“Never done what?” I asked.
“Said you’re a Romani.”
I tossed the rag into the bucket. “Well, it’s true, and I’m not going to hide it anymore.”
“I know, but . . .” Wendy pulled me into the kitchen. “What the hell is going on?”
“Everything’s fine.”
“I don’t believe you, Sienna. Not after Markus came in here looking pissed. I’ve never seen him upset.” She shook her head. “Did you and Kaleb break up?”
The kitchen doorway swung open, and Bill held the door. “Wendy, can you take care of table five? I need to talk to Sienna.”
“Of course.” Wendy glanced at me before leaving the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes. I knew why Bill wanted to talk. “You’ll have to fire me if you want me to leave. I don’t care if Kaleb wants—”
“This isn’t about Kaleb. This is about you, Sienna.” Bill folded his arms. “Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Kaleb. I’m not even sure if I want to know. But you’re being rude to Wendy, and you’re flirting with the hunters. I don’t want them getting the wrong idea about you. What do you think would happen if Ethan or Victor came into the café and saw the hunters being friendly toward you?”
I lowered my gaze. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened between you and Markus either. The last thing I need is more Norwood wolves inside the café. Now that Kaleb has signed the agreement—”
“What?” My voice cracked.
“Kaleb signed the agreement this morning.” Bill looked at me. “Isn’t that why you and Markus were fighting? Some of the wolves aren’t happy about it.”
I didn’t know how to respond to Bill’s question because Kaleb signing the agreement made no sense. Why did he change his mind?
Chapter 33
I forced a smile as Ethan waved to me from across Nadya’s kitchen. By the surprised look on his face, I could only guess he hadn’t expected to see me. Not how I’d wanted to spend my Saturday afternoon, but when Nadya had extended a last-minute invitation to her parent’s anniversary party, Uncle Henry had insisted I go.
My plan was to show up, eat, and then walk home. Uncle Henry had only said I needed to go. He hadn’t said how long I needed to stay and I wanted to avoid Nadya.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Ethan said.
“Uncle Henry insisted.” I sat across from him, relieved Nadya wasn’t in the kitchen. “Have you seen Drina?”
“She and Victor are outside.” He pointed to the kitchen door that led outside to where the festivities were underway. “Have you heard what happened to Kaleb?”
I felt the room spin. Please no. Not Kaleb. “No. Is he . . . dead?”
“No.” He glanced around the kitchen. “My plan fell apart. Carter’s dad found out what he was up to and yanked him back home.”
“That sucks.” I tried to sound disappointed, hiding my relief Kaleb wasn’t dead and no one knew I had warned the Norwood wolves. “So, what happened?”
“The sheriff pulled him in for questioning.”
“When?”
“This morning,” he said as Nadya’s mother entered the kitchen and left through the back door with the other women. “Turns out Kaleb dated those two girls. They questioned him for hours, but he wouldn’t admit anything. I’m surprised no one said anything at the café. Didn’t you work today?”
“Things were busy. A wolf biologist came in with more trackers and a box full of dart guns.”
“They’re wasting their time. I know Kaleb did it.”
“But I heard he signed the agreement. Wouldn’t the Elders hold off on the agreement if there was any evidence he killed them?”
“They don’t care about those girls,” Ethan replied. “They’d agree to anything Kaleb wanted if he—”
“There you are.” Nadya entered the kitchen, looking very much like a princess, in a frilly blue dress and sparkly silver stilettos. She placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder and smirked at me.
I looked away, not wanting to engage in any bad behavior.
“Ethan,” Victor called from the back door. “We need help outside with the chairs.”
“Sure.” Ethan glanced at me. “No fighting.”
I rolled my eyes as he got up and headed outside. Getting into a fight with Nadya was not on my list today.
“Is that Drina’s old shirt?” Nadya snapped. “You’re pathetic.”
“Why are you always so rude?” I glared at her and crossed my legs. While the other girls at the party wore dresses and high heels, I wore black leggings, one of Drina’s purple blouses, and black boots with my hunting knife tucked inside. “Is it because my dad’s a gajo?”
