by Aria Chase
“Who?” Vasek asked the question with an air of tense expectation.
“Alyra Edwards.”
His father shook his head, his expression one of confusion, even as his mother gasped.
“You can’t be serious. She’s the horse trainer, and just an Omega.” Charlotte fanned herself with the napkin. “This is no time for jokes.”
“I’m not joking.” He looked his mother fully in the eyes. “By the old traditions, she is now my mate. By the new traditions, a wedding must take place. I leave it to you to organize. I see no reason why we can’t use the same date Elise and I had reserved.”
“You’ll be a laughingstock. You can’t marry that girl, and certainly not on the day you were supposed to marry Elise.” Charlotte’s vehemence brought a crimson flush to her cheeks.
He shrugged. “Gossip will die, but at least I’ll be mated by the Ascension. You know what happens if I have no mate.”
Vasek was nodding, wearing a resigned expression. “It’s never been done, but there isn’t a law that says you can’t discard the girl after the Ascension.” He stroked the stubbly beard on his chin. “Yes, why not? We’ll reward her handsomely, and she can disappear. With a large enough payoff, I’m certain this Omega will give up her position in the pack. We can put the blame on her for running off. Once a suitable time has passed, you’ll divorce her and find a proper mate.”
It was a struggle to keep from rolling his eyes, but Jared managed not to do so. He bit down on his tongue to refute his father’s assumption, knowing now wasn’t the time to continue arguing, since his parents were coming around to the idea. Personally, he didn’t need their approval, but he knew their support would be invaluable among the pack. It would also make things easier on Alyra if they weren’t openly opposed to the match. “She’s joining us for lunch.”
“Here?” His mother couldn’t hide her aversion. “It’s bad enough to go through with this farce, but you expect me to entertain her?”
Enough. Jared slid back his chair, gaining his feet. He gripped the chair back while alternating his gaze between them. “I expect you to be civil. I expect you to help throw together a wedding, and I expect you to maintain a positive attitude, regardless of your true feelings.”
Her eyes widened with hurt, as his father’s voice exploded from his end of the table. “Respect your mother, boy.”
Jared nodded. “I do respect her, and you. That’s why I’m giving you plenty of time to come to terms with this, rather than springing Alyra on you this afternoon. She will be here at one.” He turned on his heel to stride from the room, not looking back. A surge of confidence filled him. Things were going to work out. It would take some careful planning, but soon, all would be as it should.
***
Alyra waffled between obedience and open defiance by not responding to Jared’s summons. Her decision would have been easier if she didn’t have the hope he had summoned her to release her. That thought sent a pang shooting through her chest, forcing her to sit on the bed. Absently, she smoothed a hand down her riding breeches, while trying to brace herself for his change of heart. Last night had been incredible, more amazing than she could ever have anticipated, and she didn’t think she had imagined Jared’s response. It had been incredible for him too, but now that he was clearheaded, he surely had realized he couldn’t claim her. No doubt, that was why he had left before she awakened, with only a note ordering her to come to him that afternoon.
It would be a relief to have him withdraw his claim. She tried to convince herself of that as she got to her feet to walk to the door. Alyra couldn’t refuse him now, after accepting him and mating, but he could still withdraw. It was a gray area in pack law, but she wasn’t going to make an issue of it with the Elders. She wanted him to reject her. It was for the best.
Then why did her heart hurt so much at the idea? Why were tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she navigated the path to the main house? Why couldn’t her stupid heart see that she couldn’t be with Jared, and it would only hurt more in the end if she had him for a short time?
Alyra was already stepping through the servants’ entrance before she wondered if she should have gone around front. With a shake of her head, she discarded that idea, knowing only visitors used the front entrance. As an Omega and employee of the Sundown family, she wouldn’t have been welcomed at the ornate front door. Griffin, the butler, would greet her politely on the grounds if he ran into her, but should she arrive via the front entrance, his nose would wrinkle, and there would be no mistaking his disapproval.
