Walking along the row of shops towards the bridal store, I couldn't help the smile tugging happily at my lips. Just the thought of the pack children pitching in this morning to help prepare a meal for the elders was too stinking adorable. Messy and chaotic, yes...but otherwise the cutest thing I've possibly witnessed in my entire life.
Watching Anya teach the girls how to mix pancake batter as I worked with the boys showing them how to properly crack and scramble eggs, reassured me that she's going to make an awesome Mom. Brunch was an ultimate success, considering no one died of food poisoning. Thankfully all the food came out edible considering the fact that kids cooked it.
The guys were scheduled for their tux fittings this morning while us girls dealt with the whole brunch fiasco. I was supposed to go with all the girls for our dress fittings at 3pm, but by the time everyone got done eating I opted for them to go ahead without me. There was no possible way we'd clean up the mess and get to our appointment on time, so Anya and I stayed behind to clean up. Ria the owner of the bridal shop said Anya and I could stop by when we were finished.
"See I told you everything would work out this weekend." Anya smiled, her blue eyes sparkling proudly as she pointed to herself. "In control." Was all she stated matter of factly. Let's not speak too soon the day is still young, I thought to myself but didn't dare utter a word.
Anya and I tried our dresses on and emerged from the changing rooms at the same time. Thankfully Ria left extra material just in case Anya gained some pregnancy weight. Her dress fit perfectly showing her minimal belly, if one didn't know it could be mistaken for a slight beer gut. "You look amazing." I grinned at my best friend and her natural glow.
With a roll of her eyes the corners of Anya's lips tugged up in a smile as she turned to face me, her hand unconsciously landing on her belly. "Ehh, I look ok, not my usual girlish figure, but it'll have to do." She answered shrugging her shoulders dismissively. "Now you... you look like Cinder-freakin-rella, so gorgeous Tristan won't be able to keep his hands off you!" Anya gushed, her eyes trailing down the length of my dress.
Staring at my own reflection in the mirror, I could hardly recognize myself. Being silly, I bent my knees and curtsied, then began giggling. I truly did feel like Cinderella. Letting out a sigh, my heart beat rapidly against my chest at the thought of Tristan looking debonair in his tux waiting for me as both my Dads walked me down the aisle.
Since I have two Fathers it only made sense for Daddy Foster to walk me halfway down the aisle where Daddy Perez would be waiting to take over the rest of the way. It was only way I could see things as being fair. I loved them equally wanting them both to be a part of the biggest day of my life.
"Hey Lise, what do you say we go over to Rustica for an early dinner?" Anya asked when we both came out the changing room. "I'm starved and we both hardly ate this morning with trying to maintain order." Now that she mentions it I am kind of hungry. Nodding my head, I agreed. "Sounds like a plan."
We listened to music on the drive over to the restaurant, each of us lost in our own thoughts. "Hey drop me off up front will ya? I'll go in and get us a table." She suggested. "Seems crowded today." Anya mumbled. There were a lot of cars parked in the lot, but I couldn't understand why Anya didn't just wait for me. I'm sure a table for two wouldn't be that long of a wait.
Instead of voicing my thoughts and getting an earful from the moody prego, I pulled up front and dropped her off. She's probably worried I'll park far and make her walk! I chuckled at my lazy bum of a friend.
Dammit, Anya had the right idea after all! The lot was completely full and I had to park two city blocks away! Sure the weather is nice out, but did everyone and their Mothers decide go come out today?
When I reached the beginning of the second block before rounding the corner to the restaurant a familiar face invaded my sight. He was standing in front of one of the stores, window shopping I suppose. Part of me wanted to heed Tristan's warning and stay away. I debated whether I should cross the street to the other side and avoid him. It wasn't difficult to remember the jealousy and anger that caused Tristan to act out at the airport, but the other part of me didn't want to be rude.
Lost in reminiscing about our heated make-out session in the parking lot, it was too late. I couldn't avoid him even if I wanted to. He had recognized me from a block away as he called out my name. "Lise, is that you?" His voice called out and he began talking steps towards me. "It bloody is you! Fancy meeting you here!" He cried excitedly.
