At home, she’d helped her father with some minor office work and assisted Sarah with the house. For that, she’d been paid a small wage out of the pack’s general operating budget. Now, she was basically unemployed with only her small savings to fall back on. She’d have to talk to Kane about the situation. Maybe she could find a job in town waitressing.
Thankfully, no one pressed her as to why she wasn’t buying anything. She knew they’d all noticed how much she’d admired a certain green v-necked sweater that matched her eyes. Its soft angora knit had draped over her curves in an extremely flattering way, the low cut neckline giving a tantalising hint of cleavage. Reluctantly, she’d placed it back on the rack, not wanting to squander her money on something so frivolous until she had her own source of income.
Helen had gone to get her hair done and the four younger women were going to meet her at the Grey Goose Tea Room at three o’clock. Since they still had half an hour to spare, they wandered down the mall idly commenting on various window displays. Elise paused by a small art gallery to look at an exceptionally fine mounted photo of a wolf standing in the middle of the woods. It had a natural wood frame and a deep burgundy mat that added warmth to the blues and greys of the actual picture. “This is nice,” she commented to her companions. The others nudged each other and giggled. “What? Don’t you like it?”
“Oh, we like it all right. Don’t you recognise the subject?”
Puzzled, Elise studied the picture again. The background looked vaguely familiar. She said as much to them. “But I can’t really say where I’ve seen it before.”
Phoebe leaned over and whispered in her ear. “That’s a picture of Kane.”
“What?” Elise spoke louder than she’d intended and several shoppers gave her strange looks as they passed by. Ducking her head, she tried to make herself inconspicuous. “That’s Kane? I’ve only seen him as a wolf once before...” Her voice trailed off. How embarrassing, not to even recognise your own mate! As she peered more carefully at the picture, she noticed the wolf’s eyes were definitely Kane’s. “Who took it?”
The three ladies fell silent and then, unexpectedly Rose spoke. “It was Ryne. He liked photography and was actually pretty good. Quite a few of his pictures have been sold both here and in other galleries around the area, though I think this is the only one I’ve ever seen with Kane in it.”
“You’ve heard about Ryne, haven’t you?” Zoe tentatively asked.
Elise nodded. “Kane told me. It’s hard to reconcile someone who can take such a wonderful picture with the person I’ve heard about. I can’t believe any Lycan would endanger its own pack.”
“No one understands why Ryne issued that challenge.” Phoebe shook her head. “He’s lucky Kane didn’t kill him.”
“Uh-oh. Bitch at twelve o’clock.” Zoe hissed a warning and everyone looked in the direction she indicated. Marla was walking across the gallery and heading their way, an obviously fake smile pasted on her face.
“Oh great,” Phoebe groaned. “And it’s too late to escape. She’s seen us.”
Elise tensed and hoped the other woman wouldn’t be as snarky now as she’d been first thing in the morning. One confrontation a day was usually her limit, thank you.
“Well, look who’s here.” Marla’s voice was condescending and she smirked at Elise, obviously having recovered from their earlier confrontation and ready to do battle again.
“Hello, Marla.” Rose spoke very quietly, briefly meeting the other woman’s eyes before staring at the floor, her hands shoved into her pockets. Elise could almost see Marla puff herself up, pleased that at least one of the people present recognized her superior status.
“Marla.” Zoe and Phoebe each gave curt nods of acknowledgement.
After considering the situation, Elise decided to stay silent, not wanting to create a scene. Something about the blonde set her teeth on edge. Apparently though, Marla wasn’t one to let an opportunity pass by. “Elise, I see you’re admiring the picture of your mate. You know, I was there when it was taken. We’d just finished the most...invigorating...exercise and—”
“Oh, give it a break, Marla.” Zoe snorted in disgust. “You were out with Ryne and came across Kane by accident. Don’t try to make it sound like more than it was. And before you even start, we all know that it was Ryne who managed to talk him into having his picture taken, not as a special favour to you.”
Her face flushing with either embarrassment, temper, or both, Marla glowered at them. “Better be careful what you say, Zoe, because one of these days you might find that I’m the one with the power. And just like an elephant, I don’t forget.” With that, Marla spun on her heels and stalked away.