The mudroom that doubled as the servants’ entrance led directly into the enormous kitchen, filled with industrial-sized appliances and every convenience imaginable. Betsy, the day cook, stood at the stove, stirring something that made Alyra’s nostrils twitch with interest. Her mouth watered, and she paused by the older woman to sniff the contents of the pot. “Smells good.”
Betsy jumped, and then turned to Alyra, shaking her head. Her girth filled most of the space in front of the stove, forcing Alyra to lean over to get a better look. “What is it?”
“It’s a sauce for the duck.”
“I wish we lowly servants ate this well.” She traded a grin with Betsy, before letting it fade from her face. “Have you seen Mr. Sundown?”
“Older or younger?”
“Jared.”
Betsy waved her spoon toward the hallway leading to the front of the house. “Last I saw him was at breakfast. I didn’t hear the details, but he got his mother’s feathers ruffled, and his father was in a foul mood. I was told to expect a guest for lunch. My guess is he’s in the dining room.”
A frown pleated Alyra’s face. Had Jared forgotten the appointment he commanded she attend? She glanced at the clock on the wall, finding she had only five minutes before she would be late. At a loss, she continued to stand in the kitchen, not sure if she should go hunt down Jared, especially with company coming. What he was going to say wouldn’t take long, but it wasn’t something that should be done in front of others. No one needed to know what they had done. It would be easier for all involved to keep last night a secret.
“Did you come to stand over my shoulder, Alyra?”
Betsy’s question forced her wandering mind to return, and she shook her head. “I was supposed to meet Mr. Sundown at one, but I think he might have forgotten. I don’t want to disturb him.”
“Why not tell Griffin you were here? He can deliver the message discreetly to Mr. Jared, and you won’t be in trouble for not showing up.”
“Good idea. Where is he?”
“Probably in the serving area off the dining room.” Betsy rolled her eyes. “He does insist on overseeing the serving of the meals, and Griffin isn’t happy unless he’s inspected each detail beforehand.”
After obtaining directions from Betsy, Alyra set off in search of the butler. The house was beautiful, decorated with plush fabrics and carpets in muted tones, a plethora of antiques, and objets d’ art that cost more than Alyra’s lifetime salary could ever equal. She didn’t take long exploring the rooms, but it was a rare opportunity to see how the other half lived. In the four years she had been employed by the Sundowns, she had never been farther inside the house than the kitchen or Jared’s office.
The cook’s directions were concise, and she found the small room without difficulty. Griffin was examining the contents of a silver tray, nodding his approval to the young woman in the maid’s uniform, who was waiting for his cue to serve the appetizer. His bushy white brows drew together in a frown when he saw Alyra lurking in the doorway. “May I assist you, Ms. Edwards?”
His expression made her feel like a naughty child who had gone somewhere she shouldn’t. She nodded, trying to hide her reaction. “I was supposed to meet Mr. Sundown at one, but I think he must have forgotten.”
The butler waved a gloved hand. “The Sundowns are expecting a guest.”
“I know. Betsy suggested I leave a message with you for Jar—Mr. Sundown, to l
et him know I showed up, asking him to find me at his convenience.”
The butler issued a soft sigh, making little effort to hide his annoyance. “Very well. I shall see to it when an opportunity arises.”
Alyra forced a warm smile she didn’t feel. “Thank you.”
The maid lifted the tray, and Alyra turned to go, just as Griffin opened the door for the other woman. She froze when Jared called her name, silently cursing her bad luck. This definitely wasn’t the proper time to have the necessary conversation. With a grimace that might pass for a smile, she turned to Jared, but hesitated in the doorway upon seeing his mother and father at the table, their expressions ones of blatant disapproval.
Jared got up from the brocade-upholstered chair and came to meet her. Alyra’s eyes widened, and her stomach dropped, when he put his arm around her shoulders to draw her inside the room. Automatically, she shook her head, but he paid no attention, forcing her along. Realization dawned that the fourth plate at the table was for her. Oh, God! He wasn’t changing his mind. He hadn’t come to his senses. Even worse, he had told his parents. There was no escaping now.
