Dining with Wolves (2)

      Dinner continued without any other incident. Likely because Claire was completely ignored. Not that she minded at all; she was grateful for the lack of attention. She could tell that it bothered Colin, who mind-linked Reed, 'What the fuck?'

      Reed only sighed and stared at his plate. 'We have orders from Luna.'

      Mary. It didn't surprise Colin in the least bit that she had her own plans working. She did anything she could to hurt Colin, why wouldn't that extend to his mate? Her eyes stay fixed on the pair, leaving only to speak to her cousin, Alpha Riann.

      As food was cleared away, pots of coffee and tea were brought around. He smiled broadly as Claire asked for a chamomile tea and loaded it with honey; he remembered that his mother used to do the same. She even took a shortbread cookie. When he shot her a confused look, she laughed, "Just because it does not provide any nutrition does not mean it isn't delicious!" 

      Colin nodded in agreement, swiping her a few cookies to hide in his coat pocket for later. He would have to convince the chef to make more for her, as many as she wanted. Or better yet, get the recipe himself.

      Alpha Riann stood first, causing a waterfall of reactions from the rest of the table. He stared at Claire, who shifted to stand slightly behind Colin. "Will there be a meeting amongst your Pack Leaders tonight, Alpha Peter? Or has that been postponed?" 

      Peter straightened his shirt and nodded. "We will meet after dinner has concluded. If all are done, then we can do so now, Alpha."

      It was clear that the Alpha King had no desire to stay in the small town any longer than he already had, so he left without another word. His Gamma followed suit, along with the Half-Moon leaders present: Alpha Peter, Luna Mary, Beta George, and Delta Gavin. Claire did not move until Matt stood behind them, pulling out her chair with expectant eyes. 

      "You are coming with us," he said, and while the tone was not threatening, the words certainly were. 

      Colin moved to stand in between his brother and mate, but the future Alpha stuck his arm out to stop him. "She is coming with us." 

      Colin growled so deeply it rattled the table, not caring about the consequences. "If she's going, I'm going," he snarled, letting all his rage at the evening flow into his words. 

      Matt did not seem fazed. In fact, he seemed bored by his brother's antics. He should know better than to try to stand tall. "Only when you're invited. This is a meeting for Pack Leaders about you bringing a rabid mosquito into our home. So, unless you're going to stand there and apologize for-"

      Before he could finish his sentence, Colin punched his brother across the jaw. Matt was unprepared for the assault and stumbled back a few steps, feeling the bruise already forming. The room went silent. His eyes flashed dangerously golden; if he needed to teach the bastard a lesson, he would.

      Claire watched with wide eyes. As Matt stalked towards his brother, all Claire could think of was the goblet of blood. Colin's blood. She looked back at Colin, his chest rising and falling as he panted heavily. He was fighting his wolf back, fighting the urge to shift and attack. He would get hurt, at best. At worst… she shuddered to think what that basement meant. Nothing good happened in basements. 

      "I'll be okay," she whispered before grabbing Colin's arm and repeating herself loudly, "I'll be okay." 

      At her touch, he calmly, but only slightly. His upper lip was curled into a silent snarl as he watched Matt move towards them. She stepped in between the brothers, her hands behind her back as they held Colin's wrists down. "Where are we going? I don't know the way." 

      Matt stopped, his eyes returning to their natural green. He smiled, watching as Colin stared him down. He offered an arm out Claire, but she moved past him without even sparing his gesture a glance. In a few strides, he easily overtook her. He considered briefly taking ahold of her arm by force, but he couldn't play all his cards just yet. So instead, he settled for sending Colin a snarky mind link, 'I understand why you always want to follow behind her.'

      Colin growled in response, but Kali placed a gentle hand on his arm, stopping him from charging. Claire was grateful for that. 

      She followed, her head held high. 'I'll be okay,' she repeated to herself, hoping to believe it. 

      Colin watched her leave, his claws digging so deeply into his palms they drew blood. Now that everyone important had left, they could speak more freely. 

      "What are they going to do to her?" Colin whispered, praying to the Goddess that someone had a good answer. 

      "Nothing," Kali replied confidently. "They're doing this to satisfy Alpha Riann. We both know that your father wants Claire here." 

      "Is that supposed to comfort me?" Colin snapped and then apologized.

      Sitting down, he ran his fingers through his hair and stared at his hand, still balled up in a fist. He had punched the future Alpha. In his face. In front of others. He punched Matt, and then he let his mate go with him. 

      Colin jumped to his feet. "I can't leave her." 

      No one judged him for his reaction. They all knew about Colin's treatment, and no one would find any level of fear an overreaction. 

      "You're just going to make things worse if you do," Reed replied calmly, motioning with his eyes for Joe to stand on his other side. He was incredibly strong, but it wouldn't be enough if they had to hold Colin back. A wolf with Alpha blood was too strong, especially when mates were involved. 

      "How could it get worse?" 

      No one wanted to give an honest answer to his question. He didn't want one. His mind was already crafting horrifying visions of his mate, the person he was meant to love forever. He smacked the sides of his head like a bottle, trying to empty it of the terrible dregs. 

      "What do you mean by satisfying Alpha Riann? What does he want with her?"

      Kali shifted on her feet uncomfortably. The only reason she knew the answers to his questions was because she spied on her father. Reed placed a warm hand on her lower back in support. 'What else would be the point of getting the information?' his calm voice sounded in her mind. 

      Colin stared at them, aware that they were talking. Kali nodded, chewing her bottom lip anxiously. "He wants to confirm that," she paused, trying to find the right words. There weren't any. "He wants to make sure that this isn't a powerplay by Peter." 

      Colin stiffened. "And if it is...?" 

      Kali shook her head, "I don't know."