The Alpha's Indian Mate

Chapter 21

C H A P T E R  21

 

Drew rolled his eyes as he pulled me in for another kiss. I shoved him away, attempting to get off of his bed and the compromising situation Lucy had walked in on. Apparently he wasn’t having any of that for he tugged me back to his chest.

“Let go” I mumbled half-heartedly as I snuggled into his chest.

The rumble of his laughter met my words and he didn’t budge.

“We could ignore dinner and stay here forever” He suggested with his trademark smile and I blushed.

“Or we could go downstairs and not keep your family waiting”

He let out a long sigh and I rolled my eyes as I had to practically drag him out of his room. And let me tell you this now, it was no easy feat hauling 6 foot something of pure werewolf out of his room when he was clearly not helping.

At last, after we had made it downstairs I instantly regretted it. Everyone – well I say everyone because there were about twenty people around the table – waiting for us as they sat chatting and laughing at each other’s jokes.

Pausing, as Drew and I entered, they looked us over before Drew’s mom tugged us towards spare seats near the head of the table. I slipped into a seat beside Lucy who wiggled her eyebrows at me with a smirk that spoke volumes. Choosing to ignore her teasing I glanced around the table, taking in the various faces that were trying (but failing) to inconspicuously observe me. To say I was nervous would be the second most understated statement of the century – the first being that I was seated at a table of werewolves who could potentially go crazy.

Drew was sitting opposite me and he was talking to his best friend Jack. Victor was sitting on Jack’s other side and digging into his food. He looked rather quiet for his usual self and I couldn’t help but think about the conversation Drew and I had about him. If it was his mate that he wanted, I hoped he would find them soon. Victor was a great friend and he was starting to become a brotherly figure in my life. I wanted him to be happy.

Drew’s mom was sitting next to me and at first she didn’t say much as Lucy and I caught up but after a while she smiled warmly at me and said

“You’re feeling shy? Don’t be. We think you’re very sweet”

“Oh…thank you Mrs Salisbury” I smiled back, suddenly feeling nervous again.

I could tell Lucy got her looks from her mother because they were the spitting image of each other. She had chestnut brown hair that sat in gentle curls slightly past her shoulders and her eyes were a deep piercing green. She had lots of laugh lines and her eyes crinkled when she smiled. I could tell already by the way she tried to make me feel at ease that she was a very loving and caring mother.

“Please don’t call me that. It sounds so formal. Just call me Ellie” She said as I addressed her as ‘Mrs Salisbury’.

“You’re Indian?” She asked as she regarded my colouring and I nodded.

“I’ve always wanted to go to India. The colours, culture and those festivals just seem so beautiful and exciting. Have you ever been?” She probed further, seeming to be genuinely interested.

The question was innocent enough, after all I had been asked it many times. But the painful memories it evoked were another matter entirely. I could feel the blood filter out of my face as the memories flashed before my eyes. The hurt, anger, pain that I’d felt came storming back and I had to grip my cutlery to stop myself from saying anything that I would regret. Instead I attempted a lame excuse about having never been there.