A Shifting Love

Chapter 10: Family Dinner

When I arrived at the family house for dinner, I placed the strawberry shortcake I had brought for dessert on the dining room table and plopped down in my usual seat. Dinner was already on the table. Mom made glazed ham, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, green beans, and rolls. She always made sure we were well fed.

On a typical day, I would've gone upstairs to greet my parents and siblings, but that wasn't the case today. I had no desire to be sociable after Dad pulled his stunt. I only showed up to confront him.

The bodyguards that he had imposed upon me were an extreme disruption. How was I supposed to see Nicholas with them watching my every move? Although he got upset with me during my visit to his place, I refused to give up on him. He just needed time to think; the whole origin story was a lot to process, even for me.

I took a sip of water and heard footsteps approaching the dining room. Summer strutted into the room first, her rose gold hair flowing behind her. The girl liked to make an entrance.

“Why didn't youshe come upstairs and speak?" She interrogated, occupying the seat in front of me.

I nibbled on the corner of a roll. “I guess I was hungry."

Winter entered the room and sat next to me. She was the oldest but the most passive out of us. We all looked the same, though, except for our hair color. People often mistook us for triplets.

“Good evening, baby sister," Winter said, flashing me a smile as white as her locks. “I'm loving the hair today."

“It's just in a ponytail," Summer scoffed. “Autumn showed up dressed like she's about to fight someone," she continued, scanning my attire for the evening.

My family liked to get dressy for our dinners, but I was still wearing the athletic shorts and tank from earlier. It made no sense for me to get dressed up to argue.

“That's okay," Winter replied. “We're happy you're here anyway, Autumn."

I expected another snarky comment from Summer, but she didn't say anything.

My parents finally joined us and took their positions at the table. Dad sat at the head, and Mom sat to his left next to Summer.

“Hi, baby!" Mom chirped. The name “Sunshine" suited her. Mom was pure joy; her butterscotch skin and golden waves radiated like the sun. “How are you?"

I cleared my throat. “I'm not doing well, Mom, but thank you for asking."

Everyone's eyes fell on me. Dad was quiet, but I could see him getting tense.

“What's wrong, sweetie?" Mom asked.

“Sunshine," Dad spoke. “I'm sure it's nothing serious. Let's focus on this beautiful meal you've prepared."

“Nothing serious!" I interjected. “Dad, you sent a group of bodyguards to babysit me!"

“We all have bodyguards, Autumn,." Summer said with a confused look on her face.

“Not the kind who follow you around all day!" Winter rubbed my shoulder, trying to calm me down, but I flung her hand off. “And do you all know why Dad wants me under twenty-four-hour protection?"

“Autumn!" Dad barked.

I glared at him. “Do you want to tell them about the group of cursed creatures living in the woods, or should I?"

“What?" Winter and Summer said in unison, looking at our parents.

Dad rose from his chair. “You are out of order!"

“So are you, Dad!" I yelled back. “Why didn't you talk to me first, you know, ask me what I wanted?"

“The same reason you didn't tell me that the Night Stalkers attacked you!"

“Oh, Goddess!" Mom cried, holding her chest. “Autumn, I hope you weren't hurt."

“One of the creatures saved her," Dad replied before I could. “Our daughter probably thinks the creature is good since she was asking about cures and whatnot, but the f*cker probably just wants to be the one to kill her."

“Why can't you accept they're not all monsters!" I screamed.

“Stop yelling at him, Autumn," Summer scolded. “I don't know what's going on, but he's still your father and your Alpha. Be respectful."

“Stay out of this, Summer," I said, throwing a roll at her."

Mom grabbed my sister before she lunged at me.

“Everyone needs to stop and calm down, “ she said softly. “It's very therapeutic to say what you need to, but yelling is never the correct way." She looked at me and then at my father. “August, my love, please have a seat and talk to your daughters." Dad obeyed, and Mom turned her attention to me. “You have every right to be upset, but no more yelling at your father or attacking your sisters."

“Fine," I said, leaning back in my chair. Dad may have been the Alpha, but we all knew Mom was in charge. “But I need to know one thing, Dad. If your men saw me go into the woods and get attacked, why didn't they intervene?"

Everyone looked at my father. He folded his large milk chocolate hands on the table.

“No one has seen a Night Stalker in the twenty-five years I've been Alpha, “ he said. The patrol was about to jump in until that rogue Night Stalker protected you, so my men decided to stand down and observe from a safe distance."

My family looked at me, anticipating a rebuttal.

“Did you know about the attack when I came to see you yesterday?"

“Of course not," Dad replied. “I was informed right after you left."

It was a relief that he was finally being truthful about something, but I feared that his men had seen Nicholas and me talking in the picnic area.

“If the Night Stalkers are evil, why did one save Autumn? Winter asked, twisting a lock around her finger.

“You heard what Dad said," Summer replied. “It's probably up to some shady sh*t, plotting to hurt Autumn."

I shook my head, annoyed that Summer was being judgmental just out of loyalty to Dad or to spite me.

“Maybe or maybe it's not a monster like the rest of them, “ Winter shrugged.

My sister, who always kept her mouth closed during debates and confrontations, finally spoke up, and I was so proud. I felt a little guilty for pushing her away earlier.

“Well, I'm not going to risk it, Dad replied. “The security stays."

“Mom!" I whined.

Mom had started eating after she stopped our arguing. She held up her index finger and swallowed her food. “One guard stays," Mom said. “Meet her halfway, August."

“Dakota stays with you at all times," Dad declared.

“Okay," I said, munching on my roll to cover the mischievous smile I could feel forming.

Dakota was the best man for the job, but he was also in love with my best friend. I just had to get Raven on board with being a distraction.

“I'm so proud of you, family, Mom applauded. “Now, let's eat this good food and enjoy the rest of our night."

There was no more talk of Night Stalkers, bodyguards, or secrets, but that didn't stop me from thinking about my next move, finding a way to see Nicholas again.