Word Count: 2108

~Lavelle

I sit at the lavishly dressed dinner table, wondering how I'm still able to breathe.

Zyre sits at the very end, watching me as our dinner is served. Avi is on the other side of me, speaking to his parents on the opposite side of the table.

I want to be sick all over the roasted beef on my plate. I don't belong here, at this table with these incredibly powerful people. The weight of Zyre's gaze suggests he can see my insecurity as well. My only comfort is that Avi is too busy entertaining his parents to notice.

The necklace feels heavy, like it's pulling on the back of my neck. It feels surreal to be reunited with it...

Thanks to Zyre.

I glance at him. He hasn't touched his dinner. He just watches me, with a slight furrow to his brow, as if he's worried.

A light, feminine voice pulls my attention back to Avi's regal mother, Cordelia.

"So Lavelle, I haven't heard your name spoken around here before," she notes with a wave of her hand. It makes her golden bangles clash together in a sound that would be musical if I wasn't so stressed.

"Oh, well—"

"You're never present these days. You cannot be surprised," Avi cuts in, pinning his mother with a warning look that steals the breath from my lungs.

I can't tell if it's hostility or something more. Either way, I'm not accustomed to seeing Avi act this way, even if just for a flash. I suppose I cannot blame him, though, if he a complicated relationship with his parents.

I know I do.

"You're right, son. We trust that you are a capable Alpha," William says graciously, eyes darting at me to ensure I thoroughly heard the compliment he offered his son.

I sweep my gaze down to my plate, dragging my knife through the tender beef. I'm not even hungry due to the scrutiny I'm receiving from all angles, but it would be impolite and wasteful to leave an untouched plate.

"I've never been very interested in social occasions, if I'm honest. I enjoy my hobbies and close friendships," I tell Cordelia, who swirls dark red wine around her glass.

I doubt William and Cordelia believe me. They are observing me like they know more about me than I even do, which is disconcerting. It is an unnerving feeling, but I'm sure I am imagining it. What is there to know of me that knowledge of wouldn't lead to the immediate dissolution of this evening.

"I do enjoy that about you." Avi pats my thigh under my table. The impropriety of the gestures makes me flinch, until I remind myself that he is merely comforting me.

"What do your parents do?" William asks.

"They have both passed..." I admit, watching everyone's faces fall in turn. "I'm sorry. That is usually a conversation killer."

William and Cordelia exchange glances, then look to their son at the exact same time. Avi inclines his head ever so slightly, conveying something I don't understand. Whatever it is I'm missing, I can't help but feel like they are satisfied with what they have learnt.

When I risk a look at Zyre, he looks practically murderous.

"That is unfortunate. How long have you been orphaned?" Cordelia asks.

Avi sighs roughly, shaking his head. "Mother, you just met the poor girl."

"I'm sorry. We aren't here as much as we would like to be. We can't waste time remarking upon the weather," she says breezily, pressing a sliver of beef into her mouth.

"It's okay." I offer Avi a reassuring glance. "My mother died giving birth to my sister. My father died much later."

I ignore the bitter taste on my tongue. I'll tell Avi about my father...eventually. Cordelia and William really don't need to know, considering my fathers immoral act occurred while they were Alpha and Luna. They will know all about it.

"Is she your only sister?" William asks.

"Yes. She isn't around anymore. She moved packs."

I hope they aren't put off by my tumultuous family life. I'm only scraping the surface. Not to mention I told Avi I didn't have any siblings.

Mercifully, he doesn't seem to take any notice.

"So your parents left you a great fortune to live off of?" William notes.

Traditionally, Alpha's brides bring wealth into the relationship. It funds many necessary things, and in the past, has paid for the very foundation of this pack's infrastructure. For me, I have absolutely nothing to offer.

"Well..."

Instinctually, my gaze drifts down the table to meet Zyre's. There's a pained pull of my brow, a desperation to escape this conversation.

"Have you not seen the dresses she wears? Do you believe a girl without fortune could afford them?" He interjects smoothly.

Cordelia nods in an attempt to be gracious. "Very true. Your dress is lovely."

"Thank you, Cordelia." I flush, feeling all the more like an imposter.

When I look at Zyre, he's not looking at me anymore. I want to convey how grateful I am, but it's best to wait. William and Cordelia watch me like hawks, assessing me for imperfection.

"How do you feel about marriage, Lavelle?" William asks abruptly.

I'm glad I'm not eating in this moment, for I fear I would choke.

"I am very open to it," I tell them earnestly.

"That is wonderful." Cordelia grins. It's a gesture that doesn't suit her noble countenance in the slightest, but it does disarm me. They are all motivated to have Avi married, even if I hardly qualify in comparison to Mel and her circle of friends.

They would love Mel, if she were in my place. She would never have sold the necklace to pay off her sister.

"My son must marry soon. He has many obligations to fulfil," William states.

"She knows, father. Let us not speak of that," Avi insists, looking at me as if to say sorry. I smile in response, not feeling accosted in the slightest. Of course they feel this way. Avi is in a unique position as Alpha, and I have to mould myself to fit that.

