Bridenapped: The Alpha Chronicles by Georgette St. Clair

immediately regretted it. It was Mayor Klinghoffer.
                  “Caitlin, first of all, let me offer my congratulations,” the mayor said. “This is just wonderful for the town. It’s really putting us on the map.”
                  That was mighty big of him, considering that everyone in town knew he’d frantically tried to push Kristofer to marry his daughter Melodee. He’d arranged numerous events and celebrations, always invited Kristofer to them, and always made sure that Melodee was there, dressed to the nines and seated next to Kristofer whenever possible. 
                  “Yes, hip hip hurray and all that.  I’m just in the middle of something, so I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go,” she said.
                  “Wait! I need to meet up with you at noon,” he said hastily.
                  Meet up with him? Ugh. He wasn’t exactly on her list of favorite people. Aside from the fact that Melodee had always been a bitch to her and every other underdog in high school, the mayor had also taken the side of the Verhold Pack in the land dispute.  Her family had lived in town for generations, and he knew damned well they really owned that land, but he hadn’t done a thing to help them. He’d publicly condemned them, going to the press and expressing his shock and horror at the offense her family had allegedly committed against the Verhold Pack, and vowing to do whatever it took to help them put it right.
    “Actually, I’m on a very tight schedule. Can’t really fit you in.”
                  His tone turned frosty. “As Alpha queen, you pretty much set your own schedule, don’t you?” he asked. “This is extremely important.” He lowered his voice, speaking confidentially. “It has serious implications for your family and their future.”
     

              Chapter 9
     
    Now what? she thought with trepidation.  And what future? Her family had no future. They were going to lose their appeal against the Verhold Pack, lose their home and their last remaining property, and be forced into bankruptcy.
    “Whatever it is, I’m sure you can just tell me over the phone,” she said irritably.
    “I’ll see you at noon,” he said, and hung up.
    Dick.
    “Frank,” she said, “Apparently I am going to be meeting with the mayor at noon. Can you arrange for security to let him on to pack property and pick an appropriate meeting place for us?”
    “On it,” he said, nodding. As he followed her and spoke into his walkie talkie, she let Twyla lead her to the kitchen. 
    It was a dream kitchen, as big as a ballroom. The floor was marble. The counters were gleaming black granite.  There were numerous ovens, both gas and electric, there were grills, there were banks of refrigerators, what looked like a walk-in freezer, and a pantry the size of Kansas.  There were overhead racks with pots and pans dangling from them.  The decorative tile on the wall had a werewolf motif on it.
    “My God,” she whispered to Twyla as they walked through the room.
    “It’s beautiful, milady. I’ve never been here before.”
    “Caitlin. Please call me Caitlin.” At Twyla’s uneasy look, she added, “At least when it’s just the two of us.”
    “All right. Caitlin,” Twyla said cautiously, then glanced around cautiously as if a squadron of armed guards were going to swoop down and drag her away for her break with tradition.
    “Milady! Welcome to our kitchen. Twyla?” Pierre, the handsome young chef, stuck his head out from the pantry. “How nice to see you here! Are you coming to work in the kitchen? I know one of our cleaners just retired.” His tone was hopeful.
    “Oh, no,” Twyla blushed and looked away. “I’m still personal maid to the Alpha Queen.”
    “Well, at least that means you’ll be here in the Alpha house a lot more,” he said eagerly. “You can come visit the kitchen any time. Would you like