Jason’s POV
I wasn’t dull, a little vain? Yes and maybe I don’t know how to keep a woman happy for long but the last thing I am is less than smart.
I had spoken with Jeremy on two more occasions before the big brother demon showed up.
He didn’t want me to hand him over to the devil’s spawn but he was okay with me letting him think I had him wrapped around his fingers. I wasn’t necessarily going to pick any sides.
Just going to play by the ‘rules’, I smiled at him and he remained unfazed, almost like he knew I had some dirty tricks under my sleeve.
“With the way you claim to like my pack, won’t you let me offer you a cup of tea. Lampard! We need it brewing,” I called out as I led him to the large dining hall in the adjoining room.
He was unimpressed, even other alphas who had come here always found the place to be grand, from the ceiling decor to the tinted glasses and even the hard tiles that clicked under our feet.
“This is not in my plan, I don’t want it to seem like you’re stalling. I have a lady to go back to,” he said and I wondered what sane lady would be with an ice sculpture that was this man.
“She wouldn’t mind you having tea with your brother’s captor,” I said with all the seriousness of a cute cat.
He merely spared me a glance as he settled on the other end of the table, I decided I was going to stand.
“Well,” he muttered and I watched him with intense concern, feeling sorry for the poor lady I didn’t even know. “Just a cup. I hope you’re not trying to be sly.” He repeated again and even though I was feeling filthy, I settled right there and crossed my legs.
We maintained a level of hauteur, Jeremy was truly the kind brother.
Alice and the kitchen crew walked in just then.
They pushed in a carrier and I saw the China teapot my mother had liked to collect. It was well arranged, smallish and intricate.
“At least we’re known in all the packs for our hospitality. They all admit it, though reluctantly, but they do.” I said and he didn’t say anything.
The maid tried to pour his tea but he refused and did it himself, when he had done that, I watched as he took a sip and returned his gaze to mine.
“I’ve done that. Where is my brother?”
Evelyn’s POV
I knew there were secrets in this pack, dark ones, semi dark ones and even the most bland ones. Lorelai led me back home whil I desperately tried to ignore the pains I felt at my back.
I counted the steep stairs leading to the foundation of the packhouse and struggled not to form stumbling down on her arms.
“I see you’re hurting don’t try to hide it!” She called out in her thick welsh accent, blowing my strong woman facade.
“Allow me a moment of faux strength. I didn’t believe it would actually be this hard, not painful, mainly inconvenient. I don’t know if you understand what I mean?” I added and I didn’t look back but I felt her nod. I had mastered her silence that I could converse freely with her quiet and not feel too much.
She did enjoy me.
I didn’t know how to feel about her now, it turns out she had deep rooted relationship with the Langdon but many circumstances were involved. She spoke like one who had lost love and no doubt she had, I didn’t ust know how to piece in the puzzle.
I made it my personal mission to fully uncover all that she had told me no matter how grievous the things may turn out to be.
“I smell brownies.” Lorelai said, finally speaking up and I chuckled.
“I mentioned brownies last night. Miss Lu is the best person on earth.” I said, truly convinced of it.
She was nurturing and consistent, her cooking game was almost as perfect as my ability to smell meals from ten miles away. I could smell lasagna also cooking and even gravvy.
“She had been the family since before Freyja was born, I used to be the only one allowed into the kitchen while she made any meal.” Lorelai commented and I turned to look at her.
I had so many questions because even her right hand woman bear never in the same spot as she was when cooking was going on. I definitely didn’t want her to appear suspicious so I took the topic to another level.
“That means your cooking must be good,” I said to her and she smiled, revealing her equally perfect dentitions. She subconsciously tucked her hnads behind her ear and nodded.
“I even won the pack’s baking contest two years in a row and Je…. Jackie was so proud of me he framed my spatula and placed it in the pub.” She said with a deep sense of inner joy and pride.
“Wow. And you haven’t thought it appropriate to cook up a storm for me? I really should burn you alive.” I added and she laughed.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright, the house can be spooky.” She said and I nodded.
The way she said it made me believe she had first hand experience and was speaking from a place of knowledge. I didn’t have a problem with the pack-house yet but I knew I was now going to be extra conscious of everything.
Before we could open the door, Miss Lu swung it open and she stood looking pretty tired on the other side.
She pushed a small box of what looked to be Brownies towards Lorelai and took a step back allowing me to enter.
“I trust you had a good time,” she said and I nodded.
“I need to use the toilet now! I had a great time Lorelai thank you,” I said and moved away.
I didn’t miss the silent whisper from Miss Lu.
“What did you gain from that outing? Try not to come looking for her any longer.” I knew there and then that she didn’t tell me all of it and it was left for me to find it all out myself.