The Poisoned Bond

Chaos and Buffets

I decided to venture out to replace everything with fresh items. I could see Joyce had a tight grip on Chases arm over by the door so he could not leave until he had said hello and goodbye to all her important friends.

I rolled my eyes and slipped into the sitting room off the library where the buffet had been set up. I started picking through the remaining selection trying to replace everything he hadn't gotten to eat yet. I was suddenly shoved from behind and the plate toppled to the floor and broke. There was food and glass everywhere. f**k.

"Clean that up, b***h. Quickly - before our guests see it." Natalie hissed.

"You clean it up." I whispered back before grabbing a clean plate and stepping over the mess on the floor. I was beyond over her s**t today. I started to reload the new pate when Natalie stomped over and smacked it out of my hand and on the floor causing it to shatter again.

"What the f**k are you doing?" Chase growled from the doorway.

Natalie froze for a second before throwing herself on the floor. "I was just trying to help, and she attacked me.

"Joyce ran over and keeled down next to Natalie to see if she was alright; then she stood and slapped me across the face hard enough to send me skidding to the floor just as Uncle James entered the room.

"I would also like to know what the hell is happening in here." Uncle James said as he closed the door behind him to stop the onlookers out in the library from eavesdropping.

"She...she attacked me." Natalie sobbed into the floor as she cowered and cradled her cheek in her hands like she had been slapped.

"Bullshit." Chase growled. He walked over to me to help me to my feet. "I have eyes, you stupid b***h. You attacked her twice then tried to act like a victim when I caught you."

"Is that true, Natalie?" Uncle James asked.

She didn't say anything – just glared at me and Chase.

"I thought as much Joyce - I believe Natalie has overstimulated herself today and you both should spend the rest of the evening above stairs resting and reflecting on the events of the day." Uncle James said before turning to rejoin the remaining people in the library.

"But you don't understand." Natalie started to whine out.

Uncle James turned back to glare at them both. "I expected better of you...both of you. Clean this mess up before heading upstairs – do not hand it off to anyone else." He turned and left the room.

Natalie's whining about injustice trailed after him, but he didn't bother to acknowledge it. I couldn't help but feel a smug satisfaction at being vindicated. Chase helped me to my feet and gave me a once over for injuries.

"You, okay?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice shaking a little.

He nodded; his jaw tight. "Let's go."

We retreated to our little nook in the library, where the couch still held the warmth of our bodies. The quiet in here was deafening compared to the tension that had just played out in the other room.

"What did you want?" he asked, his voice gentle. "I should have realized you might still be hungry. I can't imagine you've had much of an appetite lately." He covered me back up with the blanket and started to tuck my legs in.

"I was getting it for you," I clarified. "Your plate got stale..." I trailed off because he had stopped moving and he was staring at me.

He stopped me with a kiss on the forehead. "You are wonderful," he said, his smile wide and warm. "I'll be right back – do you want another tea or something else?"

"Juice would be nice," I said.

In less than a minute, Chase returned with a bottle of cranberry grape juice and one of orange juice. He held them out to me, eyebrows raised in question.

"Grape, please," I said.

He unscrewed the cap and handed it to me, his thumb brushing against my knuckles during the exchange. As I took a sip, he watched me for a moment before sitting next to me and pulling my legs into his lap again.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked.

"Not anymore," he said, his gaze darkening. "That little display sort of put me off my appetite. Plus, the moron twins are still in there cleaning and crying to one of their friends about how you threw a tantrum and they're just trying to help because you're so emotionally unstable and crazy and the Omegas shouldn't have to clean up after you.

I rolled my eyes, not surprised at Natalie's ability to twist the situation to her benefit. "Please tell me Uncle James did not see it.” I said, taking another sip of my juice.

Chase wiggled deeper into the bean bag. “He is still in the main library saying goodbye to people. I shut the door when I left to stop any more onlookers from happening upon the circus.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his bluntness. “Thanks for sticking up for me back there.”

He took a drink of his own juice. “Always,” he said simply.

We sat there in content silence for a few minutes, Chase’s thumb traced circles on my ankle, sending a warm current up my leg.

“I’m sorry about all the added drama.” He said quietly – almost a whisper. “You don’t need this s**t right now.”

I took a deep breath and leaned into him, letting his warmth soothe my soul.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Uncle James called from the library.

“Back here,” Chase called out.

