"I'm so fucked." She exhaled and glared up at him.

"Not yet." He winked and in that moment he reminded her of his father. Maybe there was something about shifters that meant that they would never grow up and stay little boys forever. Looking up at his smiling face, she couldn't really find anything wrong with that.

*****

She and Aiden joined the others in what Adelaide called her drawing room. She sat next to his mother and he took a seat in one of the many wingback chairs. Aiden kept staring at her as if seeing her for the first time. She felt conflicted. This man was a growly, horrible brute who had manhandled and kidnapped her. But he was also gorgeous, pouted adorably and lit her body on fire. To call the police or not call the police that was the question.

"Do you like baking?" Adelaide asked, her eyes alight with enthusiasm.

Meryn shrugged. "I guess, I mean, who doesn't like homemade chocolate chip cookie dough?"

"You eat the dough? You don't bake it?" Adelaide asked eyes wide.

"Wait, you've never eaten cookie dough before?" Meryn couldn't believe this crazy talk. Poor woman.

"Marius, do we have the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies?" Adelaide turned to her squire.

He nodded. "Of course, my lady."

She squealed happily and turned back to Meryn.

"I've always dreamed of making cookies with a daughter." Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. Meryn sighed. Yup, so not calling the police. This woman was too sweet. She couldn't have her son arrested. Her stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. She flushed with embarrassment. Marius leaned forward.

"What would little miss like for supper?"

"Anything would be great, I'm not picky."

"Sirs?" Marius turned to Aiden and Colton.

"One of your famous sandwiches would be amazing right now Marius." Colton licked his lips.

"Yeah, that sounds perfect." Aiden nodded.

"Are they that good?" Meryn asked curious. Both men nodded.

"Can I have one too?"

"Of course. I'll be back presently." Marius gave another half bow and left the room.

"He is so cool!" Meryn smiled at Adelaide.

"That he is. He was a gift from my mother."

Meryn turned. "Huh? Like you own him? Isn't that illegal?"

Adelaide gave a tinkling laugh.

"No darling, he is my employee, but it goes beyond that. When I mated to Byron my mother knew I would assume the role of Lady McKenzie since Byron as Unit Commander was anticipated to become the Council Elder for shifters and lead our people. She knew I would need an ally, someone to help me run the household. Things were different then." She sighed. "My mother arranged for one of the most highly trained squires to take the position. He has been with me ever since." Adelaide explained.

"We couldn't do without him. He helped run the house, raise the boys and assist with social functions. I was leery at first, after all there was another man helping to take care of my mate, but looking back we never could have made it this far without him. It helped that he soon found his own mate. A lovely woman who took on the role of keeping the other servants organized. It has allowed me to concentrate on council work and Aiden's mother to assist with various charities." Byron explained.

Meryn shot a scared look to Aiden. He looked back at her in concern.

"What is it? What has you looking so terrified?" He asked leaning forward.

"I can't do the social thing or the charity thing. In fact, I can't do the servant thing either. I can't be like that." Meryn felt her breathing pick up. She hated being around a lot of people. There was no way in hell she could become like Adelaide.

"It's okay darling, breathe. It won't happen overnight, you and Aiden have plenty of time before Aiden takes over for his father. By that time you'll be more comfortable with our society, even the social parties and backbiting." Adelaide rubbed her back soothingly.

"Backbiting?"

"Oh my, yes. Society here can be very cruel. There is a lot of keeping up appearances if you know what I mean."

"People are mean to you? Why don't you just punch them in the face?" Meryn asked. Adelaide looked at her appalled. Colton chuckled.

"We definitely have time before you take over dear." Byron laughed.

"Have you never had a circle of girlfriends where one friend would deliberately invite another to spite you? That sort of thing?"

"Nope. I didn't have friends growing up, I mostly stayed to myself." Meryn shrugged. Adelaide chewed on her lower lip in consternation.

"She'll be fine darling, a breath of fresh air." Byron nodded at Meryn encouragingly.

"Little miss, sirs, your supper." Marius announced from the door before wheeling in a large cart. He lifted the silver domed lids and Meryn gasped. Marius placed a napkin in her lap and handed her a plate. The sandwich looked scrumptious. The vinegar and oil glistened from the lettuce mix, the ham and turkey looked fresh cut and he had added two different types of cheeses.

"Thank you Marius." Aiden accepted his plate.

"Thanks Marius, as always, this is amazing." Colton had already inhaled half of his sandwich. Meryn took a bite and practically moaned.

"Nummy!"

"Glad you think so." Marius smiled down at her.

"Marius, can you arrange for squire interviews for Meryn? I think having someone at her side showing her society would help her acclimate to our world." Adelaide snagged a chip from Meryn's plate.