Unclaimed

Chapter Thirty-Six - What is Needed

We walked through the square, beautiful shops and restaurants lined up neatly side by side, vibrant in pastels and beautiful stonework.

Iris and Val led me to a quaint restaurant with outdoor seating. But I pressed for indoor instead, wanting nothing more than to escape the sun. We were seated in the middle of the restaurant.

Sipping on the water as I looked over the menu given, I feel Val staring into the side of my face. I pretend not to notice as I figured she had to be studying the tattoos on my face. The table caught in an always moment of silence that endured by staring straight at the menu.

The waiter came back and asked us what we'd like.

"I'd like the halibut with the spiced quinoa and a glass of champagne." Iris says handing her menu to the waiter.

"I'll have the Venison over the sweet potato mash, and I'd like it rare. I'll also have a glass of champagne." Val hands her menu off as well.

The waiter turns to me, his eyes widening at my appearance. Swallowing as he assessed me with caution, his nervousness wasn't well hid at all.

"And you miss?" He asks.

"The herb crusted lamb with the potato purée, a glass of the 2019 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon, I hear it's supposed to be good." I say and hand him the menu.

"That bottle is quite unique, miss." He says as he takes the menu from me.

"I know right. Let see if it's worth the price point." I shrug and he tilts his head to the side before smiling and walking off.

Iris and Val both stare at me and I meet their gaze unflinching. Val is the first to break the silence.

"So Beau," she leans forward putting her hands on the table. "What brings you here to our pack?"

"Someone needed me." I answer. The waiter coming back with our drinks. Opening the bottle in front of us. "Besides I didn't get to see enough of this place the last time I was here. There's so many lakes around here." I say.

"It gives plenty of time for fishing and boat rides. Swimming is a wonderful past time here." Iris says with a smile.

"What else do you guys do here?" I ask.

"Well we..." Iris looks to Val seemingly lost for words.

"There's plenty of things to do. The theater, the opera, we have an orchestra that plays every month that everyone loves to go see." Val lists off. "People in town often throw get togethers, and the full moon is the best time. We throw a full moon masq and then when the moon is at its peak we shred our clothes, tear off our masks and run together as a pack."

"That I can say, is probably the best event you can attend while here." Iris laughs as the waiter comes back with our drinks. Setting the champagne down in front of Iris and Val before setting down the wine in front of me.

I thank the waiter but don't touch the glass yet.

I can smell the French oak from my seat.

"Val, you order venison, this would have paired beautifully with that." I say, the three of them, Val, Iris and the waiter all freeze. "Twenty months for something this good, I'd say you should give it a try, yeah?"

"Uh, sure!" Val says and I look to the waiter with a warm smile.

"Can you get her a proper glass please?"

"Right away miss." The waiter bows his head to the table and walks off.

"You didn't even taste it." Iris looks to me with a skeptical look on her pretty face.