Alpha in Shadow

na'

my restaurant, my sanctuary, my place of Peace. The scent of thyme and roasted garlic hu

not t

ited. My hands moved on autopilot, clearing counters, straightening trays, adjusting oven dials-but i

s of duty, silence, distant kisses, and me convincing myself that one d

tart he always claimed reminded him of autumn back home in the North. I'd set the table myself. Lit the candles. I wore a soft blue d

ng to tell him tha

walls between us cracking just a little, maybe even a hand

g. Kissed my cheek, complime

seat like nothing was off. Like this was

t his food o

dishing the food-just as the words had b

ession that I won't forget. From warmth to command. He sto

ency," he said.

wful look

ed, unsure if I should stop

ien,

ng, but the words were

already halfway out the door. "I'll bring you that e

e would change his mind, until

was in d

important to him, despite all the effort I p

voice yanked me ba

nked.

d. Tall, poised, graying hair pulled into its usual tight bun. Her eyes

you

e a

ly. "I just did

han I liked, but said nothing. Inst

said, handing me a white envelo

mild confusion

sked

me thinking, she was amazed

prenticeship. Three years abroad. Full scholarsh

hit me like

ng in the bathtub? The Luna who

he right emotion. Joy? Shock? Dread

now. A secret. One Da

think about i

on't take too long. They'll want a

anding in the middle of my kitchen,

athe, one of the servers

er out front who asked to speak to you directly.

wned.

ded. "And apparently all

apron. "Fine. Let's see

staurant's main hall a

silk dress too tight to hide it. Her nose wa

ped, looking at me like I was

nny replie

carrots tasted like sugar paste, and the dessert-don't get me started

d it myself. The lamb was prepared medium, as requested, and the carr

n't need a food lecture. My husband will hear of this. He's a

f he has something to sa

Oh, he will. And when he does, I

omething I couldn't take back. My hands w

me a sof

s, voice shaking. "Her husband is here. Are you

ng my shoulders. "Let him

or swun

rld stoppe

as Da