CHAPTER 24

I pulled on my pants and fastened the hooks of my small top. The family was gathered downstairs and I was going to join them.

Winry said they were having game night. It sounded fun and I wanted to take part. Maybe it’ll take my mind off things for short while. It’s sad my family will never be able to have this ever. There were too many lies and betrayals for me to act like things were as they used to be.

I walked slowly down the stairs, making little noise. I heard a loud growl and the sound of something crashing.

I paused and listened closely.

“You always take part in this” I heard Elowen’s frustrated voice and I guessed who she was talking to. It was Brayan. He was the only one who made her like this.

“I don’t want to anymore” Brayan said in a hard voice.

“Tell me why. You want to throw away a family tradition because you’re having mood swings?”

“It’s not fucking mood swings. I have a lot of things to do” he said in a clipped tone.

“Is this because of Paisley?”

There was no response from him. Was I the reason he didn’t want to take part in the game night?

“I don’t understand you. Things seemed to be going well for the both of you. The ritual was going so well. You were getting along why do you suddenly act like she’s a leper”

“I don’t have to reply you”

“Well if you don’t want to I’ll just call Garret”

“I don’t care” he said in a cold voice. I heard his footsteps coming towards h the stairs. I squared my shoulders and continued downstairs.

We passed each other and although the stairs was wide, we still managed to walk close to each other, our shoulders slightly brushing against each other. I ignored the sparks that ignited from the bump and continued downstairs like nothing happened.

Brayan had been avoiding me for five days now. He eventually stopped coming down for breakfast. Although a part of me didn’t care, another part was bothered because of the fact that this was going to affect the mating and the treaty. I was scared.

And even though I thought one of them was hiding Nevaeh and lying, I couldn’t let them get hurt because of me. I wasn’t that person. I wasn’t selfish and I wouldn’t let Nevaeh get hurt even after everything she had done me.

Elowen saw me and called me over.

“You are the first to arrive” she said happily.

I smiled. “What of the others?”

“They should be here soon”

“Okay” I saw her arranging some white balls on the table.

“Can I help you?”

“Sure. Just fix them into those holes” she pointed to the tiny holes on the board.

“Did you… Did you see Brayan while you were coming down?”

“Yes. At the top of the stairs” I saw a look of relief cross her face. She must have been thinking I heard what he said and maybe wanted to apologize for his attitude again. There was no need to do I said I was at the top of the stairs to save her from the stress.

“Okay. Unfortunately he won’t be joining us. He has a bit of a headache from working too much”

“It’s fine. He should get some rest”

Before she could reply, the door opened and I saw Nouria and Dryden. They had wide smiles on their faces as they came over and for a second I wondered what it’ll be like if Brayan was as carefree as his brother.

“Good evening everyone” Nouria kissed my cheeks and Dryden waved at me. They went over to hug their mother whose face held am excited look as opposed to her frown earlier.

“Where is Winry”

“Here. I’m coming” we heard her shout from the stairs and heard her footsteps as she ran down the stairs. She was wearing a bright,yellow maxi dress.

“A new outfit?” Dryden asked.

She twirled. “You like it?”

“Yeah. But don’t you think it’s…unsuitable for game night?” He asked with a frown.

“It’s just perfect. Where is dad and Brayan” she asked as she looked around.

“Your father is running a bit late but he promised to be here soon. Brayan has a….headache so he won’t be joining us” there was a second of uncomfortable silence before Winry spoke again.

“So you’ll be my partner Paisley?”

“Sure” I smiled at her.

“Thank goodness. Marisol cancelled like ten minutes ago and I feared I won’t have a partner” she skipped over to me and linked our arms.

The door opened and Dakarai came in. His eyes found his mates first and she walked into his arms giving him a shirt kiss on his lips.

“Sorry I’m late. I’ll go and freshen up and meet you” he said hurriedly and rushed up the stairs. We all sat on the couch with our partners while we waited for him to come down.

After a short time, we heard the sound of footsteps coming down and I was excited because the game night was finally about to start.

It wasn’t Dakarai who came down the stairs. It was Whitely. With her ever permanent scowl. Has she ever smiled in her life.

She took a seat on the couch without saying a word to anyone. After about ten minutes, we heard another footsteps and Dakarai stood at the foot of the stairs.

“Let’s start” he said with a smile.

“What game do we play first?” Winry asked.

“We have charades, balls, darts, we have a pool table but it’s in the other room” Elowen explained.

“I think we should move there” Dryden suggested and they all agreed. I didn’t know of another room and I was fine with wherever.

“Let’s do charades first then when it’s time we can move to the room another time”

“Why don’t we play balls first” Nouria suggested.

“Charades first” Winry insisted.

“Why don’t we let Paisley choose since it’s her first game night with us” Dakarai’s suggested and all eyes moved to me. I was willing to play any game.

I was just about to answer when there was a knock on the door.

“Are you expecting anybody?” Elowen asked.

“No”

“Nope”

“Marisol cancelled” Dakarai, Dryden and Winry said at the same time. Elowen frowned and moved to the door. The person knocked again before she could reach the door. When she opened it, she was silent and only moved back.

I stared at the door waiting to see who it was that was here this late. A gasp escaped me as I saw the person standing at the door.

She had mud all over her white dress, her hair tangled and her clothes stuck to her body. She was shivering and her eyes travelled round the room, resting on me for a bit before moving to the others.

I’m sure every ones face mirrored mine. What was she doing here so late at night and why did she look like this.

“Get a blanket” she shouted and Winry jumped from her spot and ran up the stairs.

“What happened to you sweetie. Did you come by yourself?” Elowen asked.

Before she could reply, I heard hurried steps and Brayan stood at the foot of the stairs with a shocked look on his face.

“Naomi” he looked shocked to see her.

Her gaze moved to his frame and immediately, she started crying.