Page 63 of Challenged Mate
“So what?” Kayla paused when the waitress appeared with our drinks. Again, the waitress’s lashes worked double-time when she looked at Asher and Axel.
But again, neither seemed to notice her efforts.
Once she walked away, Kayla continued, “We all know Stanley is an ass, but there’s no law saying he can’t dance with a female—not even one mated to the pack alpha.” Her gaze narrowed, flickering between her brothers. “Unless we are going to revert back to the old, archaic ways of misogynistic pack law…”
“His dance was a challenge.” Asher was unable to let it go. “Trust me.”
Realizing I should defend myself rather than let Kayla battle her brothers on my behalf, I said, “I’m not a child, Asher.”
Sharp blue eyes met mine. They softened slightly, but his features remained hard. “I never said you were.”
“Then stop acting as if I’m not an adult who can make my own decisions.” I straightened my spine. I felt Axel’s eyes on me, but I kept my attention on his volatile brother. “For a week, I’ve been trying to adjust to my new life here. People aren’t rude, but they aren’t exactly welcoming either. Chase and Kayla took me out, and it was the first time I hadfunhere. Yes, I danced with Stanley, but it meant nothing. I spent the rest of the night with Kayla, Jenny, and Debbie. So, admit you’re overreacting and stop tainting my memory of the one good night I’ve had in Alaska.”
Asher stared at me. A frown still marred his lips, but the emotion behind it was no longer anger. Rather, he looked sad. For me.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. I felt the truth of his apology deep in my chest.
“Thank you,” I whispered back.
We remained staring at one another for another moment. We might have continued to do so if Axel didn’t clear his throat.
Spell broken, Asher reached for his glass of wine and looked away.
I was slower to look away—part of me wishing I could speak to Asher in private. We had so much to discuss.
No.
I shook away my hopeful thoughts.
There was nothing to talk about. We’d established as much in the early hours of this morning.
The appetizer arrived. It was a creamy seafood dip.
Eager to have something to do to keep me from sneaking glances at Asher, I scooped a healthy amount of the dip onto my small plate. I might’ve felt self-conscious about it, but Kayla took even more, throwing me a playful wink as she did.
By the time our food arrived, the tension hanging over the table had lessened until I only felt a tendril of it twirling around in my stomach.
The four of us ate and conversed about innocuous topics. Anytime a subject came close to becoming uncomfortable, Axel expertly steered the conversation back to something neutral. Clearly, he was a natural leader and well-practiced at keeping the peace. He was also charming.
Despite my intention to remain a near-silent member of the dinner party, Axel managed to draw me into conversation. He shared amusing stories of his childhood, adding details of his siblings which earned groans and cries of protest from Kayla and Asher.
I found myself laughing at their banter, wondering what my life would’ve been like had I had a sibling.
We finished our meal but stayed to enjoy drinks and more conversation.
Axel had just shared a story about Kayla’s first date, telling me how he and Asher had interjected themselves into it.
Literally.
They’d sat between the pair at the movie theatre.
“You did not,” I laughed, wiping away the tears that gathered in the corner of my eyes.
“They did,” Kayla replied with a pout, crossing her arms. “Greg still barely says hello to me.”
Axel laughed. Even Asher cracked a smile.
“I’ll admit, we were a little overzealous,” Axel said with a grin.
