Shadows (Book 2 of the Zara's Wolf Trilogy) BWWM

5. The Uninvited

"Ali and Keith's parents seem cool," I say to Evan before shovelling a thick chunk of steak into my mouth. The juices dribble from the corner of my lips before my tongue flicks out to lick it up.

Evan nods, as he chews and swallows his mouthful of beef. "Yeah, we're lucky to maintain close ties. Most of the time, our kind is too territorial to get along. My sister becoming Owen's mate was a huge factor, of course."

I look over my shoulder to the adjacent table in the dining hall, where all the higher-ranking shifters are sitting and eating.

Owen really does look like the mirror image of his father, right down to the blond hair and square jawline. He has his mother's piercing green eyes that makes me shiver and quickly look away whenever his attention flits over to me. The same power and authority that Rick possesses radiates off him and makes me want to bow my head in submission.

Sitting next to him on the long wooden bench is Leah, his mate and Evan's older sister. Her chestnut brown hair grazes her shoulders in long, wavy layers. Her frame is a little thicker than Evan's with a wider ribcage and fuller hips. Her oval face is smooth and freckles dot her nose. She sits up straight, rather than hunched over like the male sitting across from them, speaking animatedly in a hushed voice.

Heaving a sigh, my eyes flit to Rick, Alicia, and Keith sitting further down the long table, hungrily eating while listening politely to the chatter of our hosts.

The dining hall has a long table along one wall, stacked with food in heated containers. There's a door on it's right leading out to the hallway and a door on its left leading to the kitchen. Three long wooden tables run perpendicular from the food table with benches for sitting on both sides of each table. Two windows are at the end of the tables, opposite the food table, with two more along the next wall, revealing the night sky beyond.

"Are you tired?"

I turn back to Evan, who's watching me as I take everything in around me. I'm too wired up now, and I shake my head in response. It's five o'clock in the morning, but it might as well be five o'clock in the evening and we're eating a hearty dinner, rather than steak, eggs, and bacon.

"I am," Emily says next to me.

She looks up at me with big droopy brown eyes before she closes them and leans her head against my shoulder. Only a few bites were taken from her plate.

Evan smiles at her. "Well, I guess we better finish up here."

I nod as a large, sandy haired male stepped into the dining hall. His face is emotionless, but his hands are balled into fists as he briskly tromps to the alphas. It shouldn't have caught my attention, if not for the air of urgency in his movements.

The hall falls silent as all heads turn to watch the man as he bends down and whispers into Owen's ears. Owen's cool green eyes flare as a vein throbs to the surface in his forehead. He whispers something into Leah's ear before her eyes widen slightly.

Evan and I stiffen as Emily wraps her arms around my left arm. Owen rises to his feet and with quick strides, exits with the man.

Leah clears her throat as she stands and gives us a forced smile. "Well friends, it is time I showed you your quarters. I'm sure you're all tired from the journey here. Please follow me."

"Something's happening," Evan whispers into my ear as we rise to our feet.

I look over to Rick, Alicia, and Keith with rising anxiety in my gut. Rick's face is as stoic as always, but Keith and Alicia look worried as they stand up.

The hairs on the back of my neck prickle as a howl of pain seeps through the insulated wooden walls of the building. A low growl rumbles among the males in the room when there's a muffled snarl outside.