Mabel doing a little twirl in the green dress as she laughs with the girls. “She’s very beautiful.”
“Do you two have a history? There seems to be something between you.”
