Fourteen.

Dylan

 In less than an hour Lecia had not only used every edible item from my fridge, but also every possible spice from my pantry. The thought of having to replace all that food would have really bothered me if it wasn't for the fact that she had created some of the most appealing dishes I have ever seen.

 "How did you do this," I asked with not just awe, but true curiosity. Lecia was placing little towels on the table so that she could place the pots and pans on them without burning the table top.

 "It's no big deal really, I have been cooking with my mom for years." Cheeks flaming pink, Lecia turned her face quickly away. "I'm sorry Dylan, I didn't mean anything by that.

 The pang in my chest had already pulsed with that sharp accustomed sensation. I know that there was no malice in her words, but they still caused those old wounds to open up.

 Rae had been fairly quiet since we got home, but I could feel her sending soothing feelings to me through our bond. Without knowing Lecia long, I knew that her words weren't intended to hurt or wound me so I smiled at her when I replied.

 "It's okay. It's not your fault you have parents and I don't." Keeping the smile there was harder than I wanted to admit, but when she turned to look back at me it was apparent that it eased her fears of hurting my feelings. 

 With all four pans on the table there was just enough room for us to sit and eat, but I couldn't imagine us actually eating all this food. "Do you really think someone is going to be stopping by? And if they do, what do we say about why we made all this food?"

 Lecia smiled enthusiastically, "we we're so excited for our first official girl's night that we went a little over board." Her smile was infectious and I couldn't help but reply in kind. "You're right, I am excited, still nervous, but excited all the same."

 I grabbed us both plates and silverware while Lecia grabbed us some drinks. Even though she had eaten here with me a few days ago, this time felt different, it felt easier somehow. We had just sat down at the table to eat when Rae warned, "they're here little one."

 My appetite vanished in an instant and within the span of a few breaths the knock I had been dreading resounded through my living room. Lecia was about to get up to answer, but I knew that I was the one they would be here to check on, so I rushed over to the door and braced myself before finally opening it.

 To my surprise, the man who greeted me was not one of the patrol captains, but Alpha Rogan himself. He was accompanied by two guards, who I have encountered before, and to my utter shock, Eren. 

 As I glanced at the four men, Eren was the only one who tried to make eye contact with me. There was an odd look on his face like maybe he was trying to tell me something, but when Alpha Rogan caught me looking at him, Eren immediately plastered a grimace on his disgustingly handsome face and looked away.

 Wait, what did I just think? "Focus little one," Rae urged me encouragingly. I stood there blocking the door way, but politely, directed my question to Alpha Rogan only. "Is there something I can help you Alpha," I asked as I bowed my head in a sign of respect. Out of the corner of my eye, I swore that I saw Eren's posture change to a more rigid stance, but for all I knew he could have been talking to his wolf or linking with someone. 

 I really need to stop trying to make something out of nothing, God's what is wrong with me. "Sorry to stop by so unexpectedly, but I am checking in with all the near by homes to make sure that everyone is doing okay." Alpha Rogan's attention was now back on me, but I could feel the other sets of eyes on me while he spoke. 

 "We are doing well Alpha, we," but he cut me off mid sentence. "Who is we," he asked much gruffer than he had previously spoken. I unintentionally took a step back from him and whether I meant to or not, he took that as an invitation to come in. Lecia popped up next to me suddenly and bowed to Alpha Rogan. "Good evening Alpha," she chirped, "we were just about to sit down for dinner, would ya'll like to join us?"

 Four different sets of gasps could be heard, but the smile on Lecia's face never left as she stood there awaiting his response. I have never envied someone more than I envied Lecia in that moment. She stood there, bouncing on the balls of her feet in hot pink socks, oversized sweats and her beautiful blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun the the biggest, most fearless grin on her face.

 How someone who looked like she weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet seemed that cool and confident in front of the Alpha was beyond me. For a few seconds I had completely forgotten to breathe, but before I almost completely ran out of air, he replied. "Well, if you insist and are sure you have enough to feed us all."

 Lecia had completely taken charge of not only the situation, but my home. "Of course, we went a bit crazy cooking and ended up making way too much food for the two of us to eat all by ourselves," she answered happily.

 My little house was fuller than it's ever been and I was not entirely comfortable with it either. The four men thanked Lecia as they came in and walked over to the table, but only the guards acknowledged me. Eren walked in without even a glance in my direction. A**hole!

 Lecia's mom must have lots of parties or gatherings because Lecia was a born hostess. She had shown them all the bathroom they could wash up in, had the two guards move the couch, chairs, my desk chair, and had us all seated around the table in no time.

