Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter 55.5: Desperately Wanting [Part 2]

Once upstairs, I noticed that the furniture had been rearranged so there was room for a large dining table with chairs for ten around it. The table had been set up along the windows in the far corner, replacing the old buffet table and chairs that had once occupied the space.

"King Alpha, this home is absolutely breathtaking," my grandmother said as she glanced out the windows to see the view.

He chuckled. "Jason, please. And I'm glad you think so. This has always been one of my favorite places to be when I was growing up. But we were only here for a few weeks a year. I'd love to see this place become the main home for the Pack in the future. More room, more land, and plenty of space for the two of us," he said, winking at me.

"I'd say," my stepfather agreed, nodding, as he began to read the place cards around the table. "How many acres do you have?"

"Just above ninety-six-hundred. It's about fifteen square miles in total, give or take," he responded. "We have more than a hundred packs worldwide, so it's important there is enough space for everyone when there are large Pack events. However, I can't recall an event where every alpha has attended. I'd never have enough help on staff to handle it."

I found my name at the chair on Jason's right hand, Maria placed directly across from me on his left. I could smell the bread that already waited in their baskets, piquing my hunger again. "The seventy that were here last month were more than enough for me to try and memorize."

"Eris said it was quite the affair," my grandfather said, finding his place at the opposite end of the table. He grinned, and I knew he was surprised that Jason was respectful in awarding him the next highest rank in the room beyond himself.

As we sat, Maria came in from the double doors, leaving them open as a man in a chef's uniform rolled in a cart of food behind her. She smiled and came to her place, a large leather-bound book under her arm.

Before she could sit, Jason gestured to her. "I apologize, where are my manners? This is my cousin, Maria D'Angelo. She also doubles as my chief of staff. Maria, I'm sure you've yet to meet Lady Ranelle Mezdor and Lord Logan Mezdor, Serenity's grandparents."

"Very pleased to meet you both," she said in a soft, professional tone. "I've always wanted to meet the famous Blood Warrior and Red Rose."

"The pleasure is all ours," my grandmother responded, giving her a smile.

Maria smiled a little fuller and I saw her timidity melt away some. She sat in her seat and placed the book she had been holding on the floor between her and Jason.

The cook brought the cart of serving platters and bowls to Maria's shoulder and began to place the different dishes along the center of the table. As he began to finish distributing the plates, another man came forward with two bottles of wine. He began to pour into each of the wine glasses at our table. I noticed he gave Jenny a smaller portion, just enough that would give her a couple small sips. I wondered if Jason had mentioned to his staff beforehand that my sister-in-law was pregnant.

When they had finished their jobs, Jason nodded to the chef and he rolled the cart out. The man who had been pouring the wine placed a third bottle into the center of the table and followed. I glanced over my shoulder to watch Thomas shut the doors behind them and I turned to face forward again.

"So, how many alphas are you expecting for this event?" Luce asked, curiosity in his voice.

Jason picked up the first platter that was closest to us and handed it to me, giving me the right of first choice. Maria smiled at the simple gesture and grinned across the table at me. "I invited all of them, however only a limited few are allowed to also bring their entire councils. Normally, this would be a Pack-wide affair... But given that we've been dealing with some minor opposition, I ended up asking some to stay in their pack houses to act as jurisdictional sheriffs. I think the guest list is at about eighty alphas."