A Dinner of Ghosts and Blessings

RUBY

I'd seen my parents host dozens of formal dinners over the years, but none as tense as this one. The dining room of our ancestral home was impeccably arranged—fine china that hadn't seen use in years, crystal glasses that caught the light from the chandelier, and silver so polished I could see my reflection in the spoons.

It wasn't just a dinner. It was a test.

Leo sat across from me, his jaw tight, eyes flicking between our parents and Olivia. His mate looked breathtaking in a deep burgundy dress, her posture perfect, but I could see the way her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for her water glass.

"So, Olivia," my father began, his voice carrying the weight of his Alpha status, "Leo tells us you're currently between packs."

The phrase "between packs" hung in the air like an accusation.

Olivia's smile remained steady. "Yes, Alpha West. I've been establishing myself independently for the past few years."