Sleep Over

BELLA

I wonder what wrong I must have committed against the moon goddess for her to make me go through so much humiliation.

I look at Ariana, a small smile playing in her lips, like she has the upper hand. Why do they need me here? I might as well excuse them long enough to rekindle their romance.

“Of course not, I don't mind.” Forcing my voice to sound cheerful.

“You’ll be safe here Ari, besides, I promised to spend the night at Esme's, so I will just…”

“No you won't.” Brad growled.

“Brad, it's okay I…” Ariana began.

“We just had your sister back and you can't wait to leave? You should spend time with her. Besides, it's not ideal for a Luna to have sleepovers like she is homeless.”

Despite his almost condescending tone, acknowledging me as his Luna in front of Ari made my heart flutter, trying not to smile, I nod.

“Okay.”

Ariana looked disappointed, she was hoping I'd leave, knowing exactly how I’d react to her intrusion.

“Make yourself comfortable Ari, I'll have the maid get you ladies something to eat.”

“Where are you going?”

“Just stepping out, I'll be right back”.

*****

Ariana and I feast on the large tray of various dishes set on the bed why she tries to fill her in.

“So Bell, has anything interesting been happening the time I was away? Come on, I need some tea.”

“Why? Is the grape juice not to your liking?” I ask, feigning ignorance.

“You know what I'm talking about.”

“You know I'm not that kind of person, I mostly keep to myself.”

I reach for a slice of cornbread and dip it in mutton sauce made from the bowels of a mountain goat.

“Mmm, delicious.” Ariana scrunched her face.

“Bella, that's disgusting.”

“No it's not.”

“Yes it is, and since when did you start eating mutton sauce?”

I pause, she was right, I've always hated it but I've been eating it regularly for a few weeks now. I shrug and continue eating.

“Okay. There's not much to tell.” I said, reaching for more bread.

“Esme is now the lead doctor at Pack's at Hospital… nothing out of the ordinary.”

I reach for more cornbread and mutton sauce while Ariana nibbles absentmindedly on her liver cake.

“Except last year, Morena was claimed by some guy from a rival pack.” I chew on my meal for a while. “Her family never wanted to hand her over, so the elders had to step in for some sort of truce.”

I watch Ariana closely, news like this always comes with surprise or shock, but she remains calm.

“I'm guessing you already know.”

“What? Uh yeah, Mom mentioned it yesterday.” She drops her cake on the tray, hugging herself, a habit we both have when we're nervous.

I looked at her cotton robe, too long for a nightie.

Aren't you warm in that? I refrain myself from asking her that, so far Ariana has remained tight lipped about her abduction, so I will have to think of another way to unravel what happened.

Brad walks in with one of the omegas throttling behind him. What's her name? Jamie or Jasmine, I can't recall right now.

“Are you ladies done?”

“Yeah”

“Almost.” Ari and I said at once. I lick my fingers as the young girl takes off the empty tray from the bed, she slithering out of the room but not before exchanging a glance with Ari.

She's probably wondering what Ari is doing in the Alpha’s room dressed like that.

I walk to the bathroom to wash off.

“Aren't you warm in that?” Brad asks her.

Do you want something skimpy when she sleeps next to you? My wolf whispers.

Shut up.

No I won't, have you thought about how awkward it will be? Will Brad sleep in the middle or Ariana?

Sometimes I hate my wolf.

******

The room is cooler, the drapes drawn and Brad is sitting on my side of the bed, a look of concern etched on his face. Ariana, still on her feet, hugs herself tighter, her shoulders hunched and tensed.

Somehow between the few seconds it took me to wash my hands, the atmosphere of the room had shifted, I could feel it. What is happening?

Brad stretches his hands towards me.

“Come Bella, you need to sit.” I walk to Brad's side of the bed.

“What's going on?” Ariana's tear streaked face confirms my worry, these aren't the staged tears she sheds on cue whenever she wants to have her way, these are real.

Something is wrong.

“Brad, Bella, I’m ready to tell you what happened.”

It's about time.