I was so glad that I was not eating yet. If that question were thrown at me while chewing the steak, I would probably embarrass myself big time. Kalix handed me a glass of water when I started coughing.
"Was the question too intrusive?" said a red-haired woman in front of me, the same person who asked if Kalix and I were mates. She's mated from the looks of her mark on the neck.
"Friends with benefits?" she added, sporting a knowing smile. My coughing got worse, and I grabbed the glass of water Kalix offered. How is Kalix handling this? I looked at him, and the smile he wears never waver. Other people would be hiding or offended, but this guy just gave a confident smile. How to be like him?
"It would have been my honor. To be her mate, I mean she's a successful, kind woman," Kalix meaningfully glossed the offending question over and made me sound incredible at the same time. I smiled faintly.
A sudden loud clang of a fallen utensil filled the air. All of the eyes went on the head of the table. Luke has this grim look on his face as he picks up the fork that fell on the floor. It was Atlas's, and he is gripping his glass rather tightly.
"Alpha?" the red-haired woman inquires. The other tables were not even minding us. Atlas gave Kalix a glower. The latter wasn't paying him attention and was instead fussing over his food. What is Kalix playing at? He's sweet, but I don't ever want to involve myself in a romantic relationship with him in any way.
Luke grasps Atlas's hand. The hand that is gripping the glass and seems like he is trying to calm him down. I'm somehow starting to believe what Kalix told me before that Atlas got the worst mood swing he had ever seen. Whatever Luke was doing, it wasn't working.
"Alpha Atlas?" I decided to meddle. The bond we're sharing might work in calming him down. I just want to finish this dinner the quickest possible. I'm no longer famish with the turnout of the events.
The forest-green eyes of Atlas are now looking at me. They're tinged with black signifying his wolf on the surface. It never fails to take my breath away. Consciously, I forced my eyes away from him as the attention shifted on me. 'Way to go, Mavis,' I thought.
"It's fine, Alpha." I begin and look at the red-haired woman. "No, Kalix is not my mate," I made a show of smiling. "We are not friends with benefits either." my dismissive tone must have forced the red-haired woman to rethink her question when she looked away first from our stare-off. I forked some steak in my mouth to avoid answering further. It feels like sand down my throat.
From my peripheral vision, I can see that Atlas's tense form slowly slackened. The pack looks confused. Anyone would be when you can calm a steaming Alpha without sweat at all. I hope they won't find out about my connection with Atlas this way, though. Not that I'm interested in letting them know.
From across the room, I saw the solemn look on Dillion's face. Is this what he warns me about earlier?
"Did I just not say to treat them with respect? Why must my pack humiliate me like this," his strong voice bellowed. A pin-drop silence followed.
"I get that you dislike anyone not part of the pack, Arabella, but these people are my guests. Our guests. If you don't like the company, then you could shut that mouth of yours or avoid the dinner altogether." Atlas added, now calm but deadly serious.
The red-haired woman named Arabella bowed her head in shame. Why is everything a mess? I only wanted a peaceful gate away from my pack. Now, It seems like I caused trouble everywhere I go. Under the table, Kalix held my left hand, comforting me. I appreciate it, but I would appreciate it more if someone takes me away from this spectacle. It's always trouble one after another.
"I'm sorry, Alpha." Arabella's apology was so sincere that I felt bad for her. Maybe, she had her reasons why she doesn't like people not part of their pack. I don't know.
"Atlas enough. Let's just eat, okay? Please." Luke was pleading as he clings to Atlas's right arm. Atlas turns his head in his direction. Upon seeing the worried look on Luke's face, his features softened. Why am I torturing myself this way?
"I'm not the one you should apologize to," the crowd remains mum but resumes their talking when Atlas carries on eating his food. The pack members seem more cautious now and talk to each other in a hushed tone. The lively dinner turns somber.
I was startled by the sudden link in my head, and I turned in Kalix's direction. "Is it too much? Do you want to leave?" he gently asked. I hope the crowd doesn't witness his mind linking me through his glossy eyes. It might appear rude at this moment. Also, I might not have been able to keep my 'nonchalant' face for him to offer me the option.
Kalix nodded back at me when I declined his offer. I do want to get away from this suffocating dinner. But I also don't want to break my already fragile first impression. I forced down the food the fastest I could, without making any eye contact at all. Luke was good enough not to engage me in small talks, and the peppering questions that Vienna mentioned earlier were cut off.
I finished my food in a jiffy. I'm all ready to push my plate away when the most unexpected thing happens. My mouth was gaping in surprise. I don't want it to be a habit, but I sneak a glance in Luke's direction.
"Pardon?" there's a lot of unexpected moments in my life that weren't able to faze me. But right now, why did I freaking stutter?
"I mean, would you like another plate?" I heard him repeat. The urge to say yes to him even if the food was not going down well was tremendous. In a few tense moments for me, I slowly shake my head. I hope it won't offend him.
"Thanks, Alpha, but I'm already full. I appreciate it, though." a faint smile. Atlas nodded his head, following my answer. He continues eating like the conversation did not take place.