"True." William's eyes shift down the table. "There isn't much to say with Zyre at the table."

Everyone pauses, cutlery hovering over plates, chalices paused on their way to mouths.

Zyre doesn't look fazed in the slightest. "You need not be afraid of me or what I might say, William."

"That is convenient of you to say, considering your entire life is funded by your brother. You are loyal to him before all else," William grits out, his face reddening.

I stiffen, resisting the urge to shrink in my chair. William just shifted gears and I'm not sure I'm happy about it. He's dragging Zyre into unnecessary conflict over what was once a pleasant dinner.

Vaguely, I recall Zyre empathising with me about having issues with siblings. Does he have others, or is he speaking about his brother, the Alpha?

Anger ripples across his expression, barely contained. "Am I as loyal to him as your father was to my great grandfather?"

"Do not bring that up here," William snaps, making Cordelia flinch. "You're lucky our laws permit you to stay on our soil, but our goodwill and hospitality will be ending very soon."

A muscle in Zyre's jaw ticks. He's composing himself well, but it's evident to anyone at this table that he's furious.

"You claim to know so much about my family, yet you know nothing." He taps his fingers against the table. "Your political standing has always been weak. Your intel is shit, and your army is in pieces. I will not hear a word on how I am living my life when you cannot run your pack."

"Enough!" Avi shouts suddenly, his voice booming through the room, rattling the cutlery.

Every voice hushes. I'm even afraid to breathe.

"This night is about Lavelle. It is not about politics or long standing family issues." He looks at Zyre and his father pointedly."I'll ask you both to mind your tongues."

He's defending me, which I'm grateful for, but I'm also curious about all that has caused the tension at this dinner table tonight.

"Zyre must leave," William demands.

Zyre shoves up from the table, tossing back his drink. "Gladly."

I open my mouth to protest, but I quickly clamp it closed. It wouldn't look good to defend Zyre. I simply don't feel as comfortable in this room without him in it. He attracts their attention, keeping it off me.

He storms out without a single glance behind him, dousing the room in a tense silence.

"I'm so sorry, Lavelle. I cannot focus when he is near," William excuses tiredly, rubbing his face.

"May I ask about Zyre's brother?" I can't help myself. "I understand he is not favoured here. Are our packs at war?"

William shakes his head. "No. Not war."

"Do not concern yourself with politics." Avi skies down at me, although it's strained. "Your mind only need be on this dinner and our next date."

I look down at my plate, feeling foolish. "Right..."

For the rest of the dinner, we exchange pleasantries. William and Cordelia don't ask anymore personal questions about my life or family, simply asking me about my preferences for clothing and food, and about how I want my wedding to be.

While it's a relief not to be interrogated, their line of questioning is awfully banal. It's as if they don't care much for my answers, only asking to fill space in our conversation.

They retire immediately upon dinners conclusion. Avi escorts me into the foyer, having grown warier the more the night progressed.

"Would you like to stay tonight?" He asks gently.

I blink, not expecting him to ask so blatantly. In mind, there is so much more to being asked to stay the night than just sleeping...

"Oh...Avi, I'm not ready for anything like that yet," I excuse quickly.

I'm not usually so wary to spend the night with someone, but with Avi, it's different. We are on a straight course to marriage, and for some reason, in my own messed up mind, I worry that having sex with him with dash that prospect. I know that isn't the case, but this close to the finish line, I'm not willing to risk anything.

"That is quite alright," he assures me immediately. "We do not need to stay in the same room just yet. In fact, I'm having a room made for you here."

"You are?"

"I know this is forward, but as you know, time is of the essence." He steps closer, eliminating almost all of the space between us. "I am planning on making this your home, as much as it is your own."

I smile, immediately filled with warmth. This was an awkward dinner to endure, but he's making it all worth it. He's concerning his feelings, and how serious he is about our relationship.

I want this to be my home. I want to belong here, with him.

"That sounds lovely," I breathe.

"It's time people learn that we are courting," he decides.

My eyes widen. "Like...you wish to announce our relationship?"
 
"I thought we would host a small ball to celebrate our relationship." He smooths my hair back off my face, not seeming to notice how shocked I am.

I knew it was coming, especially after such an important evening with his family. Yet, it's difficult to accept that my entire life is going to change. People will turn against me, I will become a focal point in the village. People will be wondering why, out of everyone, Avi chose me.

"Oh. Okay..." I'm not sure what else to say.

"It could be fun, Lavelle. Say yes, won't you?" He insists brightly. His smile is so large, his eyes glistening. If I were to deny him, it would upset him greatly and likely offend him.

Even if I'm not certain I'm ready just yet.

"Alright. That would be nice," I exclaim, trying to force some eagerness into me.

"Excellent, my love." He leans forward, pressing a kiss to my lips tenderly. "It will be everything you want it to be."

I nod, returning his kiss, although a thought thuds in the back of my mind.

Is this really everything I want?

❤️••❤️

If you want to read ahead, you can find this story on Inkitt 15 chapters ahead! The first five chapters are available for free (:

(Just search up my profile 'Midika' and you will find it under the stories tab!)

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