“Were they yours? I know you’re not happy here.” Kay took a deep breath, and then asked the question that had plagued her for years. “Why did you marry my father?”

“We never should have met. Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was just bad luck. What difference does it make now?”

“I’d like to know.”

Dorothy gazed into the distance, her expression pensive as she related the story of how she had met Russell.

Kay listened intently, her gaze never leaving her mother’s face.

Dorothy paused a moment, her thoughts obviously turned inward as she ran her thumb back and forth over her wedding ring. “It wasn’t until a few days after you were born that I found out your father was a werewolf. I’m amazed now that I didn’t realize it sooner. Maybe I didn’t want to admit it. I don’t know if he ever intended to tell me, but one night I went outside for something, I can’t remember what, and I saw him change from wolf to human. It terrified me and I ran into the house. I grabbed you and Mark, then ran into the nursery, and locked the door. My fear enraged your father. When he broke down the door, I told him I wanted a divorce, but he just laughed and told me that werewolves mated for life.

“I ran away a few times, but”—she shrugged—“he always came after us. He became even more possessive after Mark died. Then, when he found out you had inherited the wolf gene even though you were part human, I knew there was no chance he would ever let you go. And I couldn’t leave without you. You were all I had left.”

“So, you just, what? Gave up?”

“You have to understand. I didn’t know how being half werewolf would affect you. It just seemed like you’d be better off here, with those who would understand you, who would be able to help you handle the change when the time came.” She sighed again. “Once I resigned myself to staying here, it wasn’t so bad.” She took Kay’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I had my little girl. I had a lovely home and every luxury imaginable.”

“Mom …” Kay shook her head. “I don’t know what to say, except that I don’t want to live your life. Ever.”

“I know,” Dorothy said sadly. “But I’m afraid you don’t have any other choice.”

It was near dusk when Kay returned to the house. As soon as she stepped inside the back door, she knew something was up. The house was ablaze with lights. Peeking into the dining room, she saw a number of buffet tables groaning under the weight of numerous large platters of meat and cheese, roast hens, hams and spareribs, and a variety of side dishes. A square table held bottles of wine and champagne, as well as a crystal punch bowl filled with sparkling cider for the kids. A quartet of smaller tables held an assortment of cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, and scones.

Her father met her in the hall. “There you are!” he exclaimed, his voice sharp with impatience. “Hurry and get dressed. We’re having a party.”

Kay’s heart skipped a beat. “What kind of party?” she asked, though she was certain she already knew the answer.

“We’re announcing your engagement tonight.”

“Don’t you think you might have mentioned it to me?”

“I thought it would be a nice surprise,” he replied, his voice cool. “Hurry and change. Most of our guests are already here.”

“I’m begging you, please don’t make me do this.”

Her father’s eyes narrowed ominously. A muscle throbbed in his jaw. “I am not going to discuss this with you again, Kiya. My decision stands and will be obeyed. Now go upstairs and make yourself presentable.”

She wanted to argue with him, to beg him to reconsider, but there was no changing his mind once it was made up. As Alpha, he held the power of life and death over her and everyone else in the pack. His word was law. Knowing that, she lowered her gaze in surrender. “Yes, sir.”

Blinking back hot tears of resentment and frustration, she ran up the back stairs to her room. Mindful of the guests gathered in the dining room, she fought off the urge to slam the door.

A new dress of dark blue silk was laid out on the bed. She stared at it, thinking it should have been black, to match her mood.

Her father had never been one to express his affections openly, yet Kay had always been sure he loved her in his own way, but now … she shook her head. If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t force her to marry a man she despised. How could he condemn his only daughter to a life without love? It wasn’t fair. Worse than that, it just wasn’t right. But there was nothing she could do about it.

Forcing everything from her mind, Kay brushed her hair, carefully applied her makeup, put on the blue silk dress, and stepped into the matching heels.

When her father knocked on the door twenty minutes later, she was ready.

“Smile, daughter,” he said. “This is a happy occasion.”

She didn’t reply. And she didn’t smile as she followed him down the stairs.

A number of people milled around in the large family room that served as the pack meeting place. Men, women, and children smiled and nodded as she entered the room on her father’s arm. Her mother stood between Victor and his parents. There was a smile on her mother’s face, but her eyes were sad.