"Mavis, if you're done eating, can I borrow you for a minute? It seems like Nana wants to talk to you," Dillion suddenly approach me after talking to Atlas. When did he get beside me? I did not notice him leaving his seat. I smiled in gratefulness. Did he foresee my desire to leave the dining area early? Or, Nana really need to talk about something? I nodded at Dillon and moved out of my seat.
"Alpha," we said in unison as we waited for permission to leave. This is a dinner intended for us guests. It's polite to let them know if you're going to leave. My eyes searched for Kalix, and he gave me a thumbs-up. Kalix is quite smitten with the food.
"I'll see you around," he added, and I took off with Dillion when Atlas gave us the go. Dillion was silent when we were out of the dining hall. I don't mind it. I kept following him until we reached and rounded a corner. It was a deserted hallway. Dillion stops and turns to face me. I did the same thing and looked at him in confusion. I can't see Nana anywhere.
"I lied, Luna." is what Dillion said and ran out immediately. My jaw dropped as I followed his leaving figure. I chuckle faintly. I really need to remind him to call me Luna at all.
I appreciated what Dillion did, but I would like it if he wouldn't call me Luna at all. What would have happened if other people caught what he said by accident? Just the thought of it is giving me a headache.
Now that I'm out free from the suffocating dinner, thanks to Dillion, the pressing problem now is how do I find my way back to my room? A few turns of my head, and the hallways seem all the same and endless. Dang, I could've asked Dillion to lead me straight to the room.
Shrugging my shoulders, I resume my steps. If I can't find the way to my bedroom, so bet it. Exploring would not be a bad option.
With the whole pack enjoying their dinner currently, I did not meet a single soul along the hallways. Ahead of the well-lighted hallways, I saw a fancy staircase at the end. It leads down somewhere. Without thinking, I find myself climbing it down.
I reach one of the fancy wooden doors of the mansion, and from my guess, it leads outside. Gripping my coat closer to my body, I push the door open and step out into the cold. The porch is well-lighted as I walk farther from the mansion. A gazebo can be seen a few yards away. That's an ideal place to chill.
The farther I went, the darker it got. The snow is threatening to fall again from the look of the thick clouds. The sky without any trace of the bright moon in it made the night a perfect mystery. I amble towards the gazebo. My steps leave dainty shoe prints on the soft snow. Werewolves have a naturally higher body temperature, but I huddle in my coat's warmth just the same. As I slowly approach the structure, the dark also slowly gives way to the light. The soft glow of the fairy lights that decorated the gazebo looks enchanting in this weather.
I plop down on what seems to be a chic cradle chair with the softest paddings. The gazebo was filled with a couple of bean bags. I chose the cradle chair because it seems comfortable. Also, it looks big enough to accommodate my whole frame and then some. I can neatly tuck myself in it with enough room to move my legs around.
As I settle inside the chair, a contented smile escapes my lips. The weather would be perfect for a cup of chocolate. My eyes, unconsciously, gazed at the distant sky as I mulled over the events today.
This is just the first night, and it was supposed to be a vacation. Kalix appeared out of nowhere, tagging along. Next, the conversation I had with Luke needs to be clarified. I met a few interesting people and had a few clashes with some of them. Another thing to think about was Atlas acting prickly the whole day. Is Atlas aware that Nana and Dillion knew what I am to him? It's a question that I want to be answered. Fodder for the thoughts. Ironically, more people know about my relationship with Atlas in the Sterling Pack than in my pack.
I wriggled to the side, burying my face on the fluffy pillows. The knitted coat serves us my little blanket. There's a lot of things to think about.
The minutes quietly ticked by as I enjoyed the cold. The gentle breeze added a more frosty chill to my slowly reddening cheeks. I might have a higher body temperature, but I am not invincible. I can probably spend a few hours more lying in the chair before the cold could start to seep in. For now, I'll close my eyes and enjoy it while curled in the comfy pillows.
"You're looking rather toasty in there,"
My eyes snapped open when I heard that voice. My body went into hyper-awareness, and goosebumps dotted my arms. Slow tingles crawled up my spine and wrapped around my heart as it quickened its pace. I slowly changed position as I heard a scraping noise fill the silent night. I peek at him and see the man pulling one of the bean bags beside the cradle chair, facing me.
Consciousness flooded my senses as Atlas made the show of looking right at me while leaning at the bean bag. The tingles dance a lot more.
I feel sorry for the bean bag since Atlas is not exactly a small man. The bean bag looks so tiny with him sitting on it.
"What are you doing? Why are you here?" stuttering again, I smacked my head in my mind. Pursing my lips, I glance at him one more to show him that I'm not affected by his presence at all.
He chuckles drily. "I'm an asshole, aren't I?" I nodded in my mind. He is indeed an asshole. Who says sorry and bitch at you the next day? Who confuses the hell out of you with an unpredictable temperament. Maybe, it's the incomplete bond that's doing a number to his mood. He is an Alpha, after all. They feel strongly.
"Yes, you are," I said in a hushed tone. The gentle breeze slowly picks up as the night goes on.