Chapter Twenty–Eight
Von POV
Just as I assured him would be the outcome, the second the clock struck seven. I was ready for dinner. Although I wasn’t entirely certain of the decision he’d made, I was willing to give him the chance to play this through Dressed in the gown I’d chosen from the dressmaker, theaded towards the stairwell. I was confident the man wouldn’t find any arguments with my appearance for the evening, having assured I was perfect. When the woman–Senica she’d told me had finally arrived at the manor, she’d come in the presence of a vast wardrobe. I’d been astonished as rack after rack of clothes was wheeled in, then was followed by shoes, purses, and even jewelry. In the beginning, I was hesitant, but then the reminder of his demands to pick whatever I wanted. I did so with relish. In a matter of a few hours. I’d managed to pick out four separate outfits, an evening dress, a day dress, a normal everyday outfit, and then one for a special occasion
Tonight I was wearing the evening gown. It consisted of the most exquisne golden yellow f’d ever seen, that almost perfectly matched Rhavage’s eyes. I refused to admit that was the reason I’d chosen it. The material pleated around the bust almost crisscrossed, that had thick arm straps that came around the neck. Beneath the bust was a three–inch band of diamonds, that went around, until it left a single strand falling down my back. where it was backless. It came to just above my knees, which was long enough should 1 bend over, but wouldn’t be cumbersome.
I absolutely loved the dress.
My shoes were just as perfect too. I wore a pair of Ventoni heels that added almost four inches to my short stature, the toe almost square. Despite being heels they laced over the top of my foot, leading to the delicate buckle at the ankle. Their color matched the dress. Around my neck hung a short stream of diamonds, where a diamond stone rested in the valley of my breasts. I wasn’t normally someone accustomed to the fancier side of life, but I couldn’t find fault with the outfit.
Neither could adden. When I came downstairs I was impressed at the sight of him in a suit, his expression was almost awestruck. Before he allowed himself to reveal too much his expression flatted to his usual blank stare. Tapprove.”
Itipped my head. “Same here.”
Then being the perfect gentleman he could be Kadden opened the door to allow me to walk ourside. Proving the good manners that escaped him. home he escorted me to the Bently, where he opened the door. This was a whole new side of him I’d never bore witness to, not even when I’d seen him with Luma Sarah. Although he’d always been respectful with his wife, I’d never got to see them at their best. I was sure he’d treated her much the same way, considerate of her feelings and doing things for her. If only I was always so lucky,
Sigh
Less than half an hour later the vehicle came to a stop beneath the awning of Lorenzito’s. Placing the vehicle into park Kadden lumbered out of the car, walking to the other side to open the door. Then leaving it in the presence of the valet who climbed into the front seat, I was shown inside. Stepping into the atmosphere of this place, I was immediately blown away by the ritz and glamor. A Maire de stood at the front podium, the walls lined with leather upholstered benches on either side.
Upon noticing the man who showed me inside the maitre de immediately stepped aside, motioning us forward. “If you’ll follow me, Your Majesty. The VIP lounge has always been prepared in advance.”
Following along with the men I was further amazed by the beauty of this place, unlike I’d ever imagined. Along the walls were enormous booths on both sides. though more tables covered a good portion of the floor. Directly in the center of the restaurant was a fountain with water that danced with an array of colors. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling overhead, which caused lights to glint on the surface of the glass.
I was guided towards the far end of the restaurant, where a pair of double–wide mahogany doors were. At the presence of the newcomers, two waiters rushed forward to open, revealing the VIP room. Though three tables were situated on either side, none of them were set for placement. Only to be surprised when we were led up a spiral staircase to the second story of the room. There was an enormous table put into a private setting. where it had a fountain on either side. There was also a set of double–wide French doors that were opened, to reveal a balcony overgrown with flowen.
A woman waited for us at the table. I was allowed to bear witness to the woman Layla had become for the first time in two years. She was beautiful. Still having the same fiery red hair I remembered, it had developed a silky flow. Still incredibly tall at nearly six foot, her frame was reed–thin, but a slight thickness I could never miss. Her dazzling green eyes glowed with excitement as they sealed on her father, still forever the daddy’s girl. “Daddy!” she cried in excitement
“Layla” Kadden responded.
Watching how she raced into his arms and hugged him as if she wanted to smother him, I wished for the same. I missed the band the two of us used to share, the happiness she professed when she saw ine. In those times she made me feel like the most important person in the world, as if I try muttered. For the first time. I found myself wishing to tell them the truth, that she’d know who I rrally was. Knowing the second she did she’d race to me, take me into a hug, and vow I was her best friend
Backing away from the embrace of her father, Layla’s frown settled on the woman who’d come to be in his presence. Her eyes narrowed “Daddy‘ You promised me this was a family dinner. No business, no offense.”
