Page 53 of Untamed

We take it easy on the stairs so I don’t kill myself, then walk out the grand front entrance to Jonah’s truck that’s parked in the curved driveway. At least that makes this more normal. I half expected to see a limo waiting for us.

He helps me into the truck and then starts the engine. Everyone is convinced that this night at the alpha’s house is über-important. I’ve been over every different scenario in my head, telling myself I can’t fail. Jonah reaches over and places his palm on my knee. “Try to relax. We don’t want them smelling blood in the water.”

“I’m trying,” I tell him. “It’s not as if I’ve ever been to a dinner party before, especially not one at the alpha’s house.”

“Remember, you are an invited guest like everyone else.” He sneaks his touch up my thigh. “And if you need me to take your mind off—”

I slap his hand, pressing down on it so his fingers can’t make it any further up my leg. He chuckles, and I moan. “You’re so not right.”

I’m lost in my own thoughts after that, and I don’t realize we’re pulling up to a house that isn’t the alpha’s until I gaze at a brick façade that’s still beautiful but about half the size of the current leader of Lunar’s house. “Mom and Dad wanted to meet you before you officially met at the party.”

I gulp, glaring at him. “Does something about me say I like surprises?”

He picks up my hand and kisses it. “You were going to officially meet them later, and the three of us thought this would make it easier so you didn’t have to do it in front of everyone. Plus, I’ve told them my true feelings, and they’re behind us completely, Kinsey. I wanted you to see it from them. I thought it might help with tonight.”

“Really?” A tiny ray of hope breaks through my walls.

He nods. “Really. They’re good people.”

I take a deep breath as he crosses in front of the truck and opens the door for me. My legs feel like they’re suddenly boneless as he leads me up the brick steps. He knocks twice on the door before opening it. A large, brightly lit entryway looms before us with the most gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I only pull my attention away from it when Jonah’s mother comes around the corner, her own heels clicking over the marble tile at our feet.

She’s wearing an even more posh dress than I am, a silk scarf around her neck and ears dripping with diamonds. Her warm smile reminds me of her son’s, and it helps soothe my nerves. “Kinsey, how nice to finally meet you.”

I take her offered hand. “Mrs. Livestrong, I’m so glad we could connect. What a lovely home you have.”

Greet and compliment. Greet and compliment.

Her smile widens. “It’s Cindy. Johnathan is putting his tie on. Would you like to come to the sitting room for a moment?”

Jonah leans down and kisses his mom on the cheek. Side by side, she looks so fragile compared to her son. I’m even an inch or two taller than her, and I know Mr. Livestrong is a huge, hulking man like Jonah.

I walk through a short hallway in awe and am suddenly very wary of when Jonah meets my parents. Mom and Dad made our house up as much as they could, but it’s nothing like this. It’s aged, and though decorated, there’s not the sense of finery that this house has.

“What a wonderful dress you have on, Kinsey. Where did you get it?”

My cheeks flame. “Well, to be honest, my etiquette teacher purchased it for me through the school. I’d be happy to ask her and pass it on.”

Mrs. Livestrong doesn’t miss a beat. “She has a wonderful eye. It’s gorgeous on you.”

“Thank you. I’ll definitely tell her. I’m sure she’d be delighted to hear that.”

“I think it’s the girl wearing it,” Jonah says softly.

His mom stands back, studying the two of us. She stares for a full minute before nodding once as if she’s just made up her mind about something. “I believe you’re correct, Jonah. You two complement one another well. It reminds me of when your dad and I were your age.”

Jonah chuckles. “You found him infuriating.”

“Then it really is like us.” As soon as I say it, I want to kick myself, but the laugh that bursts from Jonah’s mom’s painted lips make it all worth it.

Jonah brushes his shoulder with mine, smiling down at me. A moment later, Johnathan Livestrong enters the room. He bypasses his wife and son and comes straight to me. “Kinsey Walker, welcome to our home.”

His imposing figure doesn’t scare me half as bad since I’ve been around Jonah. If I hadn’t, I’d be quaking. “Thank you for having me, sir.”

He shakes my hand, his grip dwarfing mine, just as his son’s does. “Did I hear we were comparing notes on mates?” He grins at Jonah. “I bet you find Kinsey as infuriating as I found your mother.”

Mrs. Livestrong smacks his chest good-naturedly, and I smirk. “He does. He’s told me many times,” I assure him.

His deep baritone laugh calms me. This isn’t half bad. If this is indicative of how dinner at the alpha’s house will go, I might just make it out of there alive tonight.

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