Chapter 5

My closest friends are the people I can challenge the most about the political catastrophe of the last five years. Since kindergarten, Eva, David, and I have made a matched trio. Even though David and Eva are now mated, we are still

Going to their place is like us all getting together after school even though we haven't seen each other in so long. When I first arrived, there was some fully immature squeeing over each other, but we soon went back to our old habits, as if I hadn't lost touch with them for five years.

Everything else besides the "my best friends are in a mating bond" issue: "How exactly did that happen?"

Eva sputters, "It was him or marriage to Dave Byron," and she then continues.

Her revulsion is echoed by my word, "gross."

She hears David tell her to "be nice." His parents never said no to him and gave him whatever the hell he wanted; therefore, it's not his fault.

He's ignored by Eva. Ever had the gut-wrenching feeling that someone you were looking at was an unattractive baby? Dave Byron is that.

They have a sizable island in their kitchen, where we are gathered. Under the elegant pendant lights that are suspended above us at unequal lengths, Eva's copper curls shine gold. She still has a teenager's appearance, complete with freckles and dewy pale skin, five years and a baby later. She used to come up for first period in her pajamas, but now she has more put-together attire.

However, David has evolved. He had a baby-faced, chubby black appearance when I left, and he liked wearing blue lipstick and wearing t-shirts from heavy metal bands with unreadable fonts. He developed into a broad-shouldered dad-type who, while sporting a band t-shirt, is also at ease using a stove with twelve burners to prepare supper.

If only they knew how those who live alone do...

"So, then, is this a marriage of convenience? merely to avoid Dave? That makes me feel a little down. " You know, David, I always assumed you were gay. I merely assumed that you were reluctant to emerge.

He responds without hesitation, "Oh, I am." "For Eva, this is not just a marriage of convenience. She is assisting me as well.

Additionally, the fertility center was helpful to us. The neck of Eva's half-empty beer bottle is tipped in my direction.

David comments with fake grief, "The gay dude and the asexual woman somehow had trouble conceiving."

I fess up, "Wow, I feel like an asshole not knowing any of this."

David reminds me, "You're the one who invoked the Right of Accord and took off."

But, are you sure you're back now? Eva's big brown eyes grow even more fearful. "You're staying, right?"

"I…" I'm already saying that I'm going to change and stick with the pack by simply returning. Why would I bother alerting them about my reservations?

Eva replies, her voice taking on a steely edge of rage. "You can't leave," she adds. "Not yet again."

You both indicated your agreement when I asked. We had never heard of the Right of Accord before we came across a mention of it in a pack history book. We three thought about using it.

"I fooled myself into believing I was smart. We were going through a lot at the time, and I needed to talk to you, but I couldn't. They refused to provide us with any details regarding your whereabouts or activities, she continues. " You were missed. Don't depart again.

My chest hurts. "I have to uphold the mating pact if I stay. I'm not sure whether I can either.

While lowering himself to access the oven door, David removes a pan from the heat. My stomach starts to growl at the aroma of the steak cooking beneath the broiler. They hardly entered a moment ago, but he is already taking them out.

I'm not bothered. Werewolves want their meat warm, not cooked, whether they have undergone transformation or not.

David says, "We made it work," as if the circumstances are even slightly comparable.

Eva is on my side. " Uh, no. In our case, neither of us anticipated that the other would behave like the stereotypical small wife. Ashton is going to want her to be that way.

And I'll live a horrible life forever." I feel a lump in my throat. "But I'll be miserable without you two, Cynthia and Carole."

Eva snorts, "I see Vivianne and Thomas aren't on that list.

"First of all, they were the ones who initially arranged the idiotic mating deal. Second, they aren't communicating with me. I lose steam slightly. I have no idea why I feel guilty, despite the fact that I did nothing wrong. I was asked to dance by the king. Was it my duty to reject him?

"I was informed of the ball. Sorry." Eva squirms.

I asked, "Why weren't you there?" It's more of a complaint than a query." That was awful. Everyone just kept looking at me.

"We would have been there if I had known you'd be there. At the morning council session, we swore fealty," Eva recalls. David casts her a glance.

"David… Are you currently a council member? It's fascinating. And might be advantageous for me. It's never a bad idea to have influential friends.

He makes a head motion. "No. Still not. But I'm still a contender. Those of us who made the short list received invitations to the morning session.

When Eva states, "It seemed more prestigious than the ball," she is obviously speaking nonsense.

I challenged her on it. "You decided against hiring a sitter."

