Chapter 71

Could my luck get any worse?

The woman I was rude to at the art opening is Victor’s mother.

I squirmed and felt my legs shake beneath me as Lana Klein continued to look at me over the top of her reading glasses.

Should I apologize right away or try to defend my actions? Or should I wait to see what she has to say first?

I wasn’t sure if I could speak at all, but Diana advised me to be silent until the older woman spoke again.

“You’ll have a better idea of how she feels about you if you wait to see what she has to say,” Diana advised.

But Victor’s mother continued to write what appeared to be a letter and ignored me while I stood in front of her, struggling not to fidget.

“I can’t believe anyone writes a letter on paper anymore,” I told Diana. “It’s much easier to email someone.”

“Mrs. Klein seems to be of the old school,” Diana replied. “The old ways and old manners mean a great deal to her, as they should.”

“How long do you think I have to stand here waiting?” I asked Diana. “My anxiety is killing me, and I don’t know what to do.”

“She is testing you,” Diana said, “Continue to show your respect for her by remaining silent. Let her speak first.”

I shifted my weight from foot to foot and fought the urge to run from the room. Alex’s chauffeur was waiting for me outside.

“Stay calm, Daisy. She can’t be that angry with you.” Diana added. “She could have had the butler kick you out of her house as soon as you arrived. The fact that she didn’t gives me hope everything will be okay.”

Trying not to stare at Lana Klein, I spotted a baseball cap with the name of a popular tourist attraction on it. It hung on the wall next to a framed photograph of Lana and a boy, who must be Victor, standing next to a famous waterfall.

Another framed photograph on her desk showed a dignified-looking older man scowling at the camera. He had to be Victor’s father.

Victor resembled him. They had the same facial features and turquoise eyes, but the man in the photo was even more imposing than his wife.

Seeing Victor’s parents made me wonder what it was like for him to grow up with them in this house.

They had to love him. Who didn’t love their child?

But the expectations Alpha parents had for their sons were wildly different than what Alex expected from me.

But I’m sure Victor had made them proud. I shifted my eyes around other parts of the room and spotted many more photos of Victor at different ages.

He had been an adorable little boy. I had to smile at one photo of him riding a carousel when he was very young.

Over the fireplace were the diplomas he had earned and trophies and awards he had won. Victor had a knack for taking first place.

Finally, Mrs. Klein put her reading glasses on top of her head and got to her feet. Her expression was unreadable as she walked around the desk and motioned for me to sit in a tan velvet club chair.

She then sat opposite me on a matching loveseat and picked up a crochet hook, and placed a ball of blue yarn on her lap.

After replacing the glasses on her nose, she began making rapid stitches with the hook.

“I knew who you were when we spoke yesterday at the gallery,” Lana revealed. “I saw you with my son while you examined the paintings together.”

All I could do was nod. My mouth was dry, and my lips were sticking to my teeth.

“Apologize now,” Diana said. She is giving you the opportunity to speak.”

I tried to swallow and couldn’t, but I tried my best to do what Diana said.

“I… I am so… so sorry, Mrs. Klein,” I stammered. “I wah … was wrong to speak to you in that manner.”

“You have been forgiven,” the older woman replied, looking at me over the top of her glasses again.

Relief flooded my body, and I realized I was clutching the edges of my jacket. I smoothed out the wrinkles and waited for Mrs. Klein to speak again.

Lana continued crocheting as she spoke. She didn’t need to look at what she was crocheting.

“Victor told my husband and me about your unfortunate upbringing with your adoptive Beta family. He said they were quite cruel and neglectful.”

I watched her crochet for a long moment. It was mesmerizing, and I briefly wondered what she was making.

“Yes, that’s true,” I said. But that does not excuse my attitude toward you yesterday. I should not have spoken that way to an elder.”

In a quiet tone, I tried to explain. “The only defense I can offer is that I had several frustrating encounters with rude Alphas at the gallery before I tried to return your wallet. But I should not have taken it out on you.”

“As I have said, you are forgiven. But your behavior is not forgotten by me or my friends. I covered for your rudeness by reminding them who your mother was and that she died when you were a baby.”

Lana sighed. “Unfortunately, you are my son’s fiancée. You must learn how to conduct yourself properly in public. The Klein family’s reputation must remain spotless.”

“I understand, and I will try to do better,” I said.

“Some Alpha werewolf manners and customs are much different from the Beta’s,” she said. “However, if you are serious about learning how to conduct yourself properly, I will instruct you.”

“Customs and traditions matter greatly in our world,” Diana said. “You would be wise to listen to Mrs. Klein.”

“That would be wonderful, Mrs. Klein,” I said. “I would be very grateful for your help. Embarrassing Victor or your family is the last thing I want to do.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Lana said.

She studied me for a moment. “You look quite a bit like your mother. We were friends, and I enjoyed her company. She knew how to adhere to Alpha protocol yet still be herself.”

I couldn’t hold back a smile. It sounded like my mother followed the rules, yet she could still be a lot of fun.

“I promise to work hard to be more like her,” I said.

“It pleases me that you can be reasonable. And I see how embarrassed and remorseful you are over our first meeting,” Mrs. Klein said as she crocheted. “But there is no need to be embarrassed.”

Lana Klein looked at me over her glasses again. “I’ve made a few errors myself when I was your age.”

She smiled at the memory. “I once spilled my tea on my mother-in-law‘s lap because I was chattering away with my sister instead of paying attention while serving tea,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“I didn’t live down that incident for twenty years,” she said. “So don’t feel too badly, Daisy. We all make mistakes. The true sin is if you do not try to correct them.”

I was right about the meaning of the cheap souvenirs. Victor’s mother did have a good sense of humor. I was lucky she did, and I looked forward to getting to know Lana Klein better.

“If you don’t mind teaching me these things, I would appreciate the chance to learn them.”

“Then let us begin.”