At dinner, it was a struggle to get all four people seated at the table. Although Jennifer’s expression was still grim, she had managed to rein it in a bit, and the sharp hostility from earlier had dissipated.
Nelson hesitated, stealing glances at Jennifer before turning to observe Emma. Emma, however, remained expressionless, as she was covertly appraising Patrick’s attire. At that moment, he seemed extremely distant, almost unapproachable. He sat quietly, resembling a finely sculpted statue, flawless in every detail, with every hair perfectly in place.
Jennifer’s words shattered this undercurrent. She had probably noticed Emma’s surreptitious gaze at her son, which irked her. She didn’t allow anyone to look at her son like that, especially not someone like Emma, who was picked up by Nelson halfway. She had to nip this possibility in the bud.
“I suppose everyone knows why we are gathered here for this meal?” she remarked.
Emma silently withdrew her gaze, turning her attention to the exquisite food on her silver plate. It was adorned with a luxurious steak rich with the fragrances of lemon and parsley, complemented by a French foie gras garnished with black truffles, and a syrupy crepe. The sight of the food almost made her mouth water.
It was evident that the kitchen here was exceptionally skilled, distinct from the restaurant where she used to work part-time at Blue Halo Pack. Everything, from the decor to the behavior of the people, even the level of the food, was on a completely different level from Blue Halo Pack.
Once again, she realized that she didn’t belong here. No matter how appealing the title, she was merely borrowing, not owning.
Patrick knew Emma wouldn’t respond, so he stiffly interjected, “It’s to welcome our family’s new member, Emma.” Standing up, he offered her a glass of grape juice. “Since Emma isn’t of legal drinking age, we’ll use grape juice as a substitute to welcome her.”
He extended the glass towards Emma, who hesitated to accept, which was rather impolite.
Taking it, she offered a faint smile. “Thank you, alpha Patrick.”
Jennifer’s expression finally softened a bit, thinking to herself that the young girl was at least tactful.
Unexpectedly, Patrick interjected, “Didn’t I tell you that in private settings, you can relax a bit? No need to call me alpha.”
Inwardly, Emma sighed. This person in front of her didn’t care if his mother targeted her. But given the circumstances, there was no point in saying anything else. She returned the smile, “Alright, brother.”
For a moment, Jennifer’s gaze sharpened once again.
The dinner was incredibly awkward. Each of the four present had different thoughts, and the only sounds were the crisp clinking of silverware echoing in the small space.
After enduring a difficult meal, Emma couldn’t eat much, despite the deliciousness of the food. She set down her utensils after a few bites, planning to grab a couple of slices of bread later to fill her stomach in her room.
As she stepped out, a voice called out to her, and she recognized it as Jennifer’s. She had heard Mike refer to her in that way. She knew that if Jennifer was stopping her at this moment, it wasn’t merely out of concern; it was likely a warning.
“You’re Emma, right?”
Turning back, she forced a polite smile, “Yes, ma’am. Is there something you need from me?”
Jennifer looked at her disdainfully, scanning her up and down as if appraising a commodity in need of valuation. “Why do you suddenly want to come back to Mike at this time?”
Emma restrained the urge to roll her eyes in front of an elder. It was impolite and went against her values, but the woman’s attitude made her profoundly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t understand what you’re saying. I don’t understand what you’re trying to express.”
Jennifer coldly stared, “Why are you suddenly returning at this time?”
“I don’t want to come back. No, I never wanted to come to the Silver Moon Pack. It’s neither my wish nor my mother’s. If I could, I’d rather squeeze into a small room with my friends from Blue Halo Pack, without a bathroom, using a communal shower, without a kitchen, with barely enough space for a bed and a table. Rather than being here, facing a group of strangers,” Emma retorted.
It was evident that Jennifer didn’t believe her. “Do you think I would believe such an absurd excuse? You would rather live in a place like a pigsty than be in Silver Moon Pack. No one would make such a choice. I don’t believe you.”
This time Emma couldn’t hold back. She retorted coldly, “Ma’am, I don’t understand your values, so I won’t easily judgewhat kind of person you are, but based on what you’ve said to me and your arrogant attitude, I think you are an insufferable woman.”
Jennifer had never been spoken to in such a manner, and given her status, no one would dare to speak to her that way.
She was astounded. “How dare you speak to me like that!”
Emma wasn’t intimidated by her demeanor. “I think you are not only insufferable but also someone who doesn’t know how to respect others.”
The servant standing not far away was petrified. He was supposed to come over and inform the newcomer, Miss Emma, about the areas of the castle she could visit and those she couldn’t, all the while showing her around Silver Moon Pack. However, the terrifying atmosphere between Jennifer and Emma made him too afraid to approach. He could only observe from a distance in the shadowy corner.
Jennifer was fuming. “You dare to disrespect me! I am not only Mike’s partner and Patrick’s mother, but also the former Luna of Silver Moon Pack! You dare to defy me!”
Emma thought to herself that this woman was truly exasperating.
“I don’t care whether you are the Luna of Silver Moon Pack or an alpha. Firstly, I don’t like Mike because he not only abandoned my mother, leaving her with a lifelong stain, but also abandoned his own child and hometown. Secondly, Mike is my biological father. I have no choice, and according to the laws of the werewolves, I must live with him until I come of age. This is not something that either of us can decide. The laws decreed by the Moon Goddess hold supreme authority.”
Jennifer wanted to say something, but the name of the Moon Goddess prevented her from uttering any disrespectful words.
“I won’t stay in Silver Moon Pack for long, at least not after I come of age. So, even for the sake of your current partner, I still suggest that we get along. Otherwise, none of us will be better off.”
Jennifer couldn’t argue. Deliberately antagonizing an underage girl, especially her partner’s child, someone who had just lost her mother and hometown, would soon lead to her being impeached by the other elders of the pack. This was not a good situation, particularly for Patrick, who was only twenty years old and still not firmly established within the pack.
She glared angrily at Emma before turning and walking away.