I smiled at the eagerness in his voice at seeing a familiar face. "Danny, what're you doing around here? Thought you were just on a layover?" I asked coming to a stop in front of him. He was dressed casually in a pair of dark jeans and a long sleeved pastel plaid button up that brought out his eyes.
Reaching his hand out and placing it on my arm, Danny smiled at me warmly. Don't know why Tristan thinks he a bad guy, he doesn't look like he could harm a fly. "Well I met someone at the airport who said she fancies it here. So I decided to stay a few days. I was interested in getting to know the place that formed such a beautiful person." His British accent was heavier when he pronounced certain words.
My cheeks warmed at his sweet compliment. I mean he was talking about me right, not unless he met someone else at the airport that lives here too. "Yes, I mean you." Danny leaned in closely and whispered under his breath. "So, where you headed?" Danny asked straightening up.
'Hey beautiful, how did the fitting go?' Tristan mindlinked. Damn does this boy have impeccable timing or what?
'It went great babe. I can't wait for the wedding.' I responded excitedly.
'Mmm, I can't wait anymore either.' Tristan's voice answered huskily. 'What're you girls up to now?'
'Actually Anya and I are headed to dinner. Girls night out, you know.' I sent back feeling awfully guilty before remembering I needed to answer Danny.
"I'm actually headed over to Rustica to have lunch with my best friend." I answered, not knowing what came over me next. It's not something I'm proud of because I know Tristan would definitely dissapprove. "Umm, do you want to join us?" I offered.
Danny's eyes lit up at my suggestion. Then he seemed to think about something before saying, "Really? Uhh are you sure I don't want to impose." Waving him off for being silly I linked my arm through his and tugged him towards the restaurant. "Would I offer if I thought you'd be imposing? You and Anya will get along just fine."
'Oh, ok I'm out with the guys want us to meet up with you girls?' Tristan offered, crap! What do I say?
'Nah, you guys have fun. It'll be nice just to have some alone time with Anya.' I lied not wanting him to find out I was in Danny's company, there's no doubt in my mind he'll go on a warpath. But what's one meal with a guy I'll never see again gonna hurt?
'Ok baby, so I guess I'll see you at home. You two be safe ok? I love you.' Tristan's voice floated into my head making me feel like a traitor.
Am I wrong for what I'm doing? I mean technically I am having dinner with Anya. It's completely innocent that I invited Danny along. 'See you at home, I love you more.' I responded before closing off my thoughts to Tristan.
Rustica was completely packed inside. It made me grateful that Anya suggested on getting out first to get us a table. Danny grabbed a hold of my hand and led the way through the crowd as we searched for Anya. I finally spotted her leaning against the wall next to the bar area with an impatient look on her face.
Approaching her quickly, I waved my free hand and called out for her. She sported a puzzled expression when her eyes drifted to Danny's hands entwined in my own. Then her eyes widened in a panic, she shook her head slightly. I took that as a sign of 'I can't believe the wait...or even I can't believe I suggested coming here' look. This only made me smirk and roll my eyes at her.
The closer we got to her the more Anya shook her head and did this funny thing with her eyes. What the heck's wrong with her? Does she have a kink in her neck? As the crowd separated a bit we reached Anya. My eyes squeezed shut in complete understanding to her awkward behavior.
I had completely misread her warning signs. That panicked look in her eyes should've clued me in that she was trying to tell me something...something extremely important. It all hit me at once, how could I have been so dumb...Rustica is never this crowded.
As I looked around carefully, familiar faces were spread out everywhere in between the groups of people waiting to be seated. If only I would have taken the time to notice my surroundings instead of pushing my way through the hordes of people, maybe just maybe I would've noticed sooner.
