Big Bad Alphas

Chapter 47

   I slip on the black dress and brush my hair, running the bristles against every strand. Standing in the mirror, I watch myself while consistently glancing over at Eric who had just finished redressing himself. He does the same, looking over at me.

   Eric stands behind me and places both hands on my shoulders, so I softly set my hairbrush down. Our eyes connect in the mirror. "They're downstairs waiting," he murmurs, his arms wrapping around me. I set a hand on top of his as they rest against my stomach.

    "Will you be alright?"

Eric nods then takes my hand in his, running his thumb firmly against the top of my hand, almost as if he is making sure I am really here. Without saying a word he leads me out of the room—my hand still in his, a loose leash—and down the hall. From the top of the stairs, I can hear the conversation from the dining room. Marina, Lucas, Caroline, and Evangeline waiting patiently.

Stopping our movement, I place both my hands on the sides of Eric's face. "I'm sorry for what you saw me doing. It was selfish, and probably hard for you to understand. But I'm here for you. Okay?"

My question is answered by a kiss on my forehead, his lips warm against my skin.

Together we climb down the stairs and enter the dining room, causing all eyes to shift. A small, delicate smile appears on Caroline's face, and I give her the same back. We will talk later. But my eyes continue their detour, falling upon everyone, dressed lovely, then finally Evangeline. I swallow.

She seems lost as if this was never her home. She seems empty, like a statue or a doll, propped up on the chair. She seems like her heart has turned cold. I sit down, forcing myself to look away, to stop staring. It is like looking at my mother, yet more intense. Marina takes control and starts passing around the large dishes of food, plates I recognize from our making earlier. Eric touches my leg, pressing the 'on' button.

"You look beautiful," I tell Caroline and she blushes. Lucas glances at her approvingly.

It is a sad dinner. Minimal conversation, many deep breaths, and a few stray tears from Caroline. She picks up her napkin and dabs it underneath her eyes, not smearing her mascara. Lucas grabs her hand whenever this happens.

Evangeline remains silent the entire time, hardly taking a bite of her food placed on her plate by Marina. She stares at a downward angle, at the center of the table. Not tears, no deep breaths, no conversation, nothing. She is a lonely soul, torn from her true love, stepped on like a bug by life itself. Whenever I look at her for too long, Eric squeezes my leg and I tell Caroline, Marina, or Lucas something.

"It's going to rain tonight," I say and take a bite of steak. "It's been cloudy all day."

Soon comes dessert and Marina carries in the cakes with the white roses on top. She places one in front of all of us before sitting down herself. Evangeline watches the cake as if the flower is wilting in front of her.

"They're beautiful," Caroline comments and Marina smiles.

I slice through the cake with the side of my fork, realizing the center had been hollowed and filled with a chocolate mixture. A thin chocolate shell keeps the cake from the mixture, stopping it from seeping in. It is like hatching an egg. I let it bleed out on my plate. It has a rich, lovely taste.

"Kendra is back home safe, I got the call earlier," Caroline tells me and I nod.

"Do you know how she—"

"She ran back to the house," Caroline explains, "I'm sorry you didn't get to say goodbye. I'm sure you'll see her very soon, though. Your mom said thank you for keeping her safe. I told her you'd call back when you're free to talk things through."