Page 45 of My Pleasure

Aiden scowled from behind his mate. “Meryn is nowhere near that short.”

Kendrick held up his hand. “The average height of a woman in the paranormal world is five-feet-eleven inches tall. If you subtract five inches, that is five-foot-six. Even if you pad that by an inch or two that’s five-four.” He leveled his gaze at Meryn. “In the paranormal world are you the equivalent of a Little Person. That’s why everyone calls you short.”

Meryn’s mouth opened, then closed. She opened it again, then closed it. “You know what? Fuck you all.”

Anne punched Kendrick in the arm, and went to Meryn. “I’m not that much taller than you.” She took her hand. “They’re just too tall.”

Pip cuddled Meryn from the other side. “I’m short too, especially for a guy, and I’m not even half-human.”

Meryn turned to Pip. “But you’re perfect how you are.”

“So are you,” he countered. “I can’t imagine a tall Meryn.” He shuddered. “That’s weird.”

Kendrick rubbed his arm. “That was kinda my point. How can you be considered too short, if, in human terms, you’re average? If we were in the human world, we’d constantly be hitting our heads and our knees.”

Keran came around the table and reached into Meryn’s brownie box. “Here you go Princess Auntie,” he said, handing her a brownie.

Meryn shoved the entire thing in her mouth.

Caiden cleared his throat, his lips twitching as he tried desperately to hide his smile.

“Everyone, sit down, so we can get dinner served,” Caiden said, clapping his hands.

Anne went back to sit next to Kendrick so Aiden could sit next to his mate. As usual Pip stayed where he was, on her other side.

Hunter steered his mate to a chair and sat down next to her. Keran sat on her other side and Nicol sat between his parents. In addition to everyone visiting from Lycaonia, Elder Ironwood joined them for dinner, so the dining room was full.

“What are we having?” Meryn asked, still clearly sulking.

“Stuffed shells, salad and garlic bread,” Genevieve said, spooning out jumbo pasta shells.

Meryn perked up. “Shells?”

“Extra cheese and sauce, just for you,” Genevieve said, dishing out a large portion for Meryn.

Marshall was still smiling when he spoke up. “Meryn I’ll have you know, you were right.”

“I was? About what?”

“After speaking with Magnus, Byron and Brennus, we all agreed, the established punishment for disrespecting a unit warrior will be used and he will be fined.”

Konstantine sighed, then reached under the table to pass something to the Elder. “I was not quite sure when to share this.”

Hunter watched as the Elder’s neck began to molt red in anger. “Those… those….”

“Douchebags?” Meryn suggested.

Marshall threw the paper on the table. Caiden walked around the table and picked it up. His nostrils flared. “The audacity!”

“Share with the fucking class or pass that shit down!” Meryn ordered.

Caiden passed the paper to Kendrick then turned to Meryn. “The Sky Gazette put out several articles today including an exposé about what happened with Zev.”

“That’s bad?” Meryn asked.

Kendrick held up the paper showing a snarling Zev, looking positively unhinged.

“You look psychotic,” Aedan observed.