Her widowed Lycan

Breakfast with family

*Leah*

It's half past seven the next morning and I'm rapping my knuckles on the door to my brother's suite of rooms in the hotel. A tall servant opens it promptly, bowing deferentially. "Good morning, Miss Tempest."

"How are you this fine morning, James?" I sidestep him, taking off my hat and gloves, and hand them over.

"Very fine, miss. It’s kind of you to inquire." He says with a small smile.

Not really. It's just good manners, although I understand most member of the high packs don't usually thank their servants or engage in idle conversation. "I will see myself to breakfast."

"Very good, miss." He says with a small bow.

As I walk down the corridor, I find myself reflecting on how comfortable I feel in my brother’s lodgings. Stepping into the smaller dining room, Kai puts his newspaper aside and stands. Not that he was actually reading it. He had been leaning towards his wife seated next to him, whispering something that made her cheeks turn pink. I want that, a man who, long after we have been married, would whisper wicked things in my ear.

"Good morning, little sister," Kai teases, because I'm not just the youngest but also the smallest of Mae Tempest's children. Even Gina is almost as tall as our brothers. "How are you this morning?"

A bit tired. Thanks to Mr. Solman, I didn't sleep well. Stealing a glance through the drapes, I saw him standing in his bedroom window, looking out. He was too far for me to see his face clearly, but his movements were noticeable. He was leaning against the window frame, sipping something. Probably Scotch. Lazily, languidly. As if the view was captivating and merited his utmost attention.

Those damned blue eyes followed me into my dreams, where a man who enjoyed reading penny dreadfuls whispered the words provocatively in my ear. His hands explored places no man has touched before. I woke up hot and restless, my blankets on the floor and Dickens peeking out from the pile, glaring at me. I wondered if I had kicked him out of bed. Not that I would tell my brother any of that.

"I'm doing very well, thank you. And you?" I make my way towards the sideboard where his personal cook has prepared an impressive spread. None of it will go to waste. Anna always gives any leftover food to local shelters.

"Couldn’t be better." He says.

I take a seat at the table where a footman pulls out a chair for me. Turning to Anna, I ask, "And you?"

"Perfect." She says with a warm smile.

"In every way," Kai adds as he sits down.

Of all my brothers, I never thought Kai would be the one to fall so hard. It's another reason I don't often dine here. While I'm thrilled that they are so in love, it's hard to watch when I haven't found the same depth of devotion. Besides, I often feel like an intruder, knowing there would be more touching, stroking, and kissing if I weren't here.

"How did you spend your evening?" Kai asks.

"I had dinner at the Blue beard. When I returned to the shop, I stacked five books on my head and walked up the stairs balancing them". I say.

"Did you really?" Anna asks. "Five?"

I give a soft smile, imagining my sister-in-law must have spent a good deal of time balancing books on her head, given her excellent posture. "No, I was just joking. I think I have my walk practised enough. I didn’t practice anything at all. I just read." I consider mentioning Mr. Solman, seeing if Kai knows anything about his tenant, but I want to keep him to myself for now. I also want to avoid an inquisition. How did I meet him? Do I know him well? Is he trustworthy? How do I know? It wouldn't do for them to find out I'd been in his company without a chaperone, though I could argue the staff at the Blue Beard were watching over me. If Kai thinks Mr. Solman might distract me from my goals, he might even try to evict him.

"You will have little time for reading once your mating Season gets underway," Anna says. "I’ve been making a list of the women we will visit after your introduction to pack Society. I'm sure some will visit you as well. It might be better if you spent your days here, as this will be the residence where you will receive guests. We will want the gentlemen to visit you here, where you can be properly chaperoned."

"You're optimistic. It will work well if you just send a servant to fetch me when I’m needed." I don't want to sacrifice any more time in my shop than necessary because the day will come when I will have to give it up altogether. "Maybe Iill even host a few in the shop. I could serve tea in the reading parlor." It's a room above the shop where people can lounge in comfortable chairs and read to their heart's content. "We would just need one of your maids to make tea in the kitchen at my place."

"I suppose that’s an option. Shall we see how it goes?" Anna's response indicates she doesn't really like the idea. "And, of course, there are always the gardens here."

Behind the hotel, away from the street, Kai has created a green oasis where guests can take tea, read, or stroll. It might be more relaxing to receive guests there. If I will have any guests. I'm trying to keep my expectations modest and realistic to avoid disappointment if my entry into pack Society is slow.

Suddenly, I lose my appetite, poking at my buttered eggs with my fork. The thought of men calling on me brings back Mr. Solman’s warning. It is a dangerous thing, indeed, to fall in love with a man before ever having met him.

His reaction surprised me. He sounded almost jealous, although I must have misunderstood. We had just met after all, and he hadn't shown any more than friendly interest, if even that. Maybe he just doesn't like the lycan royalty. He might be a man of means, but if he is living in this part of the city and not a fancier one, his means are probably quite modest.

As I told him, I'm not in love with the prince of the Rose. The letter was just an example of what I hope to find. Still, it was embarrassing to get caught with it in my pocket. "Anna, do you know The lycan prince of the Rose?"

Her widened eyes tell me she is surprised by the question. I should have asked sooner, considering Anna once moved in the same circles as the prince.

"We were introduced, yes, but only in passing. We never spoke at length. I guess you are thinking about the letter his late wife had published in the Alpha Times." She says.

"I know it’s silly to put so much stock in a letter a woman wrote on her deathbed, but that is why I find it so compelling, so persuasive… that she would go to such lengths before leaving this world. He must be an extraordinary man." I explain.

"One would think. However, knowing he would never court me, I paid him little attention." She laughs lightly. "To be honest, I saw most men as potential dance partners and nothing more because I always expected to marry Kyle." The Alpha of High moon’s son and heir. But Kai stole her from him, initially with the intention of ruining her, but then she stole his heart.

I watch as Anna reaches over and intertwines her fingers with Kai’s. He brings them to his lips, holding them there, his gaze warm. "The best-laid plans and all that."

Anna raises a delicate eyebrow. "Are you talking about your plans or mine?"

He chuckles softly. "Both."

I know there won't be any more conversation about the prince of the Rose now, as the couple is completely absorbed in each other. I fold my napkin and set it beside my plate. "I should be going."

Anna looks at me guiltily. "But you hardly ate."

"I had more than enough. Thanks for the breakfast invitation. Don’t get up, Kai." I push my chair back and stand. "I will see myself out."

As I leave the room, I hear soft murmurs, and a sigh.