Chapter 0032
“Hmm,” Rosa mused. “Not terrible, but not acceptable either. Back straight, eyes forward. Again.”
I repeated the motion, focusing on her instructions.
“Better. Now, let’s practice addressing a gentleman.”
Elijah stepped forward. “Good morning, Agnes.”
“Good morning, Elijah,” I said, trying to maintain eye contact.
Rosa tapped her cane on the floor. “No, no! Even as Alpha Elijah’s wife, you should still use his proper title with the appropriate honorifics when addressing him in public.”
I bit my lip. “Good morning, Alpha Elijah. It’s a pleasure to see you.”
Elijah’s lips twitched. “The pleasure is mine.”
“Good,” Rosa said. “But remember to enunciate clearly. Try one more time…”
As the morning went on, we moved on to other protocols–how to enter a room gracefully, the correct way to hold a glass of champagne, and the art of polite conversation. Despite having learned these things in my youth, I was rusty, and under Rosa’s scrutinizing gaze, I couldn’t help but feel inadequate.
“Remember to keep your chin up,” she instructed as I walked across the room balancing a book on my head.
his way, he was watching me intently. The
I tried to focus on the tasks, but Elijah’s presence was unnerving. Every time I glanc
way his gaze was always fixed on me, solid and unmoving, felt like I was underneath a microscope.
And it didn’t help any that he was dressed in a tailored suit, his broad shoulders straining ever so slightly against the expensive fabric and his long legs crossed at the ankles as he leaned against the window frame.
“Pay attention! Recite the names of the neighboring Alphas!” Rosa commanded.
Flushing, I cleared my throat and began to mumble out the names.
“Speak up,” Rosa ordered.
I blushed even more, but recited them more loudly this time.
Next, we began to practice conversation. Rosa had Elijah and me go through various mock conversations, everything from small talk to more complex topics such as politics and economics.
Normally, talking to Elijah wasn’t this difficult. I’d been waiting tables at the diner for years, so talking to people was definitely
one of my stronger suits.
But now, with this much pressure, not to mention the kiss the other night… It was all too much.
1/2
+15 BONUS
I kept stuttering and tripping over my words, and it only got worse as time went on. I felt like a teenage girl, stammering in front
of the handsome football captain with her most hated teacher glaring at her.
When I stumbled over my tongue for what felt like the millionth time, Rosa sighed in exasperation. “This won’t do. This simply
won’t do.”
“I’m trying.” 1 murmured, lowering my gaze.
She shook her head. “Time for a different approach. Clearly, we need to build some rapport between you
Elijah raised an eyebrow. “What do you suggest?”
A sly smile spread across Rosa’s face. “A dance exercise. But with a twist.” She retrieved a white feather from her pocket. “You
will dance through an entire song with this feather pressed between your bodies. If it falls, you must start over from the
beginning of the song. You may not stop until the song ends.”
I stared at the feather. “Is that really necessary?”
“Absolutely necessary,” Rosa declared. “It’s a common trust–building exercise. It will teach you how to remain calm under close
proximity.”
Elijah extended his hand to me. “Shall we?”
Hesitating only for a moment, I placed my hand in his. “Alright.”
We stood facing each other as Rosa placed the feather at the point where our chests met. I could feel the warmth of his body, his
heartbeat steady and strong against mine. It made my own heart stutter.
“Maintain this distance,” Rosa instructed. “Begin.”
Soft music filled the room as we started to move. I tried to focus on the steps, but the proximity was overwhelming. Elijah’s hand
rested lightly on my waist, trying to guide me, but it only made it worse. All I could think about was that damnable kiss the other
night, the way he tasted, the yearning for another.
Just then, I stumbled over my own feet, and the feather fluttered to the ground.
Rosa huffed and started the song over.
“Again!”
