Her widowed Lycan

A free meal

*Leah*

Embarrassed to share such intimate and personal memories and thoughts with a stranger, I nod toward the book he placed on the table. "I promised you could read if you took the chair."

"So you did." He says with a small smile.

Trying to make sense of the words in my book proves to be futile. Usually, I have no trouble blocking out distractions when I lose myself in a book, but my attention is caught by a man whose stories I want to learn… he must have stories to tell. He looks to be on the younger side of thirty. I wonder where he came from and how he earns his wages.

Becky returns and sets a bowl of shepherd's pie, a piece of linen, and a spoon in front of each of us before rushing off to other customers. Mr. Solman sets his book aside and, in unison, we drape our linen napkins across our laps. He scoops up some pie, and I fight the urge to watch his mouth close over the spoon, but I lose the battle, imagining his lips closing over mine. What is wrong with me to allow such naughty thoughts? I avert my gaze and focus on my meal.

"Difficult to read while eating," he says quietly.

I usually manage it quite well, especially in my youth, much to my mum's dismay. Proper She-wolves should occupy their time with conversation, involving themselves in other people's lives, and listen attentively. But with Mr. Solman, I'm failing miserably, which doesn't bode well for my entry into pack Society and judging the man who might ask for my hand.

"I'm a bit surprised," he continues, "that Kai Tempest's sister would take her meal here and not dine with him in his lodgings at the hotel."

My brother has an office where he conducts business and a suite of private rooms on the top floor. Mr. Solman must know this since he would have had to visit the office to sign his lease agreement. "I wasn't in the mood to be put through my paces," I answer honestly.

He arches a dark brow in question.

"Next Wednesday, I will be formally introduced into pack Society at a ball my sister, Gina, the Luna of Thornback, is hosting in my honor."

My family is nervous, unsure whether people will attend out of curiosity or snub the event, signaling their displeasure with the Alpha of Thornback marrying beneath him.

Noting the speculation in his gaze, I continue, "As for how I have a sister who is a Luna..."

"I doubt a soul in this city exists who hasn't heard tales regarding the Tempests and their various marriages among the high packs." He says softly.

My siblings' marriages should have given us all the social acceptance we craved, but the high packs seems reticent to welcome newcomers into their midst.

I suppose there is some truth in that. They are all the talk from what I understand. They have set high standards and expectations for me, even before they began collecting ranked spouses. So, when I have dinner with Kai, he and his wife, bless them, insist we follow proper etiquette while dining… selecting the correct utensil from the ridiculous number on the table… and discuss only topics appropriate for dining with the rich and fancy. "When I marry a ranked man, my life will become nothing but nights of formal dining and quiet discussions about boring subjects." I look around. "I doubt there will be robust laughter or claps on the back or such astonishing joy at reaching the end of a hard day and having a bit of time to relax with friends. So, I came here tonight to avoid having to face any faults in my behavior and to enjoy the revelry surrounding me."

"Then why seek to marry a ranked wolf ?" His tone is flat, tinged with a bit of disapproval, as though he has the right to be offended by my plans.

I don't want him to judge me. "My family expects it. I grew up expecting it. To be honest, there are few ways for a She-wolf to better herself except through her mate. Business ownership or hard work might gain her more success than a man, but it doesn't garner the same amount of respect. It's rather irritating, really, but that's the way of the world. You can't disagree with my assessment, surely."

"I don't suppose I gave it a great deal of thought, one way or another. It depends on the lengths you will go to in order to acquire what you want." He says.

I think for a moment. "All the lengths that are necessary. Wouldn't you do the same?"

"I'm not certain I would." He sighs.

I bite my lip. "Then I assume you are fortunate, and life has offered you few challenges."

"You would assume incorrectly." Embarrassed by his words, he drops his gaze to his bowl and begins stabbing the fluffy potatoes on top into the meat filling.

By the Goddess, how did we become so short with each other? A change in subject is needed. "If I may be so bold, you don't sound like you come from the streets. I would wager you have had some education."

"My father insisted." He says.

"You strike me as being a solicitor. Or a banker, perhaps." Someone with a position of authority and influence. It's the way he holds himself, the confidence that rolls off him in waves.

He shakes his head. "Nothing quite so interesting, I assure you."

His tone indicates that line of conversation is at an end, but I'm not yet ready to let it go. "Now you have piqued my curiosity, Mr. Solman. How do you earn your way?"

He studies me for a long moment, as though torn between telling me to go to the devil or answering honestly. Finally, he says, "I am a gentleman with means."

Which tells me nothing at all. Did an inheritance fall into his hands? Did he achieve success in business, investment, with horses, or gambling? "How do you spend your day?"

"Doing whatever I please." He says.

"Yet you claimed not to be fortunate." I point out.

Another sigh. "Everything comes with a price, Miss Tempest."

What price had he paid? It's not my business, and I'm not rude enough to inquire. I have already skirted the edge of good manners. Yet, I can't deny being curious about him. It's odd how he draws my interest when no other man has… not in this way, at least.

I have found numerous men attractive, certainly, but I have never had my heart flutter because of one's beauty. I have never wanted to delve into every aspect of one of their lives, and I don't know why I want to know all the details of his. Maybe it's because I have begun preparing myself for analyzing the men I will meet next week as potential husbands, and my mind decided to practice my skills to hone them. Or perhaps he piques my interest simply because he seems so determined not to be known.

While we have been conversing, we have managed to finish our meal. Becky hurries over. "Will there be anything else, loves?"

"Nothing for me," I say.

"Nor for me," he responds.

She looks at me. "Is he with you, Miss Tempest?"

I glance over to see his brow deeply furrowed, and confusion mirrored in his eyes. It's time to repay his earlier generosity in offering me the table. "Yes."

Becky smiles brightly. "Meal is on the house, then."

"No," he says quickly, brusquely. "I will pay for my meal."

"But you are with Miss Tempest, and Tempests don't pay in a Tempest establishment." Becky says, sounding confused.

Now Michael looks confused. "This is a Tempest pub?"

"My sister Gina's," I tell him.

"The Luna." He says.

I smile because keeping up with my family members is a task, and it seems he has already mastered it. "Yes."

I stand up, aware of him quickly following suit, and reach into my pocket, pulling out a coin. Unfortunately, the newspaper clipping comes out with it and flutters down near the toe of his polished boot. Before I can react, he reaches down to gather it up. I press the coin into the serving girl's hand. "This is for you, Becky."

"Ah, Miss Tempest, you don't have to..." she says.

"You took such good care of us. Thank you." I tell her.

The girl gives a quick bob of her knees. "Appreciate it, miss, sir." Then someone calls for her, and she races off to tend to another's needs.

When I look at Mr. Solman, I find him staring at the embarrassing clipping that had the audacity to open itself as it made its way to the floor. I hold out my hand. "I will relieve you of that now."

"Why would you carry this with you?" He asks.

"Because I find the letter terribly romantic and enjoy reading it. And if I may be honest," I don't know why I feel the need to confess to him, perhaps because I fear without further justification, he will think me a silly girl, "I hope to meet this prince of the Rose at the ball next week and have the opportunity to spend time in his company." To offer my condolences and come to know better a man who had given his wife so much of his heart.

Mr. Solman hesitates several heartbeats before carefully folding the letter and placing it in my waiting palm. "It is a dangerous thing, indeed, Miss Tempest, to fall in love with a man before ever having met him."