“Notar was taken” I promisedler.
Kahden placed has hand on the small of my back as if he thought I would book it at the first signs of trouble. He anuled at his daughter. “Layla, m
utiful daughter, the lan ́t a business assortate of mine. Von is family. At least, she was like family to your mother.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Her head jerked up. “She knew mom?”
“she did,” her father continued to assure her. “I’m sure you remember Von Silvervayne, the one that came to the feast in your mother’s honor. Later on, she came by the house to talk, and it was discovered Sarah was the reason she’d come here. You’re mom knew her a long time ago.”
“You knew my mom? Layla asked. “Trily.”
Settling down in the chair Kadden had pulled away from the table for me, I turned around to face the woman. My expression brightened. “Yes, Layla, I knew your mother many years ago, she was so kind and affectionate, and she helped me in a lot of ways. So when I heard of Sarah’s passing I couldn’t ignore it, so I came back here to pay my respects to her,”
Layla eagerly sat down in the chair shed chosen from across the table, her gaze focused on the newcomer. “I ne
never got the chance to meet too many of her friends, and family really wasn’t an issue. Where did you meet her?”
“Ramburnt,” came tumbling out of my mouth before I had the time to think, never considering they’d want complete details. It was the one place I knew Sara visited often over the years, without the presence of her family,
“Alplu Drake’s pack,” he realized
1bobbed my head. “Yes.”
Thankfully the topic of conversation instantly died when we were disturbed by the newest arrival. None other than Larken ascended the stairwell to the private VIP room, in the presence of a blond woman One I immediately recognized, it was none other than Bianca Blake he’d brought to dinner. My hands clenching at my side was the only evidence of my emotions, itching to claw out the eyes of the woman.
“Alpha,” Bianca purred seductively.
Claws extracted out the tips of my fingers and bit down into the flesh of my palms, at the purr I heard. My anger rose is I was
I was forced to watch as she approached Eadden, offering him a big hug. The gold–digging bitcht How dare the fucking touch him! He belonged to me
*TU fucking kill her,” Diamond roared.
I was of the same mind.
Kadden respectfully placed distance between their bodies, obviously uncomfortable at the show of affection. He backed up until he was standing in front of the chair that was directly on the left of me. “Hello, Miss Blake. Though I’m pleased to see you keeping my son together, I am surprised by your presence here. This isn’t a social affair”
Giving a giggling laughter meant to seduce but only caused my skin to crawl, she playfully swatted Larken’s arms. “You haven’t told them?”
“Told us what?” his father demanded.
From where she sat down in the chair that was directly next to Layla, she extended out her hand to the public. “Larken asked me to marry him last night.” None of us could miss the evidence of the diamond rock sitting on her finger, which was of a considerable size.
Kadden eyed him. “I don’t mean to inuilt the time the two of you were together, but wouldn’t you prefer to wait until you meet your mate. I mean Im fairly confident that you have found yours.”
“I did,” Larken admitted.
Bianca gave an almost pained expression. “Sadly Larken was granted the opportunity to meet his mate a few years ago. The woman wasn’t good enough for my Larken, she’d made her rounds of the town if you know what I mean I love Larken enough it doesn’t matter.”
The expression on Layla’s face assured she was less than thrilled, the muttering proved her displeasure. I could relate. The two–faced bitch had lied to Kadden, never realizing Larken’s first mate sat in front of them. It pissed me off to know this woman dared to have the audacity to inform Kadden his first mate was a whore. No, you little slut, you’re the whore. You were the one I found fucking him in the middle of the woods, mere hours after
he found his mair.
“Are you okay?” Layla asked. “You’re eyes look weird.”
Immediately I dropped my eyes to focus on the table, understanding the concem evident in her voice. It seemed in that moment Diamond had come closer to the surface, it’d been her eyes bleeding through. Of course, she’d find them odd. All of them would. My wolf ryes were just as astonishing as my human ones. In emotional states they bled through, the right was an intense yellow with red irises, while the left was pure black with silver. Truly one of a kind.
I waved her aside. “A reflection of the lights.”
“Dad” Larken finally jumped into the conversation as his gaze sended on me next to Kadklen, a glower I couldn’t miss. “Can you please explain to me why a servant was brought to dinner? Remember this is a family dinner, besides an omega sitting with Alpha’s. It’s got to be pressuring for the girl.”
Kadden wasnt pleased by the reprimand, narrowing eyes on him. “Thut’s right son, you’ve been so out of touch, you wouldn’t remember. This is Von Severwaynır. she’s a current guest of mine. She was a friend of your mother’s.”
“How if you know my mom? the boy demanded.
Aware the man would continue to deny my importance to Saral. I held up the bracelet on my wrist. None of them could miss the sizable stone that hung from it, that of a large sapphire, a gold flower unile. “She gave me this”
