Ryder's POV
"So… what brings you here, Alpha Ryder? You clearly told us you wouldn't be interested in joining us at the party." Mrs. Alejandra said, casually munching on the meat in her mouth as if nothing in the world could unsettle her.
I glanced up at her, my knife pausing mid-cut against the slab of meat on my plate. The scraping sound died down, leaving a tense silence hanging between us.
"Did you change your mind?" she added when she noticed I wasn't replying.
"No," I replied bluntly, and the smile on her face stiffened, just barely, but enough for me to catch it.
"Oh, I see. Then it seems your visit is for something else. May I ask what that is?" She smiled painfully this time, lifting a handkerchief to dab delicately at the corner of her lips.
I pulled my gaze away from her and focused on the meal in front of me. The smell of food suddenly felt nauseating. I picked up the knife again and resumed cutting.