"That, too." She makes a motion toward my empty bottle. "Yet another?"

"Sure." I inquire, "So, is it a secret?" when she stands up and walks to the refrigerator.

She queries, "Is that a secret?"

"David is vying for a position on the council. You two engaged in covert married couple eye contact. I accuse David and point my finger at him.

Eva continues, "We just don't want to jinx it." "These days, it's difficult to know who your friends are."

"Wait…" I am erect as I sit. You guys aren't sure whether or not to believe me.

That's not it; David instantly responds. The simple fact is that a lot happened while you were away. And last night, you danced with the king—"

I object, "Why?" "Because he asked me to." Eva, if the pack leader asked you to dance, would you decline? Also keep in mind that the other option is to continue speaking with Ashton Daniels.

Eva responds, "Your feelings are hurt," but she doesn't offer an apology.

It's them! I have no idea what is happening within the pack. Since 2005, I haven't spoken to anyone. When I get back, there are all these political scandals going on, and suddenly my closest friends are calling me a spy or whatever. This is excessive. I get up from the stool. "I'm going to skip dinner, you know. Thanks anyway. Your house is beautiful.

Eva snarls, "Don't be like that."

David gestures with a dish. But it was just finished.

At the kitchen door, I halt. I asked, "Why even do you want me in your house if I'm so suspicious?"

"Because you're our friend, you dummy." The plate is placed on the island by David. But it's been five years since you left. You need experience.

"Not used to it?"

"Now, the pack is different. If we don't know who to believe, neither do you. And a misplaced word... Eva's face becomes glum. " I don't worry that you'll leave and desert us. I'm worried that until you've been here for more than a week, you could accidentally get yourself or someone else into trouble.

"You are correct. What's happening is a mystery to me. I go in the direction of the island while letting go of my purse. " Fine. Really, all you had to say was, "Don't tell anyone." You are aware of my secrecy skills.

David adds, "Yeah, but you also give away a lot of stuff accidentally."

And that is just.

Can you update me on anything, please? I won't take it personally if they are unable to. If my closest pals are reluctant to talk to me, I assume I really don't comprehend what's going on in the pack.

"Where do we begin?" Eva asks with a huff that makes it plain the inquiry is rhetorical.

Why don't we begin with the new king? Although I have a childish crush on him, that is not the reason I'm inquiring about him. In particular, "how he came to be king in the first place."

When it happened, a number of people asked that question. David moves a plate in my direction. I take it humbly because I don't feel like eating after the tantrum I just had. David doesn't seem concerned, though. You are aware of King Arthur's new spouse, the Enigma Pack's negotiator, right? I nod as he continues. "It appeared that her strategy was to keep Victor waiting."

Or murder him," Eva adds.

David shakes his head, as though they had already battled over that take. She would then wed a member of the Enigma Pack and cede control of Toronto.

And rule over both," Eva continues. She was destined to rule two of the biggest packs in North America.

David cautions that the woman also has King Orion iel in her sights. Exile for her family is required.

"Yeah, but why hasn't she been, at least?" I ask.

Eva responds with a sigh, "That's part of the mystery." In my opinion, she dominates as a council member. They were the ones who opposed expelling her.

She will undoubtedly attempt to capture the king. Plates are brought over by David for Eva and himself. But she is not the cause of his presence. Another council decision was that.

That was also purchased? I ask.

Eva takes a piece of risotto while shaking her head. "No, he has a rightful place in the succession. He is the second cousin of Victor's father. or something like that.

"If there was bribery involved," David adds, chewing his food like he used to when he was a vile teen, "it probably wasn't much. There are undoubtedly those who believe they are more deserving of the throne than Victor's sons, who were removed from the line of succession. And that's fair because Greater London has already tried to catch up to the Toronto group. However, there is still a great deal of mistrust toward the entire family.

Eva makes a toast by raising her beer. Isn't it wonderful that you arrived home in time for all of this?

Oh, right. Definitely." My forehead is rubbing. And it's awesome that I allegedly offended half the group after one dance with the man.

David reassures me, "I wouldn't say half."

Eva gives a nod of approval. "More or less 65 percent."

We joke, but dread fills my gut like a rock. Which, to be honest, isn't fair to the cuisine because David is a fantastic chef.

I say, wiping my lips with my napkin, "This is fantastic." Who would have imagined that the person who lived off tater tots throughout high school would eventually learn how to cook?

Even if we are laughing once more, I want everything to return to how it was before I went. I need to be confident that my buddies have my back in every way.

I disagree and feel more isolated than ever.