A Ripple in the forest

Chapter ten

Listen to run boy run by Woodkid

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30th June, 2017
Alpha Gabriel's territory

The loud sounds from the dining hall send heavy vibrations through the air. I am standing at the entrance, Fern and Alex are in front of me, linked by the elbows in a regal manner. Both of their clothing seems to be crafted with expert skill, the beautiful and elegant designs obvious against their aristocrat aura. Emilia, Kenna and Vanya are standing behind me silently, waiting for me to walk in through the arch entryway. I know that it is inevitable, I will see him again but that doesn't stop myself from wanting a few extra seconds of peace.   

Fern looks behind at me, giving me reassuring eyes and a kind smile. Alex takes the lead and walks into the entryway that leads into the loud area, Fern walking alongside him. I breathe in and out, trying to relax my rapid heartbeat. I move my unwilling limbs and follow the mated pair. I keep my eyes down, afraid that they will look from someone I do not wish to see. I walk through the darkly shadowed entrance, focusing on the intimidating chatter and when I feel light on my skin I involuntary lookup.

I blink shocked. The dining hall is something out of this world, the size making a simple mansion on Earth feel inferior. I look up the towering stone walls, black banners hang symmetrically with a single red rose in the middle. The same symbol is sewn onto my black dress. The ceiling is high, reaching the top of the sky. I move my eyes to the hundreds of long wooden tables with people accompanying the seats around them. Like the other times, the sound dims to nothing but they do not gawk at me. This time they rise from their chairs and bow in my direction. I blink my surprise away and look for Fern, only for my eyes to connect with gorgeous forest green. There, at the end of the long hall, stands Gabriel. His is on a raised platform, standing as everyone is, but instead of bowing, his body seems to be frozen. His mouth is slightly ajar and even from a distance, I can feel his eyes scan my body. His emotions are clear awe. I look at his outfit and notice the similarity to mine, while mine is a black dress with red roses, his is a black royal suit with a red rose sown onto his breast pocket. His reaction doesn't settle with me, he doesn't have the right to feel that way when looking at me. Only Adam. 

I raise my chin and straighten my back, all the while maintaining eye contact with him. I hope he sees it as a challenge because it is. I walk past the bowing people with stolen confidence as I stride to the back of the room. Fern and Alex arrive at the stairs before the raised platform and bow respectively before walking to the table. They take their seats, both on opposite sides of Huxley, who is two places away from Gabriel, leaving one space left next to Gabriel, my place. There is an older couple next to Gabriel, the woman looking like a female version of Gabriel with long black hair. The man beside her having the same curly brown hair as his son, which I assume is Gabriel. There other four people at the table are new faces, which I purposely avoid looking at.

I reach the steps to the platform, but I don't bow before walking on it. Damn their customs, I already have to be around him. I walk until I am directly in front of my captor. I make sure my eyes are cold and my face hard, but this doesn't seem to bother him for he gives me a bright smile before pulling out my chair.

"You look gorgeous Serephina, I am pleased that you could come," he compliments me.

I snort internally, of course, he knows my name.

I ignore his flattery and sit in the chair. I look out at the hundreds of people still bowing before they notice that I have been seated, one by one they sit as well.

They were waiting for me?

Gabriel sits by my side, making the others at the table sit as well. I look forward, staring intently at the far wall, trying to ignore the heat of the man next to me. He raises his goblet full of wine and begins to speak in a loud and powerful voice.