Embracing the Wolves

[14] Rejected Confessions

When I made it downstairs, the table was set and the food was out on display. Cassandra was bringing over one last pitcher of water, but otherwise, Andrew and Natalie sat at opposite ends of the table. Cassandra was focused with making sure everyone was materialistically comfortable without addressing the tension of the air. We had begun serving and eating for a good ten minutes in silence before anyone said anything.

"Ryder says hi," I mumbled and glanced at Cassandra and Andrew.

"I'm sure he does," Andrew scoffed and rolled his eyes before stabbing his food.

"Oh you should've invited him over," Natalie suggested before looking at Andrew. "And your girlfriend too—"

"I don't think that'd be a good idea," Cassandra said.

"Yeah. I think it's in everyone's best interest that they stay as far from you as possible," Andrew voiced. His dark eyes finally met Natalie's. "After all, there's a lot of damage to follow in your magical resurrection."

"Drew—"

"I'm right though," he pressed and looked at me. "Wasn't it difficult enough to tell Ryder and Caroline and Bailee and Stella about how your dead brother was alive and well? Let alone your mother who's been dead our whole life. Maybe Caroline and Ryder won't care much because they're in the business of lying, but the other two are your best friends and you're gonna lie to them...again? Bailee's one for the whole rumor thing and Stella...well, you've always been on thin ice with her from stealing Ryder—"

"Are you trying to insult her or me?" I asked him without taking any of it personally.

"I just want her to know that her being here is an inconvenience, that's all," Drew assured before smiling in an incredibly rude manner. Again, the entire house fell silent.

Stop being an asshole, I thought to Andrew so he would get a grip on his emotions rather than just attack me. Everyone knew he was hurt; he didn't need to act out.

"No," he told me aloud as if not caring if Natalie found out about our telepathy. We glared at each other and my wolf wanted to explode and fight the hell out of him to shut his muzzle.

"Then why are you even at this table?" I asked him with a raised voice.

"Because I'm hungry. That's about it."

"Then eat your food and be quiet," I ordered to which he rolled his eyes and ate another bite.

"So," Cassandra sighed and tried to change the mood of the room. "I passed you and Dakota on Main Street today. What were y'all up to?"

"It's none of your—" I kicked Andrew to silence.

"He was helping me pick out a dress for homecoming," I answered.

"Since you guys want to act like we're a normal family without the mass amounts of issues we aren't talking about..." Andrew muttered and pinned my shin to the side of the table leg when I swung. He looked to Cassandra after sneering at me. "Ash made homecoming court."

"Oh, that's exciting," Cass smiled.

"Congrats," Natalie added.

"Eh," I hummed. "I only got on because Ryder wants to take me down with him."

Cassandra's smile dropped.

"Well at least you'll be together," Natalie said optimistically. "Is he taking you to the dance too?"

Andrew coughed up his drink in a laugh while I saw a look in Cassandra's eyes that lead me to believe she wanted to kick him beneath the table.