Forest Deep

Chapter 5

The dinner table was filled with all types of food, with amounts that a king or queen would have for all three meals of the day. I stayed silent as the ruckus in the house continue to happen. It was odd for me to be surround by so many people and sound. My dinner table was always quiet since it was just my mother, Edgar, and me. Evelyn was sitting across from me, smiling and talking to the people around her. I felt awkward, sitting next to Evelyn's half sister, Veronica, and Steward, the boy from earlier.

"So how long are you staying for?" Veronica asked me. I shrugged, for I was unsure myself. I wanted to stayed with Eve, possibly forever, but I will eventually miss my mother, and brother.

"Well, that wasn't a sufficient answer. I mean a shrug, means either you don't know or you don't want to give me an answer." She said, rather annoyed with the answer I gave her.  

"I don't know how long I'm staying for, but I'll stay as along as Evelyn wants me here." I said. She glared her eyes at Evelyn.

"There's nothing special about that twisted half-sister of mine. She's not what she seems to be." Evelyn must have felt her sister's glaring and turned to look our way. I knew the look of suspicion on her face but one smile from made her worries melt away.

"Hello everyone! I just want to say we have a new...special guest with us. His name is Ethan, and he is my beautiful daughter, Evelyn, mate." Evelyn's father said. All eyes were on me. I looked around and gave everyone a tight smile. "I want everyone to treat Ethan like he's one of us." He continued. "And now we eat."

Everyone stopped staring at me and began talking to each other. I felt relieved and began to eat as well. But something compelled me to look up and I did. I saw Evelyn's father staring at me. I swallowed my food and looked away, feeling awkward in the situation. When dinner was over, Evelyn was by my side immediately.

"What did Veronica asked you, rather yet, what did you answer that caused her to glare at me?" She asked as we began to walk away from the crowd. I took her hand in mine, which made her smile.

"She asked me how long I was staying for and I told I didn't know, as long as you wanted me here. Then she became very angry that I was here for you and muttered to herself 'there's nothing special about 'Evelyn. She's not what she seems to be.' But you are very special." I told Evelyn and she simply nodded.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, for I was actually concerned I did something wrong. She shook her head, paused then  shook her head again.

"Father wants to speak to you right now. Let's got back to the main cottage." I followed Evelyn, wondering how she would know such a thing, unless they could communicate telepathically. Could they? I followed her to the main cottage and back inside. The ladies were in the kitchen gossiping, teens in the living room, probably playing a game of sorts and the children were not heard so I thought they might already be in bed.

"Good luck." Evelyn said, before kissing my cheek and walking away. I stood in front of the door of her fathers office. I knocked and heard a muffle 'Come in' from the other side. I opened the door to see Evelyn's father sitting in his chair on the other side of the desk. I took two steps in before he stopped me.

"Close the door." I did as I was told. I went to walk closer to him, but he held his hand up. "No need to come closer Ethan. Now just stand there and listen. I don't hate you, but I don't particularly like you either." I heard him sigh before continuing. "I am letting you stay, but you must promise me two things." He looked me straight in the eye as I nodded.

"Anything sir." I said. He gave me a simple nod and continued.

"One, you must promise me that if Evelyn dies, you will return home and pretend none of this happened, none of it. Do you understand?" I nodded. "Second, as her mate, you are her and only hers. She is yours and only yours. You must be there as any good mate would. Do you agree to the terms?"