Page 36 of Wolf's Redemption

"Oh, how nice of her. I'll be right down," I said.

The girl gave a slight curtsy and walked away down the hall.

I stood for a moment, watching her go and taking advantage of that time to calm my heartbeat. I knew I was sensitive and on edge and that if I came to the dining room like that, she would notice my heartbeat and might suspect something was up.

I still wasn't hungry from the feast I ate yesterday, the delicious pasta and the different seafood dishes. But I couldn't refuse Lydia's invitation, not only for being my hostess but for the simple fact of being a Luna. For us, they are as important as the Alpha, and although they don't have the same power, both command the same respect.

I already knew my way to the dining room, and as I walked down the hallway, I was surprised by how familiar the place felt. I already recognized the small marks on the floor where at some point, there must have been a sculpture or pattern on the floor that simulated stars.

Before entering the site, I stopped, inspected my hands, massaged my neck to make sure I didn't have a bite mark, and then, after a long deep breath, I stepped forward.

"Good morning, dear," Lydia greeted me, sitting at the head of the table.

She was wearing a light blue outfit, had only sunscreen on her face, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

"Good morning Lydia," I greeted her and sat in the chair to her left.

"How did you like our home?" she asked me.

"Yes, the hospitality has been wonderful, and even though I know I'm here for work, I've felt very comfortable," I replied.

"I'm very glad," she answered.

This time out of the kitchen came another woman, an older one, with her hair gray and pulled back. She was dark-skinned, with marked features and a thick build.

"What would you like to eat today?" the woman asked.

"I'd like orange juice and toast with cheese," I said.

"Just that? Breakfast is the most important meal," Lydia told me, and she sounded almost like she was my mother.

"Yeah, I'm just not very hungry today," I commented.

"That's okay," she breathed, wrinkling her lips. "You make me scrambled eggs, toast, and lots of bacon."

"Right away," she said and went into the kitchen.

"Where's the other girl?" I asked out of sheer curiosity.

"Magdalena? It's her day off."

"Day off?" I raised an eyebrow and looked at her dumbfounded.

"Yes, employees here get two days off a week," she said as if it was the most normal thing to do.

I couldn't think of my father and how he made his workers work without a break and many of those for miserable pay. This pack is so different from my father's that I sometimes question whether they really are shapeshifters. Or if I was just unlucky enough to be born in a cave populated by monsters, I called family.

The brunette girl brought the food, first serving Lydia's, then mine, and filling my glass of orange juice to the top before leaving.

"Bon appetite," I said to Lydia.

"You too, dear, enjoy your meal," she replied.

I felt guilty with every bite of bread and every gulp of game. I couldn't even look Lydia in the eye without thinking about how, the night before, I had had sex with her son in her own house. What kind of sick person does that?

"Are you all right?" she stopped eating and wiped her lips with a napkin. "You seem a little scattered."

I felt a lump in my throat. I looked at her and wanted to confess what had happened, but at the same time felt ashamed of myself.