Page 8 of My Solemn Vow
Berto and Gregorio D’Medici are on the top of my suspect list, and when I have proof and the opportunity, I’ll drag them to my basement, kicking and screaming. I’ll take pleasure in dismantling them piece by piece as I force them to tell me why and apologize for what they’ve done. I’ll make them beg, with false hope, for their lives.
Royal clears his throat, and I know it’s his way of telling me to fix my face. I spare a glance at him, and he’s pointing to his lips. I’m so tired that I’m smiling at the thoughts of murder.Maybe the pack should be concerned about me.
We’re wolves. Death is normal.My wolf defends me all while thinking of the taste of blood.
Yeah, the pack should be concerned about me.
“I understand the frustration postponing the fights will cause. It’s valid for us to worry about the next moves.” Dad puts a voice to the decision he, Neil, and I made in his office earlier this afternoon. “Let’s reconvene at the next full moon. We’ll talk about resuming the fights. I’ll have better answers for you then. Valor is working a lead on how to hit the D’Medicis back. We all know when my son goes on a hunting expedition, he comes back victorious.”
“Objections?” Neil shuffles in his seat, and when I stretch back in my chair, I catch a glimpse of his features pinched together.
No one raises any additional concerns.
“Adjourned.” Dad pats his palm on the table.
I try to contain my sigh of relief at this day being that much closer to over. But Royal snorts, and I know I failed.Fuck it, I’m done for the night.
Murmurs around the room meld together as pack members stand, some heading outside to run under the light of the full moon while others, including myself, head to the main meeting space of the home, where refreshments have been set out as prepared by my mother and some women of the pack.
A few women make eyes at me as I navigate the space full of shifters. Some of them, the more stubborn or more delusional ones, are still vying for an opportunity to be the next alpha’s mate, and they try to put themselves closer to the path I’m walking with hope I’ll give them a chance. It’ll never happen.
One or two hopefuls used to wander up at every function and offer a drink, a meal, or more. But now they know my lack of interest isn’t a side effect of grief. I’ve made it clear I’m not to be approached. It’s not that they aren’t great options. Most will make good mates for someone else someday. For me though? There are no sparks.
When I became a single dad, I decided I would only bring a woman into Kerrianne’s life when I could be sure she would be a good influence, would understand the life and expectations on her, and wouldn’t try to step in and replace her mother’s memory.
There’s only one woman I’m looking for. I find her in the crowd, in black slacks and a bright red sweater, and navigate toward where she’s chatting with a couple of her friends, a Bloody Mary in her hand.
One of her friends clears her throat when I approach.
My mother glances at me, her short gray and brown hair springing around her face. The silver necklace Dad gifted her for their anniversary glints in the light. Her face bright, she beams at me. “There he is. I was wondering if your father wouldever adjourn the meeting. It’s like he forgets full moons are for celebrating and not just another business meeting.”
“We had some concerns regarding the plan. You know how business is. I take it your meeting went well?” I ask, only half caring and mostly for appearance’s sake.
I force out a smile to make it look right and like I care. Royal’s reminders to hide some of how I’m feeling are still fresh, but exhaustion is setting in.
“Well, I won’t bore you with planning parties and festivities.” She turns to look at me head-on, and her face falls. “Oh dear.” She waves to her friends and then wraps her non-drink-filled hand around my bicep. Mom’s intuition picks up my bullshit. She knows now I’m not here to say hello and that I love her. “Ladies, please excuse me.”
Quickly, she ushers me like a small boy away from the party. We head down the hallway toward my father’s office. Before we get to the door, I hear him and Neil inside, chatting about a trade route we established.
“Neil, could you give us a minute?” Mom isn’t really asking. Her tone is short and impatient.
“Can’t this wait?” Neil asks, eyes narrowed at her. “We’re talking —”
“Neil, out!” Mom snaps while pushing me into the room and waving toward the door.
Neil scowls. Then he draws a slow breath, becoming more neutral before he stands slowly, not ready to piss my mother off. Ducking his head out of respect, Neil obediently moves past us out to the rest of the festivities, scotch glass in hand.
I wouldn’t want to risk my mother’s wrath, but getting a front-row seat to him debating it was amusing. Mom is not a violent wolf unless she needs to be. But she’s the alpha’s mate for a reason, and there’s no point in pushing her buttons after she delivers an angry bark like that.
And Dad would never stand for someone disrespecting her. No matter how close he and his brother are.
“What’s wrong?” My father looks me over, brow furrowing. He unbuttoned the top buttons of his dress shirt and rolled up the sleeves. “Is this about the text message?”
“No, that was Royal being... Royal. Mom is making a bigger deal out of it than it is.” I scrub my hand down my face.
“You look like you’re about to fall down with exhaustion.” Ma gives me a pointed look, and then, with a hand on my chest, she pushes me, gently-ish, to the chair in front of Dad’s desk. “Sit.”
Once I’m seated, the exhaustion I apparently wasn’t masking well settles in further. My eyelids grow heavy. The comfort of the chair and privacy of Dad’s office give me the feeling of safety, and I yawn.
