Welcome Dinner

Reya’s POV 

Since our arrival in Moon Crest, I was anxious and scared. Scared of what Lycan Tristan planned to do with me. Scared of what he would do to my children.

And most of all, scared of what Lycan Xander was going to do if he learned about my secret.

I thought a shower was going to help me keep the thoughts at bay, but unfortunately, the thoughts followed me even into the shower. The warm water was a sweet reprieve but it lasted for only a second. 

For the first time in five years, I felt weak, vulnerable and trapped.

I was reminded of that girl who had been beaten down by situation and life and the ugly past I had to endure. I knew that if I stayed here any longer than my body could hold, I was going to break down.

And that was the last thing I wanted to happen. 

Turning off the shower, I stepped out and inspected myself in the mirror. Outwardly, I was a far cry from that weak and vulnerable girl who had run from her nightmares five years ago, but inside, I was still the same.

I still felt the same fear, longing and sadness. 

“Are you alright in there, Ray?” Jessi’s voice floated into my ears, warming my heart, it was as though the universe wanted me to know that unlike before, I had a lot of people who actually gave a fuck about my wellbeing. 

“You’ve been in there for some time. Sure, you’re fine?”

The handle turned and the door creaked open slowly. Jessi poked her head in the face, concern written over her face as she took me in. “You alright?” she slipped inside, closing the door behind her. 

“You’ve been a kind of off these past few days.” I sighed and looked back at myself in the mirror. 

“I guess I'm just tired, " I said, though it was a lie. “I guess I’m just tired,” I answered, even though it was a lie. “The games are more exhausting than I thought it. I’ve participated in countless duels and now I feel like a sack.”

Jessi smiled. “Maybe a massage will help relieve you of most of that tension. You’re doing good so far. However, if there’s anything else bothering you, you’re aware that you can always share it with me, correct?” 

I grinned, softly holding the hand that she extended to me. “I appreciate it, but I’m okay.” Truly. Once this conclude and we are back at home, I’m certain I’ll revert to my former self.” 

She nodded and gave me a pat on the back then quietly left the bathroom and went off to finish her business, I immediately exhaled in relief and then towel dried my hair before leaving the bathroom as well. 

And the kids were soundly asleep on the king - size bed and my heart melted with love at how cute they looked while sleeping. I ran across the room to the walk-in closet to change into another outfit when a knock came through the door.

Jessi sprang up to respond to it as I swiftly slipped into the closet. 

I had no desire to find out who it was or what they desired. 

“Dinner,” Jessi said, startling me. I turned around with a frown on my face. “They are having dinner in the dining hall and Lycan Tristan is inviting us to join them.” She clarified. 

“Oh,” I answered, returning to picking out clothes. Jessi had done really good job of arranging the little clothes I packed so that it wasn’t hard to find anything at all. Withing minutes, I found a cute flower-patterned dress and smiled. 

“Do you really want to go?” I asked her, having no intention to step foot out of this room except it was to attend the games. 

Her brows creased. “Well, do you think we don’t need food to stay alive? I’m famished. And I’m sure you are too, and the kids as well.”

I sighed. “You’re right, as always.” I glanced at the sleeping kids, hating that I had to cut their sleep short. The trip to this place had been so long and exhausting and they deserved whatever rest they could get. 

“You take care of the kids while I get ready.” I told her. 

As soon as I was done dressing, Jessi announced that the kids were ready as well and we all stepped out together. Although, I knew Lycan Tristan’s pack like the back of my hand, I still took us down the wrong turn a couple of times before finally going the right way. 

By the time we arrived at the hug dining hall, everyone was already settled. Jessi immediately took the kids to where Lydia sat with the rest of my teammates and I was about to join them when Lycan Xander beckoned me over.

“Come sit with me, Ray,” he said, giving no room for arguments. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t possibly turn the Lycan King down in front of so many people. 

He leapt from his chair, approached me as I waited at the door of the dining room; with his hand on my lower back he led me into the dining room and brought out a chair for me.

I sensed gazes on my back while seated and clenched my jaw. Murmurs rose all around us but Lycan Xander didn’t seem to mind. He filled my plate with all the food I like – how did he even know that – and pushed it towards me, encouraging me to dig in. 

‘Told you,’ Ciara said confidently in my head. ‘He likes you.’

I gritted my teeth, gripping tight on a fork that I hadn’t figured I was holding. “He doesn’t.”

Lycan Tristan clicked his cutlery against the glass of wine he was holding and stood to his feet. “I want to welcome you all once again to Moon Crest pack,” he said, raising his voice slightly.

 “I'm really grateful to have you all here, and I would like to take this opportunity at this point to wish all the representatives of different pack teams the best of the best of lucks.” 

But his face was on me, and I laughed a lump in my throat. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and there was some sparkle in his eyes. 

“Let the best man win.”

 I tripped up in pain in my chest, and turned away from the mountain of food before me, and sat back to look at it again. Lycan Xander leaned close to me, his breath brushing my cheek, sending chills down my spine. 

“Relax, Ray,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

My heart froze and my mouth fell open. However, before I could respond or react to what I assumed he was thinking, a scalding hot liquid poured over my hands and I was jumping out of my seat in a second. 

Lycan Xander was on his feet as well and his eyes roamed all over my body, trying to make out where I was hurt. He was speaking but I wasn’t hearing him. My eyes were settled on the last person I thought I was going to meet here.

Myra…

In her hand was a smoking hot kettle from which I was sure the liquid that burned me poured out of.