The Alpha Twins and their Runaway Witch

88

The barbeque was a hazy dream in Ariel's memories. Ariel had felt like Cinderella at her ball, while wearing converse sneakers, jeans and a soft cable knit minty green coloured sweater. Having had the most amazing day. Alex and August introduced her to the brothers she had not yet met. Their grandparents, Hannah's father and Max's mother, who were also mated. To each other. Alex and August swore up and down that Colton and Judy only met after Hannah and Max were already mated and living at Golden Green.

Pandora was on her absolute best behaviour. Managing to be overdressed for the family barbecue that just needed a large enough venue to ensure everyone had enough space to socialise and mingle; and be under dressed for the barely arrived spring weather and chill damp air. Wearing a strapless red dress and heels tall enough that Ariel was constantly worried about her ankles. Especially considering how the large baby bump must throw off her centre of gravity.

Ariel looked at Pandora who stood with such elegance, had a lovely, perfect smile. Pandora was equally quick of wit in conversations as she was quick with a musical laugh. Her friend Bee was almost the exact opposite. Withering behind Pandora the entire night. Looking like she was terrified of everyone. Except Ariel, Ariel felt bad for Pandora's friend, she looked as out of place as Ariel felt she was.

Ariel had tried to talk to the other woman repeatedly, before it had been time to sit down and eat. Thinking that another outsider might have some common ground with Ariel. Each time Ariel approached, Bee had run like a scared mouse to talk to someone else or grab another drink, or canape. Ariel did not take it personally. She was too busy trying to get to know August's and Alex's brothers Oran and Cassian, their grandparents, cousins, parents, and sisters. It was a very large family. There was too much going on to be overly focused on any one person. Especially not one who clearly did not want to be near Ariel.

The chef rang a wonderful dinner bell whose chime filled the whole barn. The entire family finished their conversations and made their way to the table. The tables had been set. Twenty two place settings had been laid. Tiny name cards ensuring everyone knew where to sit without anything being awkward. Or someone feeling left out when there wasn't space for them.

Kyle and Freya, Were sat at the end of the long banquet table. Their parents, Max's mother Judy and Hannah's father Colton sat down the row of place settings to their left, a place had been set for Binh. Which pulled at Ariel's heart that he had been included by the Greenrivers family at this intimate event, and that he wasn't here with her to see it.

After the empty seat, across from Ariel was Pandora's friend Bee, then Pandora herself, and her mate Tom beside her. Lumi was next sat with her partner Sebastian, followed by Aspen. Max and Hannah were sat at the opposite end of the table, facing towards their half siblings. Holland was sat beside Hannah, Caspian to his left. Penny sat across from Lumi and beside Cassi. To Cassi's left were the relationship of the evening, Alex, Ariel, and August, with Oran and Cassian taking the last seats at the long table.

Bee's strange awkward behaviour continued through dinner. But Ariel paid it no mind. Three Hours Past Midnight was too busy talking inside her mind about gossip that he knew about the various guests. Sat on yet another custom perch that had been made for him. Ariel's Raven was very much enjoying finally having a taste of the good lifestyle after having laid his life down in service to Ariel so many times to get her to this moment of happiness, casual opulence and safely.

Ariel occasionally looked around the table and could scarcely believe that this was real life. It was like a moment lifted from one of her most secret dreams. Dreams of being in the middle of a large family, surrounded by love, and joy. By people who cared about her and each other. A literal dream she had never dared believe could be real.