CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
OLIVIA
Sun glinted off silverware and reflected from the perfectly white tablecloth. Henry’s parents had spared no expense to put together a luncheon in honor of getting to know Olivia and her family.
Maureen and Evelyn didn’t know anything about the traumatic events that had recently transpired. Olivia’s mother thought she had simply fallen asleep midway through Philodendron’s visit, and she did not connect the stories in the building about a man who jumped from the roof that night the strange visitor called.
Olivia had told them that Henry was a shifter, though, and that their relationship was serious. Her mother and Evelyn had been intrigued but not judgmental in the slightest. Henry suggested a family gathering, and both of them were surprised that Henry’s parents decided to host it.
Well, Henry’s mother did. Nicholas had to be dragged kicking and screaming, apparently.
Olivia smiled at Henry’s mother across the table, and she smiled right back. Since the moment they shook hands, Olivia had felt a deep connection with Jennifer. Jennifer was very excited that Henry had found his mate and couldn’t wait to see their wedding and their children.
Olivia blushed just a little, thinking about it. She was still trying to wrap her head around the whole “fated mates” deal.
“More wine, sir?” the waiter asked, pausing by Nicholas. Henry’s father nodded, not bothering to look up. He was buttering a roll and staring down the table at Olivia’s family, and it didn’t look like he was on his best behavior.
Olivia didn’t know exactly what it looked like when Henry wasn’t on his best behavior. Henry had explained a few things to her but had not gone into detail. Olivia knew this was because it was a trauma point for him. Her lover didn’t have to tell her everything for her to understand.
Henry simply felt he would never measure up, and that feeling might never go away, especially since his father seemed to spend all his time scowling at him.
“This is a beautiful spread, Jennifer,” Olivia said, trying to bring up a neutral subject. “Thank you for going to so much trouble.”
“Not at all, my dear!” Jennifer said, smiling. “It’s not like Henry meets his fated mate every day, is it? I simply had to officially welcome you into the family.”
“Not quite in the family yet,” Nicholas muttered.
“Nicholas,” Jennifer whispered. He looked up at her.
“I think you overdid it, to be honest,” Nicholas said to his wife. “You had to bring out the aged red wine, didn’t you? Not to mention the money you spent at the seafood market this morning.”
“Father,” Henry muttered.
Evelyn looked at Olivia, her eyes wide. So far, Nicholas had said very little, and even though Olivia had noticed his silence, she never imagined it was hostile.
“Nicholas,” Maureen said, her voice thick with amusement. “Why don’t you tell me about the wall hanging in the main foyer?”
Nicholas looked up at her, eyes wide with surprise.
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” Maureen said, swirling her glass a little. “It’s thirteenth century, I believe, but it’s not a tapestry I’m familiar with. It must be a private collector’s item.”
Nicholas narrowed his eyes, confusion on his face. Jennifer caught Olivia’s eye and winked.
“It was actually hand stitched by my great-great-grandmother,” Nicholas said, his voice soft. “What do you mean you don’t recognize it?”
“I’ve studied the art of recording history through handmade items,” Maureen said. “Often, it’s about preserving knowledge of the family tree. That tapestry depicts a great battle, doesn’t it?”
Nicholas nodded. “It was when our line took on the alpha position.”
“The golden threads in it are utterly exquisite,” Maureen said. “They must have been handmade.”
“They were,” Nicholas said, a smile breaking across his face. “Spun by the women of our family.”
“I hope that talent has not been lost.”
“Not at all,” Nicholas smiled, really warming up now. Henry’s face was blank with astonishment.