ROWAN.
Viktor and I exchange a quick glance before I turn to the wolf.
“Thank you, Carla,” I say before plucking Jhnelle off him and handing her to the wolf. “Can you make sure she gets to her teachers and ensure she remains there this time?”
“Yes, Guia,” she says with a bow before leaving the room.
“So much for that shower,” Viktor remarks.
“I can have them delay it so you can have one,” I tell him.
“Nah. There is no point in delaying. Let’s get this show on the road,” he says as he walks out.
I take one steadying breath before I follow.
The dining room is designed with the same atmosphere as the rest of the mansion.
Rustic elegance.
The walls are painted a clean creamy white that creates a warm backdrop for the rich, dark wood of the furniture.
A sturdy table made from solid oak is set in the middle of the room, with legs fitted with silver ornate etchings.
The chairs are matched with the same design bit, with cushioned seats and curved backs, that helps make it more comfortable to lean on.
It is a beautiful room, which is sad, because we never actually use it.
It is way too small for a pack meal and Lisa had speculated that the dining was only meant for the main family.
“Ah, we are all here,” Maxwell’s voice sounds from behind us and we turn to see him as well as the other two walk into the room.
“Good evening. Hope you had a restful afternoon.”
“Not really,” Sven says. “It is the first time being surrounded by so many rogues. One might just decide to break in and attack.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Alpha Sven,” I say with a saccharine smile. “We are not the kind to ambush someone under the guise of friendship. That is something unique only to the packs.”
I see Fin wince at the barb and I know I have hit a spot.
Let no one pretend to not know what brought this up.
A bunch of power hungry, blood thirsty alphas who had tried to ambush us under the guise of coming to talk.
“Okay, okay,” Maxwell says as he walks past us and towards the table. “Put your claws in and let’s have dinner.”
The rest obey and I tag along but just before I can take my seat, I hear a couple of footsteps running towards us.
“Sorry, sorry,” Rina gasps as she as well as her sister barges into the room. “We are so sorry we are late,” she says as she stops to catch her breath.
Alden walks in at their back and I have a sigh of relief.
Now, we are complete
Four on four.
“Allow me to introduce everyone,” I say as I gesture to my people. “These are Lisa and Rina Blaze, my sister’s and this is Alden, heard of security for the settlement. Guys, these are Alpha Maxwell, Fun and Sven of the Grange, Indigo and Sky packs.”
“Hello,” Rina greets as he stumbles to the table. “I apologize for my appearance, I hate running.”
“It is fine,” Maxwell says.
The rest of them take their seats and we watch as a few wolves file out of the kitchen.
I have to give it to Rina, she has gone above and beyond for this meeting
A steaming dish of homemade Lasagna Bolognese is placed in the center of the table. It is served in a beautiful, creamy white ceramic serving bowl, designed with a simple yet elegant pattern of golden trim.
I didn’t even know we had something like that.
The lasagna is layered with tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and a blend of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, all of which fills the room with its sensuous smell.
It is paired with a basket of freshly baked bread sticks as well as crusty baguettes and a tub of golden butter.
At my nod, the wolves move to begin serving on plates of fine bone china that have delicate floral patterns on it. They too are adorned with simple gold rims and are placed next to matching wine glasses with thin, golden necks, with rimmed edges at the top.
And at the four edges of the table, a bottle of white wine is set.
I send a surprised glance at Lisa who also looks stunned at the spread.
Where in the goddess name did they bring out all these stuff from.
“Shall we?” I ask.
“I thought you would never ask,” Sven remarks before he digs in.
For a few long minutes, the only thing that can be heard is the munching of the food or the sipping from the glasses.
I had hoped we could discuss some things during this dinner but it seems like no one was willing to let the meal go to waste because of what is sure to be an unpleasant conversation.
I have all but given up on talking tonight when Maxwell clears his throat.
“If I may ask, Rowan? I can call you Rowan, right?” He asks
“Of course. Just as long as I call you Maxwell.”
“That is fine by me,” he says with a smile.
Glad I can amuse him.
“Cool.”
“Right, so, what was the aim of starting this coalition? Of gathering wolves into one place?”
“It was not a goal, this coalition,” I say. “And we didn’t start out with it in mind. From the beginning, it was just us three. Then Alden joined. We picked a few more along the years and we just kept getting bigger. Big enough to catch the unwanted attention of some packs. We didn’t want trouble and we never caused any violence. Never made the first attack. Some of those packs, well, they saw us as tools that can be used as long as we are offered scraps or some semblance of hope. Of course, when we refused, we were seen as insurgents that should be wiped out. And only then did we lash out.
“You should understand, some of us didn’t ask to be rogues. And just as much as there are those who are twisted enough to be casted out if their pack, you pack wolves are not innocent either.”
“Be careful what you are accusing us of,” Sven growls and the mood drops.