Chapter 23


    Scarlet''s POV


    The rest of the week flies by as everyone is busy with preparations including myself. Between helping


    at the shelter and with arrangements, I''ve barely seen Ethan except for when we are crawling into bed


    at night or both waking up early to start our days. It''s finally Thursday and I find myself standing next to


    Ethan at the main entrance of Kane Enterprises. Caleb and all of Ethan''s siblings are there, along with


    several of his other lieutenants. The Silver Shadow Pack is due to arrive at any moment and we are


    waiting to formally greet them before leading them up to the floor where they will be living during their


    stay.


    Finally, a row of ck SUVs pulls up in front of us. I watch with bated breath as the cars begin


    unloading and two giant men stride up to one of the vehicles and opens the door, waiting for the


    passenger to exit. When he does I see that it is a tall, slender man in an expensive looking navy suit.


    He has light green eyes with salt and pepper hair. He has a small walking staff striped in what looks like


    gold and jade though he looks to only be in his forties. He''s quite handsome, however Ethan is


    obviously more my type.


    "Alpha Lucien!" Ethan''s voice booms confidently as he puts on a weing smile and shakes the


    man''s hand fervently. "Wee to Crescent City! I hope your travels were well!"


    "Alpha Ethan! Thank you for having us on such short notice," Alpha Lucien answers.


    "Of course!" He replies before gesturing over to Caleb. "And this is my Beta, Caleb Lockhart."


    "Pleased to meet you Caleb. Here is my Beta Jonathan Weaver," Lucien adds as a manes up


    alongside him. He gives Ethan and Caleb each a nod. They finish all their formalities as Alpha Lucien is


    also introduced to Ethan''s siblings, Delta, and Gamma. Then Lucien turns his gaze to me. "And who is


    this lovely creature?" he questions with a devilish grin as he takes my hand and brings it to his lips.


    "This is Miss Scarlet Denton," Ethan answers as he ces a hand on the small of my back.


    I instantly blush as Alpha Lucien kisses the back of my hand, his eyes never leaving mine. "''So, this is


    Scarlet. I''ve heard so much about you," he remarks, continuing to hold my hand in his. My eyes open


    imperceptibly wider as I realize who has probably told him about me. And she definitely wouldn''t have


    said anything kind.


    "Oh! Umm... I''m almost afraid to ask what you''ve heard!" I exim, causing him to chuckle and I join


    him.


    "Nothing that you should worry about. I know about your altercation with my daughter and I''m certainly


    not going to hold it against you. I know my daughter and I''m sure she wasn''t as innocent in the matter


    as she imed," he exins reassuringly to me as he pats my hand affectionately before finally


    releasing it.


    "That''s very noble of you sir. I appreciate that," I answer.


    "Of course! Don''t mention it!" he exims good-naturedly before turning to Ethan. "Now, should we go


    up? It''s been a long journey and my pack and I would like to get some rest."


    "Certainly! Let''s head up. I gave you the entire thirtieth floor. I believe you should find the


    amodations to your liking. If you need anything else don''t hesitate to let us know," Ethan replies.


    "I''m sure it will be just fine!"


    "Once you are all settled, we are going to treat you to dinner at De Luna here on the main level. I''ll


    send someone down at six to escort you," Ethan continues.


    Lucien nods. "Splendid. That''s very generous of you Alpha. We''ll be ready."


    The elevator dings and the doors open. Lucien gets in with Ethan and I follow, along with Caleb,


    Jonathan and a few others. We ride up to the thirtieth floor before stepping out and giving Alpha Lucien


    and the others a tour. As wee back from the East wing, the elevator dings open as anotherrge


    group of Silver Shadow Pack wolvese out. Ethan and Caleb walk over to help bring some of the


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    luggage in as I notice several of them are carryingrge rectangr packages wrapped in brown paper


    and bubble wrap. "What are those?" I ask Alpha Lucien curiously.


    A smile stretches across his face as he ces a hand on my back and leads me over to where they are


    being ced against a wall. "These are the paintings that will be included in my show on Saturday.


    Would you like a sneak peek?" he asks me with a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.


    "May I? You don''t mind?" I question.


    "Of course not! Here," he says as he steps closer to one of the packages in front and begins to


    carefully peel the wrappings off. As they fall to the floor my eyesnd on a gorgeous painting of a


    naked woman sitting on the edge of a w foot tub waiting for it to fill. The brush strokes and colors are


    exquisite and the painting seems to draw you in. It''s so detailed and elicits a feeling of calm. It is simply


    entrancing.


    I lean over to inspect it more closely. "It''s remarkable," I exim as I stand upright once more.


    "Why thank you. With all my work I always aim to evoke strong feelings. My favorites are the ones with


    a bit of seduction. Ones that bring out a certain level of passion and allure."


    "Well, you are quite talented. I can''t wait to see the rest of your work," I insist.


    "It pleases me that you think so," he remarks back before Ethanes up to us.


    "Well, it looks like everything has been brought in so we will leave you to rest and will see you at six for


    dinner," he states with a friendly smile before wrapping an arm around my waist and guiding me


    away.