Chapter 7

By the time evening rolled in, Iris was getting jumpy and Sussane was finding it hard to keep her calm. Commotion and voices outside had ceased but Iris' restlessness only increased with every passing minute. Twilight had settled when Lady Marie entered, "Ah, finally, we can all relax and rest for the night. Tomorrow is a big day." She looked exhausted but had a victorious shine in her eyes.

"Alright! That is enough!" Iris had finally had enough. She was done waiting and she was done waiting in one room belonging to her abductor and feeling caged.

"Either you guys tell me the whole truth right now. Or so help me God, Dragons or not, I will tear you all to shreds and escape. I'd rather take my chances in the outside world than in this royal prison you are conducting." She was furious and both the women could see that. Sussane looked helplessly at Lady Marie and communicated telepathically to her, 'She has been on the verge of bursting for a while now.'

Lady Marie nodded silently, then announced, "Well, in that case, let us all have dinner together. The final details of the confusing puzzle you have found yourself in can be discussed in front of the rest of the family and we can have introductions too. This way, you will understand, you are not a prisoner. I understand Dom's ways of bringing you here were unorthodox but they were nothing more than a necessary evil, pretty." She smiled softly at Iris and pressed a soothing palm on her cheek.

Iris was still breathing heavily but Lady Marie had a way with words and a tone paired with the look that could make anyone believe her. Lady Marie then laughed softly with Sussane, "When Dom told me our Iris was a handful I should've realized Şekileus was going to give us someone worthy of a dragon's temper and strength."

"Wait, Şekileus? As in the God of Shape-shifters? What has he got to do with any of this?" Iris had been ignoring red flags since yesterday and this was another one.

"All in its due time, my dear. Every answer will be provided soon enough." Lady Marie tapped Iris' shoulder encouragingly, "Patience, pretty! patience."

Just then Lady Marie seemed to be lost in thought and when she resurfaced after a moment she smiled gleefully, "How about dinner? I believe it is on the table and everyone is gathering. Let us not be late. Shall we?" She motioned Iris to go through the bedroom door.

'What is the worst that can happen? I've been through hell before, so whatever this place holds for me, I can take it. Or I will end up dead. Death is long overdue anyway.' Iris took a deep breath and shrugged, thinking to herself, and opened the door to the most mind-blowingly marvelous corridor she had seen in a very long time. The place was beyond great. In fact, it wasn't a place, it was a Palace!

The golden decor along with vintage paintings and similar dragon carvings on the ceilings added to the grandeur of the lobby paired with the lush red carpet that seemed to cover every inch of the floor. Sussane came behind Iris and smiled at the utter awe that adorned her Alpha Lady's face, "Lady Iris, shall we? The dining hall is downstairs."

This brought Iris out of the awed trance and she nodded and began walking, led by Lady Marie and followed by Sussane. The dual staircase was just as grand. The same red carpet and the gold dragon tails as railings. Iris felt out of place and more confused, 'What could the dragons possibly need from an interbred creature like me? I don't even belong to a single true community. What could they possibly gain by waging war against Y?'

Soon they entered the grand dining hall. It held portraits of many men and women alternating with mighty dragons' portraits. The gold embellishments and ornaments embedded with gems she barely remembered the names of, decorated the hall and its furniture. The grandiose chandelier alone could be praised for hours for its radiance and glamour. After she was done absorbing her surroundings, her eyes found the eyes of a bunch of men and women standing behind what seemed like their respective seats on the table, all looking at Iris like she was some interesting science specimen, to examine which would be an honor.

Lady Marie cleared her throat, sensing Iris' unease, and everyone got the hint and averted their gazes. Sussane went to her place as Lady Marie pulled the chair to the left of the head of the table for Iris and the one beside it for herself. But no one sat. That is until a minute later, three pairs of shoes entered the hall making every head but Iris' bow slightly with a chorus of 'Good evening Alpha!'

That is when it dawned on Iris that Dominic McBlaze could probably be one of The most powerful men on the planet Earth. Beside him walked a sharp-looking young woman in stilettos and professional attire, who took the seat to the right of the head of the table. And beside them came the Henchman who had come to kidnap Iris with Dom to her apartment. He took a seat beside the gorgeous young woman.

And Dom, as expected, stood behind the seat at the head of the table. His eyes momentarily gazed at Iris and went from head to toe and head again with an unnoticeable smirk as he motioned for everyone with a wave of his hand to be seated.

The dinner was served and was undoubtedly full of the most sophisticated delicacies Iris ever had the luck to taste in a very long time, the last time probably was at a king's court centuries ago. But she didn't get to enjoy it like she would've preferred because of the tension and awkwardness.

No one said a word, but every once in a while she would see a member smile or nod for no particular reason. Finally, desserts were served. Iris wanted to get that over with as soon as possible so that she could finally get some answers. First of all, Lady Marie broke the tension and silence by clinking her dessert spoon with her glass, "If I may have all of your attention please?" She asked with a smile and her characteristic tender accent that made everyone stop their hands whatever they were doing.

Once she knew everyone was attentive, she started, "As we are all aware, we have a very special guest among us today." She motioned towards Iris, making her more uncomfortable and confused, "This is Iris Hanson. She has had a very tough life for someone like her. I don't need to tell anyone to welcome her into our family with open arms."

Iris saw small formal smiles on every face as everyone nodded courteously, adding to her confusion. She felt like anymore and her head might explode due to the secrecy and mystery of it all. Lady Marie then turned to Iris and smiled, motioning to her right, "You have already met Sussane. She is one of the daughters of this family. Dombo's first and only cousin. My late daughter's only child."

Dom cleared his throat, "Nana, please." He almost begged, shocking Iris that he was even capable of that.

The old lady laughed, "Alright! Your Alpha Dom's first and only cousin. How is that, Dombo?"

"Nana!" He merely said, making her laugh and move on to the person right of Sussane, "Okay okay then. Sitting next to Suz is her father and my son-in-law, Gideon Powers." He nodded at Iris as Lady Marie moved on, "Next are Nathaniel and Clara, husband and wife, the deltas of this family. Their parents were our old family friends and over time they have become a part of this table. They are in charge of our military and armed forces." Clara seemed nice as she smiled and her husband nodded at Iris formally.

"At the end of the table is Reverend Mage Master Aikis. He has been in the service of this family since before even your parents were born. He is head of our magic wing and has always provided invaluable counsel to our family over time."

"To his right sits, Alfred. Our other Delta in-making under the tutoring of his parents, seated beside him, Edmond and Natalia." The three of them gave smiles and nods to Iris, which strangely seemed forced to her, but she felt in no condition to say a word.

"To Nat's right is Isabella, seated beside her elder brother Wulfric. You've met him, I suppose. He is the beta of this family, in charge of most of the important stuff, very trusted, and a huge part of this family. My son, Dom's father, took them in, centuries ago when they were mere toddlers and newly orphaned by humans during The Great War." Freddie gave a big smile as did Isabella, The truest smiles she had received so far, but she knew looks could be deceptive, so she kept her guard.

"Next is Dom's younger sister, Liliana McBlaze." The girl smirked just like her brother and nodded.

Lady Marie giddily ended the introductions, "Last but not least is, Our family's head and Alpha of this pack of dragons, Alfonso Dominic McBlaze. My son's heir and Your Fated Mate."