My gaze tracked over Dylan’s tall, muscular body. Dressed in black trousers and a dark blue shirt, he looked as gorgeous as I remembered. But my memories hadn’t prepared me fully for how arresting his rugged handsomeness was. I noticed his strong jaw and proud forehead were even more evident now that he wore his hair shorter.
In danger of staring at him too long, I was pleased I had something I needed to do. My dad had reminded me about the pack custom I’d forgotten: giving a gift to the new Alpha. It was customary on first seeing the new Alpha of the pack to bestow something homemade on him. When I’d arrived at my dad’s house, I’d been flustered at the thought of having nothing homemade other than the dresses I’d packed. None of which were exactly appropriate for Dylan.
But my dad had come to the rescue by giving me a bottle of his homemade wine. Something that was in the tote bag on the kitchen counter in front of me.
I stepped towards Dylan and gifted him the bottle. “For the new Alpha,” I said, lowering my gaze as was tradition, showing one’s respect towards the new Alpha of the pack.
When I looked up, Dylan’s dark eyes seared into me, and his voice was thick. “Thank you.”
Flustered at the feeling in his look and tone, I almost retorted that it was really from my dad. I stifled the urge to tell him I was only here because the pack’s rules demanded me to be.
Instead, feeling the need to draw attention away from me, I turned to the tall, willowy woman beside him. “And you must be Lucy? It’s so lovely to meet you. You’re as beautiful as I heard you were, and congratulations on your engagement. You’re a brilliant match for one another.”
A self-satisfied smile spread across Lucy’s face. Her arm curved possessively around Dylan’s. “Thank you.”