MEETING HIS FAMILY.

Lyra's pov

"How many people live here exactly?" I asked as we made our way into the house.

"About thirty pack members use this as their primary residence. Others have their own homes but gather here for meals and meetings."

"Thirty people." I took a deep breath. "Thirty werewolves who can probably smell that I'm different and are going to judge whether I'm good enough for their precious alpha."

Damien turned to look at me fully for the first time since we'd left his apartment. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the bound wolf crashing the pure-blood party."

Something flickered in his eyes—anger, but not at me. "Anyone who has a problem with you has a problem with me."

The protective edge in his voice did weird things to my stomach. "Down, boy. Save the territorial alpha thing for inside."

He actually smiled at that, a real one that transformed his entire face. "Ready?"

"As ready as someone can be to meet thirty supernatural in-laws while pretending to be madly in love with their emotionally constipated leader."

"I'm not emotionally constipated."

"Damien, you've said maybe fifty words to me that weren't about business or living arrangements. You're practically emotionally constipated with a side of repression."

Before he could argue, the front door opened and people started emerging. Lots of people. All tall, attractive, and moving with that fluid grace that marked them as definitely not human.

"Showtime," I muttered, then plastered on my brightest smile as a silver-haired woman practically flew down the steps toward us.

"Damien!" She pulled him into a hug that would have crushed a normal human, then turned to me with eyes that sparkled with intelligence and warmth. "And you must be Lyra. I'm Elena, Damien's grandmother."

"It's wonderful to meet you," I said, accepting her embrace. She smelled like lavender and something wild I couldn't place—forest and rain and moonlight.

"Such a pretty girl," Elena said, holding me at arm's length to study my face. "And those eyes! Like storm clouds. Beautiful."

"Thank you." I smiled. Your home is incredible. I might need a map just to find the bathroom."

She laughed. "Oh, I like her already. Damien, you didn't tell me she was funny."

"I'm discovering new things about her every day," he said dryly.

More pack members approached, and I found myself shaking hands and trying to remember names while being studied with varying degrees of curiosity, acceptance, and what felt like barely concealed suspicion.

A man about Damien's age with sharp features and calculating eyes stepped forward. "Marcus," he introduced himself. "Damien's cousin. I have to say, we were all surprised by the sudden wedding announcement."

"Well, when you know, you know," I said cheerfully. "Why wait around when you've found your person?"

"Indeed. Though most mates have a longer courtship period. It helps the pack get to know their future luna."

The emphasis on 'most mates' wasn't lost on me. Neither was the subtle challenge in his tone.

"Lucky for everyone, I'm a quick study," I replied, keeping my smile sweet. "I'm sure I'll figure out the luna thing as I go. How hard can it be?"

Damien's hand settled on my lower back, warm and possessive. "Lyra's been handling everything perfectly so far."

"Of course," Marcus said smoothly. "I'm sure you'll both be very happy together."

Elena clapped her hands before the conversation could get more awkward. "Enough standing around. Let's get everyone inside for dinner. I want to hear all about how you two met."

As we walked into the house, I caught Damien's eye. "How we met?" I whispered. "What's our story?"

"We haven't discussed this?"

"We've been a little busy with contracts and living arrangements. Quick, what's our meet-cute?"

"Business conference," he said quietly. "We struck up a conversation over coffee."

"Boring. Can we at least add some drama? Maybe I spilled coffee on you? Or we got stuck in an elevator?"

"Lyra." He frowned at me.

"Fine, fine. Business conference it is. But if anyone asks about our first kiss, I'm making something up."

The interior of the house was just as impressive as the outside. The dining room could have seated fifty people easily, though only about twenty were gathered around the massive table.

Elena seated me next to her, with Damien on my other side. The conversation flowed around us—pack business then questions about my background that I deflected with humor and carefully prepared half-truths.

"So Lyra," said a woman across the table, "what pack are you from originally?"

"A small one up north," I said vaguely. "Nothing as impressive as this. We're talking maybe fifteen people on a good day."

"And your family?"

My chest tightened, but I kept my voice light. "It's just me now. My parents died when I was young."

The table went quiet for a moment, sympathy flickering across various faces.

Elena patted my hand. "I'm so sorry, dear but you have family now." She smiled. "Who'll love and care for you."

"Thank you. That means more than you know."

"And how long have you been bound?" Marcus asked casually, as if he was asking about the weather.

The question hit like ice water. Several conversations stopped, and I felt Damien tense beside me.

"Marcus," Elena's voice carried a warning.

"It's a reasonable question," he continued. "We all want to understand our new luna's... circumstances."

I could feel everyone watching, waiting to see how I'd respond. My bound wolf stirred restlessly, as if sensing the challenge.

"Long enough to get used to it," I said evenly. "Should we move on to more fun topics? Like baby pictures or embarrassing childhood stories about Damien?"

Marcus was going to be a pain in the ass, that I could tell.