Chapter 4

I could hear Farah giggle at my stomachs noises as we walked into the kitchen. I wasted no time in plucking a fresh strawberry muffin from the basket and refilling my now empty coffee mug. I seen Farah grab a danish and some fruit piled on a platter, and bring it with us, to the kitchen area off to the right in a room of its own.

It was a smaller dining area that led to some very large glass doors, and out onto a covered patio area that sat just in front of the gardens. It was cozier than the formal dining room for so many reasons, equipped with several larger chairs, and a larger bench to rest on as the doors let in the view from outside. It felt like you could have family moments here, where the dining room seemed too formal and suffocating, never allowing for enjoyment. 

“Today… is a good day…” I struggled to get out as I was taking a large bite of the muffin. My eyes were closed as I fully took in the taste. Strawberry muffins had to be my ultimate favorite food. There was something about the way our chef made them, they completed me! They were dense but fluffy, packed with flavour, and had some type of magical crumble moment happening on top that was about as addictive as you could get.

“So it seems…. “ Farah cheekily said in a hushed tone as she raised an eyebrow at me. I wasn’t sure why she was being so coy until I smelt that citrus and cedar scent. It instantly smelt like home, like a safety blanket I could carry with me and lean on no matter what. 

“I’m not sure Avi," Theo's voice boomed, "I think your future mate is going to have some competition… let’s hope the poor guy doesn’t ban you from those muffins out of jealousy!” 

“He might have to,” I joked back, “this could be it for me… this could be better then s-“ I stopped in my tracks as Rowan entered, my face instantly heating.

“Please… don’t stop on my account,” he laughed, “unless you and the muffin need the room,” he put his hands up defensively and jokingly backed up a few steps, sending Theo and Farah into a fit of laughter. 

Theo and Farah were still laughing when I noticed Rowans deep brown eyes hadn’t left mine, that is, until he scanned down. Suddenly aware of how little I was wearing I could feel my heartbeat pick up pace. My darling big bro didn’t miss a beat either. I could tell he picked up on it, and picked up on Rowans’ darkened eyes, even though Rowan tried – horribly – to play it off by sweeping his hands through his dirty blonde hair and looking outside as if something had caught his attention.

Saved by my mother. “Good morning everyone,” her voice drew my brothers attention away, “Alpha,” she nodded as she swept past him. She was smaller like I was, but had dark grey eyes almost, if they weren't so bright. A illuminated silver color that Theo inherited from her, but he got almost everything else from our father. I scanned over her perfectly put together outfit and noticed the muffin in her hand, instinctively licking my lips as mine were already gone. 

Her mothering tone came out, “Oh for goddess sake,” she sighed tossing the muffin my way. As I caught it, her eyes widened, and I knew it was coming. I got up from the table, and just as I was pulling Farah’s arm with me, she said it.

“Octavia Lennox!” Another, more familiar, mothering tone chilling me to my core as I turned slowly to meet her gaze, but her gaze was solely on my choice of outfit. She knew I hated it when she called me by my full name, but her eyes were swirling a bit darker now, so I stood in silence. She was more and more horrified the more she looked, her face going from disappointment, to annoyance, and and finally anger.  

I pleaded before she could scold me, “Mom please, no one will be here for a few days.” I knew my outfit was acceptable for any other time of year, and I was too preoccupied this morning to realize how much it would be pushing the limits this close to the Carnival when we could have visitors in the house soon.

Theo rubbed his forehead and back down over his face in an annoyed fashion. He cut our mom off from whatever she was about to say, his voice ringing out in authority, loud even when he tried to be quiet with his empathizing tone.

“Avi, I was too distracted by the muffin nonsense, but Mom is right,” he paused looking right at me as I tried to plead with my eyes and hope he would side with me, but his stare only intensified. He knew he couldn’t ‘make me’ submit as I was part of the Alpha family, but he also knew I loved him dearly and would always head his words because I trusted him. Rowan and Farah were now posed as Betas and Gammas should, with their heads down, and the sudden power shift in the room made me stand taller.

Theo approached me at a slow, unsettling pace….