Desire the Night(46)

“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.”

Beaming, Alissano handed the ring to Victor.

“Kiya Marie Alissano,” Victor said, slipping the ring on her finger, “with this outward symbol of my love, I plight thee my troth.”

Kay stared at the ring. It felt like a lead weight on her finger. She flinched when Victor put his arms around her, closed her eyes tightly when he kissed her.

There was more cheering. More applause.

When Kay opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Gideon standing in the doorway.





* * *



Chapter 21

Gideon’s first thought was that Kay was the unhappiest looking bride-to-be that he had ever seen. Of course, he hadn’t seen that many, but even vampires knew that brides were supposed to have some kind of inner glow. Whatever fire had once burned inside Kay, it had gone out. No surprise, he thought, glancing at the prospective groom. Victor Rinaldi was strutting around the room like the pompous ass he was, grinning as if he had just won the lottery which, in a way, he had. Being married to the daughter of the Shadow Pack’s Alpha probably carried a lot of weight within the werewolf community.

Gideon remained where he was as the guests moved into the dining room.

Smiling and nodding at those she passed, Kay made her way toward him.

“Looks like congratulations are in order,” Gideon remarked sourly. “Although I must say, I’ve seen brighter smiles on condemned prisoners.”

“They were probably a lot happier than I am,” she muttered glumly.

“I might have an answer to your problem.”

“Really? I’d love to hear it.”

Gideon took a deep breath. “You could marry me instead.”

Kay blinked up at him, wondering if she had heard him right.

Gideon rocked back on his heels. “Not such a good idea, I guess.”

“No. I mean, I don’t know what to say.” She shook her head. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’m afraid I am.” Looking over Kay’s shoulder, he said, “We’ve got company.”