31
Family Dinner
I t's been a few weeks since Saint and I became… officially a thing. And, honestly, I can't imagine life without either of them now. Jay and Saint are mine. We go to bed together, and I wake up with one of them presenting me with a coffee and a kiss as I get out of bed.
Saint always has breakfast waiting for me downstairs, and Jay is always there to sweep me off my feet at the end of the day.
There is a rivalry of sorts there, but only in the fun way. Only when they're between my legs, making me keep count, like last night until the dark hours of morning when the moon still illuminated the snow.
Tonight, however, is family dinner , and even though Saint is cooking and Jay will be here, I'm unbelievably anxious. It's been turned into an all-day affair. The boys have been decorating the entire house for the last few days while I've been at work, stringing lights up and hanging wreaths on the outsides of the windows. The Cabin looks beautiful, and I can't believe they've accomplished this much.
Regardless, I might chew the inside of my lip raw before it's time for dinner.
Aggie has been to the Cabin here and there, mostly a stop-and-go more than an actual visit because the wolf is practically a busybody these days.
But my mom and Athena have not been to the Cabin. Not even a drive-by, to my knowledge.
I haven't seen either of them since the Pack meeting, when Jay was introduced as the Alpha, much less spoken to them, which will absolutely be my fault at some point today.
Already, a tension migraine brews at the base of my skull.
A text from Sam interrupts my unorganized thoughts.
What are you wearing?
Probably just jeans?
Artemis Leto Hunt.
Hey, who gave you the right to middle-name me like that?
This is a family dinner. You cannot wear just jeans .
who says
I do. What's option 2?
uhhh…
Our conversation goes on until she convinces me to wear the long, silky black skirt she gave me months ago with a sweater on top. She will be here any minute, and Jay and Dante should also be back from whatever errands they had to run this morning.
As I wander out of the room the three of us have been sleeping in and down the stairs, phone in hand, I breathe deeply, rolling my shoulders back to release some tension.
It at least smells good in here. Saint's been cooking all morning and has declared the kitchen off-limits to me until now.
My phone buzzes again, and when I look at the screen, expecting Sam's arrival text, I see a message from Ivy instead.
I will not be speaking to a certain Mr Kincayde today.
What did he do?
He's about to learn I am not the one to be played with.
I'll hold him down, you can shave him or something. Give him a pretty lion's mane.
HAHAH
Be there in 15
:)
When I get to the base of the stairs, Sam strides right in through the front door, which makes me smile. Some things never change. What's mine is hers, and what's hers is mine—besties for life.
She's wearing a calf-length sweater dress, and I think those are her thigh-high sock boots. She's also wearing a floor-length wool jacket and a scarf around her neck.
Sam sheds the jacket and the scarf, hanging them neatly on the coat rack, then shucks her boots off, placing them on the mat. Then, as she turns to look at me, Sam says, "Bitch, it smells fucking amazing in here."
"I know," I gush, "Saint's been cooking all day, and Ivy will be here soon."
"Sick. Do you know exactly what he's made?"
"I know there was a large slab of meat in a bin of a marinade of some sort yesterday, and I know there will be mac and cheese, and I'm sure there is a dessert of some sort," I shrug. "Oh, and I know there will be plates of snacks. He made those yesterday, and yes, I was allowed to taste test," I smirk, thinking about how I'd convinced him… on my knees… under the counter as he'd prepped.
You're fucking with my mise en place, Tiny .
"Ooh, how did you get him to-" Sam pauses, cocking her head sideways. "-you know what, I don't think I want to know. I would like to snack, though," Sam replies, hooking her arm through mine and striding toward the kitchen.
Her hair has grown a little from the sharp bob it had been in when she first moved to the Hollow, but I can tell it's a controlled grow out. The cut isn't shaggy or overgrown.
"Thank you for being here," I say quietly, resting my head on her shoulder for a second just as we reach the kitchen.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," She hums, placing her head over mine. "When can we expect the horrors to multiply?"
"They'll be here probably within the hour?" I shrug, not really knowing. "Jay and Dante should be back soon, too."
