Brenna
Adan’s head snapped up, glaring at me with hurt-filled eyes. “No! Absolutely not!” He took a calming breath. “I told you before; what you did before me is of no consequence to me. But what you do with anyone else from this moment on, is.” He slipped a lobster tail and some dressing onto my plate first, then his. “If you tell me you’re a virgin, then I believe you. Magenta is coming just to check you over and see to your needs, to make sure you aren’t malnourished and the like.”
I nodded. “I’m sorry. I just thought—”
“Brenna….” He took my hand. “I’m not the brute you may think me to be. Just give it time.” He looked longingly into my eyes. “Give me time.” Then he raised my hand to his lips, kissed it, and then released me. He smiled as he motioned toward the table. “Come! Enjoy! Take what you like. Do not be shy.”
I nodded, drying my eyes on the sleeve of my robe... or the robe he had lent me. Even my clothes weren’t mine. I held up my bowl, and he ladled some soup into it for me, and then he served himself. I broke off a piece of garlic bread, handed it to him, and then took one for myself. Adan smiled, obviously appreciating the small gesture. After blowing across the soup, I took a sip, and the rich seafood flavor filled my mouth, warming me as it went down.
“Um... this is delicious.” I took another sip and then dipped my bread into it and took a bite. But this time, I made sure to eat slowly so it wouldn’t come right back up.
“I’m glad you like it.” Adan took a sip of his soup. “I have the best chef of all the Packs.”
I chuckled. “Our chef was excellent, too. He used to make... never mind.” I took another sip of my soup, hoping it would remove the pain still fresh in my mind… in my heart.
“Brenna....” Adan held my hand, giving me a sympathetic look. “I can only imagine what you’ve been through. I’m meeting with Fletcher Reed tomorrow for lunch—”
My head snapped up as I pulled my hand away, glaring at him.
Adan froze. “And before I do,” he continued cautiously, “I need to know everything that happened to you, and Fletcher’s part in it.” He bit his lower lip and released it. “I know it’s not fair to ask, but I have to know, so I know what I’m dealing with.” He reached for my hand again, but I pulled away. He pretended not to notice. “I promise you, Brenna, I will get retribution for you and your people.”
I nodded. “But if you’re a friend of Alpha Reed—”
“I’m an acquaintance,” Adan cut me off. “Fletcher and I have had amicable business dealings in the past, but that won’t change how I will deal with this.”
I nodded, staring into his eyes. “But I want to be the one to kill him... both him and the Alpha who gave me to him.”
He let out a deep breath, considering. “It may cause a war, but so be it. But before we kill anyone, I have to know everything.” A broad smile spread across his lips. “But in the Families, business is never discussed over dinner. We will discuss business over drinks after. For now, let’s enjoy each other’s company and this marvelous food.” He sighed as he looked over the table. “I’m sorry. I would have ordered you a steak, but I thought that if you hadn’t eaten anything in a while, something lighter would—”
“No, this is fine.” I gave him a kind smile. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I’m sorry, but it’s going to take me a while to adjust.”
He nodded, smiling. “Well, then, let’s enjoy our meal. Shall we?”
I took another sip of the soup, but the more I ate, the more I wanted. So, I opened a clamshell and ate the luscious meat inside. When it stayed down, I ate the lobster tail and then some of the dressing.
“So, tell me a little about yourself.” He spread the lobster tail and the cracking sound resonated throughout the room.
“What would you like to know?” I took a sip of wine, which helped to calm my nerves.
“What are your hobbies? What do you like to do?”
I shrugged. “I’m good with the sword. I used to spar with Dane, my mentor and trainer.” I smiled at the thought. “He never let me win. If I wanted to win, I had to earn it.”
“I would have shot him.” Adan frowned as he took a bite of his lobster tail.
I laughed. “No, I’m glad. I became a better swordsman because of it.” I took another bite of the lobster tail as the buttery flavor filled my mouth. I reached for one of the others and put it on my plate. Then I held the platter up to Adan, and he took the other.
“Women aren’t supposed to play with swords.” He dipped his bread into his soup.
“Huh!” I chuckled, unable to believe what I was hearing. “For your information, I wasn’t ‘playing’ with swords. I was one of the best swordsmen in my Pack because of his training.”
Adan smiled, nodding. “Well, then you’ll have to show our young warriors what you know... when you feel up to it.”
I let out a deep breath. “If I become a member of this Pack, then I’d love to. I’ve always wanted to work with the young warriors—”
“You are a Queen,” he cut me off sternly. “There will be no need for you to become a trainer.” He shrugged. “Just show the warriors what you know, and they will take it from there.”
“No.” I took a bite of the lobster tail. “I want to be more, do more—”
“You can, as my Queen.” He took another bite of his bread.
“I think we’re going to have to have a little talk before we go any farther.” I took a sip of my soup and swallowed. “If I become your Queen, then I will also make decisions. You will be the Alpha and the King, but I will also be able to make decisions. I refuse to be a figurehead or some kind of trophy wife—”
He laughed, taking my hand as he leaned in, giving me a sexy smile. “So, you’re already thinking of me as your husband?”
“Get off me!” I yanked my hand away, knowing he was teasing me. “The point I’m trying to make is—”
“You want to keep your independence,” he finished. “You don’t want to be told what to do.”
“Exactly.” I finished off my second lobster tail and then started on the dressing. It was oyster dressing and tasted delicious. Obviously, he thought that seafood would sit better on my stomach. “I don’t intend to take orders—”
“And I don’t intend to play nice regarding the matter,” he cut me off, slamming his hand on the table. “Make no mistake about it, you will be my Mate and my Queen, and as such, you will have responsibilities and duties to honor. I will accept nothing less.”