Patricia glances down at where my stomach would be if there weren't a table in the way and smirks. “And clearly they're the kind of women that don't mind breeding for you.”
I recall Sierra saying something similar when we first got here and smile. While I'm sure Patricia was trying to insult me, she didn't. I wanted to have Brady's children within hours of knowing the man. It makes me wonder if she has the same kind of love for Ambroise, and I guess not.
I place my hand on my stomach and say, “I certainly am. I can't think of a more beautiful thing than to have children with your true mate.” I realize my words might be hurtful for Marion, but I think she's aware they aren't about her. My spoon clinks against my bowl as I scoop out another mouthful. “If I have my way, we'll be having lots of them.”
Patricia says, “Charming. How many breeders did you get, Donna?”
“A few to start. You might have heard about one of them from your son.” She reaches for a piece of bread. “Did he mention our Sierra?”
Damn, she's going for the jugular, and we aren't even past the first course. So much for not attacking right away.
I have to hand it to Patricia, though. She doesn't miss a beat. “My son is quite popular with women these days. If he was taken with one of your girls, I'm sure it was fleeting at best.” She actually flicks her hand when she says the word “girls” as if Sierra's a hooker.
Anger is doing its best to surge to the surface, but I tamp it down with an ice-cold sip of water. I nearly choke when Marion speaks in my head. “I've got this.”
Marion says, “Patricia, while boys will be boys, your son went too far at the wedding. I don't know if you heard, but he bit Sierra.” Patricia shrugs, but her face gets hard when Marion adds, “She was mated to another man. You know how we've cracked down on mate rape. Surely you wouldn't put us in the position to have to deal with one of our own children being punished, now, would you?”
Patricia's lips are thin, and I’d like to think she's feeling shame, but I doubt it. She answers, “I'm sure that while he may have gone too far, it wasn't an attempt at mate rape. You have nothing to worry about.”
Donna speaks in my head. “You're up.”
“That's fantastic news. I'm sure Sierra will be glad he's out of her head. I'll tell her you'll take care of it.” I'm tempted to reach over and touch her arm, but I don't want to push it. “Thank you.” I sink my teeth into a piece of bread. My fangs poke out for a second as I gaze at Patricia and see she does the same.
41
Chapter 11
Carly
The rest of our meal was spent brainstorming ideas of how to present the new interclan marriage law to the kingdom. It was decided each clan would announce it during their Fourth of July celebration. News travels fast when you talk in your heads, and everyone will know within hours. While some of the older population won't be happy, the majority of werebear shouldn't have a problem with something that has already been in practice for years.
The highly polished railing is smooth under my hand as we descend the wooden staircase. I say, “Donna, I'm going to use the restroom before we go.”
Donna points to a set of antique chairs. “I'll wait for you over there.” Patricia keeps walking. Clearly she's had enough politics for the day.
When I'm finished, I find Marion has waited with Donna. As we exit to the wet outdoors, Marion says, “Ladies, do you mind if we talk in your car?”
Donna answers, “Not at all. Right this way.” Her umbrella pops up with a snap as she walks briskly toward the car, and I splash along behind her with Marion by my side.
Once we're closed up in the car, rain beats gently on the roof, and it makes me long for a nap.
Marion is in the back and gets right to the point. “Now that we've gotten the interclan marriage issue sorted out, I have bigger goals for the kingdom. It's high time we became a collective council to rule instead of playing all these clan games.”
Smiling, Donna nods, and I'm glad Marion was the one to bring it up. I say, “From what I've seen, I think it's a good idea, but I get the feeling the Veilleux might not go for it.”
Donna nods. “Getting the Veilleux on board with the idea will be difficult.” She looks straight at Marion. “But there's no reason the Le Roux and the Robichaux can't work together.”
Marion smiles. “I think the same, so let's start there. Now do you suppose Brady will agree?”
A car drives by us, and water from a puddle splashes up from its wheels. Donna cocks her head and says, “We'll work on Brady. What about Richard?”
Marion winks at me. “There are some benefits to being the alpha.” She holds out her hand and shakes both of ours. “Carly, you did a great job dealing with Patricia. I'm sure Donna was as proud as I was.”
“Thank you. But knowing the two of you have my back made it easy.”
The car door opens, and I notice the rain has lessened. Marion leaves us, and I turn to Donna. “I think we can make the alliance happen, don't you?”
She nods in response.