Black as Coal | ✓

33

In my twenty-two years of life, I have never prayed for the goddess above to strike me down, but today was that day.

Reed sat across from me with our parents flanking his sides as he tried to stand my glare. Beside me was Eli, Reuben, and Willa who we had to pull up an extra chair for. A large meal that consisted of chicken, mashed potatoes, and other side dishes that had been conveniently ordered beforehand was placed on the table and everyone ate in a tense silence.

Everyone but me. I was too focused on glaring daggers at the soon-to-be beta sitting across from me.

Reed glanced up at me, saw my expression, and quickly shifted his gaze elsewhere. "Mom and Dad, you remember Eli, Reuben, and Willa, right? I know you didn't get the chance to speak with them much when we were at their pack, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity."

Perfect? I held back a scoff.

"Yes, of course," Mom said, forcing a smile. "It's nice to see you all again."

"Likewise," Eli replied, his voice polite but cautious.

Reuben either didn't pick up on the tension or he just didn't care. Knowing him, it was the latter. "So, Reed, how's the preparation for your new role going?"

Reed glanced at him. "It's going well. There's a lot to learn, but I'm getting there."

Dad nodded approvingly. "Reed has been working very hard. He's going to make an excellent beta."

"Yeah, I'm sure he will," I muttered under my breath, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice.

Mom shot me a warning glance, but I ignored it. This whole dinner felt like a farce, and I couldn't pretend otherwise.

Reed, clearly feeling the weight of my animosity, tried to steer the conversation to safer ground. "So, Eli, how's everything with your pack? Any exciting news?"

Eli shook his head. "Nothing too exciting. Just the usual challenges of helping run a pack."

The conversation continued in fits and starts, everyone trying to keep things civil despite the underlying tension. I picked at my food, barely listening as the others talked about mundane topics. Every so often, Reed would glance my way, his eyes pleading for some kind of truce, but I wasn't in the mood to give him any respite.

The sound of my phone buzzing made me discreetly pull it out and I saw it was Reed.

Reed: You said you'd be civil.

I mentally rolled my eyes.

Cronan: I meant during the actual ceremony. That wasn't a cue for you to go inviting them. You planned this beforehand, didn't you?

"Cronan," Dad's deep voice caught my attention. I glanced up and met his blue eyes. "How have things been going for you in Oakville?"

"Oakwood," I corrected. Why could nobody get the damn name correct? "Things have been going good."

"Is that so?" Mom perked up, seemingly gaining interest in the conversation. "Reed tells us you aren't working, so what is it you do in that...place you call home?"

"I'm taking a break right now," I said and I could see the disapproval on her face.

"'A break?'" Dad repeated. "With that omega, I presume."

My jaw clenched as I could feel the others' eyes on me as they silently watched the situation unfold, likely trying to figure out if they should intervene and if they had the right to.

"Not that it's any of your business who I spend my time with, but Arlo and I don't really hang out anymore."

Mom's eyes flashed with approval. "Good. You can do much better than that."

I rolled my eyes. "As you love to remind me."

"I'm serious," she pushed. "Your father and I never minded that you preferred men, we simply asked that you pick someone more on your level. Is that so much to ask for? Whatever happened between you and Trent? He was a good guy from a respectful family. You two seemed to get along well enough."

"One, Arlo and I were never dating, but you have no right to talk bad about him. Two, it's been four years since I dated Trent. Stop mentioning him."

"So who is the new man you insist on seeing now? Another omega? A human?"

Dad asked, his tone dripping with disdain.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. "I'm not seeing anyone right now."

Dad scoffed, shaking his head. "Of course not. I suppose it's hard to find a wolf willing to deal with your problems."

Reed frowned. "Dad, that was too—"

"'Problems?'" I cut Reed off and glared at Dad. "What 'problems'?"

Dad sighed as if he was growing tired of the conversation. "You grew up in a good family, had a great life, and could very well lead your own pack—something many wolves wish they could do—and yet, you choose to throw it all away. You have all these doors open for you, but you'd rather bend over backward to sit and play happy housewife with anyone who shows you a little bit of attention. Even omegas it seems."

My hands clenched into fists under the table. "That's enough," I said, my voice low and steady.

Mom jumped in, her voice layered with false concern. "We just want you to be happy, Cronan. And to find someone who's worthy of you."

I couldn't take it anymore. Pushing my chair back, I stood up abruptly. "I need to go to my room," I said, not bothering to look at anyone.

Without waiting for a response, I left the dining room and headed up the stairs. As soon as I was in my room, I closed the door and leaned against it, taking deep breaths to calm myself. The frustration and anger from the dinner conversation washed over me in waves.

I walked over to the window and stared out at the darkening sky, my mind racing. The next few days were going to be unbearable. Between the ceremony, dealing with my parents, and trying to keep my emotions in check, I wasn't sure how I was going to get through it.

I came to try and be a good brother, but maybe I should've just stayed in Oakwood.

"They've changed. They miss you," Reed's words echoed through my mind.

I scoffed. Yeah, right. I'd been the fool for trying to give them a chance before and I wouldn't do it again because if there was one thing I learned after being surrounded by my parents for twenty years, it was that they never changed. Not toward me at least.

And the sad part was they never would.

AN: I'll be doing an extra of this dinner that takes place after Cronan leaves from either Eli or Reuben's POV. I haven't decided which yet.