Page 104 of My Solemn Vow

My words draw his eyes from Royal. His features soften and he mouths, “Two.” I roll my eyes, and he turns his head back to me before mouthing, “Three.”

Shifting away from him, I hope no one was paying attention to us. Royal is picking out chairs for him and Kerrianne at the dining room table, and Ian is helping Betty pull the panfrom the oven with a whole turkey roasted to a perfect brown color.

Thank goodness for small mercies.

“Now, no one get any crazy ideas. I had help.” Betty beams at the turkey.

“Probably for the best,” Royal murmurs a little loudly behind us.

I draw a sip of my water, not wanting to say anything, but I’ll for sure offer to bring more food in the future and no more store-bought buns.

After much insistence, Betty lets me help her do the bare minimum of carrying food over to the informal dining room table to eat. Even being ‘informal,’ it seats eight, so the six of us have plenty of room.

Food is placed out on the table, prayers are said, and we’re ready to eat as Ian asks, “So, what’s this other thing that Royal worked on for you?”

“It’s nothing important.” Valor dismisses his father’s inquiry.

“Nothing important or not fit for the company?” Ian presses for more while he continues cutting through the piece of turkey on his plate.

“The latter.” Valor raises an eyebrow.

I try to disappear into my chair at his side because if it has something to do with me, which Royal implied it did, I don’t want to make myself more ostracized than I am.It would be nice to know, though, what it is they’re saying about me. Maybe get a chance to defend myself against whatever it is they think.

“So, Antonella. You’ll maybe wait until summer to become wolf, then?” Betty is trying to be helpful, I think, changing subjects from ‘work.’

But without even knowing the answer, I’m quick to throw a piece of turkey into my mouth to buy myself some time.

“Mom, she doesn’t even know how it works. I was letting the first half of the information sink in.” Valor defends me.

I don’t know why, but him being protective of me feels so unexpected. Good, but unexpected.

The ominous way everyone talks around becoming a shifter brings an uneasiness, my chest tightening with it. Having very recently found out about wolves, and only half of the information at that, it’s not instilling confidence that becoming a wolf, whatever that entails, is something I want.

“She’s a teacher, Valor.” Ian starts in where Betty left off. “Unless she’s taking time off work, there are only so many times a year you can do it. Unless you two have decided she’s not continuing to work?”

Dread sinks through me, drying out my mouth, and I choke on my bite of food. Quickly raising my glass, I swallow down some water.

“That won’t happen,” Betty huffs and waves the idea off the table with a flick of her wrist. “She’s too good at her job, and her students need her. Isn’t that right, Kerrianne?”

“Antonella is the best! She’s got me doing more fractions than any other student, and I get extra fun sheets.” Kerrianne nods. “I think Antonella should always be my teacher, like third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade.”

I close my eyes for a moment as overwhelm hits on every level. I force those things down, stuffing them deep inside.

Valor brings his hand to rest on my thigh. He squeezes gently and then moves his thumb in soothing movements back and forth. “Antonella will continue to work. It takes a lot for a teacher to impress Kerrianne, and if that’s something Antonella wants to bring to other children in other families, then I don’t see an issue with it so long as we can ensure her safety.”

It’s too much. I have no choice but to wipe a tear, the moisture overflowing from my eyes.

“Oh goodness. We’ve upset her.” Ian’s dismay hangs in his words. “Quick, change the subject. Did you see the latest rugby match?”

Royal and Valor start talking with Ian about sports, and it gives me a minute to pull myself together, thankful for the redirect as I enjoy the beyond-divine stuffing Betty made. It’s made from scratch, not from a box. The bread is thick and moist and not so salty that the gravy over the top is overwhelming. I focus on enjoying the meal and the pleasantness of a real family.

Betty helps me clear the table before she takes Kerrianne to the living room. I move to go with them, leaving the men to talk as Gregorio and Eduardo would, but Valor calls me back. He pats the seat beside him on the opposite side. It brings me squarer with Ian and Royal.

“Before you go on your hunt for justice. I’d really like you to think the consequences through.” Ian crosses his arms and leans back in the chair. “There’s a reason we don’t venture outside of business ourselves.”

“Hunt? Business?” I ask, looking between the two of them.Why does that sound like it’s not for animals?

“Oh, yeah. Uh, Dad... we weren’t telling Antonella about that,” Royal whispers, leaning over to talk to Ian but not quite enough.