Chapter 9

"...so you'll come for lunch on Sunday?" Dia insisted hopefully.

Darian heaved a sigh. "I really wish you’re giving me a choice mom."

An affronted sound floated through the phone. "Of course I am, Heather would have really loved it if you came though and Dream is coming along with his mate, and your half brother is going to be there…"

"If I say yes will you let it go?" He muttered dryly.

"Immediately." Dia agreed without hesitation and Darian could practically hear her wink through the phone.

"Fine, I'll be there, just don't complain when I leave soon after, I love you, bye." He said quickly, hanging up before she pulled out more weapons to convince him to sleep over so it could become a family tradition.

He stared at his phone for a few more seconds before slipping it in his pocket, he knew the exact moment Mae arrived and also when she left and knowing Leon, the other werewolf was also aware.

Mae hadn't called so that meant everything was fine, well he would confirm that for himself at dinner.

He strode briskly down the quiet hallways, he was running a little late because his mom had spent almost half an hour hounding and trying to convince him to come over for lunch, he always knew she was going to win that didn't mean he had to make it easy for her.

He didn't mind lunch with his family, he didn't even mind his newest half brother but there were just too many people and he would be forced to actually socialize and enjoy himself, that was asking for a little too much.

Quietly, he slipped into the dining room, dinner already in full swing but Jaxon wasn't there yet.

His relaxed expression quickly morphed into a frown, was he okay?

He only hesitated for a split second before completing the journey to the table because as much as he wanted to, he could not go to check up on him.

He settled on an empty seat between the twins, limp dark locks falling against his forehead.

“Darian!” His younger brother called with false cheerfulness, practically plastered to his mate. “I was starting to think that you would choose to sit the dinner out.”

Darian gave him a blank look, unimpressed. “Mom won, I know that’s what you want to hear.”

Dream hooted at this, pumping a fist in the air. “Hay, pass me my phone, DD is not going to know what hit her.”

“You and DD made a bet?” Hayden asked in disbelief after peeking in on the text that Dream sent to their older sister.

“Yup! She said that Darian would win mom over and not come for Sunday lunch.’

Darian’s phone vibrated and he cursed. “Tell her to stop texting me.”

“It’s the group chat.” Dream corrected.

“That you keep adding me to.” He complained, preparing a plate for himself.

“You all promised to stop using your phones at the dining table.” Dale reminded, narrowing his eyes.

“It’s just your mate that’s texting.” Darian corrected.

Dale made a face of exasperation, gesturing. “‘You are literally holding your phone right now.”

“I’m trying to leave the group chat.” He said with a poker face.

“You’re going to have to block us all to manage that.” Dream snickered, adding Darian once more.

“Okay, that’s enough for one night.” Dale interjected, snatching the phone from his mate’s hands and keeping it out of his reach.

“Is Jaxon okay?” Virgil spoke up for the first time, tenderly feeding his mate.

He asked the question casually but the piercing gaze following his words made Darian and the twins shift uncomfortably.

Virgil was awfully protective of his Head Beta and just seemed to know things.

“Ye… yeah.” Ian answered quickly when it seemed like the others were tongue-tied.

Virgil raised a brow at this. “You don’t sound sure, is there something I should know?”

They were saved from responding when Jaxon hurried inside looking as harried as usual, his red hair tousled and wild, loose pants and a high-necked sweatshirt this time instead of his usual knitted sweaters.

“Sorry, I lost track of the time.” He apologized, chuckling nervously.

Leon perked up at his appearance, he had been in a particularly dark mood all the while before.

Darian also looked up, the creases in his brows easing at Jaxon’s appearance, his gaze riveted on him.

Dream and Hayden immediately ambushed the poor Head Beta, there was really no one else for them to baby so they turned all of their attention on him.

It did not help that Jaxon always looked so confused and distracted all the time, a very easy target for Dream who did not take no for an answer.

“We were just about to come get you.” Dream started, latching on his left arm.

Hayden smiled kindly, much more gentler with his movements. “We were worried that you might have forgotten to come down for dinner again.” He held Jaxie’s other hand as well, guiding him to the Dream’s previous seat.

Dream makes his husband move so he could get to sit beside Jaxon, Hayden settling in on his other side as they proceed to pile his plate high with food.

Jaxon wasn’t complaining though digging in, he needed to pay back his food debt anyway.

With both Lunas fussing over him, it was easy to forget the two people that had occupied his thoughts so much that he almost forgot to go for dinner.

At least he managed to forget about them for the first half of his meal, until…

“Leo, please pass the salad…”

“... I’m not going to delete your number Darian…”

Hayden’s and Dream’s voices pierced his thoughts and just like that he could think of anything else but them, well, this was going to become quite troublesome.

Definitely going to ruin his plans of pretending that absolutely nothing happened.

“I’ll just bring it over.” Leon got up saying. “I’m going that way…”

He walked all the way over, the salad bowl held in his tatted hand, when he got behind Jaxon, he leaned over him, caging him briefly with his arm before stepping back and walking away.

Hayden was already thanking him with a big smile but Jaxon was shaken, choking slightly at the unexpected action and the feel of Leon’s fingertips trailing lightly at the point where the the edge of his high-necked shirt met his skin, where his hickies would be if he hadn’t covered them up.

Leon swept out at this, a satisfied smirk on his face, he didn’t have to glance behind him to know that Darian was practically staring holes through his back.

With a shaky hand, Jaxon reached out to grab the glass of liquid closest to him, he was not paying attention and accidentally grabbed a glass of wine instead of water, downing the entire contents in a long swallow.

His expression of relief turned into one of dismay as the taste sank in.

Hayden glanced at Jaxie in slight worry, patting his back to comfort him. “Are you okay?”

Jaxie bit his wine stained lips at this question, looking at the now empty glass one more time.

Absolutely fucking not! He half screamed in his head, he did not know how to handle alcohol but he did not want Hayden to worry so he smiled guilelessly.

“Of course, I feel much better now.” He lied through his teeth.