North of Dawn

Surprises

Arriving at the packs main house felt a bit different than when we first arrived. The air seemed to heavier than I had remembered. But everything was still set up perfectly. Not even a speck of dust could be seen floating through the air. Lost in my thoughts Logan nudged me forward as he motioned that we were supposed to be heading into the dinning room. "Don't look so nervous it's just a family dinner." He muttered quietly. Why was he trying to keep his voice low so the others didn't hear? 

"You know most people don't call a family dinner with their entire family a small family dinner. This is the equivalent to bringing me to a holiday dinner. Plus it's with the alpha of our pack. The one who can happily kick me out if he finds me a threat to the packs safety...or useless." I whispered back feet planted in the entranceway. This type of bickering wasn't new to us. We had been hanging out few weeks at this point and often found ourselves debating each other. Stubborn. Neither of us giving in to the other and no clear winner ever decided by the end of out bouts.

My brown eyes widened when he didn't even bother with an response and instead simply took my hand practically dragging me into the room. My mouth was still slightly ajar as the family all turned their heads in unison the conversation dying down quickly. The silence was louder than anything. Was I not welcomed here as well? I quickly shifted my weight as if to hide from their looks of mostly shock. Or perhaps they didn't expect a beta of their lineage to choose someone with no with no wolf.

Clearing his throat Logan drew the attention to himself before he shot everyone a wide smile. "Mom told me to bring my new girlfriend to dinner tonight and this her. I'm sure most of you know her parents. Elizabeth is the girl I've been seeing." he explained as a few of the others around the table nodded in understanding before a woman with light brown hair stood motioning to us to enter fully.

"Yes, of course. Come in dear and take your seat. Elizabeth can sit to the left of you." She explained. Her smile was warm but I could still see it held something else. Something I was used to. Disappointment. 

"Um, thank you for inviting me over." The words left my mouth as I forced a nervous smile before glancing to Logan who was still grinning like an idiot. Following him to our seats I sat as he pulled the seat out for me.

"See, no reason to be nervous." His voice was even a low as if their reactions were expected for him. I raised an eyebrow but didn't respond. I didn't need to point out the look on his families face since I'm sure he didn't even recognize it. The outcome would be the same anyway. I'd move away after graduation and go to a regular university. His family really had nothing to worry about.

As the family carried on with their conversation Dimitri arrived shortly after without much of a word he locked eyes with his father before taking a seat next me. I could tell they were having a private conversation through their link but I wasn't sure exactly what was said that would make the alpha frown the way he had. 

"So...girlfriend huh?" Dimitri asked earning a glare from me. "What happened to 'it's not that serious.' I tried to warn you and now look you're being openly courted by a possible future beta to the pack before you even have a chance at finding your mate." he explained unbothered by the look I was giving him.

"That's..." I started but was interrupted by a plate being placed in front of me. It was Logan's mom and the Luna, Dimitris mother,  setting food out for their children and husbands. I glanced up to meet her bright blue eyes as she gave a small grin my way.

"It's just a simple meal tonight. We were sure what you would like so we went with spaghetti," she explained before placing Logan's plate down next. I didn't really have anything to respond to but the actions all seemed like something was off but I couldn't put my finger on it. It was like the family was having their own internal battle. I nodded in understanding before picking up my fork.

The rest of dinner was held with idle chatter between the adults as the children stayed silent and ate for the most part. Even loudmouth Logan seemed to get the memo and be silent unless spoken to. Were their family dinners always this suffocating or was I the reason we were allowed to speak? I was mostly lost in thought only being reminded I was the odd one out when my eyes would meet with a nervous glance from one of Logan's relatives.

"Dimitri...why don't you, Logan, and Elizabeth all go upstairs while you're mother prepares the dessert." Alpha Joshua all but ordered leaving no room for any of us to argue with his request. I could only assume they really wanted to discuss the sudden mess on their hands. Me. I was always an eyesore and now the kind soul that was their Alpha would have to deal with me more than I'm sure he wanted. I was a useful tool to help anchor my father here but was that enough to guarantee my safety if I became too much of an annoyance.

The three of use said out excuses as we wondered up the stairs following Dimitri to his bedroom. We were barely out of ear shot as I heard the adults immediately start bickering but I couldn't make up what their hushed voices were really saying. Whatever it was Logan's moms tone held defensiveness while the Alpha and Luna seemed to be the most vocal about their distaste. I was glad the two males seemed to want to get away from the arguing just as fast as I did.

We all practically ran up the stairs each take multiple at a time before we landed at the safezone. "Just friends...Nothing serious huh?" Dimitri finally said as I closed the door behind me. Logan was laid in the dark green beanbag as if he wasn't the cause of this mess.

"Why are you yelling at me? Logan is the one who said that crap." I hissed back. "I didn't come here under the idea of being announced as a girlfriend. Maybe new friend. Girl I'm talking to but not girlfriend." I grumbled earning a snort from both males. They could be so similar when they wanted to and it was starting to grind my gears.