The Path to Love

Chapter 16: Dinner Fights

Sometimes, people show you their true selves. You get to decide whether or not you will accept them. You get to choose if you will love them, in spite of their flaws, in spite of their past.

"None of us are angels. There are no Saints in this world." Caelan said, standing up and walking towards the windows. I could never truly tell what he was thinking. To me, he was a labyrinth. At times, transparent, at other times reserved.

I got up from my seat and stood beside him. We stood in silence, watching how still life seemed. I still had so many questions to ask, but I was unsure where to begin.

"Xerex is here and dinner is ready." Thane said, from behind us. 

"I want you to meet my father, Xerex and the rest of my family now." He said, giving me a side glance. I followed him to the dinner table and was met with a very effervescent atmosphere. People were everywhere, finding spots to sit at, and scurrying around for plates. Once we entered the living room, I saw Whintar seated beside a fifty something year old tall man with greying black hair and a grey beard. His stance was rigid, and his face, hardened.

"Father, Whintar, this is Claire." Caelam said. I walked forward to shake his extended hand and greet him and smiled at Whintar, who had a very neutral facial expression.

"Well, Whintar says that you too have already met." Xerex said, stiffly. Before he could continue speaking, Whintar raised up her hand, as if motioning him to stop.

"There is a time and place for everything." She said. Her voice was as soft as a whisper. After she spoke, Xerex and Caelan exchanged some tense glances before we all made our way to the dining table.

I felt like a fish out of water. Luckily, Caelan never left my side. Order was eventually found and the noisy chatter died down as Phoenix spoke.

"I will like to officially welcome someone here today." Phoenix said, as he smiled at me. He was situated at the head of the table with Luna at his side.

"Her name is Claire McLeighton and everyone is expected to treat her as if she were one of our own." As he said this, he gave Meadow a pointed look. Her facial expression was passive and neutral. Everyone turned to look at me and I recognized some of them.

"Hi everyone, I am grateful for your hospitality." I smiled.

"So Claire, has my son told you that you are all over the news?" He asked, as he cut his steak. Right after he did, a waiter I never noticed before placed some brown rice and vegetables on my plate.

"Father, this is not the time or place to discuss such things." Caelan interjected. I ignored Xerex' question and decided that I would talk to Caelan about it in private.

"Why not? Honesty is the best policy, right? There was clearly some tension between he and his father and I was at the center of it. Xerex sat across from me with a deep frown.

"Yes father, it is. But your timing could be better." Luna said, with an innocent smile. 

"Well, now is a good time to mention that Claire is being sought after by Griffin, half werewolf, half vampire, who if I may remind you, is much more powerful than most of us. We are all in great danger now, thanks to my son."

"That's enough, father!" Caelan said, as he abruptly stood up. Phoenix tried to calm him down by saying," Xerex, unless you have something useful to say, remain quiet."

Meadow seemed as if she was holding back some laughter and Phoenix and Luna frowned at her. I decided to speak.

"Why is Griffin looking for me? I asked. I knew that the cops would eventually start looking but not Griffin. The table fell silent.