Chapter 70

I deeply regretted my error of the previous day, and rehashing it in my mind kept me awake until midnight.

The next morning, I woke determined to forget about it, and I promised myself I would never commit the same breach of manners again.

Just because a lot of Alphas act like jerks it doesn't mean I had to be like them.

After breakfast, I decided to study for a while. I had a werewolf history exam coming up. So I headed for the library.

I had been studying for about an hour when my phone vibrated. I opened the text message and couldn’t believe who sent it.

My heart squirmed in my chest when I read a message from someone claiming to be Lana Klein, Victor’s mother. She extended an invitation to me for tea that afternoon at the Klein Mansion.

The woman said she was sorry she missed my ball, but she and Victor’s father had been enjoying a tropical island vacation.

It became hard for me to breathe as my panic and excitement crashed in on me. I was invited to Victor’s parents’ house for tea!

I’ve never met the Kleins, and Victor never spoke much about them. So I had to admit that I was curious.

And Victor’s mother was considered one of the most influential Lunas in our society today. It was an honor to be invited to her home.

“I hope she likes me,” I told Diana as I rang for Jennifer. “Sometimes I do and say stupid things.”

“We must be more cautious at the Klein’s home,” Diana agreed. “We must stay on her good side. Victor’s mother has much influence over the werewolf community.”

Before Jennifer arrived, I realized I had not accepted the invitation and quickly typed an appropriate response into my cell phone.

Jennifer entered my room, and after I explained the situation, we flung open the doors to my closet.

My excitement seemed to be contagious as Jennifer pulled several outfits from the closet and hung them on the door.

“Don’t worry, Miss,” Jennifer said. “I’m sure we will find just the thing for you to wear.”

“I’m not sure what’s appropriate for meeting my potential mother-in-law for the first time,” I said. “Especially when she’s rich and influential.”

“You need to look fashionable yet demure. A Luna like Mrs. Klein will expect you to look like the upstanding young lady you are.”

After trying on several outfits, Jennifer and Diana declared a pink skirt with a matching jacket and a silk blouse would be just the thing.

As I looked at my image in the mirror, wearing a two-piece suit, I had to admit I looked the part of the innocent young daughter of a wealthy Alpha.

“All you need for jewelry is a few pearls, and you should wear your contacts,” Jennifer advised.

After I put the contacts in my eyes, Jennifer reached for one of my makeup bags.

“I’ll apply light makeup,” she said. “Just enough to make you look even prettier than you always do.”

When I was ready, I went downstairs to tell Alex where I was going. I found him in his study.

He looked up when I knocked on the open door.

“My, don’t you look nice, sweetheart,” he said. “Where are you going looking so pretty?”

“Mrs. Klein invited me to tea this afternoon,” I replied.

Alex nodded. “She wants to get to know you. That’s wonderful.”

“What is she like?” I asked.

“Lana Kline is a wonderful woman,” Alex replied. “She was a good friend to your mother. I think you’ll like her.”

“She and Victor’s father weren’t at my ball. She said they were on vacation.”

“Yes, they love their tropical island and go there at least twice a year,” Alex said as he watched me fidget.

He came around his desk and put an arm around me. “Don’t be afraid, dearest. Be yourself, and Lana will love you.”

“As long as I don’t go around insulting old ladies, I’ll be fine,” I whispered to myself.

“Is Victor picking you up, or shall I call the chauffeur and ask him to bring the car around?”

“Call for the car, please,” I replied. “But I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“You should only be gone for a few hours,” Alex said. “I’ll have the driver wait for you.”

I checked my hair and makeup twice more before leaving my home. I was so nervous on the short drive that my fingers tingled as the car drew close to the Klein Mansion.

It wasn’t far from my home, and it was almost as large as Alex’s mansion. But instead of stone, this mansion was entirely made of wood and brick.

It’s sprawled across part of the several-acre property that had hedge rows on three sides. A fenced-in pool was on one side of the house, and a tennis court on the other.

The butterflies in my stomach beat their wings faster when the chauffeur pulled in front of the mansion’s entrance.

This was it. I had to make a good impression on Victor’s mother. It was important to my future, even if I didn’t marry Victor.

Her influence over the werewolf society could help or hurt me, depending upon her feelings toward me.

I was frightened.

“Just be myself. Just be myself,” I chanted low as the chauffeur opened the door, so I could exit the car.

I climbed out and looked up at the mansion in front of me. If I did marry Victor some day, would I live here?

“Don’t worry about things that may or may not happen,” I reminded myself.

Then, taking a deep breath, I walked up to the entrance and rang the doorbell.

It was promptly answered by a butler who could have been Benson’s cousin.

“Welcome, Miss Wilson,” the butler said. “Mrs. Klein is waiting for you in the drawing room. Follow me please.”

As I followed the butler, I looked at the splendor around me. It was a grand home, full of expensive antiques.

But upon closer inspection, I saw a few cheap souvenirs from trips that the family had taken mixed in with priceless artwork.

I stifled a giggle at the lopsided, seashell castle that was displayed next to an expensive vase.

Maybe Victor’s mother wouldn’t be as formidable as I feared. Her home seemed to suggest she has a sense of humor.

I relaxed slightly as the butler led me to a door at the far end of the entry hall.

“Miss Daisy Wilson is here to see you, Mrs. Klein,” the butler announced.

I glued a smile to my face and took a deep breath as I walked into the room and saw an immaculately dressed woman sitting behind a delicate antique desk.

I couldn’t see her face. She wore black frame glasses and was looking down as she wrote something on thick cream colored paper with an antique fountain pen.

She wore her mostly white salt and pepper hair in a chin length bob with fluffy bangs. I was pleased to see she wore a two-piece suit similar to my own, except hers was a light blue.

“Thank you, Saunders,” the woman said to the butler. “Tell the kitchen we will have tea in fifteen minutes, please.”

After Saunders left the room,she looked up and lowered her glasses to the tip of her nose and looked at me over the top of them.

“Hello, Daisy,” Lana Klein said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

I froze with my heart slamming in my chest. Lana Klein is the woman whose wallet I found at the art gallery the previous evening.

“Oh, crap,” Diana said.

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