Chapter 21: Dinner with the boys
AYLA
"Ayla, please... come on in, take a seat."
Alpha Kieran gestured toward the long oak table where places had been set with roasted meat, fresh bread and steaming bowls of vegetables.
I stood frozen in the doorway.
The last thing I had expected was a summon to dinner with the Alpha.
The three princes were already in their seats and my mother was there too.
Ares sat at the Alpha’s right hand and Cassian sat across him. The only other open seat was beside Damon.
I figured this had been a calculated sitting arrangement by the Alpha to bring Damon and I together.
Damon did not look at me as I walked on numb legs and took the seat the Alpha had indicated.
He was staring at his plate, his jaw tight and his hands flat on the table.
I was sitting directly across my mother who caught my eye and gave me a small approving nod.
This is where you belong, that nod said. See? I told you.
I could almost hear her grating voice in my head asking me to play my cards right and not fuck it up for her.
Alpha Kieran lifted his glass as soon as he was sure we were all settled.
"To family," he said. "Old and new."
Everyone raised their glasses. I lifted mine too and took a small sip.
We began to eat.
For a few minutes, there was only the clink of silverware and the low murmur of the Alpha asking Cassian about the ruinroot antidote. I kept my eyes on my plate, pushing food around, trying to find my appetite.
"Ayla." Alpha Kieran called out.
I looked up.
He had set down his fork. His dark eyes, so much like Ares’, rested on me with gentleness.
"I would like to apologize to you for what my son did." His gaze flickered briefly to Damon, who had gone rigid in his seat. "What he attempted was unacceptable. It is not how we treat anyone in this pack, least of all a chosen mate. I am sorry, Ayla."
My throat tightened. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could form the words, my mother’s voice cut through.
"Oh, Alpha Kieran, that is not necessary. Ayla is fine, aren’t you, darling? She understands that young men get carried away sometimes. It was just a misunderstanding."
I turned my head slowly to stare at my mother.
Could she be any more obvious?
"Ayla thanks you for your apology, my lord." My mother continued, smiling and raising her glass. "It speaks volumes of your character and your family’s honor."
"I was not speaking to you, Eva." the edge in Alpha Kieran’s voice made my heart leap with joy.
I watched my mother’s smile falter.
"I was speaking to the girl and I would like to hear her answer, not yours."
He turned back to me, his voice softening.
"What happened to you was wrong and should not have happened at all and for that I am sorry"
What did one do when the Alpha of one’s own pack was apologizing?
You smile and accept his apology graciously, is what.
"Thank you, Alpha," I said. "I accept your apology."
Alpha Kieran’s lips curved in approval.
"Good. Now let us eat."
The meal resumed. Servants brought more dishes but I ate mechanically, my mind fixated on what the Alpha had called my mother.
It would be the second time he had called her that name now. Not Brenna as she is known by everyone in the pack but Eva. They might have something together but I knew it was more than that.
My fork paused midair when the doors to the dining hall burst open and a guard stumbled in. He looked like he had been bathed in blood.
"Alpha."
Alpha Kieran was on his feet before the man finished speaking.
"What is the meaning of this, Thereon?"
"My apologies, Alpha but there has been another attack at the borders."
Alpha Kieran’s face hardened. He turned to Ares, who was already rising from his seat, his chair scraping against the stone floor.
"With me."
Ares did not hesitate. He rounded the table, his hand brushing briefly against my shoulder as he passed.
The doors swung shut behind them and an awkward silence settled over us.
"So..." My mother broke the quiet. "How is the bonding going?"
Cassian’s hand stilled on his fork but my mother continued, not caring how uncomfortable she was making everyone.
"It has been ten days now." she took a sip of her wine, savoring it. "And I cannot help but wonder if any of you have made progress."
"Mom. Please..."
"Come now, Ayla. It is a simple question. I am sure the princes are accustomed to women with... experience. I am just making sure they understand that you are capable of satisfying them however they see fit."
"Enough." Damon snapped.
He set his fork down with deliberate care, his amber eyes lifting to fix on my mother.
"Brenna, when my brother and I need your advice on how to handle our mate, we will let you know. Until then, shut your mouth."
Her mother’s eyes narrowed.
I could feel the tension in the room pressing down on me, making it hard for me to get air into my lungs.
I had to get out of here.
I pushed back from the table so fast that my spoon clattered from the edge of the plate and fell to the ground.
I bent instinctively to pick it up but Damon reached for it at the same time and our hands touched.
I flinched, jerking backwards, a small gasp escaping my lips.
Damon froze like I had struck him.
His hand remained suspended in the air and his eyes pinned on me, realization in their depths and something else I could not quite piece together.
He slowly withdrew his hand, sitting back in his chair.
"I am sorry..." His voice was barely audible. "I only wanted to..."
"It’s alright." I said too quickly.
Without looking at anyone else, I turned and hurried from the dining hall.