Nightshade
To his right sat his one and only son, Damien.
I kept my eyes down as I approached them, setting plates in front of the guests with practiced efficiency. No eye contact. Don't speak unless spoken to. Be invisible.
"Ah, perfect timing," Alpha Magnus said as I set his plate before him. "Thank you, girl."
Not my name. Just "girl." I nodded and turned to serve Damien.
His scent hit me, hard. Pine and rain and something darker, wilder. My hands trembled ever so slightly as I put his plate down, careful enough not to let it clatter.