110 | Quid Pro Quo

The rest of the day is a hum of much calmer energy. There’s a short break in the festivities while all the runners get cleaned up and into fresh clothes. Then we eat lunch, this time in a more sedate way, a thick and hearty stew - remarkably similar to Mom’s - is served. Everyone takes seats around the opened areas on porches or the grassy areas, all the while, the younger pups - who’re free from responsibility today - are roaming around and playing animatedly.

It’s so picturesque, I slowly feel like I’m going to crawl our of my skin - or suddenly open my eyes to realize this is some outrageously elaborate dream. I don’t. And the longer the calm continues, the stranger I feel. I can’t fully process how this seems to be ‘normal’ for the Reiniers. But then again, I know most of my memories are doused in a coat of pain whenever I think back on them. I know there were good times, of course there were, but not enough to outweigh the bad. The dark and consuming still haunt me and no amount of idle chatter or ‘getting-to-know’ the more sedate of my family will ever change that.

Still…I can - and do - deal. At the end of the day, I love how it seems like things are working out - for the better - with them. I just need a little space and time to let everything sink in and let my brain process it all. And it starts to work…for a while.

It doesn’t help that, with Blue around, most of the Reiniers flock over to make introductions, probably wanting to stay on his ‘good side’ since he’s the Alpha of one of Paris’ allies. And his Pack is literally all that stands between them and Hale’s Coven…not that I think Hale would unleash his vamps on them, but these are the people who raised me on a steady diet of horror stories revolving around vampires. There has to be a real reason why they’re all so single-mindedly terrified of the bloodsuckers.

While my relatives kiss Blue’s ass, not literally, he keeps a firm hold on me - probably to make sure I don’t run off to hide in the woods. The warming touch of his skin on mine, where his hands have managed to press against my side under my t-shirt, settles any trace of fear within me. Especially when he starts rubbing soothing circles into my skin, or tracing patterns into my hip. It’s a tame touch - taming the darker direction of my thoughts and helping me remain grounded when I start to recall how things were when I was chased out of Pack lands.

Conversation flows effortlessly around our slowly growing cluster of Wolven until Paris makes the announcement for our next ‘activity’: a scavenger hunt. Unlike with the triathlon, this event’s prize is physical - a night in one of the cabins rather than a tent. Most of the allies go for it, as I’m sure was the plan, so while at least fifteen Wolven rush off into the woods to find a list of items hidden around Reinier territory, those of us who’ve already been allotted a cabin remain in place, casually continuing to talk and network.

At least fifty Wolven eventually break from the groups to start dinner preparations a few hours later, and I’m finally starting to relax when things take a dark turn.

“My, my,” The French Wolven from earlier stroll languidly towards our cluster, his eyes flitting from me to Paris and back. “You two look so similar one would think you were twins.” Beside me, both Paris and Blue stiffen, and a chill streaks down my spine. Craven stops lounging along the banister and straightens to block the approaching Wolven from getting any closer as the calm atmosphere around us shifts. “Of course, if you were twins…well…” His amber eyes dance with the darkening ring of black slowly intruding on the warm color. “What a lucky turn of events it would be to gain two mates instead of one.” His words make bile side up in the back of my throat, and I have to fight the urge to gag as his words twist my stomach.

Paris and I aren’t twins. Beside the fact that we look uncannily similar, we both know how that kind of thing tends to work out with same-gender twins. When one mates, or finds a mate, the two are then mated to the same Wolven…traditionally. Blue’s leaning closer into my side, his other arm coming around my waist to show that I’ve already been claimed, but the French Wolven doesn’t seem to get the hint - or else he’s ignoring it on purpose to stir up shit.

“What do you want, Gagnon?” Paris bites out at him, her whole body tensing with the innuendo.

“There is a saying I believe you Americans are familiar with,” Bleiz lets his gaze slowly tear away from Paris to land on me. “Quid pro quo.” Blue lets out a low growl in response, his arms tightening around me possessively until the French Wolven looks away from me. “I only came over to remind you that I did place in today’s race and I simply ask that - as my prize - my name be higher than the others at the present moment, to be considered as your mate. Or was that all just an empty promise meant to pacify the masses of your allies?” Bleiz’s eyes sparkle as Paris’ body tightens again, and the Wolven around us begin to murmur amongst themselves.

“If you’re sure that’s what you’d like,” Paris begins slowly, her voice strong and relaxed. “Then that is what you will recieve for coming in third place.” Her voice warms over the last two words, smugness and relief clear in her tone. Bleiz’s eyes flicker with the briefest flash of annoyance and rage before the Alpha can tame his express and force his tight smile to smoothen.

“It is, Alpha Paris.” Bleiz takes a step towards Paris, pausing as a rolling rumble of growls rises from the Reiniers at his forwardness.

“Just so long as you keep in mind that the decision,” Paris tips her chin up, maintaining eye contact with the Wolven and exposing just a little too much throat than a Wolven ever would. It’s a blatantly disrespectful and dismissive gesture that makes the pho-suave French man’s eyes narrow reflexively. “Will not be made until all festivities of the Reunion are completed.”

“Yes,” Bleiz all but growls back, his voice dipping into a darker register that raises the hair on my body and forces the wolf in me to growl back in anger. “I am aware.”

“This is only the second day, Gagnon. I suggest you pace yourself.” There’s a warning in Paris’ words as she speaks to him now, and I catch the tail-end of the electric glow of her cerulean eyes as her Alpha strength reflects in her face.

“I don’t think I like having you here when that-” Blue growls in my ear once the Wolven has turned and left our immediate vicinity. I can feel the hints of uncertainty he still has towards my willingness, or there lack of at times, mating. He doesn’t seem to get that we’re practically engaged - in human terms - and that I don’t plan on going anywhere. But, as we both know, words are cheap. So I decide to show him instead of verbally reassure him of my loyalty to our bond.

I turn to my mate sharply, pressing a kiss to his lips to stop his words. Butterflies and a streak of hot possessiveness burns in my chest as I kiss him, making sure there’s no doubt left in his mind that I’m his. And no amount of stupid innuendo or overbearing Wolven who think they can bully us into corners, will ever change that.

“You were saying?” I ask breathlessly when Blue’s tense body relaxes and his responding kiss goes from raging to sweet. Blue hums softly, pressing his forehead to mine - almost tiredly.

“I forgot.” He admits after a second of our breaths mingling. “What were we talking about?” He asks, though I can see right through the lie and cover-up he attempts. There’s that playful glimmer in his eyes I love so much, and I know he won’t bring up his jealousy again - at least not tonight.

Someone chuckles and I hear a few murmurs around the forgotten cluster of people still nearby. I continue to ignore them, even after Blue starts to tense, his guard having been temporarily dropped when I’d kissed him.

“Not sure. But it’s not important.” I reply smoothly, leaning back in for a more chaste peck before settling back into his side and looking around at my family expectantly. Paris and Mom are grinning at us, Craven’s nose is wrinkled, like he smells something gross, and a few of the others have slight tints of pink in their faces. Blue keeps on arm around my waist, as Paris launches into an outline for tomorrow’s ‘games’. After just a few minutes of talking, the rest of the group relaxes, calmed by their Alpha’s tranquil mood.