Her revengeful Bastard

All the Tempest’s … almost

*Anna*

Kai Tempest has remarkable taste. That is my initial thought when we step into the lobby where the plucked strings of a harp creates a calming ambience. Well dressed waiters walk about carrying silver trays holding flutes of champagne or small bites of food that can be easily eaten while standing. Gaslights burn in an array of glittering crystal chandeliers that illuminates everything. The walls are a dark wood I can’t help but believe reflect their owner.

Their owner. Who stands near the red carpeted, sweeping staircase with its polished dark banister and balustrade. He is wearing evening attire: a black swallow tailed coat, waistcoat, trousers. A pristine white shirt with a perfectly tied gray butterfly. I watch his large, roughened hands, laborer’s hands. If I hadn’t seen them up close, I wouldn’t know of the host of tales they reveal. Proper clothing can make the most common of men appear nearly royal … and Kai Tempest, regardless of his birth, is anything but common.

His beard is neatly trimmed. His dark hair is more styled than I have ever seen it and I am willing to swear it is a tad shorter, as though he has gotten it cut just for this occasion. He stands a head taller than anyone surrounding him, so it is with ease that he captures and holds my gaze. I have never seen anyone exude such confidence, such power, such self assurance. He fairly takes one’s breath away.

Or at least he seems to have seized mine because my lungs are apparently incapable of drawing in air. My chest might have been hit with one of the sledgehammers that surely have been used to raze the buildings that had once stood here. I had forgotten the impact of his presence, the way it can unnerve while at the same time providing comfort, offering a cocoon of protection while asking for nothing in return.

The hotel is grand because he is grand, because he has built it in his own image, because it is a reflection of a man who had risen above the rubble of his beginnings. The circumstances of his birth should have relegated him to the gutter, but without knowing his entire story, I know he has clawed his way out to reign over all he surveyed. How can anyone not give him the respect he has so rightfully earned ?

“He gives the impression he’s holding court”. Kyle says. “Like a king”.

More than a king. Kings would bow to him, willingly serve at his pleasure. He is lord of his domain and all that surrounds him. I can’t help but wonder at the satisfaction a woman might feel if she would stand at his side. She would wield her own power, be someone to be reckoned with in her own right, because he is the sort who requires a partner of strength and influence equal to his own.

Had he lived a thousand years ago or even five hundred, he would have been a conqueror, one who topples empires, not to e*****e but to free.

Then he is striding toward us, cutting a swath through the crowd as easily as I slice off a bit of butter for my bread. When he is near enough, he takes my hand in his, lifts it to his lips, places a lingering kiss on my knuckles, the heat from his mouth seeping through my skin and traveling through every inch of me. Inappropriate ! screams through my mind and yet I seem not to care.

“Miss Anna, I’m so glad you were able to join us”. He says softly

“I welcome the opportunity to wish you well with your business venture”. Do I have to sound as though I raced into this room, with my breaths coming in short, shallow gasps ? Even if I hadn’t known our destination until we were on our way, my words aren’t a lie. I do wish him well, wish him more success than any man has ever achieved.

Releasing his hold on me , he turns to Kyle. “Kyle. I’m equally glad you saw yourself free to join us”.

“I wouldn’t have missed it. I daresay it’ll be the talk of the town on the morrow. You’ve out done yourself here. It’s much grander than I expected”. Kyle says.

“I’ve always believed dreams should be larger than ourselves. May I show you around ?” Kai asks.

“We couldn’t impose”. I say. “You have so many guests”.

He sends me a warm smile. “It would be no imposition, and I’m certain they won’t mind”.

Before I can accept his offer, I hear “Miss Anna. Alpha Kyle. What a lovely surprise! Kai didn’t tell me he’d invited you”.

Kyle bows slightly and takes Miss Tempest’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again”.

“And you, Kyle. And Anna” She smiles softly at me. “Isn’t it luxurious ? My brother comes across so rough sometimes that you wouldn’t think he could create something of such beauty”.

