13. DINING TOGETHER

The sun had already gone down, making everywhere gradually go dark as the sky turned gray.

In a large and glorious dining room, all kinds of food were being placed by maids on the long and wide table for the family members.

When Allen was alive, they always dined together and Valeria kept it that way.

One by one, they trooped in and took their seats.

Valeria sat at the head of the table and on her left sat her second son Aaron and Amelia. On her right, her husband Everand sat with his parents, Rehab and Japheth.

It was much later that Reginald finally came into the room last. And he went to the other head chair at the far end which was directly facing his mother.

On his left sat Radolf and his mate Phoebe while Spencer sat in between Japheth and Phoebe. Then on Reginald's right sat Connery and his mate Sonia while Desmond sat in between Sonia and Angelina but Angelina wasn't present.

        "What took you so long Regi? We've been waiting for you." Rehab inquired about it.

       "Had to take some calls," came his brief answer as he gave a harmless smile.

Ever since Valeria got married to Everand, Reginald had been forced to take Everand's parents as his own grandparents.

After all, when Valeria was a little girl, they had adopted her long before she later escaped with her first love. But they found her again.

       "Don't you have people to take care of your business while you're away?" This time it was Japheth who questioned him.

       "I do, but I prefer to handle them myself." He explained briefly as he served himself. Whatever he needed was passed to him by Connery and Radolf.

       "For now, you'll have to face the pack Alpha. Your people are more important." Connery said with respect and Reginald simply gave him a nod of understanding.

        "Why isn't Angelina here with us?" Phoebe asked because it was strange for her to skip dinner when she loved food.

As if this was the best opportunity to attack someone, Reginald suggested.

        "Why don't Everand tell us, after all he knows."

Everand didn't bother looking at Reginald, instead he continued eating in silence.

Aaron's eyes slowly shifted from his father who sat opposite him to look at his brother who sat far away.

Valeria's eyes silently watched her son but she said nothing about it.

         "She's not in the mood right now Phoebe, her food has been sent to her room." Desmond decided to answer.

        "Oh, when I'm done eating I'll go check up on her." Phoebe announced and Radolf smiled at her.

        "It's been such a long time since we dined together…I really miss it." Spencer cheerfully said.

"Is that so? I thought you loved staying in the city, far away from your home and family." Desmond taunted him and it caused Spencer to chuckle.

        "Are you still annoyed about it Desmond? My father isn't even complaining…" Spencer was suddenly interrupted by his father.

        "I'm definitely annoyed Spencer, don't think because I'm quiet doesn't mean I'm not complaining." Connery let him know.

        "How is that even possible uncle Connery?" Amelia asked amidst giggling at his last line.

        "It is very possible Amelia." Phoebe answered and Connery nodded.

And while they were attacking each other and laughing heartily, Reginald's gaze zoomed in on one person who he couldn't resist.

Valeria followed her son's line of sight and found out he was staring at Amelia. Her heart broke at the longing she saw in his eyes.

To make things worse, something stained the side of her face and Aaron took his napkin and carefully wiped it off.

Amelia smiled and leaned in to peck him on the cheek for helping her.

Reginald quickly lowered his gaze back to his plate and he tightened his hold around the fork he held.

Once upon a time, Amelia had given him all the attention and she had kissed him so many times that he lost count of it.

        "Is everything alright Alpha Reginald?" Connery's mate, Sonia, finally asked after being quiet.

He shifted his gaze to her and gave her a warm smile so she wouldn't worry and he was grateful not everyone heard her question or he would've been the center of attention.

He had purposely ignored his mother's intense gaze but after a while, he looked at her.

There was warmth in her eyes as she held his, as if trapping him.

       "Lewis will be so happy to see Reginald. They were so close when they were little." Desmond brought another topic and Reginald's gaze shifted onto him.

       "Of course, he has to." Reginald agreed with a smile on his face.

       "His parents are so eager to see you, especially his father." Sonia informed and Desmond nodded in agreement.

"We should all go together. I and Reginald will leave tomorrow morning," Spencer announced and Amelia's brows drew close in confusion at the news.

       "Both of you will be going tomorrow morning and you didn't inform me?" She had a look of shock as she moved her gaze from Spencer to Reginald for explanation.

Spencer bit his lower lip and sunk into his chair when he saw the look in her eyes.

Reginald calmly studied her face and everyone kept quiet as they watched them.

        "You can't be my gamma anymore Amelia."

The news came as a blow to everyone and Radolf gave Reginald a look of disbelief.

       "You can't actually do that Reginald, you need a gamma just as you need a beta. They are your pillars." Radolf explained but Reginald didn't change his mind.

        "Then I'll get another gamma."

Connery couldn't even speak, he just stared at Reginald like he said something insane.

"Your gamma is important, Reginald. You said it yourself that Amelia was fit to be by your side…what changed?"

"She has a mate." Reginald answered Radolf's question and a few gasped in surprise.

"So you're saying if Spencer had his own mate, then you won't need him anymore?" Connery inquired with a look of distaste.

Reginald sighed and dropped his fork on his plate.

        "Is it because I'm with your stepbrother?"

Amelia angrily asked and Aaron's eyes turned dull as he stared at his mother.

"Are you being serious right now Reginald?" She further asked.

        "I am," came his calm response and she glared at him.

"When your father was the Alpha, uncle Connery still served as his beta even though he had a mate and so did my father." She raised her voice at him and Reginald glared at her.

         "Is it because of the intimate relationship you had with her?"

Everand dropped the bomb and Reginald's left eye twitched in rage as looks of perplexity covered everyone's faces except Valeria, Aaron, Spencer and Everand.

Amelia didn't expect Everand to spill everything out or even know about it.

Reginald's gaze shifted to his mother and she stared back at him.

         "You told him."

"Yes she did Reginald, she's my WIFE and it also concerns your brother so it's high time you learn to accept things."

Everand was fed up with Reginald's bullshit.

        "You…is this true Amelia?" Phoebe was too stunned to even say the rest. She was devastated by the news.

Amelia felt trapped and she glared at Reginald. She couldn't believe he would strip her off her title just because her mate was his stepbrother.

Was he jealous? Was he still in love with her?

Too angry to say a word to anyone, she left the table and headed out of the dining room and her parents followed her.

Desmond couldn't believe his ears as he looked at Spencer who didn't want to meet anyone's gaze.

        "Did you know about it Spencer?" Connery calmly asked his son and Spencer slowly lifted his gaze to look at his father who had a grim look.

Aaron stared at his plate in silence with a look of sadness in his eyes. The constant reminder that his brother had an intimate relationship with his soulmate weighed him down greatly.

On noticing his fallen countenance, Valeria held his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

Reginald's eyes focused on them and it pricked his heart.

Without saying a word, he stood up and left the room.