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

Chapter 19.5: Whisky [Part 2]

Once I found my place at the table, I went ahead and asked for a glass of blood. I felt shaky and uncertain as the sensation of him touching me brushed across my skin played through my mind. I didn't want to lose control in his presence, and I was still angry for him trying to manipulate me before. He had acted so affectionate and attached one moment, but analytical and distant the next. It still aggravated me to think about the stop-start game we had been playing.

Mother and Marcus were already seated, laughing about Felicity as she sucked maliciously on another bottle, a serving of baby food in front of her still untouched. I glanced at Luce and Adrian's empty chairs, then Jenny's. This is going to feel like having a boyfriend eat dinner with my parents for the first time, I thought with a mental groan.

Nah, it won't be that bad. I'll be on my best behavior.

I turned my head to see Jason approaching, and I immediately rose in sync with Marcus. Mother attempted to get to her feet but Jason shook his head since she had Felicity in her arms. He smiled cordially, now wearing a clean dark grey button-down with his black pants. The fact we were in similar colors didn't escape me.

I waited for him to take a seat, but instead he motioned for me to sit first. I hesitated for a brief moment, glancing at my mother for guidance. She was too busy trying to negotiate with Felicity to release the bottle. One look at Marcus and my stepfather nodded. Jason was being a gentleman, and Marc approved. I carefully sat into my chair, scooting myself in before Jason could do it for me. When I was situated, he sat and slid his chair in. Marcus followed suit.

"Thank you, again, for allowing us to stay with you while we talk territory borders," Jason said calmly. I watched as he folded his napkin across his lap in one smooth gesture and then reached for the glass of water. "I'm hoping the weather won't be too bad in order to do a survey of the properties."

Marcus took a drink from his Scotch and nodded. "I think we should be okay to try and do a full sweep. I've asked one of the men to take you around tomorrow afternoon before sunset."

Jason paused, his glass halfway to his mouth. "Before sunset?" His violet eyes flashed over to me, curious.

"We have humans on staff," I answered, "as well as the use of Sun Pendants for some of our early evening guards who need to check the premises before the sun goes down. They come in handy."

"I figure it would be best to do the majority of the property before it gets dark. The terrain to the northeast is very rugged in areas. I'll have Anthony take you on a counter-clockwise round," Marcus added, sitting his drink down.

"Should I ask Malcolm if they need to take the bikes or side-by-sides out instead of the Jeeps?" I asked. The backwoods trails were rough on the larger vehicles.

My mother shook her head. "No, I think the Jeeps will be fine. If the master alpha needs to go down into the ravines, I assumed Malcolm would want them to take the horses."

I smirked, trying to imagine a werewolf on one of our horses. "That would be interesting."

Jason looked from me to Marcus to my mother. "Is the access that narrow? If Serenity is volunteering to be a guide on horseback, we can always shift and use the round as our run for the night."

"I don't know if I want to go that far on foot," I answered. I was about to make a comment of how I wasn't enlisting to play follow-the-leader, but I paused as the meal was brought in and placed on the table. I inhaled the smell of steak, baked potatoes, vegetables, and roasted lamb. My stomach grumbled to remind me I had hardly eaten anything other than my interrupted breakfast.

Once all the food was placed on the table, Mother put Felicity in her high chair between her and Marc. I had half-expected her to stick the kid with me while they continued to talk business over dinner. Instead, she changed the subject. "Please dig in. We can figure that out before sunrise when you meet with your contact for tomorrow's rounds. Now, I'm not one to talk about work over a meal in front of guests, unless they specifically want to. How is your family, Master Alpha?"