“The hotel is quite elegant”. I tell Miss Tempest, although the comment is really made for Kai Tempest. I want him to know how impressed I am with his efforts, but a she-wolf in my position doesn’t fawn over a man or his achievements.

“You should see what Willoughby has done with the grand salon”. Miss Tempest adds.

“Willoughby ?” I ask.

She smiles warmly. “Kai’s secretary. He’s decorated it with so many flowers and garlands I doubt there is a single blossom left in any flower shop. I daresay there’s not a ballroom in all of town that can compare. I’ve been striving to talk my brothers into joining me there for a dance. But they act as though they’ll turn into toads if they escort a girl onto the dance floor”.

“They have not had the lessons you’ve had”. Kai Tempest says.

“I suspect you dance like a dream, Kyle”. She says, fairly ignoring her brother’s remark and giving Kyle all of her attention.

He grins. “I would not be so crass as to boast about my skills. What do you think, Anna ?”

“I agree. You would not be so crass”. Mr. Tempest grins, and a strange fluttering takes up residence in my stomach. I really should do nothing to encourage his smiles. They are devastating to a woman’s equilibrium.

Miss Tempest’s tinkling laughter circles us. “Perhaps you’ll demonstrate your talents for me later, Kyle”.

He grins at her. “I would be delighted”.

“And perhaps that will force my brothers into proving themselves”. Glancing over her shoulder, she motions toward someone or someones.

Three gentlemen quickly join our group. Two men are slightly similar in appearance. The third is a great hulk of a man with dark hair that hangs down over one side of his face in a manner that seems deliberate as though he seeks to shield it.

“Miss Anna, Alpha Kyle, allow me the honor of introducing Aaron…”. She touches the arm of a sandy haired man. “Dion …”. Who is slightly more blond. “And Micah”.

“Beast”. The dark haired man says in a curt deep voice. “People call me Beast”.

Yes, I can well imagine they do. None of them looks anything like Kai Tempest. To be honest, I think his appearance is closer to Kyle’s, but perhaps it is merely because his evening attire more closely resembles my fiance’s than the plain jackets his brothers wear. Because they look so disparate, I can’t help but wonder if they were all born on the wrong side of the blanket, if their mother was of such low moral character that she had consorted with an assortment of men. I am horrified by the thought, even more so by the realization it can very well be true. Little wonder the Luna had objections to me being in the company of those with no pedigree to their name.

“I say, Kyle …”. Aaron begins. “We have set up some card games in a small salon. My brothers and I were about to head in and test our luck. Care to join us ?”

For some reason, his brow furrows, a question in his eyes, Kyle turns to Kai Tempest as though seeking permission. “A few hands couldn’t hurt”.

“They might even help. Several investors have already made their way to the tables. Aaron can introduce you”. Kai says with a nod.

“Jolly good”. Finally he looks at me. I don’t miss the guilt wreathing his face. “You wouldn’t mind, would you, darling, if I left you in the company of the lovely Miss Tempest ?” I am surprised by the endearment. He doesn’t usually use them. As a matter of fact, I can’t recall a single time when he has, yet this one has a possessive edge to it.

He leans in, whispering, “I’m seeking to secure our future”.

I suppose he is referring to the opportunity to become acquainted with men of business. Although I do mind a tad that he is planning to go off without me, I want to do some exploring and doubt he would be interested in looking at furnishings and wallpaper. “I’m sure I can entertain myself”. After all, he never stays with me for any length of time at balls, although at those affairs I know a good many of the people in attendance and can always find a friend or two with whom to gossip. Here, as I look around, I realize my acquaintances are few. Two to be exact, not bothering to count the brothers to whom I have just been introduced.

“I won’t be long, and when I’m done, I promise you each a dance”. Kyle says.

I watch as he walks off, chatting and laughing with the Tempest brothers … except for Kai. I am not surprised he remains behind since he is the host and has responsibilities that require his attention. Apparently he takes them very seriously, but then a man with his success would not have achieved it if he were a slacker in any regard.

