Kai POV
Kaden and I agreed to stay away from Tish all day. She needs time to recover from last night's activities, but we aren't stupid enough to leave her unwatched. I placed a guard outside of her cabin in case she tries to run again.
Dinner is quiet between my brother, myself, and our parents. I know they have questions about what went on last night, but neither of them is brave enough to ask. We returned this morning smelling of sex. I am sure my mother wants to know if Tish has been marked or not.
I am pushing my food around on my plate. I hate broccoli. After 24 years on this earth, you would think my mother would stop serving it to me.
Kaden is scarfing down everything on his plate and filling it with seconds. My mother stares at him lovingly. He has always been the favorite. He is eager to take over the pack and does everything to keep my parents in his good graces. Last night was the first time he had acted against them.
"So," my father's voice fills the quiet room. "Did you convince her to stay?"
My mother glares in his direction and takes a long drink of her wine. She empties her glass before filling it to the top again.
"She is going to stay until she gets on her feet," Kaden explains. "Then she plans to leave."
"Are you going to let your mate get away so easily?" My father asks.
"Of course not," I chime in. "She belongs to us. We will convince her to stay."
My mother nearly spits out her drink. "What happened to doing what is best for the pack?"
"I changed my mind," I shrug my shoulders.
"You have slept with her. What else can she possibly offer?" My mother scoffs. "She knows nothing about being a Luna or a werewolf."
"You could help her," my father suggests.
Stabbing her fork into the wood of the table, my mother glares at Dad. "You have asked me for a lot of ridiculous things, but this is possibly the stupidest thing you have ever suggested."
"Scarlett, My Love," my father says sweetly. "You could train anyone to be Luna. You are the best Luna I have ever met."
His sweet talking is not working. "Your lies won't flatter me into doing this," she snaps at him before turning her attention back to me. "What does she plan to do for work?"
I glance at Kaden, but he isn't looking up from his plate. I grumble about him being a coward before looking at Mom. "I plan on introducing her to Cedric."
"You have got to be kidding me," my mother laughs. "What could she possibly do for Cedric?"
"She was a bartender before she got mixed up with the recusants," Kaden whispers. "Kai thought it would be good for her to start there."
"Kai thought it would be a good idea," my mother glares at Kaden. "What about you? Do you think it is appropriate for your future mate to be working in one of Cedric's bars? They are filled with rogues."
"It is temporary," I interrupt. "I am sure she has other skills. We just need to get to know her."
"It is disgusting that you would even consider her to be your Luna," Mom huffs.
My blood is boiling, and my wolf, Fang, is demanding that we fight for our mate's honor. I begin to snarl, and I crack my neck to prepare for the shift. Despite my menacing tone, my mother has a smug look on her face.
She stands from her seat and growls back at me. "Do you really want to fight your mother over some whore?"
"If I have to," I hiss in response.
"Enough," my father's voice booms. "I will not have my family torn apart over this. Scarlett, she is their mate. You will have to accept it sooner or later. Boys, you need to find her a more respectable job than a bartender."
Kaden gets up from his seat and wipes his face on the back of his sleeve. "If you will excuse me," he growls. "I want to see our mate before she meets with Cedric."
The room is silent as he storms out. I push away from the table and knock over my chair in the process. It hits the floor loudly and my mother flinches. I can see the tears forming in her eyes, but I know better than to be persuaded by them. I am not as weak as my father.
I hear the front door slam, and I know Kaden is on his way to the cabin. I rush out of the dining room and make my way down the hall. Just as I am about to reach the door, an arm reaches out of the coat closet and pulls me inside.
As my eyes adjust to the lack of light, I realize it is Jessica. Pulling my arm away from her, I try to open the door, but she blocks my way.
Pushing her full lips out in a little pout, she runs her hands up and down my chest. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"
"To the cabin," I respond curtly.
"Back to the same woman twice in a row?" She smirks. "She must be something special."
"You could say that," I say. "Move."
"Wait," Jessica whispers. "I wanted to make you an offer."
Crossing my arms over my chest, I sigh loudly. "What is that?"
"I will help you complete your list," she says as she traces her fingers across my jawline.
I laugh loudly. "What do you want in return?"
"I want to be your Luna," she smirks. "I promise I can make it worth your while."
Her hands run over my shoulders, and she clasps her hands behind my neck. She stands on her tiptoes and tries to kiss me. I grab her hands and place them at her sides. "I am no longer interested in my list."
Jessica cups my dick through my pants and begins to massage it. My body betrays me, and my dick gets hard. She smiles triumphantly.
"See," she says seductively. "You do want me."
"Take your hands off me," I snap at her.
Jessica removes her hands from me, but her smile doesn't waver. "You will come for me, and when you do, I will be ready."
She opens the door to the closet, and the scent of Honey immediately hits my nose. Jessica saunters out of the closet and adjusts her clothes, pretending like they were disheveled.
Peeking out of the closet, I see Kaden and Tish standing in the foyer. Tish's jaw is clenched tight as she watches Jessica walk away.
"It's not what you think," I begin to plead my case.
Tish looks me up and down, and her eyes land on my erection. She shakes her head and clears her throat. "She is really pretty."
"I swear nothing happened," I tell her.
Tish rolls her shoulders uncomfortably. "It's not a big deal," she manages to choke out. "No attachments, remember. Which one of you is taking me to meet this Cedric guy?"