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Anxiety had my heart pounding painfully against my ribcage. I wanted nothing more than to burst into the kitchen and apologize to Liza, but I had to be smart about it. She was working, and I didn’t want to draw anyone’s attention to the kitchen and my need to see Liza just as the luncheon began.
I could bide my time and plan what I wanted to say this time so I didn’t fumble it. I’d wait for a more opportune moment. The idea was to protect Liza from the talk. The last thing she needed was more talk.
I squared my shoulders and approached the table. No matter what happened, I was determined to make things right with Liza. That woman had already burrowed deep inside me, and I wouldn’t lose her, not now that I’d found her. It didn’t matter one fucking bit that it was less than twenty-four hours ago.
“Oh, there you are, Ty.” Mother stood, and for the sake of appearances tried to hug me as if we hadn’t had a heated discussion about Liza the night before. And for the sake of appearances, I allowed it. “Have a seat, dear.”
I turned to see Bryce make his way to a table with his family. He eyed me with a smirk. In true Bryce Fulton fashion—and I knew because he’d told me—he was counting down the minutes until the end of the luncheon so he could hunt down, assess, and maybe even coax one of the women who hadn’t been matched the night before. He always said that the day after a mating ceremony was the perfect time to console the heartbroken. And by console, he meant fuck.
Dad took his seat across from Mother and avoided making eye contact with me.
All right, so that was how it was going to be. I wasn’t surprised. My family didn’t deal with situations unless it affected the pack. In our family, we ignored our own shit. So, of course, we’d be behaving like that whole conversation last night never took place.
Like hell we were. I had other plans.
“How’d the two of you sleep last night?” I smiled over my glass of water and glanced at my mother, then my father. They weren’t going to avoid anything if I had my say. And by fucking hell, I was having my say.
They eyed one another, then Dad cleared his throat. “Slept like a baby. And you?”
“Oh, I got a full fucking two hours of sleep.” I scoffed, my voice deep and low. I wasn’t going to make a scene, but they were going to know exactly how I felt about what happened. “Having your parents tell you that you can’t be with your fated mate will do that to you. Tossing and turning, trying to make sense of the whole mess. Kind of a shitty way to go to bed, don’t you agree?”
Mother’s cheeks flushed as she turned to me and lowered her voice. “Tyson, this is not the time or place to discuss the situation. I know you think you have everything figured out and that we’re a couple of idiots, but you need to trust me on this one. Keep your mouth shut until we’re in the privacy of our own home.”
Shit. She wasn’t backing down.
Well, neither was I.
Though, she had a point. It wasn’t the time. I didn’t want to cause a scene.
Nodding, I took another sip of water. I’d seen Mother’s particular brand of tantrum, and she didn’t discriminate over the situations that brought them out. At least half the people in this room were personally aware that she could cut through a person’s soul with her icy stare, but it wasn’t like her to speak to me in that way. But again, that was a fight for a later time.
I let it go. For now.
The waiters and waitresses made their way through the dining room, serving the guests their lunch of tea sandwiches, sliced vegetables, and potato salad.
I craned my neck, trying to catch a glimpse of Liza whenever the kitchen door swung open. She stayed hidden. My heart sank deeper into my chest. I needed to speak with her but it seemed she had no intention of making an appearance during the luncheon.
“Did you see how lovely Cecily looks today?” Mother raised her eyebrows and nodded in Cecily’s direction, interrupting my thoughts of Liza.
“Are you really asking me that right now?” I nearly choked on my sandwich. I didn’t know how she’d managed to miss the scene Cecily started, and although it was possible that she might’ve, I doubted it. “That woman is a total bitch. She cornered Liza earlier.”
Mother waved her hand in the air as she swallowed her mouthful of pimento cheese. “I’m sure she was congratulating Liza. Cecily’s family is top-notch, Ty. You know that.”
“Oh, really?” I laughed loudly and dramatically. “She wasn’t congratulating her, Mother. Cecily was tearing her to shreds.”
She thought for a moment and then responded softly. “Liza must’ve said something to provoke Cecily. I simply can’t imagine her being rude for no reason.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Dad stood and made his way to the podium. The room fell silent.
He leaned against the wooden stand and spoke into the microphone. “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us today at the celebratory luncheon.” He paused, allowing everyone to applaud. “Before I begin, I’d like to take a moment to thank the Banks family for hosting this event. We’re always grateful for their generosity and commitment to our community.”
On cue, Cecily and her family stood, waving to the crowd, flashing their bright white smiles.
I clapped softly, trying hard not to roll my eyes.
Once the applause died down, Dad continued. “As you all know, we’re here today to celebrate the couples that were matched up last night at the mating ceremony.” He gestured toward Mother. “Many years ago, I discovered my fated mate at a similar ceremony. Persephone and I have been living a fairy tale ending ever since, and we wish the same contentment on our newly paired couples.”
Mother gushed, clutching her chest and blowing a kiss to Dad. The woman sitting near Mother patted her back and whispered encouraging words. The whole spectacle nauseated me.