"Good afternoon, ladies!" Saint practically shouts when he notices our entrance, doing a little dance as he's frying Brussels sprouts in a pan with garlic and bacon. His favorite cooking playlist has been blaring all morning. Saint, as expected, is shirtless, his hair tied up in a bun, dark grey khaki pants on his hips, and an apron tied around his waist. A few curls are escaping around his face and the nape of his neck, making me want to taste his skin.
I bet he tastes like it smells in here right now.
"Hello, blondie. How's it hanging today?" Sam asks, snagging a hunk of cheese from the prepared charcuterie plate.
"I'm doing great; how is our favorite snake bitch?" Saint fires back, grinning at her as he dumps the fried sprouts onto a baking rack and swiftly deposits them into one of the wall ovens.
"Fuckin fantastic, whatcha' making for all of us?" Sam replies, offering me a hunk of my favorite cheese- the spicy curds. Saint must have gotten more from the market because the ones I'd gotten while with him were long gone.
"Well, you saw the sprouts," Saint begins like he doesn't have our complete attention, wiping his hands off on a towel. "And there will be a salad."
Sam hums like that's interesting. Like he's not just teasing us. Something warm sparks in my chest, and I have to stuff another cheese curd in my mouth to keep my grin under control.
"What meat do I smell?" Sam blurts, reaching for a thin slice of salami and an olive.
"Prime rib."
" Oo, la, la ," Sam hums, shimmying her shoulders, and I can't hold back my laugh anymore. "Artemis tells me you made mac and cheese?"
"Did she? Yes, there is an abundance of mac and cheese."
"He made it a few weeks ago— trust me, it's amazing," I say to Sam, covering my mouth with my hand like I'm telling her a secret, even if Saint and I don't break eye contact.
Sam merely says, "We shall see, blondie," lacing her fingers under her chin.
Then, my phone buzzes in my hand again, and the notification reveals Ivy's arrival text. "Ivy's here. Sam, you coming or staying?"
"Coming," She hums, snagging another slice of salami, a hunk of cheese curd, and an olive on her way out of the kitchen with me.
When I reach the door, I greet Ivy with a "Hello, Darling," offering her arm. Immediately, her demeanor changes, tension loosening from her shoulders, and the crease between her forehead smoothing out.
She chuffs a laugh, stepping in, removing her shoes, and hanging her jacket up.
Ivy is wearing green velvety dress pants, a white blouse over them, and gold chains gathered around her wrists and adorning her neck.
"I told you you couldn't just wear jeans, Artemis Leto Hunt ," Sam sings, making Ivy laugh.
"You were not going to wear jeans to your first hosted family dinner since moving back while having a steady relationship?" Ivy gives me a look that just says girl .
"In my defense-" I start, but Sam cuts me off.
"I was there when your mom was gushing about Daisy's cooking. How she's always 'impeccably dressed' and is an amazing hostess. You'd be opening yourself up for comparison, and you know it."
Immediately, I snap my mouth closed, teeth clacking.
She's right, you know, my wolf says, golden eyes gazing out from the depths of my soul. Someone had to say it, she remarks again, receding back to the depths of my subconscious.
"Alright, fine. Thank you both for having my back," I say, grabbing their hands. Sam and Ivy give me a small smile, squeezing my fingers gently. "So, Ivy, what did Dante do?"
Ivy sighs, but Jay walks through the door carrying an enormous bouquet. Her story will have to wait a little longer.
"Hey, Gorgeous," he hums, striding over to pull me into a deep kiss, his free arm gripping my ribs.
When he lets me go, I know I'm blushing with how fiercely my cheeks burn, but Jay just gives me that grin that sends my heart racing and says, "These are for you."
"For me, Why?" I ask, hearing the distinct sound of the other door opening, Dante's thundering gallop up the stairs to his room.
"To remind you that you are loved. Deeply, " he says, depositing the flowers in my hands. Soft pink wild roses with thorns intact and deep green ferns are arranged throughout.
My chest pinches, chin immediately wobbling.
"Fuck you for making me cry-" I laugh, tilting my face up to the ceiling. My eyes burn with tears, and I can't remember whether I had used my waterproof mascara this morning. Sam and Ivy cackle with me and start fanning my face with their hands.
Jay chuckles softly and whispers, "I adore you," in my ear when he takes the flowers from my hands.
"Hey, Big Guy-" I shout when he's a few steps away. Jay turns and gives me a heated look, replying with a quick "Yeah?"
