Chapter Eight- Dinner

"I told you I'm not eating dinner with these people." I pull at him while he drags me down the hallways no remorse for my arm while we walk.

"And I said before, you will respect the pack and your role. I am not trying to make this a game, Cherry," He turns giving me a wicked smile, "But I will if I need to."

"You are as dense as phosphoric acid coming from a pipette!" I grouch trying to pry the fingers off my smaller wrists.

"That made no sense, love, at least not to me." He keeps his voice level,

"I fucking hate you."

"I know. Now come on, first impressions matter." He grumbles pausing at doorway.

"Was me running in my pajamas barefoot across hot cement not a good enough one?"

Levi sucks in a breath quickly, the releases it slowly, "You live to make my life hell, hmm?"

"I think it's the other way around, wolf."

He says nothing pulling me through the final doorway to greet the mass of people that surround around the horribly long dining table. The idea of setting this every night makes me want to puke. Ryder pays no mind guiding me to the left head, two chairs with red backing sitting on one side compared to the rest with black.

"This is where we sit."

"I see no reason for special seating." I whisper, everyone looks over at me. Super hearing. Got it.

"I have nothing against punishing you in front of my pack. Act, accordingly, or it will be handled." He cuts under his breath shoving my shoulder down into the seat. His wolf is very present, and I run my tongue over the front of my teeth burning with anger.

"Are you threatening me, wolf?"

The Alpha growls, body starting to shake I go to stand up, continue the challenge so he either kills me or ships me back home, but that fucking doctor walks up with a glass of wine in hand.

"Alpha, Luna. Fantastic to see you tonight. I brought a glass of cabernet for the lady, one of the finest on our shelves in celebration." Sanders puts it into my hands, another warning look from him as well. Levi seems tired of it, his face telling me more than I need to know. Maybe I should play it safe, tonight at least.

"Apologies, to both of you. Being kept in the room has made me a little intolerable." I turn my head to the people, nodding slowly with my glass raised, "And apologies to those that heard."

Levi calms down, a look of confusion settling over his beautiful brows. I send him a wink settling into the comfortable dining chair. He settles as well, the set of the pack finding their seats as soon as he's comfortable.

"Thank you, Cherry." He whispers, but I throw back the glass finishing it off in one go. Sanders sits next to me at the table, refilling my glass promptly.

"I did it for the wine, not for you." I hiss back, chugging the second glass before the servers could run through. This time Levi fills it and pours heavy. He smiles to the pack and none of them find it odd that I am focusing on the wine, some of them are encouraging me with small smiles.

The servers move quickly, everyone getting a plate of chicken, rice, and greens within twenty minutes. I look over the meal picking at the toppings on the chicken, I'm not a fan of onions and based on the small cards they gave with the plate, I can't eat the sauce. Levi takes note of it, standing to tap his wine glass so quietly I had to lean up to hear. Everyone down the line and then some heard it, all turning to face us.

I chug more wine.

"Good evening! As you all know, the Luna has been found. Our pack can now celebrate the promised future! You may address her as Luna Scarlet." Scarlet? Who's Scarlet?

The pack roars in excitement, everyone knocks the back of their knifes on the table, stomping feet to an unfamiliar beat. I back into my chair, the absolute fear of how quickly this escalated taking over. The pack seems to notice my discomfort, quieting quickly with disappointed across their faces.

An empty chair sits a few seats down but still within arm's reach, I attempt to figure out whose seat it is, but Levi calls out the final order to eat, all the women digging in first. Males sit next to their ladies watching them enjoy, some talking to other males at the table while they wait. Levi sits down next to me watching me intently stab at the rice.

"I can't eat until you do."

"Then I guess we are both staving tonight." It really isn't because of the hunger strike, my body physically can't stand the sauce on the chicken, the onions only making it worse.

A woman barely breathing right runs up the table, a plate in her hand, I look at them clearly to see Mary holding out a plate to Levi, "She can't eat onions or the sauce, parsley allergy. I asked the chef to make her a fresh plate."

"You're allergic to parsley?" Sander's eyes grow double the size, phone then pulled out so he can take note, "Anything else I need to know?"

"Um… no? I didn't think that was going to be important." I try to hide from the curious eyes, Mary makes a point to grab my old plate and settle the new one. A server runs by and takes my mutilated rice plate away.

Mary gives me focus sitting down in the once empty seat, "As wolves we don't have allergies, it's not common for us to remember to ask the human mates. Once your shifted it will go away, but for now we need to make sure you are safe."

"Mary." Levi scolds, I see Sanders shove his finger against his temple.

"Shifted? Levi?" He leans over to cut the chicken into small pieces, then lifts the fork to feed me. I grab it from his hand shoving the bite into my mouth with angry chewing, "There. Happy?"

"Much, finish the chicken and then I'll answer."

My will to argue leaves, and I start taking the chicken one bite at a time glaring at him between each annoying swallow. Levi enjoys it, giving me a smile as I eat while continuing me to eat more. Luckily, it doesn't take long for me to finish the chicken and shove the plate away. The wine's filled me up, and I really hate the idea of eating their food, "Answer?"

"As a human you are fragile, after we complete our bond and you've accepted me fully, during the Heat we will be able to shift you into a wolf."

"I thought the Heat was pregnancy."

His eyes flash with something unrecognizable, "You are correct, who says we can't have both? The Heat is a week-long, more than enough time to shift you and attempt for pups."

I feel body start to deflate, "Absolutely not. No. Not in a million years." I think about it again, then nod my head, "Still no."

Levi cuts at his chicken to take a bite, he laughs under his breath, "Funny you think I won't be able to change your mind before then."

"I doubt that. I can't stand to be within ten feet of you."

He peers over, Mary spitting her chicken into a napkin at his response, "The smell of your arousal earlier tells me much differently, love."