“That’s part of it.” She crossed her arms.
“The other part is Ethan? Because I don’t like him, and I won’t—”
“Oh, please. I know he stays with you every night.”
I shook my head, not sure what to think. Ethan came by for dinner every night, but he always left at seven o’clock. I’d assumed he went to Nadya’s house, and that he’d changed his mind about our arranged marriage. If he wasn’t with her, then what was he doing? “That’s not true. He eats dinner and then leaves.”
“You’re lying.”
“I swear I’m not lying. He leaves every night at seven. You can ask Norma. She’ll tell you—”
“I don’t care what anyone says. I’m the one Ethan’s marrying. You can’t take him from me.” She slammed her hand on the table. “I don’t care what arrangement his parents made. I’m not letting you marry him. If you think—”
“He told you?” My jaw dropped.
“Of course.” She glared at me. “I won’t let him marry you.”
If she knew it was an arranged marriage, why was she pissed? She knew I had nothing to do with it. “What exactly did Ethan tell you?”
“He said he’s marrying you. You’ll regret this. I promise.”
I groaned as she stormed out of the kitchen. How could Ethan tell her he’s marrying me? No wonder she was upset.
“Sienna, what are you doing inside?” Aunt Norma entered the kitchen, carrying a plate of food and a glass of wine. “You should be outside mingling.”
I nodded and left through the back door as more women entered the kitchen with food and wine.
The backyard looked similar to ours, with woods along the back edge; but there was no gazebo on the right side. Instead, several plywood boards lay on the ground in front of a DJ table, where several people danced. Near the makeshift dance floor, Romanies sat on black folding chairs at round white tables. Two white rectangular tables stood on the far left of the yard, with food served buffet style.
I went to a food table, grabbed a plate, and stood in line. The food smelled delicious, but none of the dishes looked familiar, except for Aunt Norma’s fish pie. A dish she insisted on bringing to every party.
“Try the roasted pineapple slices. They’re good,” a short, stocky guy with brown hair said.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I placed two pineapple slices on my plate. He looked familiar, but I didn’t know his name. I pointed to an unfamiliar dish. “Do you know what that is?”
“Don’t eat that.” He placed a spoonful of what looked like shrimp fried rice and potatoes onto my plate. “You’ll like this. It’s my favorite.”
“Looks yummy.” I looked around for Drina or Victor, trying to figure out where I should sit.
“You’re not what I expected.” He glanced at my boots and held out his hand. “I’m David, Victor’s cousin. He said you wanted to sit with me. I’m at a table with my sisters, but we could sit somewhere else if you want.”
I shook his hand, realizing this must be Victor’s cousin, the one who he’d asked to fake an engagement with me. “No, that’s fine.”
He led us to a table at the far end of the backyard, away from the DJ table and dance floor. Four girls sat at the table, eating and drinking. They
ranged in age from about ten to sixteen.
“Everyone, this is Sienna,” David said as we sat.
As his sisters babbled on about Nadya’s gorgeous dress and shoes, I ate one of the roasted pineapple slices, and then quickly ate the other. They tasted delicious.
“Glad you liked the pineapple.” David pushed more roasted pineapple from his plate onto mine.
“Thanks.” I wiped my mouth with a napkin and glanced sideways at David. He wasn’t wearing any flashy jewelry or designer clothes. He looked down-to-earth in his blue jeans and a white polo shirt.
“If you need anything else, let me know.” David winked and then turned away when his youngest sister called his name.
Movement on the other side of the yard caused my smile to fade. Two large gray wolves sat near the woods, watching the party unfold. No one looked alarmed. There was no screaming. No weapons pulled out. No fighting for our lives. Everyone who glanced in the wolves’ direction ignored their presence.
“Why are those wolves here?” My stomach twisted. “Are they from Norwood?”
“You don’t recognize them?” one of David’s sisters asked. “Didn’t one of them touch you?”
