an Everlasting Pursuit

sixteen

Mya dragged me into the dining hall without further warning. My ribs screamed in protest, my leg burning with effort as she pulled me along behind her. I stumbled and her grip tightened on me, her arm coming to support my waist.

"Sorry!" She gasped, stopping our advance. "I forgot about your injuries."

I winced a smile, leaning more into her as I caught my breath. "It's fine, let's just go slower."

This was the first time I had set foot in the room for a mealtime, this morning being the only meal I ate outside of my bedroom. Looking up, more wolves filled the room than I could count! It seemed the evening meals were a lot more popular than breakfast ones. I swallowed nervously, as many scrutinising eyes landed upon me.

I could not see the Alpha, but my eyes fell on the familiar faces from this morning. I smiled awkwardly as Eve's face blossomed into a grin at my arrival. Her arm waved in the air, my name falling from her lips as she called me over.

Mya snorted, pulling me along. "You have been summoned."

I ignored her teasing with a roll of my eyes, starting the hobble to the table. Mya's arm remained around my waist, going as far as to pull my chair out for me. I gave her a strange look, but she just grinned, claiming she would get us both some food. The less time standing, the more I wouldn't mind being brought food.

"Hey, surprised to see you down here." Eve beamed, pouring me a drink from the water pitcher.

"Me too." I mumbled.

"What made you change your mind?" She wondered.

A frown erupted on my lips after I took a sip of the water. Her more annoying sibling was the answer.

"To chase after your sister." I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth.

Eve laughed, catching my attention. "What did she do now?"

"You make it sound like she has a habit of annoying people." I pointed out.

She grinned. "Mya is spontaneous and mischievous. Don't let her tough exterior fool you."

"Oh, trust me, it hasn't." I shook my head.

"What did she do?" Eve frowned.

I shifted awkwardly, not sure how to explain why. Your sister accused me of flirting and so I had to make sure that she knew I was just appreciating her looks? No, no, that doesn't sound good... Uh, your sister said I was eyeing her up and ran away, so I had to tell her I wasn't? No, that's just another lie.

"She wound me up, and I had to retaliate." Is what I settled with.

Eve studied me with a quirked brow, but nodded anyway. "She is good at that."

A smooth hand landed on my shoulder, trailing delicately down my arm to settle on my bicep. I had jumped at the intrusion, but a glimpse over my shoulder proved it to just be the devil herself. Mya grinned at me, setting down a bowl of steaming food. I eyed it curiously, seeing spaghetti and some kind of tomato-based sauce.

"I thought I would go easy and stick with spaghetti." She teased.

"Thank you."

Sitting down with a creamy look dish of her own, she climbed into the chair right beside me. Her knee brushed mine and stayed there, but she didn't seem to notice, or chose not to move away. I cleared my throat, picking up my fork.

"So, what were you guys talking about?"

"Ailia claims you were winding her up." Eliza smirked.

"I was just testing her." Mya shrugged.