“Mother, Father, this is Alyra.”
Vasek nodded, but his expression held no trace of warmth. “Alyra.”
“Mr. Sundown.” It was ridiculous. She had spoken to his family many times, but always in capacity of a servant, while fetching their horses or answering their questions about the stock.
Charlotte’s nose twitched, as though she smelled something unpleasant. It couldn’t be the dish the maid was about to serve, because it smelled so good it made Alyra’s mouth water, even in the present circumstances. No, it must be Alyra she found so disagreeable. “Mrs. Sundown.”
“I’m pleased you feel so comfortable with us, Alyra, to dress casually. What an unusual statement.”
She swallowed down a retort at the criticism, while resisting the urge to look down at her riding outfit. Instead, she forced her tone to remain neutral. “I didn’t realize we were having lunch. Jared’s invitation was brief.” And terse, his words leaving little doubt of his reaction had she failed to show up. Now she knew why. He wouldn’t want to be embarrassed in front of his parents… not any more than he was already.
Jared led her to a seat, assisting her by pushing it in once she sat down. As she sat at the massive table, eyeing the delicate china, gold-rimmed crystal goblets, and silver flatware, Alyra’s inadequacies assailed her. She cast a surreptitious glance at her future mother-in-law, noting the perfection of Charlotte’s manicure, the excellent cut of her gray morning jacket, and the precise way she had tied the lacy collar of her white shirt. Glancing down at her own hands, she quickly hid them under the tablecloth, hoping no one would notice the jagged edges of her unpainted nails.
An arc of electricity sparked between Jared and Alyra when he sat beside her, patting her thigh for a second, before leaning back in his seat. He gave every indication of being relaxed, and his presence soothed her nerves a bit. She forced her spine straight, until it hurt, and raised her chin.
Her false bravado lasted through the first two courses, mainly because she wasn’t required to say anything. They ate in silence, the air thick with tension. She prayed it would be a quick meal, but her hopes were dashed when Charlotte waved to Griffin after the maid had served the main entrée. Her heart skipped a beat when the butler closed the door, leaving the four of them in the opulent dining room, with the illusion of privacy.
“How do you propose to pull this off, Jared?” Charlotte shook her head. “Look at her. She doesn’t know anything she needs to in order to be Lupina.”
“She’ll learn.”
“There’s no time before the Ascension. You must reconsider.”
Alyra admired Jared’s restrained way of setting his fork on his plate. She wondered if the deep breath he drew, audible to her, calmed him any.
“Mother, this is not open for debate. I need your assistance, but if you won’t give it, we’ll manage.”
Charlotte sighed. “I will do what I must, for the good of the pack.” Her eyes bored into Alyra. “You must think you have it made now, girl, but you will soon find you have undertaken more than you can handle.” Before Alyra could reply, she said, “When will you be holding the ceremony?”
Jared shrugged. “We already have the minister scheduled and the invitations sent. It shouldn’t be a problem to send them again, with Alyra’s name instead of Elise’s.”
Vasek’s mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he cleared his throat. “You can’t mean for the ceremony to be so public.”
“It’s indecent, Jared. Really. Everyone will know your bride was a last-minute substitute, but you can’t make it so blatant if you expect those in the pack to follow her. You must do this discreetly.”
“Mother—”
“I agree.” Alyra didn’t know where she found the courage to speak. “Your mother’s right, Jared. If you insist on doing this, I want it done quickly, without the pack witnessing. I don’t want Elise’s castoff wedding date or dress. Let’s just get it over with.”
He tilted his head, seemingly considering her words. Finally, he nodded. “If that’s what you want. What do you suggest?”
Although he addressed the question to Alyra, Charlotte answered before she could compose her thoughts.
“We’ll ask Reverend Cooley to come out tomorrow evening, to the house. Your father and I will be the witnesses. After the deed is done, I’ll tell a select few of the change in plans. By the time of the Ascension ceremony, everyone will know, without the necessity of a public spectacle.”
