#Chapter 153: The Gilded Age

Ava As Chris and I approached Alpha Edward at his seat at the head of the long dining table, I couldn’t help but feel a nervous lump swell in my throat—momentarily making me forget about everything else. Alpha Edward was an imposing figure, at least six-foot-two with broad shoulders and a neatly trimmed beard that was streaked with gray. Despite the faded grandeur of the manor that surrounded us, Edward himself still carried an air of quiet dignity about him, and he rose gracefully from his chair to extend his hand to Chris. “Alpha Chris,” Edward said, shaking Chris’s hand firmly before turning to me and bowing his head respectfully. “Luna Ava.” I felt my breath catch slightly at those words, and for a moment, all I could manage was a tense smile. Chris, however, didn’t miss a beat. “Your home is lovely, Alpha Edward,” he said easily. “Thank you for inviting us. Ava has brought something for you.” Edward’s expression softened slightly as he glanced at the