"Thank you," I reply, giving him a soft smile. Jay's smile reappears, and then I add, "Will you bring me and the girls some drinks?" I hook my thumb over my shoulder toward the stairs, intending to sit on the bench with them to talk while we wait for our other guests.
My family- eugh.
"Anything for you, baby girl," Jay says, nodding.
When the girls and I march up the stairs, arms linked at the elbow- I ask again, "So, what did Monsieur Kincayde do?"
"Well… He didn't do anything… really. We were discussing what we were going to be at dinner today...Friends, or if more was acceptable since everyone here knows what's going on, anyway…. and he said, well, we're just friends, right? Let's act like friends." Ivy mimic's Dante's voice best she can, but she says it in a mocking tone, too. That alone tells me she is hurt more than she's letting on about it all.
Sam gasps, and I chuckle as I mutter, "That was dumb of him."
"Yeah. So, since we're just friends , I will act like we're just friends."
"What an idiot." Sam agrees, laughing.
Again, the door opens, and I hear Jay greet Aggie. Moments later, I see her head coming up the stairs with Jay behind her, drinks in hand.
My friends warmly welcome her, shouting, " Ayee, Aggie's here!" which makes my aunt and I laugh.
My family arrives no less than an hour and a half later. My mom comes through the door first, loudly shouting, " Artemis!" into space. The girls and I have already come downstairs, watching them approach through the windows. Sam and Ivy disappear with Aggie before the door even opens.
"Hi, Mom," I greet her, taking a bottle of wine from her hands so she can take off her shoes.
Athena and Daisy wander through the still-open door moments later. My sister merely says, "Hey," with a small wave. Then her eyes widen, and she says, "You've met Daisy, right?"
I barely restrain rolling my eyes, instead chuckling. "Yes, though it's been a long time. Nice to see you again, Daisy."
"Nice to see you too, Artemis," Daisy says as she swiftly removes her coat and holds up a small box with a ribbon. "I baked some treats; I couldn't come empty-handed," she chuckles, and I smile.
"Thank you; I can't wait to see what you made!" I reply, guiding my family into the dining area where everyone else is gathered. Only a few more hours until they leave!
"I nearly couldn't find the place, you know," my mom says, looking over every inch of our house. "I'm surprised, though; this is prettier than I expected."
"Thanks," I mutter, trying to ignore the backhanded comment.
"Did you design it?" Daisy asks softly.
"Not me, no. I think the boys all did together," I reply, adding, "I did specifically ask for that window seat, though," and pointing towards the second level window. "And those are my books," all of my collection is visible on the giant wall of shelves. It's gorgeous. Dante has even found a few old-fashioned lamps and lanterns to display with little LED candles inside on timers for me. At night, the whole shelf glows. It's honestly my favorite thing in this entire place.
Before anyone can comment on the shelves, I say, "Well, dinner is ready. We were just waiting for you all to arrive before we began, so I hope you're hungry! Mom, do you want this now?" I ask, giving the wine bottle a jiggle.
If there's one thing I'm good at, it's redirecting the conversation away from myself.
"Yes, with ice, please," She replies, and I'm thankful for the excuse to leave her immediate presence. The bouquet Jay brought earlier sits on a side table, proudly drinking a ray of light from the high window.
Aggie takes over Darla duty, showing her, Athena, and Daisy to their places around the table. I can still hear my mom commenting on the house, the vaulted ceilings, and how surprised she is that she likes the lofted arrangements of the rooms upstairs.
With my back turned to them, I don't have to resist the urge to roll my eyes while I walk to the kitchen.
Saint must have noticed because he murmurs, "Hey, Tiny," while slicing the prime rib into big, meaty slabs.
"Are you ever going to open a restaurant, Cinnamon?" I ask, watching him work as I place a large ice ball in a stemless wine glass for my mom.
"I already have one at the pack house. Anything more would take away from my work there," He says, offering me a small slice of prime rib in a pair of tongs. "Open up." Saint orders, green eyes flashing.
"Yes, Chef," I smirk, tilting my head back and opening my mouth for him to deposit the small meat treat. When he does, I moan softly, savoring the flavors.
"How's it taste, Tiny?"
"Delicious. Best meat around," I answer, smirking at Saint as I pop the cork to the wine and pour a bit into the glass. Then I spin on my heel to return to the dining table and the others.
