“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
“Be that as it may, you must know the two of you have no future together. Your path has already been decided.”
Kay crushed the petals of the dandelion, then tossed it away. “What if I don’t want to follow that path? What if I don’t want to marry Victor and live with his family? What if I want to live my own life, make my own decisions?”
“I’m afraid those choices aren’t yours.”
“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.”