Bridenapped: The Alpha Chronicles by Georgette St. Clair Page A

something to eat?”
    “Not right now, thank you very much,” Twyla said, and he nodded and went back to the pantry as she and Caitlin resumed their tour.
    “A man who can cook! And he’s very handsome,” Caitlin said, nudging Twyla.
    “I know. Whoever he marries will be a lucky she-wolf,” Twyla sighed, trailing her fingers over the granite counter-top of an eight-burner kitchen island.
    Why not you? Caitlin thought, but didn’t ask. Was Twyla just completely unaware that Pierre was panting after her, or was there something going on that she didn’t know about?
    “Look at those copper-bottom pots,” Twyla enthused, waving at a hanging rack of cookware.
    “Do you like to cook?”
    “I love it.” Her face lit up. “It’s my passion. I always wanted to be a pastry chef for the Alpha House.”
    “Why don’t you? I could put in a good word for you,” Caitlin suggested.
    “I can’t. I’m a cleaner.” Twyla said with a frown of puzzlement creasing her forehead.
    Before Caitlin could inquire further, she saw Frank glance towards the doorway, where Taddeus was standing, looking impatient.
                  “We need to talk,” he said.
                  “I’ll see you later, Twyla,” Caitlin said. “Hey, want to cook together some time? We could swap recipes.”
                  “Me, cooking with the Alpha Queen?” Twyla’s eyes widened at the suggestion.
                  Caitlin laughed. “Twyla, yesterday I was a normal human being who took the trash out in the morning.  I’m really not all that queen-y. Definitely, let me come to your house and cook some time. How about tomorrow night?”
                  Twyla bobbed her head, her eyes huge.
                  Caitlin followed Taddeus out of the kitchen and into the massive living room, where they took a seat on overstuffed sofas. “Taddeus, I don’t care what Elzbetka said about me visiting the kitchen-”
                  “That’s not what this is about.  Although it is a departure from tradition, as long as you don’t tell anyone else in the pack about it, visiting the kitchen will be acceptable.”
                  Big of you , Caitlin thought with annoyance.
                  “We need to talk about coordinating the media campaign for your marriage.” At her surprised look, he continued. “There are numerous news agencies interested in the story of the bridenapping. A number of members of the Alpha Congress have suggested that we grant interviews to the human media.  They’re always seeking ways to improve werewolf-human relations, and to that end, this newer generation is pushing to reveal more about our world.” He didn’t look as if he thought much about the idea.
                  In this particular case she agreed with him. How ridiculous would that be – to do interviews about a marriage that she was going to find a way to escape, one way or another? Not happening.
                  “I’m not interested,” she said firmly.
                  Taddeus raised an eyebrow. “It is not entirely up to you.  Kristofer agrees that it would be helpful to the pack.”
                  “Kristofer agrees that I have no choice in the matter? That doesn’t sound like him.”  She had to admit that for the most part Kristofer had been incredibly accommodating to her wishes.
                  “Well, no, since I just found out your feelings on the matter, he and I have not had the opportunity to discuss-”
                  “No thank you,” she said coolly. “As you know, I did not consent to this bridenapping. My family and your pack still have ongoing legal issues, and they would be deeply hurt and offended if I were to appear to endorse this charade.”
                  “As I said, it’s not entirely up to you. The good of the pack is the highest