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way out to the table. Once she placed the pot on the centre she went back for more. For the next twenty minutes she gathered food and plates from her mother’s kitchen to place on the table.
    Layla nudged her with her hip. “Are you nervous?”
    Elle nodded and went back to setting the table. Pack members started arriving as the table was filled with food. They took their places at the head of the table. She sat by Layla as her parents took their seats next to her. Some of the wolves stared at her for several moments. She wasn’t used to being scrutinized by so many people. Male and female wolves took their time observing her. When all the wolves were seated, Elle wiped her sweaty palms on the tablecloth in her lap.
    Brandon still hadn’t joined them. No one reached for food. She noticed the whole pack around the table tense and stare behind her. Before she could turn around to see what gained their attention, fingers brushed her hair out of the way.
    “You shouldn’t be sitting here,” Brandon said. He pressed his lips against her neck, making her gasp.
    She’d not felt him approach even though her thoughts had been dominated by him all afternoon.
    “My family sits here,” she said.
    “I’m your mate. I’m your family.” He shook her father’s hand, kissed her mother ’s, and then took hold of her hand with the bandage on.
    Following his footsteps, she stood up. He removed the bandage covering her wrist. The red bite mark was clear to see as it stood out on her pale skin.
    More gasps came from the humans as they were behind her.
    Did any of them know what the bite mark meant?
    Brandon walked her to the head of the table. Darcy, Drake, and Lewis sat on either side of him. She sat at the head with Brandon. Her cheeks heated as all gazes were on them. She felt their gazes on her body.
    “I want to present the humans of Grace Hill with my mate. Elle Smith is who the fates have decreed will be my mate. She’ll be given the respect expected of her title.” Brandon kissed the mark on her wrist. “And I claim her for my own.”
    She kept her gaze down not wanting to look at him. During his little speech she noted he spoke words of the fates decreeing her his mate rather than him picking her to be his.
    Bastard.
    Did he really think she was stupid enough not to notice his slight against her?
    This is why you need to get out o f Grace Hill. You need to get away from him.
    His hand tightened on her thigh stopping her from going anywhere. Biting down on her lip she glanced at Layla. Her friend offered her a soft smile, which was no comfort to her at all.
    The feast started as all the pack dived in. Elle stared at the humans wishing she was there. They kept turning to look at her. Some of the humans sneered while others offered her a smile.
    “You’re not eating,” Brandon said.
    She picked her fork up and started nibbling on the food that appeared on her plate. Brandon must have placed food on her plate when she’d been looking at her kind. Keeping her bitten wrist under the table she ate little food even though the wolves kept filling their plates. They were known for their appetites.
    Music filled the air , and couples started dancing. She watched as Layla declined a couple of partners. This was their first feast, and her friend was alone. Pushing her chair back, Elle made for her friend.
    “Where are you going?” Brandon asked. His hand shot out halting her from moving. Glancing down at the arm that stopped her, she swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat. “Look at me.”
    Quickly, she glanced in his eyes before averting them. “I want to go and dance with my friend. She’s lonely.” Nibbling her lips she waited for him to release her.
    “Lewis, go and dance with Layla.”
    The other man went without argument. Brandon took her hand leading toward the area of the town where couples were dancing. The tables were being packed away by both humans and wolves.
    Brandon ’s arms were wrapped around