“It was your uncle’s idea.” David nodded his head toward Uncle Henry, who stood near the house. “The wolves agreed to an alliance, so we’re easing into having a few around.”
I scanned the yard’s perimeter, searching for Kaleb. He had to be here. “Is it only the two wolves?”
“I think I counted nine.” David touched my hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
I smiled as he flexed his muscles and his sisters laughed. I continued eating, half-listening to his oldest sister talk about some guy. Something David wasn’t too happy about.
It took a few minutes, but I found the other Norwood wolves. They stood in a circle near the edge of the woods, all in human form. My throat went dry when I recognized the back of Kaleb’s head. Without thinking, I jumped to my feet and knocked my fork onto the ground.
“Are you okay?” David picked up the fork.
“Yes,” I replied, but everything wasn’t okay. I couldn’t sit here with Kaleb’s presence sucking the air from my lungs. “I need something to drink.”
“Let me get it,” he said. “Do you want water, or—”
“I’ll take Sienna to get her drink,” Uncle Henry said. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me away from David and his sisters.
As soon as we reached the drinks table, I poured punch into a cup and glanced toward Kaleb. He leaned against a tree with his arms folded, while several pack members, including Markus and Cole, stood nearby. No sign of Lexi or any of the other girls from Norwood Isle.
“Are you having fun?” Uncle Henry shoved his hands into his pants pockets.
I nodded.
“I thought you’d lost your mind, sitting with David.” He grinned. “Ethan can’t take his eyes off you. He looks jealous, and he should be. I told his father I don’t like him hanging out with Nadya.”
I drank the punch and searched the party for Ethan. I spotted him sitting next to Nadya and her friends at a table close to the DJ. He seemed amused by whatever she’d whispered in his ear. He didn’t look jealous at all. Not that I cared.
Ethan and Nadya laughed as they leaned closer to each other, but they pulled apart when an Elder approached their table. He exchanged a few words with Ethan. Ethan stood and followed him. They looked my way as they walked toward the house, with Nadya following.
“What was that about?” I turned to Uncle Henry and froze.
One of the other Elders stood next to Uncle Henry, whispering in his ear. He nodded as his eyes darted toward me. He rubbed his chin, spat out a few Romani words, and clenched his fists.
Something was wrong.
I glanced at Kaleb and the other Norwood wolves that stood against the trees along the outer edge of the yard. They looked calm and everything appeared normal. No one else seemed upset.
As soon as the Elder walked away, Uncle Henry grabbed my arm and yanked me toward him. “I want the truth.”
“What?” I gasped, trying to pull away. “You’re hurting me.”
“I won’t have you shame this family.” His grip tightened on my arm. “Tell me.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as he squeezed harder, digging his nails deep into my arm. No one noticed what was happening, except for Kaleb. His gaze met mine, but he showed no signs of coming to my rescue.
Chapter 34
I tore my gaze away from Kaleb and looked down at Uncle Henry’s fingers pressed into my arm. I’d never seen him so pissed. What shame did he think I’d brought to the family? I’d broken a few rules, but nothing that would justify him hurting me like this.
“I want his name.” Uncle Henry’s face reddened. He stared intently at me, searching my face for the answers he wanted.
“Who?”
“The boy you’ve been seeing.” His nostrils flared. “Is it David? Has he been coming to Woodlake to see you?”
“I’m not seeing anyone, I swear.”
“You’d better not be lying.” He released his tight hold.
I rubbed my arm and winced. “I don’t understand. What did the Elder tell you?”
“They want to meet with us right now.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and led me toward Nadya’s house. “Someone’s questioning your purity.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’ve had sex with someone. You’ll be blacklisted.” He opened the back door and led the way through the kitchen.
I kept my gaze down and ran my fingers over the deep nail impressions on my arm. This had to be a mistake. Why was someone questioning my purity? If becoming blacklisted meant losing your virginity, then whom was Victor referring to at Drina’s birthday party? I thought Ethan and Victor were talking about me being blacklisted, but they had been talking about someone else. Someone who had sex with Ethan.