“Men and their wagering”. Miss Tempest says, clearly irritated by the sudden abandonment. “My brothers will never get married if they are so quick to leave the company of women”. Her eyes widen. “And speaking of marriage, I understand congratulations are in order, Miss Anna. How lucky you are to have made such a fine catch”.

With Mr. Tempest studying me, I suddenly feel uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny, almost feel as though he doesn’t approve of my betrothal. Which are ridiculous musings on my part, for why would he care ? “Thank you, Miss Tempest. I consider myself fortunate indeed”.

She smiles warmly. “We don’t need so much formality between us. At least not tonight. You must call me Lea”.

“You must call me Anna, no miss”. Every time it seems my breath is returning, a quick glance at Kai Tempest snatches it away again. “Is your other sister about ?”

“No, unfortunately, she declined my invitation”. He says, and I hear the true regret in his tone.

“Because she would have to wear a proper dress”. Lea says.

“Does she not dress properly ?” I ask.

“Her attire is somewhere between what a man and a gypsy might wear. It’s terribly unflattering. I have told Gina a thousand times that with a bit of effort she could be beautiful. But she won’t have it”. Lea sighs.

“She has her reasons”. Kai says.

Lea gives a half nod. “I suppose a beautiful tavern keeper would find nothing but trouble”.

“She has a tavern ?” I ask.

Lea beams. “She does. Kai helped her acquire it, just as he’s going to assist me in gaining a bookshop”.

“Lea …”. His low gravelly voice should be frightening. Instead I am intrigued, imagining it even lower, whispered in shadows.

“The little shop on the corner across the street would be perfect. The windows on two sides would allow in light …”. Lea continues.

“A wall of windows means you can’t have a wall of books”. He points out.

“So you’ve been thinking about it ?” She is smiling so brightly I am surprised she doesn’t throw her arms around her brother’s neck with glee.

He sighs, and in the sound I hear his defeat, wonder if it is the first one he has ever suffered. Yet, I find no fault with it, because I know he is going to give his sister what she craves, and I envy Lea for having a brother who doesn’t let pride get in his way or dictate his actions. “We’ll discuss it later”.

“I do love you, you know. Oh, and there’s Willoughby. I must have a word with him regarding the champagne. If you’ll excuse me”. Lea gives me a small nod.

And she is gone, leaving me alone with the enigmatic Kai Tempest. Well, not completely alone.

Many people are wandering about, but I don’t see anyone I recognize. Although surely me and Kyle aren’t the only ranked wolves here. I would probably find some women I know in the ballroom. I should make my excuses …

Kai looks intently on me. “You look beautiful tonight”.

I am ashamed to admit I would have selected a more revealing gown had I known this was my destination, grateful I am wearing the pearl necklace that flatter the slender column of my throat. The pearl and diamond comb nestle in my upswept hair always gives me confidence. “Do I not always ?”

“You know you do”. A cheeky grin spreads on his lips.

I release a self conscious laugh. “Actually I don’t. I have a funnily shaped nose. Tips up at the end … most unattractively. My cousin who inherited my father’s title once told me I reminded him of a pig. Of course, he was only nine at the time, two years older than I, but still. I don’t know why, but as though I needed to prove his point, I began snorting and grunting as though I were wallowing in pig slop”.

He is clearly suppressing a laugh. “I’m certain whatever sounds you made only endeared you to him”.

“Oh, I seriously doubt it. I’ve not seen him since my parents’ funeral. We were never close. Just as well, I suppose”. I glance around. “Is your mother here ?”

“No. Like Gina, she wouldn’t be comfortable in such exquisite surroundings, wouldn’t feel as though she belonged … no matter how much I assure her otherwise”. He shakes his head lightly.

I nod. “The Luna of the High moon pack, my guardian, is the same. I’ve never known her to attend so much as an afternoon tea away from her own residence. I find it sad, and yet she seems content enough. It’s a shame your mother can’t see all this”.

“I’ve given her a private tour. Would you care for one ?” He offers me his arm.