Chris continued to shoot nasty looks through the rearview mirror at the pair in the backseat. He didn't get why his father sent him to stand outside Colin's house the moment they left. He had to sit through some dumb makeover, and then listen to Colin jack off as silently as possible in the shower. The idiot couldn't even fuck his mate when she was in his own home.
He knew that his father wanted to make sure that Colin didn't get a chance to talk to Claire alone, although he wouldn't say about what. So, the moment they began to speak, he came to get them to leave. It was pathetic that Colin wasn't even trusted to be alone with the hybrid, although not unexpected; he was rather useless.
Colin sat in the middle, his thigh brushing against Claire's. He bore the brunt of Chris's harsh looks, happy to keep them from his mate. He held onto her hand for the entirety of the short car ride, checking her face for any signs of worry. She was calm, calmer than he was. 'That's because she doesn't know what she's getting into,' he thought dryly to himself.
They pulled up the driveway and into the garage. Colin expected to have a moment to speak to Claire; although she still would be woefully unprepared, it was better than nothing. But Chris did not leave until they made the first movements. Colin knew that this was Peter's doing, but he couldn't say anything.
"Miss Claire, a pleasure to see you again!" Peter's voice merrily rang from the hallway.
Claire wore a polite smile and nodded to him, not leaving Colin's side. He hated that she had to feel scared to get close to him. "Alpha," he said through his clenched jaw. Claire realized that he never called Peter 'Dad.'
A woman with long, blonde hair and piercing green eyes glared at the pair from beside the Alpha. As she met Claire's eyes, her own narrowed. 'How dare Peter celebrate that bastard's mate?' She didn't care how useful the hybrid would be to his plans; his plans were foolish.
Claire smiled weakly, feeling the resentment roll off the woman in waves. Peter growled slightly at her before saying, "This is the Luna of the Half-Moon Pack, Luna Mary."
Luna Mary stuck her hand out to shake Claire's with a malicious grin. She swallowed nervously and took it, desperately trying to keep from shaking. Colin stared at the ground, fighting the urge to grab Claire and run.
"Dinner was supposed to start a bit ago," Mary said tightly before turning on her heels and walking away towards the dining room.
The Half-Moon packhouse was massive, like every other packhouse. Old artifacts and beautiful paintings hung on the wooden walls. It reminded Claire a bit of Elias's house. Her stomach turned at the thought, and she squeezed Colin's hand for comfort. It broke the scowl etched onto his face, if only for a moment.
Everyone took their seats at the large, oak table. Claire was placed in the center, Colin on one side and Kali on her other. She was thankful that she did not have to be next to a complete stranger.
Everyone in the room stood suddenly, so Claire scrambled up as well. The Alpha King walked in, trailed by his Gamma. Alpha Riann took the opposite head seat, nodding for everyone to be seated. Immediately, food was brought out and placed in front of everyone.
Piles of brisket, buttered potatoes, and piles of roasted vegetables covered the table within a minute. Claire stared at the food, smelling the blood mix with the juices of the meat. All her anxiety slipped away as she remembered one thing: hunger.
Her eyes darted to her empty plate as she felt them darken. Whatever magic Marwen had cast on her was gone, and she needed food. She had not eaten since Mack gave her that small offering. She needed more. While cooked meat would hold her over, it would not remove the hunger, nor would it lighten her eyes.
She felt Colin's hand rest on the top of her knee; it was not sexual but incredibly intimate. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She knew that anything she said would be heard by the wolves, even over the soft rumble that accompanied a dinner party of over a dozen. So instead, she tapped her plate silently before looking up at him with pleading eyes.
Colin frowned; but for the first time, it did not send a wave of shame through Claire. He was trying to figure out how to help her, she knew.
Before he could wave over a server for assistance, Alpha Peter's loud voice rang across the table, "Of course! We forgot that we have a special guest with us tonight!"
Colin's eyes flashed dangerously as the attention turned onto his mate. His hold on her thigh lost its kindness, becoming possessive. Claire did not move, wishing she could disappear underneath his touch.
"I had something special prepared for her!" Peter announced, raising a hand.
Claire knew what it was before Colin did. She covered her mouth in horror as a wolf slowly brought over a wine glass, filled to the brim with days-old blood. Colin's blood.
As it got closer, Claire gagged into her hand. Colin realized exactly what it was and growled, "What is the meaning of this, sir?"
Alpha Peter smiled widely, "I just wish for our guest to be comfortable. And you had left so much of it lying in the basement just a few days ago. I had it saved, just for her."
Colin looked around the table. Reed looked ready to pass out, as did Joe and Lily. Kali, on the other hand, was glaring murderously at her father, who wore a completely blank expression. The Delta either did not know or knew better than to show that he did. Matt, Chris, and Mary all watched Claire with smug smiles. Colin's eyes landed on Alpha Riann, looking unimpressed and bored. The Alpha King immediately noticed Colin's stare and returned it, sending a wave of submission over Colin, who dropped his head down at his plate against his will.
Claire was horrified. That was much more blood than what a wolf shed while shifting. What was it doing in the basement? She looked at Colin, who was trying to keep calm. His eyes were still amber, and Claire smelled fresh blood dripping in his mouth and off his fingertips and he fought the urge to shift. Without thinking, Claire placed a comforting hand over his and cleared her throat.
"Alpha Peter, I thank you for your kindness. It is a common misconception; I do not require blood. Any raw meat is more than sufficient. And if I were to consume blood instead, anything that is not fresh causes something much like food poisoning."
Her voice was cool and collected. She smiled politely as she waved away the server before turning back to Alpha Peter, who looked impressed. Colin would never be able to remain so calm in this situation.
"Of course! I shall send for someone in the kitchen. Do you prefer your kill hot or cold?"
Colin began to growl, but Claire squeezed his hand to silence him. "Whatever is easiest for your chef. I would hate to be an inconvenience, especially after they worked so hard on this beautiful meal."
To seal the message, Claire grabbed a small piece of brisket and placed it on her plate. She took a bite with a smile. The meat melted wonderfully in her mouth, and she filled Colin's plate with food as well.
He was so proud of her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her cheeks until they bore the permanent mark of his lips. He wanted to announce to the world that his mate was a brave genius. Instead, he wiped the blood off his hands and began to eat the food she gave him.
Alpha Peter watched Claire as she sipped her wine and continued to eat the cooked meat. She smiled kindly at the wolf who brought her a chunk of venison, thanking her. A small grin lifted the corners of his lips; she was even better than he could've hoped.