Jared shrugged. “Is that fine with you, Alyra?”
Left with no choice, she nodded. What could she say to the plans? Common sense told her to object loudly. If she mentioned having any doubts, Charlotte and Vasek would immediately side with her. Jared would be under tremendous pressure to reconsider.
That’s what she should want, but her heart urged a different course of action. A tiny part of her rejoiced in being chosen as Jared’s mate. Not because she wanted to be Lupina, but because she would finally belong with Jared as she had dreamed of during the past few years. Did it really matter that she was only a substitute for Elise? Hadn’t last night shown her that Jared could please her physically, as she could him? Wouldn’t the rest follow in time?
She looked up at Jared, concentrating on the furrow in his brow as he and his mother discussed arrangements. Her heart stuttered with a combination of hope and fear, not knowing what the future held as Jared’s mate.
5
Alyra’s head spun at the speed with which Charlotte made the arrangements. She had passed the rest of the afternoon in silence in the stable after escaping the dining room, hiding out in Achilles’s stall, hoping to calm her nerves. She was adjusting to the change in circumstances, but still hadn’t grasped all the ramifications the next morning when the maid roused her at six with an invitation from Charlotte.
Now, a few minutes since answering the thinly veiled summons, she was glad she had dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, deliberate choices designed to annoy her future mother-in-law, because she found herself at the mercy of a militant little seamstress named Aria. She had seen the woman around Evergreen Island many times, but had never had occasion to converse with her. There was no conversation now, as she was poked, prodded, turned, and measured by Aria’s assistants, while the seamstress and Charlotte stood off to the side, discussing styles.
“Is this really necessary?” As she asked the question, one of the women poked her with a straight pin, as if in retaliation for inquiring.
Charlotte looked up from Aria’s sketchpad, her brow wrinkled with annoyance. “Of course it is. The ceremony is private, but there will be photographs in the paper, and you’ll have a painting hung in the gallery. You must have a proper dress.”
“Will it be finished in time for tonight?” She eyed the bolts of silk, organza, and lace stacked on a chaise lounge in the corner of Charlotte’s sitting room
and shook her head at the magnitude of the project.
“Of course.” Aria said nothing else to her during the course of the next three hours. Alyra did as she they told her, finding her quiet resentment simmering ever closer to the surface as they treated her like a mannequin rather than a person. They allowed her no input on the design of the dress and ignored or dismissed any questions she asked.
By the time she was allowed to sit and eat for a few moments, she was beyond caring about the dress. Instead, her mind circled with the worry that this would set the pattern for her life. Would she always be expected to bow and scrape to Charlotte’s commands? Could she ever be worthy in the eyes of her mother-in-law, and thus not require guidance on every little thing? Was Jared really worth facing a lifetime of suppressing her personality to be what the others thought she should be?
As the hours passed, the dress took shape, until finally, in the early afternoon, she stood in a silk sheath. Touches of lace around the décolletage and hemline gave the silk dress a bridal feel, and the simplicity of the style, necessitated by the lack of time, suited her. Although there were a few things left to finish, she could see it would be a beautiful dress. Some of her anger at the day’s events flowed away, and she gave Charlotte and Aria a warm smile. “It’s lovely.”
“Yes.” Charlotte’s terse answer revealed nothing, and she immediately returned her attention to Aria, making Alyra feel rejected anew.
A knock on the door interrupted all progress, and Charlotte went to answer it. Vasek entered, accompanied by Rodney Sewell, the only attorney on the island. Alyra watched with narrowed eyes as Rodney, Charlotte, and Vasek conferred over paperwork the attorney spread out on the Victorian writing table. She clenched her teeth to avoid saying something rash when Vasek waved her over, not even extending the courtesy of using her name.
She stepped away from the mirror and swept toward them, finding the dress gave her a bit of confidence. Perhaps because it allowed her to meet them as an equal, if only in the fashion department. “Yes?”