“Uh, Lilac… I really don't think anyone is going to try to rip my dress off while it's on my body…” Corinne commented as she left the room, watching the old lady look in all directions as if she was waiting for a monster to come out and transform that new dress in pieces again.
“I no longer trust the kind of security Hunter has in his own house.” the seamstress complained, her hoarse voice full of disapproval “It's absurd that, even after a day, no one still knows who could have carried out that atrocity. Now, I'm going to have to make a new dress from scratch, because that one is beyond repair. Therefore, if anyone wants to ruin my newest masterpiece, they will have to go over me.” She turned to look at the satin dress with long sleeves and a skirt that reached her knees, as well as a neckline that was a little more revealing than Corinne had imagined it would be, when he was still in the cartoons “Hunte
“I… I will be honest with you, Princess Valiant. I think I owe you that, after what happened two days ago.” Dewey sighed “My pack… has also been experiencing some intrusions recently.” “What?! And why didn't you mention this during the meeting? The other Alphas could have helped him…” Hunter questioned. “Just like they helped you?” Dewey interrupted him with a dismissive laugh “The time when this alliance was a certainty of safety for us little shifters is long gone. Now, it only serves to keep trade routes open and ensure that you predators can take advantage of everything that is produced in territories like mine, without needing to waste your precious time conquering us. Besides, it's not as serious a situation as yours. Nothing serious happened, but…” the Alpha of the Swans swallowed hard “The number of reports about strange movements in our mountains and
“So, I imagine my father has already talked to you about me living here for a while, hasn’t he?” a voice next to Corinne made her look away from the still full glass of champagne that was in her hand and turn to Penelope, whose blue eyes were filled with hesitation and distrust “Why else would you be looking at me so much, just a moment ago, on the other side of the table.” “Uh…” Corinne furrowed her eyebrows, wondering if Penelope would believe that she was actually just looking at the food and wondering if it would be such a breach of etiquette for the party host to eat an entire tray of those salami croquettes “Actually, yes, he already said it. And I've already asked Isabelle to prepare the room you're in so that it can become your private room from now on. So welcome.” she smiled, a little unsure of how she should act to be as receptive as possible. “You
“Uh… I guess I should let you know that, of all the things Octavia taught me, dancing wasn’t among them.” Corinne murmured as Hunter led her to the dance floor, in that embarrassed manner that, for some incomprehensible reason, was very adorable to him.“It’s fine. I think I can handle this for both of us.” he assured, trying to remain cool as they finally reached the center of the garden, which had been made into a dance floor, and, under the gaze of all the other couples, he pulled her even closer, holding her by the waist until that addictive smell was surrounding him on all sides “Relax.” he instructed her, a little uncomfortable because her eyes were turned downward the entire time, focused on their feet and preventing Hunter from seeing her completely “This song doesn't get much faster than that. Just try to imitate my movements… Tak
“Well…” she bit her lip, clearly hesitant “No, nothing very concrete, other than the fact that you were only being attacked by wolves and we were always fighting shifters of the most diverse races possible. But, Isabelle told me the same thing as you earlier. I’m probably starting to see too many things where there really isn’t anything.” Corinne shook her head and Hunter got the distinct impression that she hadn't let go of that concern, as she was trying to make it seem like "I... Uh... I was thinking... You wouldn't have salt, sage and anise somewhere in the pantry, would you?" they looked at each other for a second, in silence, until she blushed, embarrassed “Sorry, that sounded weird. Forget I said that. It was not my intention to arouse your distrust again…”“No, it’s okay.” he interrupted her “If you want this to m
Corinne was about to do something really stupid. Stupid and unnecessary, really. In the piercing silence of that early morning, while all the wolves in the pack were sleeping soundly after enjoying the party to the fullest, she should have been doing the same, instead of leaving the house's pantry as quietly as possible, carrying all the salt with her, anise, mint and other spices you managed to find. Her memory was no longer so fresh about the things she had once learned, but, with luck, that specific form of protection she still remembered. Hell, should she really do this? She had already achieved the impossible by Hunter no longer hating her or considering her a threat anymore. Why risk all that if someone caught her doing something related to… Witchcraft? However, if she really was right in her suspicions… No
“Your love and dedication to your pack are all that matters. I think, as long as you are taking good care of them, they will reciprocate by wishing you happiness, don’t you think?” “Life is not a fairytale. If you think I'm a snob and judge everything I see, then you should know my father's right-hand men and the swans that surrounded me growing up.” Penelope grumbled “I know what they're going to think and what they're going to say. They don't care about my happiness. They want an Alpha that meets their expectations and a wolf mate is certainly not among them.” “Well… You changed your mind a little after you got to know me better, didn’t you? Maybe they may be difficult at first, but, over time, when they realize that Aiden is very different from what they would expect of a wolf and that his mating will not interfere with his qualities as a leader, then they
“What are you doing?” Hunter asked behind her, in a confused tone, and Corinne felt like all her blood had dried up, so weak and lifeless her limbs felt, when she realized the trouble she had just gotten herself into “Corinne?” he called her again, as he approached “Why are you here at this time…? Is that… Salt?” “I…” swallowing hard, she stood up quickly, almost bumping her head against his chin in the process “Sorry, I… I was…” she tried to search her mind for a plausible explanation for what Hunter was seeing, but when he bent down close to her so he could open the bag and dip his hand between the salt and the petals as if to make sure his hunch was right, Corinne knew there was no point in trying to delay the inevitable “I was… Trying to protect the house. ” “With… Salt, herbs and flowers?” Hunter raised an eyebrow, probably thinking she had lost her mind
“You should have kept that to yourself.” Corinne laughed. “I learned to do that after that day. But, I learned a valuable lesson from that punishment, which had nothing to do with the punishment or the fact that my mother was angry that I doubted the elders' stories. That day I realized that all these wolves need something to lean on, in difficult times. Something, or someone, in whom they can place their hopes, other than a being of flesh and blood like me. So I never made the mistake of saying something so disrespectful out loud again.” “That makes it sound like you still think that way, you know.” Corinne pointed out, fascinated by how well she could imagine a little Hunter, questioning the pillars of his kind's story with that same firm expression he had as an adult. “Maybe I think…” he grumbled, annoyed “I’v