Page 207 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
She smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear. “Thanks. You…you clean up pretty nice.”
Dom grinned, slipping his hands into his pockets. I sensed this was my cue to give them some alone time, so I excused myself.
“I’ll set the table,” I said. “You two can change the radio station if you want. Just make yourselves comfy.”
I went into the kitchen and took my time getting plates and utensils. Fortunately, Tavi and Dom were standing in the sitting room, and I wouldn’t have to walk in on their conversation to get the dining room ready.
“Dom’s here,” I said to Night.
“I heard. Is he in there with Tavi?”
“That’s right.”
He paused, and I could sense where his thoughts were going. He wasn’t oblivious; he noticed the depths of their feelings for each other. I imagined that as the big brother to Tavi and best friend to Dom, Night was torn about the two of them getting closer.
I set the plates on the counter and touched his back. “It’ll be okay,” I told him quietly. “Whatever happens between them, you know Dom will do right by her.”
He sighed. “I do. It’s just hard to let her go. Especially after all she’s been through.”
“But that’s why it’s okay. Dom has been nothing but respectful to her, and he’s given her space while she deals with her trauma. He’s a good guy, Night.”
His answering sigh acknowledged the truth of my words. I fell even deeper in love with my big, strong, protective alpha.
“Do you need help setting the table?”
I shook my head. “No, but I’d like some.”
He took the plates, forks, and apple cider from me, and I grabbed three beers from the fridge. When the table was set, and the pasta was ready, the four of us sat at the table to chat about the baby and how the repairs were going around the pack.
“By the way, Bryn,” Tavi began, “whatever happened to the bitches who went out of their way to make your life difficult when you were growing up?”
She was talking about the Terrible Ts. “They’ve left me alone after the attack on the compound,” I said. “I think the way the Wargs and I showed up for the pack showed them that I’m not the same girl they used to know.”
“Damn right,” Dom and Night said at the same time. Laughter went around the table.
Once the laughter died down, I said, “Tanya and Tara let me know that they felt real remorse for the way they treated me and that I had their support. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at the time, but I think I’ll let them know that I accept their apology.”
Tavi seemed taken aback by that. “Wow, Bryn. I couldn’t even imagine forgiving them. Do you think you might be friends with them?”
I scoffed. “No, I wouldn’t go that far. With our history, I don’t think we’ll ever be that close. But they won’t feel like I have it out for them, and I don’t have to hold on to those bad memories so tightly.”
Of course, those awful memories would never go away, but this was my way of proving to everyone—myself included—that people can change. The way Troy had treated me and the competitive environment he and his father had fostered in the Kings wasn’t permanent. We could change as long as everyone had the space to do so.
“What about your training, Night?” Tavi asked.
“Hm? It’s going well. I’m sore every day, but what kind of training would I be doing if I didn’t have constant soreness?”
“Maybe you could train publicly with the rest of the wolves,” Tavi said. “Show the Kings what’s in store for them when you’re alpha.”
There was a pause, and we all turned to look at Tavi.
“What do you mean, Tav?” Night asked.
I thought she might blush under the attention, but she tossed her hair over her shoulder just like the old Tavi would have—a gesture that showed her confidence. It was so unexpected and welcome, I nearly laughed.
“Well, you’ve been training in secret, but maybe it would be more effective to show them what you’re capable of.”
Night thought for a moment. “I could do that. Before, I thought I needed to train privately because it would keep the other men on their toes. But you’re right, Tav. Maybe a little demonstration would be better.” His grin was sharp. “Thanks.”
