Avoiding Alpha

I spotted Meredith’s family at the next table. Meredith’s mom was gushing to her dad about what a powerful mate their daughter had.



I raised an eyebrow at Donovan and he winked back.



Good thing he was taking that in stride.



I waved at Meredith’s family.



“Thank you,” Max said.



“This time, I’ll accept it.”



As I turned back to my ginormous mountain of food, I couldn’t help but think of my first meals at St. Ailbe’s and how much had changed over past two months. It wasn’t always easy, but it was good. Especially Dastien. I peeked at him. How could he be so appealing just sitting there?



Dastien leaned over, brushing my hair away from my face. The look in his eyes told me he knew what I was thinking. “Eat, cherie. Then we can be alone again.”



The way he said “alone” sent shivers down my spine.



“So, girly,” Meredith said. “You’ve got the full moon and your birthday in two days. How are we celebrating?”



Everyone at the table stopped eating to look at me. Great. Just when I was done with the staring.



“Um, actually, Dastien accidentally spilled the beans about going to see Paul van Dyk next Saturday.”



“I don’t know that trance is their kind of music,” Dastien said.



“Hey. I love dancing,” Meredith said. “I don’t really care what kind of music it is.”



“Well, that’s what we’re doing. And I was hoping to go shopping before.”



Meredith clapped her hands. “And I love shopping.”



I laughed. “So we’ve got a plan?”



“Only totally.”



“Good. Can I eat now?”



“I guess. It’s just I’ve been out of it for days, and I feel like I’ve missed so much.” She continued to talk. It was good to see her back to her usual self.



“A ghrá, let the lass eat,” Donovan said with a laugh.



Meredith poked Donovan with her fork. “Shut it, you. I accepted you a few hours ago and you’re already trying to boss me around.” She poked him again.



“Enough with the fork, you crazy girl.”



I grinned at them. “They’re kind of adorable, right?”



Dastien raised an eyebrow. “You want me to agree that Donovan is adorable?”



I pressed a kiss to his cheek.



He placed his hand on my knee and squeezed it gently. I do think they’re pretty cute.



I jerked away from him for a second. “Did you just talk? In my head?” I whispered.



He grinned, showing his dimples. I love you, cherie.



“Say it again.”



He pressed his mouth by my ear. “I love you.” He kissed my cheek. “Now eat. I can feel your hunger, and it’s making me even more hungry.”



I laughed. “Okay.” I took a bite of pot roast and moaned.



This got me a double eyebrow raise from Dastien. Now, if only I could get you to make that noise when we’re alone.



My face couldn’t have burned brighter.



“Why’s your face so red?” Meredith asked.



I pushed my tray away and thumped my head on the table. “No reason.” My voice was muffled but I knew she’d hear it.



“You’re doing that thing, aren’t you?” Chris said.



“What thing?” Adrian asked.



“The talk in each other’s head thing.”



I sat up to see him shaking his head.



“You’re going to be even more impossible to watch now, aren’t you?” Shannon said.



I shot her a look and she had the grace to say a quick apology.



“I told you you’d be able to do it,” Meredith said. “Hey, why can’t we do that?”



Donovan muttered something in a language I’d never heard before. Probably Irish. He looked up at the ceiling and laughed.



Meredith elbowed him and he laughed harder. When she went to elbow him again, he caught it. “No. You’re misunderstanding me. I’m not laughing at you. I’m happy.” He pulled her in for a quick kiss, and Meredith’s milky skin turned bright red. “We’ll get there when we get there.”



This was good. This was the way friends were supposed to be. The way love was supposed to be. Happy.



I sighed. I hoped it stayed this way.



Dastien grasped my free hand. What’s wrong?



“The Tribunal. Do you think it’s going to be okay?”



“I know it will be. I won’t stand for it to be any other way, okay?”



“You can’t promise that.”