“A little, but I’m trying.” I tell him and we stand like that for a while. Just being alone together in the quiet.
“If we stay like this much longer, everyone will be able to smell me on you” he points out.
“It’s OK.” I whisper to him as I break the contact with our foreheads, but only to lean into him, reaching into his jacket to embrace him, placing my head against his chest. He lowers his chin to the top of my head and we stay just like that until they announce for everyone to take their seats for dinner.
“Do you want to go in before me and I’ll follow, again?” he asks me, and it’s so kind and considerate of him.
“No, I don’t think I do.” I tell him as we separate from each other finally, but I place my hand inside his.
He looks down at our hands and then up at me. “Are you sure? People will definitely see.”
“I know.” I tell him. “I’m trying to trust you. I’m trying to be brave.”
He beams at me with the biggest smile and leans over to kiss my head before squeezing my hand and leading me into the ballroom.
The ballroom is crowded, but no one is paying much attention to us as we enter, as everyone is looking for their seats. We reach our table, which also has both of our families seated at it and they’re already seated. I did not miss how every single set of eyes at our table made their way to our connected hands, but thankfully no one said anything.
Seth releases my hand and pulls a chair out for me, grazing his hand across the small of my back. I’m fairly sure this man will miss no opportunity to touch me in some way. I’m seated directly next to Seth, something that I doubt was originally planned but my mother had changed once we met. My mom is to my right, my dad being seated next to her. Robert is seated across from my parents with the King and Queen to his right, directly across from Seth and me.
We’ve barely been seated when I feel Seth’s hand go to rest on my thigh. “You good?” he asks me.
“Yeah, I’m OK.” I return to him and I really am.
“Dad, do you think you’d like to go for a hike with me to the falls in the morning?” I ask my dad. I thought he’d jump at the chance, but he looks at me hesitantly.
“I’m sorry, Molly. I’m actually taking King Peter down there in the morning,” he says.
“Oh, that’s ok. Another time.” I tell him and I feel Seth squeeze my leg to comfort me. I can tell he’s about to say something when King Peter speaks up.
“I’d actually love to have you join us, Molly. It’d be a great chance to get to know you, and from what I remember your dad saying while you were young, you probably know a path or two to get there that the old man doesn’t even know.” he says with a chuckle.
I’m unsure what to say to that, and who knows what my dad told him. “That would be nice, thank you. I’ll make dad’s favorite muffins to bring along for breakfast.” I tell him and add “and yes, I’m SURE I know a few paths dad’s never seen.”
“I doubt that, kiddo. I haven’t always been the Alpha, stuck in my office running my pack” my dad jumps in, and while I’m sure he’s spent plenty of time out there, I’m also sure that Oliver and I created quite a few new paths while we spent time out there as kids.
Seth leans over to me and whispers in my ear, “Do you want me to get my dad to stay behind so you can be alone with yours?” he asks me.
“No, it’s ok.” I whisper back and it’s honestly so thoughtful of him.
“Seth, do you want to join us?” my dad throws out, interrupting the small moment between us.
“I wouldn’t want to impose.” he says and leans over to me where only I can hear. “Only if you want me there.”
“You should join us” I say to him, so everyone can hear.
“Fantastic!” my dad exclaims. “I’m looking forward to those muffins,” he says to me with a smile.
“So, you like being outside?” Seth asks.
“Yeah. A lot.” I tell him. “When we were small, Oliver was the only kid other than Robbie who didn’t pick on me. We used to sneak out of school early and go down to the falls.”
At hearing this, King Peter joins in “I remember being on a call with Alpha Randall one time when he got word Molly was missing from school. He was in a panic and I was about to head out here to help, thinking the poor dear had been kidnapped when they realized her little friend was also missing. Randall called me later to let me know she had been found, with the little boy hiding in the woods covered in mud. They realized they were in trouble and hid for hours trying to sneak back.” He told the store with a laugh.
“A little boy?” Seth says, arching an eyebrow at me, and I can see the danger in his eyes. He’s unhappy at that thought.
“Yeah. It was just Oliver.” I reassure him and I can feel him relax.
“Molly and Oliver used to sneak out and go out in the woods for hours. They’d come back covered in dirt and leaves. I’m pretty sure I heard a rumor of them finding a cave out there one time, but neither would ever admit to it.” my brother said, jumping into the conversation.
“A cave?” my dad said with a hint of anger in his voice. I just looked at Robert, knowing he did this on purpose.
“Just because you’re the Alpha now doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you all the secrets of the Falls” I tell him. “You’re going to have to get out there and find them on your own. But yes, there’s absolutely a cave. Two of them, actually.”
“Molly. Did you two leave the packlands?” My dad asks authoritatively and I realize that he’s worried we could have been hurt.
“No, sir. The caves are on our land I’m sure. We never, never left our territory. I promise.” I tell him quickly to avoid a lecture.
Sorry, kid. I hear from my brother as I realize he mind linked me, and didn’t audibly say it.
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