Chapter 16: What Happened Before Dinner

The ballroom was sparsely decorated. Aesthetics would only be wasted on werewolves after all.

Chandeliers lit up every inch of the large space and there was a buffet running through the middle of the hall. Unlike the tables at Septrion County's Full Moon Gathering, the tables were firm and tall despite standing on slender metal legs. They were draped with white satin cloth and laden with dishes in neat silver compartments.

It was extravagant.

But that was to be expected. Every pack contributed to the Summit funds after all.

It was the one day every four years that werewolves celebrated the flourishing of their kind after all.

'Close your mouth,' Caph whispered.

Ran clenched her teeth and scowled at him. 'It's already closed! Close your own.'

He grinned at her.

He had said that to get her to relax.

She took a deep breath. Caph held up the gift bags in his other hand. 'Where do we start?'

Ran recalled her father's notes and Acamar's instructions.

First, they greeted the Alphas from their own county. There was no need to give them gifts—they saw each other every month. This was just a formality.

Phel, the 100-year-old Alpha of Phoenix patted Caph on his shoulder fondly and they exchanged knowing looks.

She wondered what they talked about when they looked at each other.

Then, Ran presented the gift bags to the Alphas of the packs they had alliances with or who were friends of her uncle and late father.

Celphus was one of these people. He grasped her hands in both his large hands and shook them vigorously. He also insisted on introducing her to the other Alphas of his county as his daughter-in-law. They recognised Caph, of course, and made veiled comments about his previously errant behaviour to Ran.

Ran handled these conversations coolly.

It was part of the arrangement she had with Caph after all, to restore his reputation.

It was the least she could do.

The least? Ran wondered why she thought that. When did she start owing Caph for his support of her?

Finally, with the last gift bag in hand, she approached the host of the event. The Alpha of Leo, who also happened to be her long-lost first love.

Her pulse quickened as she approached Dingo and caught his attention. He handed his wine glass to Etta and turned to face her.

Caph squeezed her hand reassuringly. She squeezed back.

But her throat was dry.

The greeting she had repeated over and over to the other Alphas did not come easily to this stranger who was not a stranger.

In the end, she thrust the gift bag at him. 'Here. Thanks for hosting the Summit again.'

The professional smile on Dingo's face faded. He peeked into the bag and pulled out the leather knife sheath handcrafted by the pack members of Eridanus as a gift for this occasion. He traced the familiar embroidery and tossed it into the air, catching it with the same hand. 'How nostalgic.'

Werewolves around them began to stare.

'And?' Dingo tilted his head to the side and crossed his arms. 'Don't you have more to say to your old friend?'

Ran stared at him, speechless.

What did he want her to say? Since when were they old friends? She just found out he was not dead. It would take her some time to think of what she wanted to say to him.

The tips of her ears began to burn as she grew aware of the attention they were attracting at the centre of the ballroom.

'You were very conversational and polite to all your other allies. Even to the Alphas of packs you don't even know. But you know me. We grew up together. Why are you so hostile towards me?'

Silence fell in the ballroom. Save for a few murmurs, all other conversations died. Everyone was waiting for her to speak.

'I'm not trying to be hos–' Ran began.

But Dingo cut her off.

'Is it because you think I betrayed Eridanus by marrying into Leo? Are you jealous that I have become the Alpha of another pack?'

Caph stepped forward, bristling and ready to defend her.

Dingo turned to him. 'You must be Caph. I congratulate you on your betrothal to Ran and wish you all the best from one Alpha to another.'

He slung an arm around Caph's shoulder.

'I'm sorry you have to marry such a wet blanket in order to become Alpha. Please be kind to her. Her parents died when she was young.'

That was the last straw.

She snarled at him. Shouts burst out around her. There were werewolves everywhere at once.

Ran had wrenched Dingo away from Caph, pinning him to the ground.

One hand dug into his neck, the other raised to slap him across the face.

His chocolate eyes laughed at her.