Isadora.
The clanking of cutlery against plates and light chatter filled the air but the random conversations didn't do anything to take my mind away from what was bugging me.
Aurora.
She occupied the forefront, back and center of my mind. Besides when I confronted her in the hospital a few months ago, it was my first time seeing her and seeing her there sitting all glorious and mighty smiling and smirking like she was a god, twisted the knife of hate already plunged in my stomach.
Cutting a small piece of my chicken, I tucked it in my mouth before turning to Ethan;
“So Alpha Ethan,” I said loud enough that the chatter died down and all attention turned to me. “Have you finally fixed a date for the wedding? Come on, we all know you proposed to Tiffany.” I turned to Aurora to see a flush of embarrassment on her nose and ears. My heart swelled with joy, the night was starting to go as I wanted.
“Uhm,” Ethan cleared his throat as all attention turned to him, “there would be no wedding actually. Tiffany called the wedding off.”
I gasped loudly, just like the other guests but of course, what Ethan said wasn't news to me but it was even more satisfying hearing him say the words himself. A pin drop silence enveloped us as every pair of eyes in the room started bouncing off everybody; from Ethan to the Queen to King, to Hadria, to me, to Keenan, to Aurora, to the three elders, the leader of the women club and every other person in the room. Each person waiting for the other to break the silence.
“Oh goddess!” The fake surprise I attempted failed but I couldn't care less. “We didn't know that. When did that happen? That must have been so heartbreaking for you considering that Tiffany was such a lovely lady. She was perfect for you, how could she just call off the wedding?”
Ethan pinned me down with a glare but I kept an elusive expression. I noticed he was pissed when Keenan and I graced the dinner and my question was doing nothing to ease his anger and that was exactly what I wanted.
“Yes, Tiffany is a lovely girl but things weren't going the way we wanted and she thought it was right to call the wedding off.”
“What type of things?”
“Things that should and would not be discussed outside our relationship.”
“Did you do anything? Like cheat on her? I mean, I wouldn't put it past you?” I murmured the last part but loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I didn't do anything. Most times, things don't go the way we want and that was what happened between me and Tiffany. She called it off and I made peace with it.”
“Hmm.” I cut another piece of my chicken and popped it in my mouth. I was honestly uninterested in the food but if killing myself for a few hours was going to give me the end result I wanted, I was willing to sacrifice that. Moreover, could success come without pain?
“You looked too relaxed and calm for a person whose wedding was called off. Are you glad it happened?”
“Isadora,” one of the elders called and I responded with a glare. My glare did nothing to shut him up, “Are you trying to incur the Alpha's wrath?”
“What? It was just an honest question. He said Tiffany called off the wedding, technically, he is supposed to be hurt but he's glowing more than ever now.”
“I clearly said I made peace with that fact. Now would you drop the topic right now or get yourself readied for punishment.”
“You are being unnecessarily defensive. I asked a simple question, I am sure the whole pack would be asking the same thing when they learn what happened.”
“Isadora, for the last time, drop it.”
“You would speak to my wife with respect. Alpha or not, I wouldn't tolerate you using such a tone on my wife.” A rush of excitement pooled in between my legs. It's been a while since Keenan made love to me. We had sex but love making had been something off the table for a while and hearing him defend me the way he did, especially when he didn't need to, got me excited.
The Queen dropped her fork with a loud clatter. “I wouldn't have the events of last time repeat itself here again today.”
“You heard the Queen, don't go starting fights you can't finish.” If it were anyone, Ethan would not have let Keenan’s words slide but the fact they were ex-best friends gave Keenan upper hand.
Ethan huffed and shook his head as he resumed eating. Every other person continued their meal, aside from the Queen and the King -who mostly seemed uninterested in our argument- they were all too scared to let their fork scrape against their plate until a loud scraping of plate came from my left. Adjacent to me.
It was Aurora’s son. The boy whose paternal relation is still unknown. And speaking of Aurora, she hadn't said a word since the argument. She managed to compose herself a few seconds after the flush of embarrassment and asides that, she hadn't given a reaction.
“Hi sweet boy, I hope you are enjoying your meal.” I flashed my most convincing smile at him. The boy looked at his mother before nodding in response. “This meal must be different from what you eat at home. I understand that you have been living off the royal kitchen and though it is a pleasure, nothing beats a wholesome home cooked meal. I'm sure you enjoy that with your Father, don't you. And speaking of, why is your Father yet to visit you?” I didn't wait for the boy to reply and turned to Aurora immediately, “Dear sister, why is the boy's Father yet to come see him. It's been months, I mean, does the father not care.”
“What goes on in my family is none of your business.” Aurora said through gritted teeth.
I scoffed and chuckled lightly, “Family? I am your family little sister or have you forgotten that? If anything I should be the one to know everything that goes on in your home. Sister's are for life or don't you know that saying? So tell me dear sister, does the boy really have a father?”
“His name. Is Arne and for fuck’s sake Isadora, shut up and mind your business. Shut up you damn bitch!” Pushing her plate away, she grabbed the boy and stormed out of the dinning room.
As I watched her storm away, I couldn't help the smirk that climbed up my face.