Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

But our work was hardly done yet. Lana carefully dyed my strands the color of sterling silver, and now, all that was left was to wash the dye out. While I waited for the water to heat, I padded over to the mirror and lifted my shirt to check my spine.

A small gasp escaped me as I ran my fingertips over the spot where my birthmark had once been, just finding smooth, unbroken skin there.

No mark. Even if Kade had succeeded in his quest last night, he wouldn’t have found anything. Small mercies, I supposed.

With that settled, I got to work washing the dye out. Lana then helped me style my hair, and by the time I was finished and looked in the mirror, I truly did feel like a completely different person. My hair was cut just below chin length, and the silver color brought out my eyes.

By the time the dinner party rolled around later that night, I felt more like “Elena” than I had ever felt like Samantha.

It was strangely liberating, stepping into the dining room in my new look with my new name. It still felt a little weird, not having my long tresses trailing down my spine, but it was a good feeling. Samson, Tyler, and Natasha were there, as well as Lana and her parents.

“Elena!” Tyler turned toward me and gasped. “Your hair…”

“Do you like it?”

He nodded. “It suits you. Makes you look older. Wiser.”

As I took my seat at the table, Samson placed a small box in front of me. “Here. A welcoming gift.”

I opened the box and gasped. Inside was a delicate necklace with a three-dimensional pendant of a nightshade

flower dangling from the chain. A tiny diamond was set into the center of the flower, and shimmered when I held it up to the light.

“It’s… beautiful,” I whispered.

Samson beamed as I put it on. The necklace settled perfectly at the hollow of my throat. I’d never been given such a beautiful gift before; I never wanted to take it off.

“It’s a symbol of our pack,” Tyler said. “My father and I thought it only fitting that you wear one now that you’re a part of Nightshade… And potentially my mate.”

My face reddened further. I looked down at my lap, unsure of what to say other than a small, “Thank you.”

Across from me, Natasha cleared her throat. I glanced up to see her staring at me.

She had been painfully silent ever since last night, but that didn’t mean that she was suddenly choosing to be kind to me. If anything, her quiet, seething hatred was even more terrifying than the horrible things she’d said and done before.

Her cold eyes lingered briefly on my new hair, then my necklace. She said nothing. Just looked away like I wasn’t even there.

Samson tapped the side of his glass with his knife, drawing everyone’s attention.

“All of you have heard the news already,” he said. He turned to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “This

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Chapter 41

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girl, this wonderful girl who fate brought to our pack over a month ago, is the newest member of Nightshade pack –and she might just be my son’s future Luna.”

The guests clapped and smiled.

“Of course, due to… extenuating circumstances,” my father went on, “this news of the unexpected bond between Tyler and Elena must remain a secret for now. I trust you all in this matter.” He held up his glass. “For now, welcome to Nightshade pack, Elena.”

The other echoed his words and held up their glasses. Even Natasha faintly lifted hers, although her eyes were like daggers over the rim of her cup as she took a sip.

With that out of the way, we began to enjoy the meal that had been prepared. The staff brought out little roasted birds, potatoes glistening with butter and rosemary, vegetables sauteed to a delicate crisp.

Everything was delicious.

But it was just as dessert was being brought out-a mouth-watering array of tiny cakes and fruit tarts-that it happened.

I heard someone cry out at the end of the table. The room fell silent, all eyes turning that way to find that Lana had jumped up from her chair and was doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach.

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