Thankfully, everyone has taken their seats. Jay and the two seats next to him are empty, waiting for Saint and me.
To his left, Dante sits at the end of the rectangular table with Ivy, which is unfortunate, but I didn't think to change it before she got here, given all the stress from my mom's imminent arrival. I'll have to apologize to her later for that unless she's having fun with it already, which, by the smirk on her mouth, may just be the case.
My mom sits opposite Jay, while Daisy and Athena are beside her. Sam and Aggie take up the other end of the table, which, thankfully, means that I won't have to stare directly into my mother's face while we eat.
Saint brings out the only thing not yet placed on the table, the meat, just as I place my mother's wine glass in front of her.
"Oh, fancy pants ice, hmm?" She hums, examining the large globe.
"It'll chill your wine for longer than the small chips," I reply, going to sit next to Jay. Immediately, his hand is on my thigh, thumb circling softly on the silk skirt. It's a welcome comfort, and I greedily savor the warmth of his hand.
"Thank you all for coming," Jay says as Saint places the platter down.
"Yeah, it means a lot to me," I add, looking at my friends, Aggie, and eventually my mom. It is the truth, even if it is more true for some than others.
"I don't like to stand on ceremony, folks. Dig in. Take as much as you want. Please, don't be shy." Saint says as he pulls his chair out and sits beside me, hand trailing down my arm.
Of course, Sam wastes no time piling food on her plate and helping Aggie do the same without her ever actually asking for it. "Don't have to tell me twice, Blondie," my friend says, passing food down the table until everyone has a full plate.
And, family dinner begins.
About fifteen minutes pass, with most of the conversation dominated by food–Daisy apparently is a big fan of Saint's recipes.
And then, my mom asks, "So Artemis tells me that you boys designed the place?" while slicing her meat with a knife.
"Yes, Dante drew up most of the design, but we planned it together. The window seat for Artemis was a last-minute addition we couldn't imagine the house without, though," Jay answers, knocking knees with me. I tuck my ankle under his calf, thankful for his support.
"I knew she couldn't have done it," my mom hums thoughtfully, looking around at the house. "Designed something this nice, I mean," my darling mother adds, just in case anyone missed it.
Immediately, My grip is on the boy's legs, squeezing, and I'm shaking my head softly at Sam down the table.
Do not react.
"Well, from what I hear, Artemis makes this place feel like a home , not just a house. That has to count for something." Aggie says, shooting my mother a disapproving look over the rim of her glass.
"So, where's Apollo these days?" Ivy asks, diverting the focus to her end of the table as she takes a bite of salad. I give her a soft smile in thanks.
"Oh, he is actually on his way home! He's finished all his studying. My boy has his Masters degree!" My mom gushes, and for one shining moment, Athena and I share an eye roll.
Just like we used to.
"What's he studying?" Saint asks, but he hasn't eaten since mom made her jab.
"Greek studies!" she exclaims. "You'll have to get Apollo to speak in Greek; he's fluent now!"
"He did not!" I choke out between laughs, overcome with the absurdity. My brother Apollo got his master's in Greek studies.
"Don't say it like that! He's done so well in his studies. I'm very proud."
"Oh, well, it will be good to see him again," Ivy says, smiling like a bird who's caught the canary.
"I didn't know you two knew each other," I begin, stabbing a sprout with thinly veiled violence. I'm ready for the dessert course and to get everyone the fuck out of my house.
"Oh, yeah, last time he was in town, we had a bit of a fling. Aggie introduced me," Ivy says, giving Aggie a toast with her glass of white wine.
"I cannot fathom what you and my brother have in common," I chuckle, watching Dante's knuckles tighten on his silverware.
"I'll let you know when I see him again," Ivy says smugly, turning to my mom again. "When did you say he was arriving?"
Dante's fork hits his plate with a clatter.
My mom, dear Darla, as oblivious as ever, charges ahead. "In a few weeks! He's traveling here with some friends."
Other than the few passive-aggressive jabs my mom has already made at me, the rest of dinner is fine—ordinary, perfect even— until she's drunk the whole bottle of wine she brought while only picking at her plate.
"I hope you're going to stick around this time, Artemis. You nearly broke my heart when you ran off."
