Page 42 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
“No, I’ll be down in half an hour. Is there anything I can do tohelp?”
Samantha patted her hand. “No, rest andunpack. Feel free to make yourself at home.” She pointed to a small stainless steel box near the white desk. “If you can’t wait until dinner, the mini fridge is loaded with snacks, everything from nuts to dried beefjerky.”
Samantha gestured to the phone on the white nightstand. “And if you need anything, pick up the house phone. Someone will answer belowstairs.”
“Thank you,” Darcytoldher.
Nodding, the other woman left, closing the door behindher.
Half an hour later,freshly showered and dressed in a turquoise sweater, black cords and Western boots, Darcy headed into the large dining hall. A large bank of windows overlooked the snow-swept meadow outside, illuminated by lampposts. Darcy headed for a counter holding a coffee pot, hot water and a boxof tea. She poured herself a mug of decaf coffee and looked around the room, uncertain where tosit.
Samantha hurried over to her, with a wide smile. “Hi, Darcy. We don’t have assigned seating, and tonight I thought you’d enjoy sitting with me and Darius and our friends Kyle andArianna.”
She tried to keep the hopeful note from her voice. “Is Adrian hereyet?”
“Notyet.”
Samantha led her over to a round table where six places had been set. Four others were seated—Darius and a couple Darcy didn’t know. The couple had a baby in a highchair sitting betweenthem.
“Darcy, this is Kyle and Arianna and their son,Jeremy.”
Murmuring a polite greeting, she took one of the empty seats. Heart skipping a beat, she searched the dining hall forAdrian.
And then she spotted him. Tall, strong, wearing a forest green flannel shirt rolled up his muscled forearms and faded jeans, he strode forward with purpose. Black hair gleaming, he looked as alpha as AidenMitchell.
With a start, she realized he’d shaved. Darcy liked the new look. It showed off the strength of his taut jaw and aristocraticcheeks.
Darius jumped up, escortedhim over to their table. The two men talked as they wound their way through the tables. Offering a wide smile, Darcy rested her hand on the empty seat next to her as Darius madeintroductions.
Adrian nodded at them, his gaze avoiding Darcy. “A pleasure to meet all of you. If you will excuse me, I must dine with Aiden andNia.”
Tightness settled in her chest. Darcy forced a smile,pretending it didn’t matter, though his leaving hurt. She understood pack politics, understood he should sit with the other alpha. But still, ithurt.
The meal smelled delicious, but she had little appetite. Darcy made polite conversation with the others as her gaze riveted to Adrian, deep in conversation with Aiden Mitchell at the headtable.
Kyle took a spoonful of peas and fedthem to the baby as Arianna looked at them both fondly. Too sweet. So much happiness and closeness made her feel even morealienated.
And then baby Jeremy put his chubby fist in the mashed potatoes on his plate and threw them atDarcy.
“Boo!” he saidhappily.
Both parents looked shocked as the sticky mess dripped off herface.
“Hoo,” she told him and began tolaugh.
It was ridiculous to feel self-pity when a baby engaged you in a foodfight.
“Jeremy, bad baby,” Kyle told him. He offered a clean napkin toDarcy.
Jeremy chortled at her, picked up a pea and ateit.
“You fit in just fine, if you can take a baby tossing food your way,” Samantha told her. “Congratulations, you passed the Jeremy test. I believe he’s targeted almost everyLupine who’s sat with Kyle andArianna.”
“Oh, I couldn’t fit in here.” Darcy twisted the napkin in her lap. “I’m a ChangelingShifter.”
Forkful of potatoes paused halfway to his mouth, Darius stared at her, while Samantha gaped. Arianna and Kyle exchangedglances.
Might as well put the final nail in the coffin. Would they kick her out now or let her finish hermeal?
