- Everest -

For the first time in a while I actually woke up on my own, without anyone disturbing me.

I recalled everything that had happened last night and I felt as my lifted cheeks filled with a warm blush.

I rolled over to find myself alone though.

I hadn't expected this.

I was about to get out of bed when I noticed the small tray sitting on his bedside table...a large glass of orange juice was clearly visible, as well as a covered dish and a small note that sat on the tray like a tent.

I smiled giddily and moved to grab the note.

_____

Everest,

Work has pulled me away from you too early this morning. I wish that I could've enjoyed breakfast with you, but my attempts in the kitchen are rather minimal so I hope you don't mind too much. If it isn't to your liking the kitchen staff can make anything you'd like instead. I will be back in time for your presenting, I promised I wouldn't leave you alone and here I've already broken that promise, my apologies wife. But rest assured that I WILL be in attendance right next to you this evening.

Your Husband,

-Titus

_____

With a little hesitation I lifted the cover off of the plate and found a simple grilled cheese sandwich.

The sandwich wasn't exactly my breakfast of choice but I ate it gratefully anyways. I got up and went to have a shower.

Once clean I got out of the shower to the new conundrum of having no fresh clothing.

I padded toward the closet, but of course good old Phyllis had gone above and beyond in her service of the family as I actually did have clothes here.

She may not like me much. But she'd rather bite her tongue and bury her hatred for me than look unprofessional in the eyes of the Alpha Supreme.

I pulled on one of the long sleeved dresses and pair it with some very thick stockings and plain black heels.

I decided to leave my hair down.

I exited the room without a stitch of make up, I was letting my skin breath since I knew I was more than likely going to have to wear makeup later for the presenting.

My hair bounced freely as I bound down the stairs happily. I bid good mornings to everyone I passed and found someone to ask about my father.

"Can you please tell me where to find my father?"

"Oh My Lady, he is in the dining room with your brothers."

At this I was actually surprised. 'Brothers?'

My wolf suddenly became alert, ready to go on defensive mode if need be.

I thanked the man and continued on my way, as I reached the dining room I straightened myself, shoulders back, head up high and then I entered the grand room.

"Good morning gentleman." I acknowledged.

One of the house men pulled a chair out for me and I took the seat with a small 'thank you' I reached out and plated some grapes from the large spread set before me.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked in a rather condescending tone.

"Sister." Rich acknowledged.

"Hey Evie" Ash sounded.

My father only looked on.

But it was Rich who spoke first, "we've come to talk business with your husband.

I brushed his words off.

The thing is, Rich always bullied the rest of us to get everything he wanted, and now I wasn't under my fathers thumb so I didn't have to do anything either of them wanted me to.

"My husband is tied up with actual work this morning."

"Then you will pass a message along to him." Rich growled impatiently.

"Oh?" I asked.

"You will tell him that he needs sign a treaty with our packs." Rich continued.

I delicately picked up a grape before popping it into my mouth, I relished this role reversal.

Rich who had always had everything handed to him, was so use to everyone telling him yes, now found that he needed something and I was going to make him work for it.

"Titus doesn't have to do anything that he doesn't want to."

All three men in my family took notice of how freely I spoke my husbands name.

"That is why you are going to tell him to do it." Rich said.

I looked at my eldest brother with humor and defiance. "And why would I do that, I don't wish to do any business today."

"Everest." He growled.

"That's lady Graystone to you," I said as I stood up to leave when the sound of the doors opening pulled my attention.

"Good morning everyone." Titus sounded merrily.

Apparently whatever work he had been conducting this morning seemed to have gone good.

"I wasn't expecting such a large gathering this morning." He said as he reached the table.

I was still standing, ready to excuse myself when Titus walked straight over, with his hand securely on my lower back I thought he was simply going to help me back into my seat.

He surprises me when he leaned his head down and pecked my lips ever so lightly, memories of last night instantly filled me. But I was startled upon seeing a vivid red color on the collar of his pristine white top, his suit jacket just barely failing to cover it.

I now knew exactly what type of work he had been doing this morning.

"Wife." He smiled.

"Husband." I returned before he pulled my chair back out for me where I willingly took a seat.

As he took a seat I took it upon myself to pour him a glass of water, he took it upon himself to pick at the grapes I had all but abandoned.

"It is a pleasure to be meeting a couple of My wife's siblings." Titus smiled politely.

"My apologies," father finally sounded. "Allow me to introduce to you my eldest son Richard and his brother Ash."

Both of my Brothers got up to shake his hand.

"And to what do we owe this pleasure?" Titus asked much more gentle and sincere than I had been.

"Well as I was telling Everest, perhaps we could possibly discuss some business this morning." Rich sounded arrogantly

Titus sat rooted to his chair silently before he took a sip of the water I had poured for him. "It isn't in good form to discuss business pertaining to the pack when the Luna hasn't been officially presented." He replied eloquently. "But if you should like to stay for the presenting then we will more than gladly make room to accommodate all of you."

No one said anything further.

"Well if that is all I really must meet with my father and my lovely wife is to report to her lady in waiting."

Titus got up and pulled my chair out for me once again before taking my hand in his own.

"If I could please have a private word with my

Baby sister." Ash finally spoke.

Titus nodded his approval and handed me off to my brother, the three of us left Rich and my father sitting at the table.

I knew Ash wanted to talk, and if he needed to speak to me alone, I could only guess it would be about one person in particular.