Romance: Stranded With The Lion: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (BBW Shifter Romance, Werebear Romance, Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) by Ashley Hunter Read Free Book Online

and green and looking like something a fairy would wear, and Ingrid hated the fact that she liked the way she looked in it.
    She had expected breakfast to be in her room, but she was led away from the confining space and for a moment, Ingrid was torn between relief and worry all over again.
    They walked down the halls and Nadya kept up a brutal pace. Ingrid nearly had to run after her to follow, not wanting to get lost in this maze of halls and turns.
    She figured this was the maid’s way of getting back at her for wasting time and for punching her in the face, but who knew really? She hardly expressed any emotion at all.
    They finally arrived into a beautiful dining room. The décor looked particularly decadent, and Ingrid vaguely wondered if it was styled after something Victorean or French (she honestly couldn’t tell the difference).
    The dining table was long, easily able to occupy at least twenty people and of a rich mahogany color that accentuated the marble floors and the huge glass doors that let in the morning sunlight.
    Outside was a garden of all kinds of flora that it actually made Ingrid pause in amazement. She had never seen so many exotic blooms in all her life.
    The table was already set, for two it appeared, and an elegant spread of breakfast options awaited her. To her cautious glances, Leo was nowhere to be seen but Nadya was soon accompanied by a tall and older man dressed in a familiar uniform. He glanced at her, aged but still handsome for his age.
    “Miss Ingrid,” the man spoke, lifting an arm and beckoning her to take a seat.
    This is getting ridiculous. Ingrid mused with an inward roll of her eyes. Instead of insulting anyone, Ingrid merely did as she was told. “Master Leo will be here soon.”
    “Late to breakfast, is he?” Ingrid asked, nearly biting in her sarcasm.
    The butler didn’t take notice of her tone, his expression schooled into one of professional disinterest. Related to Nadya perhaps?
    “Please, help yourself. He should be here momentarily. If you should require anything, Nadya shall remain nearby to assist you.”
    More like to take watch. With a nod and a soft ‘thank you’ Ingrid turned toward the meal ahead of her.
    It was almost nauseating how incredible it all looked. Fruit salad and poached eggs, some kind of creamy sauce that looked more like soup than anything, and an entire array of breads, muffins, and meats were available.
    Ingrid stole a few glances around, watching Nadya as she stood nearby and stared stoically ahead. Robot.
    Her stomach rumbling, Ingrid looked back at the succulent food.
    The aroma of fresh bread and cooked meats made her mouth water, but Ingrid dared not put anything in her mouth. For all she knew… this was all poisoned…
    Wouldn’t they have done that by now though?
    Still, she couldn’t trust any of this, but she couldn’t exactly just sit there like she was planning to dart any moment now.
    “Forgive my tardiness,” she heard and Ingrid nearly jumped in her seat. She turned to see Leo walking through the other end of the dining room.
    The butler walked behind him at a respectful distance. “I was… engaged in another matter.”
    Ingrid watched him with narrow eyes, her hands reaching for the nearest knife.
    Nadya was at her side in an instant, and Ingrid nearly reacted brashly again. Leo made a motion and Nadya backed off.
    “You can put the knife down, Ingrid.”
    “Stop calling me that,” Ingrid hissed.
    Leo looked at her innocently, “Why? That’s your name isn’t it?”
    “You say it like we’re friends, but we both know that’s not the case.”
    “What if I told you I would like to be your friend?”
    Ingrid’s grip on the knife tightened.
    “Then I would tell you to eat shit, because there’s no way I’m going to want to be friends with you.”
    Leo took a seat, settling himself against the chair comfortably as though Ingrid wasn’t just speaking venom through her teeth.
    “Well, if I told you I’d get