Page 72 of Rocked By the Alpha
He ignores it, focussing on the other people in the room. He can’t smell any other Alphas or Omegas, although there is always the possibility someone is using strong-grade blockers. Apart from Ruby’s mom and dad, there is a man who looks a lot like her, a woman in a dress that reaches down to her ankles at his side and about three other couples, mainly the same age as her parents.
This evening is going to be a bore. Why had he agreed to come? Meeting his friends and family had involved partying in Las Vegas, not a stuck up meal with a bunch of grown ups. His eyes flick back to Ruby. She’s concentrating hard on her dad’s words, a tight smile gracing her lips at the appropriate moments. He’s here because she needed him to come and he couldn’t say no to her if he tried.
The people around him begin to raise their glasses and he realises it must be the end of the speech. He lifts his empty glass and then clinks it against Ruby’s. He winks at her and she rewards him with a shy smile. Is she nervous?
“Let’s eat,” Ruby’s dad says and they all move towards the table.
Calligraphed cards mark where each guest is required to sit. Luckily, they’ve put him next to Ruby. He pulls out the chair for her and then takes his own. They’re right in the centre of the table, Ruby’s brother opposite and her parents at either end.
He finds Ruby’s thigh under the table and gives it a squeeze.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yes,” she answers but her lips are tight.
A team of waiters enters and float around the table depositing starters in front of each guest.
He picks up his fork and pokes at the food.
Caviar. He’s eaten his fair share of snotty food since he hit the big time and tried all sorts of shit, but caviar? He can’t stand the stuff. Why people empty their wallets for this foul-tasting shit, he has no idea.
Lowering his fork, he takes a swig from his freshly filled wine glass instead. To be honest, he could do with something stronger.
Ruby introduces him to the other people around the table. Most are friends of her parents plus an aunt and uncle, her brother Anthony and his wife Julia.
“Westley,” a voice calls from the end of the table when Ruby’s finished. He swivels his gaze to Ruby’s mother. “What is it you do exactly? Ruby hasn’t told us much about you.”
“Actually, it’s just West.” He places his glass back down on the table. The eyes of the guests train on him like a spotlight. He can almost feel the heat from it.
What does he do? It’s a long time since he’s had to answer that question. He grins a little and Ruby shuffles on the chair next to him.
“I’m a guitarist.”
“And is that successful?” her dad asks from the other end.
He smothers a grin. “Fairly, yes.”
“Well, make sure you invest your money, young man. It’s what I’m always telling Ruby. Pop music doesn’t offer you a pension. It’s a fickle business and success can depart as quickly as it comes. Make sure you’ve secured your future.”
“That’s good advice,” he says, turning to Ruby, his lips twitching.
She nods, smothering a smile.
He twists back to Ruby’s dad. “I’ve invested in a few properties.”
The older man assesses him as if deciding whether he is lying or not. “Very sensible,” he says finally.
“What do you do, Sir? Ruby hasn’t told me either.”
“I’m in banking.”
Figures. They all reek of money. The earrings Ruby’s mom is wearing look like they’re worth more than Ruby’s house.
“Hang on,” Julia says, a puzzled look transforming to recognition. “You’re not West fromThe Pack?”
He laughs. “I am.”
Julia’s mouth drops open and she stares at Ruby. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