“Welcome!” Alissano said jovially. “As you all know, we’re gathered here tonight to celebrate my daughter’s betrothal to Victor Rinaldi.”

Cheers and applause greeted his announcement.

“Victor, join me, please,” Alissano said.

Looking like the cat that ate the canary, feathers and all, Victor strutted forward.

Alissano pulled a diamond-and-ruby ring from his coat pocket. “This ring has been handed down from father to son in my family for generations. Since I have no blood son, I would be honored if you would use it to plight your troth to my only daughter.”

“It is I who am honored,” Victor said. “I will be proud to call you Father.”

Beaming, Alissano handed the ring to Victor.

“Kiya Marie Alissano,” Victor said, slipping the ring on her finger, “with this outward symbol of my love, I plight thee my troth.”

Kay stared at the ring. It felt like a lead weight on her finger. She flinched when Victor put his arms around her, closed her eyes tightly when he kissed her.

There was more cheering. More applause.

When Kay opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Gideon standing in the doorway.

* * *

Chapter 21

Gideon’s first thought was that Kay was the unhappiest looking bride-to-be that he had ever seen. Of course, he hadn’t seen that many, but even vampires knew that brides were supposed to have some kind of inner glow. Whatever fire had once burned inside Kay, it had gone out. No surprise, he thought, glancing at the prospective groom. Victor Rinaldi was strutting around the room like the pompous ass he was, grinning as if he had just won the lottery which, in a way, he had. Being married to the daughter of the Shadow Pack’s Alpha probably carried a lot of weight within the werewolf community.

Gideon remained where he was as the guests moved into the dining room.

Smiling and nodding at those she passed, Kay made her way toward him.

“Looks like congratulations are in order,” Gideon remarked sourly. “Although I must say, I’ve seen brighter smiles on condemned prisoners.”

“They were probably a lot happier than I am,” she muttered glumly.

“I might have an answer to your problem.”

“Really? I’d love to hear it.”

Gideon took a deep breath. “You could marry me instead.”

Kay blinked up at him, wondering if she had heard him right.

Gideon rocked back on his heels. “Not such a good idea, I guess.”

“No. I mean, I don’t know what to say.” She shook her head. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’m afraid I am.” Looking over Kay’s shoulder, he said, “We’ve got company.”

“Kiya,” Russell Alissano said, “you can talk to Mr. Marquet later. Your guests are waiting.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You’re welcome to join us for dinner, Mr. Marquet,” Alissano said, taking a possessive grip on his daughter’s arm.

Kay sent Gideon a pleading glance, then obediently accompanied her father into the dining room.

Gideon waited a moment; then, muttering, “What the hell,” he followed Kay and her father.

The dining room was papered in a rich dark red stripe. Long white tapers set in elegant gold wall sconces cast a warm golden glow over the room. A glance through the archway revealed four antique trestle tables laid with crisp damask cloths, delicate china and crystal flutes. These were arranged in a square in the center of the room. The buffet tables against the back wall held enough food to feed a small army. Or maybe just a pack of hungry werewolves, he thought, remembering Kay’s prodigious appetite.

A round table covered with crisp white linen stood in the center of the square formed by the other tables. Kay’s mother, Greta and Brett, and Victor were seated at this table. A tall austere man and a fair-haired woman sat at Rinaldi’s left. Victor’s parents, Gideon surmised, noting the resemblance between Victor and the couple.

The invited guests had already been seated. Assuming the entire pack had been invited to the party, Gideon counted twelve couples, three girls who were in their early twenties, and thirteen kids under the age of eighteen. The youngest was perhaps slightly more than a year old. Everyone applauded when Kay and her father entered the room. Bringing up the rear, Gideon took a seat at the far end of one of the long tables. Several of the men cast suspicious looks in his direction.

The Alpha raised his hands for silence. When the applause died down, he smiled expansively. “Once again, I wish to welcome you all here tonight on this joyous occasion. There will be dancing for the adults after dinner, and movies and games for our younger guests. But first, a toast.” Lifting his champagne glass, he said, “To my daughter, Kiya Marie, and my future son-in-law, Victor. I wish you both long life and happiness.”