Chapter 17 : : : : : The Mysterious Gift

*Ember*

The strange young male’s eyes widened at the sound of my title. He dropped into a low bow as a deep blush spread across his cheeks.

“Please pardon me, Princess. I didn’t realize who you were,” he mumbled, straightened and doing everything in his power to avoid looking me in the eye. “I am Bryan Nightwatch, cousin to Alec.”

I offered him a nod of acknowledgement. “I understand your confusion. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bryan,” I said politely.

Bryan’s tense posture immediately loosened in relief that I didn’t seem to be offended by his earlier disrespect.

“May we join you?” Mary asked, skipping in through the door before I could even answer. She took Bryan by the arm and all but dragged him to the armchair opposite me. He sank down into the chair while she perched on the arm like some sort of strange, exotic bird.

Internally, I sighed. I really wanted to be alone with my books, but I also didn’t want to be rude to any members of the pack after they had been so wel