 To say that this was probably the most awkward dinner of my life was an understatement. No one really knew what to do so we all just sat there starring until Lecia jumped up. 

 She explained what each dish was and then began to serve everyone by asking what they wanted. There wasn't enough room on the table now, so some of us held our plates on our laps while we ate. Lecia didn't stop there. In between bites she complimented the food, the guests, and even the weather.

 The level of unease had lightened a bit thanks to her, but she didn't stop there. She asked little questions here and there. Nothing too invasive or private, but simple things to put everyone at ease. Alpha Rogan was now jumping into the conversation more and asking questions of his own.

 After a bit, the questions started to get a little more specific in regards to things that each party wanted to know. While Lecia was trying to figure out what they were hunting and why I was so secluded. Alpha Rogan was trying to figure out why Lecia and I were now friends and if there was some kind of motive behind it.

 Oddly enough, Eren didn't participate at all. It was clear that he did not want to be here. Maybe that brief glimpse of a decent human being in the woods was a once in a lifetime occurrence. Even Vit and Noel, who's names I just learned, asked a question here and there.

 I wasn't sure if Alpha Rogan was annoyed, or angry, but suddenly he switched topics and almost began to instigate an argument between Eren, Lecia, or maybe even me.

 "Eren, is it that hard for you to be a little grateful for even being allowed as a guest in this home. Especially since I recall you bullying and assaulting some of the people sitting here."

 The color drained from Eren's face and while he didn't look down, he did look away. As he did, he tilted his head just enough to cover his eyes with his hair. The dark black pieces that fell so gracefully against his face seemed to fall perfectly to keep his crimson eyes shielded, but the soft pink in his cheeks was on display for all to see.

 All the eyes around the table were looking from Eren to the rest of us and I'm sure that he could feel them just as much as I could. Even though I hated him most of the time, for some reason, I felt a little bit of pity for him. 

 For being his uncle, Alpha Rogan did not seem to show any type of affection for his nephew. Now, there were little fake glances and remarks, but they seemed forced and more like well placed ques than truly meaningful words.

 Lecia broke the tension, "alls well that ends well I say. If things hadn't happened the way they did, I may never have become friends with Dylan and I would be the one who would be missing out."

 Shock and delight ran through me and I felt Rae acknowledge her words as truth as well. If we had been alone I probably would have started balling my eyes out, but I would not let the others see me cry. 

 Lecia bumped my knee with hers under the table and I couldn't help but smile widely. "Yes, I agree with Lecia, I'm glad things happened just the way they did."

 Though I could still feel everyone looking at us, I got a sudden sense of fear. Not coming from the others, but it rose up in me because when I glanced around I could have sworn there had been a quick flash of black in Alpha Rogan's eyes before a small smirk played across his lips.

 "Well, it still seems to me that apologies are in order regardless of the fortunate outcome." Though his words sounded cordial, there was a strange tone in his voice, almost like a warning, but I wasn't sure exactly who it was being directed towards.

 I quickly looked to everyone around the table and noticed the color in Eren's face had paled. It was him, he was the one Alpha Rogan was threatening. Maybe he would really punish him for what he had done to me the other day.

 Even though he deserved it, I was uncomfortable to see how afraid he was of Alpha Rogan. Whether it was his words or it was something that he was sharing with him through their link, it struck a nerve. If Alpha Rogan was able to hurt me on occasion, what has he done to Eren in the past?

 Eren's jaw was clenched so hard, it honestly looked painful, but just as he turned to me, the sound of howling wolves seemed to fill the room. Vit and Noel were up on their feet in an instant and Alpha Rogan seemed to be starring off in the distance.

 I knew that someone or even multiple people were probably speaking to him through their link. Alpha Rogan finally stood and it seemed that he was linking with Eren, Vit and Noel because they were all shaking their heads in unison.

 "It seems our prey does not like to be hunted." Alpha Rogan walked to the door with the three of them in toe when he turned and warned, "do not leave this house tonight, no matter what you hear out there."

 Rae was frantic though I couldn't figure out why. I was about to ask what was going on, but noticed that Eren softly shook his head as if to warn me not to. The moment they walked out of the house all four of them shifted and within moments they were out of sight.

 Lecia was still sitting at the table eating when I closed and locked the door and turned back around. It was a little funny to see how relaxed she seemed until I walked back over to the table. 

 She seemed nervous all of a sudden and I wasn't sure if she was scared about what is going on out there until she asked, "how the hell have you managed to keep yourself hidden? Who ever is out there has to be here for you, you know that right."