Uncle James leaned into the nook, his eyes scanning the area before he flopped down on the bean bag next to us with a tired smile. “Is it over? Are the vultures gone?” he groaned with his face buried in the fabric.

“I think so, sir,” Chase said.

Uncle James rolled his eyes. “Stop calling me sir – it makes me feel so f*****g old,” he said with a chuckle.

Chase grinned. “Well...”

Uncle James playfully swiped at him. “Don’t you start. Right – so – you two relax and I will see you later for dinner; both of you.” The last part was directed at me. I did not look forward to family dinner, especially with Joyce present.

“Is that alright?” Chase asked, his eyes searching mine for any signs of discomfort. “If I join you for dinner tonight? I understand if you want it to just be family.”

“It’s fine,” I said, trying to sound more convincing than I felt. “You’re family.”

We had about two hours before dinner, so Chase suggested a movie to pass the time. He scrolled through his digital collection on his phone, looking for something that would keep us both engaged.

“How about one of the Hobbit movies?” he offered.

“Sure,” I said, my voice a little too eager. I loved these movies.

The hours passed quickly as we lost ourselves in the epic fantasy world. When it was time to get ready for dinner, we both stretched out our cramps. We had been almost motionless for so long that when we stood up, we were both a little stiff and sweaty everywhere we had been touching. How embarrassing. He did not seem to notice though.

"Let's go see if that dinner is ready." Chase said.

We walked into the dining room and found that the table had only been set on one side. Uncle James was already sitting at the head. To his right was my empty chair. Next to it was one set for Chase.

I sat down smoothing my dress over my legs. Pepper looked over from the other side of the table, her expression a mix of sadness and curiosity.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Maggie,” she said, reaching over to give my hand a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you, Pepper,” I said, returning the gesture. Her husband, Blake, gave me a nod, his eyes red-rimmed from crying. He had always been close to Uncle Henry.

The smell of roast beef wafted through the air, reminding me of dinner parties over the years. It was his favorite dish and one he had demanded at every special occasion dinner. I felt a pang of loss thinking about future events and decided to keep up the tradition.

Chase slid into the chair next to me, his hand landing on my knee under the table squeezing gently.

Pepper began to serve us dinner, filling our plates with roast beef, potatoes, and steamed vegetables. “There’s chocolate cake for dessert.” She said.

“The chocolate cake?” I asked. I was so hopeful.

“That’s the one.” Pepper said.

“What’s special about the cake?” Chase asked. He looked curious and amused.

“He would sneak down into the kitchen in the middle of the night and eat it,” she said with a fond smile.

I laughed, remembering the times I had been his partner in crime and lookout during his late-night snack raids.

We talked and laughed, sharing memories of Uncle Henry, his love for simple pleasures, and his fierce loyalty to his pack.

***

The storm outside had intensified, casting eerie shadows across the floor with every burst of lightning streaked across the sky. Chase handed me a cup of tea, the steam rising in little tendrils. The scent of mint and honey tickled my nose.

I took a sip of the tea, feeling the warmth spread through me. Black tea with mint and honey, just how Uncle Henry liked it. Just how my father had liked it. Just how I liked it.

I lounged back in the big, overstuffed chair we had pulled over by the grand bay windows, looking around at the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. I felt at ease surrounded by the tales he'd loved so much. I could almost hear his chuckle. I could almost smell his cologne. I could almost hear is voices as he'd read aloud to me, turning the magic of his favorite stories into elaborate scenes with different voices.

"Do you remember the time he convinced you that the Mad Hatter was real, and you spent hours and hours searching the garden for the white rabbit to lead you away.” Pepper chuckled, handing me a slice of cake to go with my tea.

“I was six.” I said. “I had half the kids in my class searching."

I swallowed, not trusting my voice to say more without cracking. I set the cake on the side table and curled back into a ball with my tea; staring out at the rain that mirrored my current mood. Watching droplets slide down the glass in a silent race...tracking them to see which one made it to the bottom of the window first.

Chase offered to walk me back to my front door across the property when the rain had all but died. I declined – I was so tired, and I just wanted to crash. He had not seen the barn since we remodeled it a few years ago and I knew he would be curious. Chase kissed me good night and stayed on the patio watching me go until I reached the orchard. I was practically floating when I pushed the door open.

I reached over for the light switch but suddenly something slammed me against the wall, and I fell to the floor.