Her Maneuver

Chapter Five of Book Two

The next morning arrives with a rush and a flavor of discomfort. Shontelle's eyes trail to my figure, studying my appearance. I am wearing a loose black tank top with a pair of faded jeans, along with tanned leather sandals. "Decent enough." She nods with a smile.

I try to return the kind gesture but my pale skin and hollow eyes weren't cooperating.

"Do you want me to braid your hair?" She asks.

"Yes please." I reply, taking a seat at the lush couch in my guest room.

Her fingers twist my tousled hair skillfully as I wait for her to finish.

"Miss Vivienne, I really do think that you need to stay for an extra couple of days."

I let out an exasperated sigh, "I can't. I must leave."

"But look at you really, you seem tired, and I think you should stay at least until you start feeling better."

"Look." I turn to her after she's finished, "I'm fine."

I try my best to look convincing, to make her believe me.

She gently holds my hand and smiles, "I've had a daughter: young and beautiful. I know it when a girl as young as you is upset."

I shake my head in neglect.

"It is up to you honey, after all this is your choice."

I thank her silently. Shontelle was very insistent about my appearance and a well positive impression. I was to have breakfast with the Alpha's family today, rather than it being delivered to my room.

"So how did you find Mr.Charcowl?"

Shontelle suddenly asks me.

"Excuse me?"

She had a playful smile on her face as she winked at me, "Sir Xanthus Charcowl. I'm pretty sure you've met him."

I can't help but shift in discomfort in my seat, "You saw us?"

"No, I heard some murmurs, and I could place the voices."

I dab some perfume on my skin as I watch her shining eyes, "Nothing happened Shontelle. It was an awkward encounter."

"I know honey, but we might as well not mention it to Alpha Glenn."

I stiffen and directly turn towards her, "Why not?"

"Alpha Glenn doesn't like to talk about his son's experiences with females...after some family incidents..."

She trails off in memory, her face seems tortured for a slight second, but she instantly fixes her posture.

"Family incidents?" I question.

She places her hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently, "It's not my right to tell you, and it's not your right to know." She turns to eye the clock on the wall, "It's almost time Miss Vivienne, follow me."

***

Shontelle and I are the first to arrive to the dining room.

The maids are in a hustle, placing the final dishes and plates of delicious pancakes and mouth-watering syrups. An elderly man studies the table carefully, he looks in charge of such settings. Shontelle and I are standing in the corner of the room, patiently waiting.

More food arrives: omelets, toast, bread sticks and a jug of hot tea.

When everyone in the room pauses, I know the Alpha has arrived. He walks in and swiftly nods at the maids dismissing them. His eyes meet mine as he speaks, "Good morning Vivienne."

"Good morning Alpha." I reply.

Alpha Glenn takes a seat in one of the chairs as he motions to me take a seat as well.

He looks at Shontelle, "You may leave now, thank you."

She bows and leaves the room, making sure to give me a small smile in reassurance before she disappears.

"Ugh my son." Alpha Glenn speaks, "Always so late."

"I didn't know you had a son." I say, playing last night off.

"Oh, well, his name is Xanthus, always so late."

I let out a small laugh at that.

"So tell me, Vivienne, how did you sleep?"

"Well." I quickly reply, "Thank you for having me."

He eyes the table before speaking, "You can stay as much as you want. Now the food is going to run cold, so shall we begin?"

The old man in the background, approaches us. He starts pouring tea to our cups, and serving us the omelets.

I eat slowly answering the Alpha's questions swiftly and directly. Shortly after, the curly haired man is standing at the door, an amused look obvious on his face as he eyes me up.

Xanthus Charcowl enters the room, "Good morning everyone." Turning to me, "I didn't know we had guests?"

The look of amusement and slight shock on his face is so well played, it's like we haven't met before. He takes my hand in his, and he lowers his head, his curls softly touching my skin, and kisses my palm promptly.

"This is Miss Vivienne, her father and I used to be close friends."

Xanthus grins and takes a seat next to me. He motions to the man in charge, and a plate of food is immediately placed in front of him.

"Lovely lady." He speaks, looking at me from the corner of his eyes.

I focus on eating, blocking out all of his side looks and warm gestures.

"So, Miss Vivienne, where are you from?" Xanthus casually asks.

I freeze in my spot. Is he asking about the place? About the pack I'm from?

Is he asking me the only question I can't answer?

Alpha Glenn replies instantly, "She's from Westwood, south Forena."

"Oh."Xanthus says. He pauses from a moment, then turns to face me, cocking an eyebrow, "Dark Blood Pack?"

The struggle is obvious on my face. Does he know mpacke? Does he know what has happened?

Alpha Glenn answers for me again, "Never mind my son, he's a clever boy, has studied the map and knows every location of every pack."

Xanthus chuckles, his laugh is catchy, his expressions are charming, his eyes hold a glimpse of mischief.

He catches my eyes again, "So Dark Blood?"

I nod wordlessly, expressionless. I pursue to cut my omelet, stabbing the pieces with my fork, placing them in my mouth, chewing slowly, swallowing heavily, watching the clock, desperately waiting for the time to end.

"Oh, My son Xanthus, you wouldn't believe this." Alpha Glenn continues, "She was the Alpha of Dark Blood."

Xanthus' fork drops on his plate, clinking noisily.

Time stops. Conversation stops. And I wish my heart could stop as well.