The Alpha's Marked Mate

Stefan

Stefan

As a resident of Victoria, you learn things quickly about caste, rank, and ambition.  Four major werewolf clans live in Victoria. Gallagher Clan, my family, female lead with fortunes made in candy. We are a joyous happy bunch with death and life always hovering above us in hush tones.  Lawrence Clan lead by Robert Lawrence, our State Senator for Virginia. Rumor has it …he has eyes on Washington. His family spent generations as protection for our packs. Over time, they merged into law enforcement. Johan Lawrence is our local chief of police. He’s handsome, rugged, and manly, if you like his type. He screams Alpha to anyone except he’s fair to the residents of Victoria. Harper Clan provides food and drink to everyone. They own every restaurant in town; well, they co-own every restaurant in town. Harper’s is our local bar. Andrew Harper is laidback , fun, and sexy, head of the pack. Petrov Clan… words fail to describe. I think luminous is appropriate. Insanely wealthy. Wordlessly beautiful, and they run everything in town. Stefan Petrov was Alpha of all the local Alpha. He’s calmly sitting drinking tea with Mon and Jane. His elegant hand slowly brought a canapé to his mouth. He doesn’t have the overwhelming masculinity of Johan. He reeks lethal power. He should have been a jaguar or panther; he is patient as he decides to destroy you.

Tip! Tap! Drop! Drip! Every droplet of water covering my body pooled at my feet. A sharp cold chill wrapped around me. Brushing heavy dark hair from my eyes, I offered my family and Stefan a slight smile. Stefan’s dark greens eyes linger over my body; his face twisting in distaste. Not overly fond of your either, buddy. Snotty wolf. I didn’t know he was in here. Let me go change into something more appropriate to greet the king.

Toss a sopping strand of hair over my forehead,” Stefan as always a pleasure to see,” I mustered sarcastically. “Mom and Jane, an unexpected Summer storm caught in the woods. Respectfully, I can’t join you for tea. Wait, I wasn’t invited anyway. Off to my room to change and bathe.”

Shame swept across my mother’s face at my fake sweet words. Jane toyed with her perfectly fastened pearl necklace. Those eyes rested on my face, waiting for me to challenge him with some barb. I wasn’t in the mood to play his game. Stefan placed his Canape on our finest bone china, only the best for him.

“Perhaps, you can join us after your bathe, Emma. I have an extensive long meeting planned with your mother. Your mother invited me to join your family for dinner.”

That’s a damned lie. We didn’t have any plans for company for dinner. Jane and Mom exchanged a look. It’s spaghetti night. Mom doesn’t serve spaghetti to guests. He invited himself to dinner. On the tip of my tongue was,” Oh, you like spaghetti.” But I remember Callisto’s advice.

“We always love having you for dinner, Stefan. I think Anna is simmering your favorites,” I reasoned with a bright smile.

Jane rose from her seat,” I need to speak with Anna. She might need a reminder to prepare ample food for tonight.”

Jane meant Anna needs to know don’t make spaghetti. Rush to purchase a selective piece of meat. Or, just order something from one of the restaurants in town. She’s going to tell everyone to break out the good stuff such as expensive wine, fine linens, crystal, and china.

Dinner is going to be endless. Why did I open my mouth? I can’t help myself. Like an older person in reverse. My life has a short span. They can’t hurt me because they need me. Loose lips are my motto.

I expected Jane to back out of the library; you can’t show royalty your back. She was too nervous about an unexpected dinner party. Stefan took a bit of a Canape; his strong teeth resembled daggers.

“I must steal Anna away from you, Nora.  The Canapes are perfection,” Stefan remarked.

“You’ll have to steal Emma. As a morning sun rose, she baked array of delights for tea. “Nora said proudly.

Wait, they fed him my canapés. Shame fled my mind as he munched causally on my Canapes. I made them for me. I planned to eat Canapés for lunch. They served him my food. I don’t like him. Nobody has my Canapes without permission.

Stefan cast his eyes in my direction,” I never realized you’re an accomplished chef, Emma.”

“Oh, Stefan, too bad, you will never have an opportunity to explore the depths of my abilities, just waiting for exploration,” I answered flatly.

Not waiting for a reply from either of them,I hurriedly walked from the room. I’ve done enough to create havoc in my family. Shutting the door behind me, I leaned back, taking a ragged deep breath. I learned to bake Canapés for me, not anyone else. My teatime, alone. Memories for me, in my mind. They have stolen it from me. They take everything without thinking. They knew I wanted to eat my Canapés for lunch as usual my needs don’t matter to anyone except me. Heading toward a staircase, thoughts of a hot bath invaded my mind.

“Emma,” Jane called softly.” I’m sorry about your Canapes. We didn’t have anything fancy to serve Stefan. He arrived unannounced. I hid a few for you.”

Jane offered me a plate containing three Canapes. I kicked myself mentally for believing I was alone in the world. My sister does love me. Taking the plate,” Jane, thank you. It means a lot to me.”

“We are need small things in life,” Jane admitted. “Off to your bath, Emma.”

“Back to the wolf’s borrowed cave, Jane,” I laughed. “Enjoy teatime.”

“Not funny, Emma.”