Uncle Henry led us to a room near the front of the house and closed the door behind us. A large desk and a built-in bookcase occupied one side of the room. On the adjacent wall, the four Elders sat in chairs while Ethan leaned against the large front window. He folded his arms and glanced at Nadya. She stood against the far wall, arms by her side.
When I looked over at her, she gave me a quick smile. I glared at her when I saw there was no one else in the room. “She’s the reason I’m here? Whatever she’s told you, it’s a lie. I didn’t—”
“We’re not accusing Nadya of lying.” Mom entered the room and stood next to me, clasping my hand in hers.
A lump formed in my throat as I stared at Mom. I couldn’t believe she was here. She looked beautiful, with fresh highlights in her hair and a smile on her face. I wanted to pull her outside, make her tell me the truth. “When did you get back?”
“This afternoon,” Mom replied. “Kezia and I ate lunch and spent the afternoon shopping.”
“What?” I shook my head, wondering why she hadn’t come straight home. She knew I needed to talk to her. How could she have had lunch with Ethan’s mom? Had they spent the afternoon shopping for wedding stuff?
“What’s the accusation?” asked Uncle Henry.
“We’re not here to discuss the accusation,” one of the Elders said. “We wanted everyone on notice. If a kris is called—”
“A kris?” the veins on Uncle Henry’s neck bulged as he shook his head, looking even angrier than before. “You’re calling a formal court on this accusation?”
“You can’t do this,” Mom said. “We have an agreement. I’ve done everything you wanted. A kris will—”
“I’m sure this is no more than two girls fighting over Ethan,” one of the Elders said, glancing from Nadya to me.
“This isn’t fair,” I insisted. A kris meant the possibility of banishment from Woodlake.
“Ethan marrying you isn’t fair,” Nadya said.
“You and Ethan.” Mom seemed surprised. “It’s not what—”
“What did you tell them?” I clenched my teeth, ignoring Mom. I was in no mood to deal with her right now.
“I saw you with someone,” Nadya replied. “You were kissing in the gazebo.”
“That was me.” Ethan unfolded his arms. “Sienna and I talked in the gazebo, and I kissed her. Nothing else happened.”
“No.” Nadya shook her head. “He showed up after you left.”
I swallowed hard. She’d seen me with Kaleb. Why didn’t she say his name? They wouldn’t have to call a kris. They’d banish me right now for being with a Norwood wolf.
“Sienna wouldn’t do that.” Mom squeezed my hand again. “She knows the rules.”
My pulse quickened as I released Mom’s hand. What would she say if I told her that Nadya spoke the truth? That I’d met up with Kaleb, and tried to lose my virginity to him?
“What proof is there?” Uncle Henry demanded.
“Nadya says she wasn’t alone. There are other witnesses,” one of the Elders said.
“Other witnesses?” Ethan’s gaze drifted to me. “Are you seeing another Romani behind my back?”
“No, and I didn’t kiss another Romani in the gazebo. She’s lying.” I chose my words carefully, ensuring I didn’t lie. Ethan had asked about another Romani. No one had said anything about a Norwood wolf, but something didn’t feel right.
We didn’t kiss in the gazebo that night. If Nadya or any other witnesses were nearby, why hadn’t Kaleb heard them? He was always careful when we were together.
“I’m not lying,” Nadya said. “I saw her with him.”
Ethan stormed out of the room, slamming the door. Nadya hurried toward the door but stopped when one of the Elders said her name, along with a few Romani words.
“We need the other witnesses to come forward,” one of the Elders stood as he spoke. “We want a name. These witnesses must know this other boy’s name.”
I balled my fists. No one had said anything about me having sex. “I don’t understand. I thought you were questioning my purity. She’s accusing me of kissing someone. Why is that such a big deal?”
Uncle Henry’s eyes widened. “Are you admitting there’s someone else?”
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