"Sorry, mom," I say, clearing dirty dishes with the boys and Sam.
Ivy stepped away a few minutes ago, excusing herself to go to the bathroom. Dante followed her shortly afterward.
"How could you have done that to your poor old mom? Was I so awful that you had to run off in the middle of the night?" My mom wails dramatically.
Aggie says, "That's ancient history now, Darla. Won't you leave it be for today?" as I bite out, "I was a kid. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm home now, that's all that matters-"
"I was worried sick, and everyone kept asking where you'd run off. Oh, it was horrible, Artemis. You embarrassed me! I had to find out about your engagement in the tabloids! You were always so strange after your father got himself killed. And then how you talked to Magnus. Oh, I just don't understand how I created such an awful, hateful daughter!" My mom wails, clutching her wine glass, the liquid sloshing over the rim.
"Darla!" Aggie shouts, snatching the wine glass.
And then, Saint throws a towel down on the table.
"Now, I know I haven't been here as long as Jay, or even know the full story of why and how Artemis left town when she was a teenager. I'm just the new guy, but let me make myself crystal- fucking- clear."
Adrenaline spikes through my body, my wolf's claws echoing in my skull as she paces round and round.
Saint draws himself up to his full height before saying, "I will not have you keep disrespecting Artemis in her own house." His voice is calm, despite the tension bunching in his arms and jaw.
"Saint, it's okay—" I start, and he cuts me off, his electric green eyes boring into mine.
"No, it's not. I will not tolerate someone–anyone, even your own mother– disrespecting you like that in your own house! "
"Pft, this is a joke, " my mom says, rolling her eyes. "What do you care? You're not even her boy toy. That title belongs to little old Jay Temple ."
"Mom, please stop-" I begin, barely restraining the urge to hang my head and rub my temples.
"I don't need to be her anything to her for me to speak up and call you out for how you speak about your own daughter. You sit there and eat the food I prepare you and gush about your son while trashing Artemis for fucking breathing . It is abhorrent."
"Oh, Artemis, are you going to break this Pack apart by living here?" Mom tisks, shaking her head. "I knew you shouldn't have moved in with them, didn't I, Athena? Didn't I say that just weeks ago?"
"If you want to eat the food from my table, you better fucking respect the hands that feed you. So either shut the fuck up, treat your daughter with some goddamn respect, or get out of my house." Saint says, angrier than I've ever seen him. His chest heaves, color staining his cheeks and neck as he points toward the door.
And then, my aunt breaks the stunned silence. "I'm glad someone other than me finally said it to you, Darla." Aggie remarks, "Maybe you'll listen now."
"You have no right-" my mom sputters.
"I have every right! I love- I mean, this is my house . I am Beta of this pack. So, let me repeat myself. Either shut the fuck up and start being nice to your DAUGHTER or get the fuck out."
My eyebrows shoot into my hairline, and I share a loaded look with Sam because did he just almost say what I think he said? Sam's wide grey eyes confirm it.
My mom glances at Jay, who raises his eyebrow but stays quiet.
"So what's it going to be, Darla?" Saint asks, picking his towel back up with a deep breath.
I don't think Saint has ever looked hotter than he does right now. I'm moving before anyone says anything, marching over to Saint, only stopping when I have to crane my head back to keep eye contact with him, our chests barely touching.
"Saint?"
"Yeah, Tiny?"
"You're something to me."
"I know." He says quietly, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. Saint briefly breaks eye contact when he looks back to the table and asks again, "Are you going to be a decent person so we can have dessert, or do I need to show you the door, Darla?"
I step into his space, looping my arms around his middle. I cannot wait until everyone leaves and I'm left with my boys.
My boys and this big beautiful house.
My mother doesn't say anything, but Saint must have gotten some sort of answer because I feel it when the tension leaves his spine, and his gaze is soft, not sharp when he tilts my face back to place a tender kiss on my lips.
"Dessert?" Saint asks, and I nod, breaking the embrace before going back to sit next to Jay.
Immediately, the Alpha is pulling me in for a liplock, making my mom mutter something under her breath.
"So you did it," Aggie says, looking at me with a tender smile. "That makes my heart happy."
My aunt's eyes sparkle with unshed tears, and I know she's thinking of Rhea and Jeeran.