Tristan, being taken out by the guys. I mean when do the guys go out? Anya suggesting we come eat and that I let her out of the car first, which is something she never does by the way. Probably so she could warn everyone of my arrival. This, this was meant to be our bachelor and bachelorette party. I realized as soon as I spotted Luke on her right side and Axel and Nicole off to the other side.
"What the hell is this?" His voice boomed angrily coming from the restroom area causing the crowded waiting area to quiet down, it also caused me to cringe as I allowed my hand to instantly drop from Danny's hold. Immediately, Danny was shoved away from my side and in his place stood a furious Tristan. I don't think furious is even the proper word to describe just how angry he looked.
Tristan's eyes flashed from his normal gray to an almost charcoal color. His chest heaved up and down rapidly as he stood in front of me. I could see he was trying his hardest to control his emotions...his wolf...to stop himself from shifting in front of all these people and exposing our secret.
Tristan shook his head at me disbelievingly as a pained look flashed by and that quickly it was gone. Letting out a humorless chuckle, Tristan seethed. "It'll be nice just to have some alone time with Anya?" Tristan threw my own lying words back into my face. "If that's the case Lise then why is he here, holding your hand no less? The guy I asked you to stay away from! Why can't you ever just listen to me are you that dense?"
"Don't you speak to her like that!" Danny shouted from the crowd somewhere. He was being held back by Axel and Max somewhere off to the side. "Nobody asked you, so it'd be wise if you shut up!" Tristan answered through clenched teeth. I could hear Axel telling Danny it'd be in his best interest to be quiet.
"He's right, you shouldn't be speaking to her that way!" Anya bit out. Luke was hushing her telling her to stay out of it. All it earned her was a nasty glare from Tristan who way beyond the point of reasoning now. I do believe his wolf was in control currently or at least it's what I hoped. The real Tristan wouldn't speak to me this way.
Feeling like a complete lying sack of crap and an utter idiot, I stood there quietly staring at the ground blinking rapidly as I tried to fight back my tears. I deserved every bit of this for my stupidity, all the yelling and the anger was for a reason. I should have said hi and bye and then I wouldn't be in this mess. Why couldn't I just be a good Luna and follow my Alpha's orders? That's when it hit me, I'm not Luna material. I never will be, maybe Jewel was right all those years ago.
"ANSWER ME DAMMIT!!" Tristan shouted causing me to jump violently. He grabbed a hold of my arms and shook me startling me. Never in the three years together has he ever spoken to me this way. Matter of fact I don't think he's ever been this angry with me, but for him to lay his hands on me?
"Trist man, let's all go home and discuss this." Luke intervened trying to step in and end my embarrassment. Good ole' Luke, the calm Beta who manages to talk some sense into the sometimes irrational Alpha. I didn't want to go home especially not if he's going to continue acting like this.
No, no, no this is unacceptable. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Sure, I admit fault for speaking to Danny and the whole hand holding thing was innocent. Just so we wouldn't lose one another in the crowd. For Tristan to speak to me...his supposed Luna in front of all these people...members of our pact in that disrespectful manner just pissed me off even more.
There's ways to handle situations and this wasn't one of them. He could have pulled me to the side away from everyone, and given me a chance to explain, but no he's here putting on a show. Is this how an Alpha is to behave in public? I highly doubt it!
In a way I was thankful my brother's weren't here, although it made me wonder where they were. They'd so kick Tristan's ass for being so rough with me. I don't understand what it is about Danny that gets him so riled up to the point of using violence on me.
Mustering all the strength I could, I ripped myself out of Tristan's grip. I was through with his attitude. Not uttering a single word I spun around, turning my back on him and began to walk away. "Just where do you think you're going? Don't you walk away from me, Lise!" Tristan yanked me back by my left wrist.
My right hand came flying out of nowhere right across Tristan's face, stunning him and everyone in the room. I heard a few gasps of surprise, I must have some sort of an early death wish. Yes people, I've just slapped the Alpha. "Don't you ever lay another hand on me again." My voice came out stronger than I felt and with that said, I left the restaurant completely unsure of where I was headed and most of all what was in store for Tristan and I.