The buffet tables were covered in an array of food. The mouthwatering meat table harbored roasted herbed turkey, honey mustard roasted hens, succulent garlic roast beef and an array of seafood. The vegetable table had a variety of grilled and steamed vegetables. But the table that caught my attention was the dessert table. Daniel and I both really wanted to hit the desert table first, but as tempting as it was we both managed considerable restraint.
We moved through the buffet line with Jason and Heather behind us. I thought Daniel and I were doing well with our plates, but Jason had to make the first comment to Daniel. He said he couldn‟t tell which one of us was eating for two. We had to laugh with our dear friend as we looked at the plates in hand. They were piled rather high. Not exactly proper for this type of function, but we didn‟t care.
We rushed through all of the greetings and congratulations to find our table. With fork in my hand, I was ready to devour my food when I heard that familiar voice. Chills ran up my spine.
Was I really ready for this
? Daniel, who was seated beside me, released a soft chuckle. A quick, stern glance in his direction let him know I was displeased. He, on the other hand was completely elated to see my Aunt Doris.
“Julie! Julie my dearest.” It was Aunt Doris, with Uncle Dave trailing behind her.
One bite was all I had. I chewed quickly then swallowed, preparing myself for the onslaught of preverbal questions. Maybe she truly didn‟t know any better. Then again, maybe she did.
“OH! I am so excited for you, dear! When did you find out?” she shrilled.
“Yesterday.” I spoke softly. Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I turned my attention to her.
Yes, the gray haired woman looked good for her age. Nothing much had changed since the last time I saw her, with the exception of the twinkle in her eyes.
“See dear, I told you those books would come in handy.” She patted my hand.
“Well, actually…”Daniel began.
I snapped my head toward him giving him another stern look. His mouth twisted into a grin. His hazel eyes twinkled with the urge to say something. I could tell he was not going to let the opportunity slip past him.
“We managed without the books. You know, let our animalistic side take over for a change,” he shot out while giving her a little wink. He shifted in his chair and leaned forward slightly. “You know,” he paused looking around. “I honestly did not know she was going to be such a howler.”
Aunt Doris jerked back from me. My mouth flew open in a gasp. Jason spewed what drink he had in his mouth, and Heather lost the piece of food she was placing in her mouth. For one split second, everyone was quiet.
Aunt Doris shot a glare at Daniel that announced her shock. Then the roar of laughter came. Even Uncle Dave‟s soft expression lit up into laughter.
I, of course, was not laughing, and neither was my prune faced aunt. Daniel‟s eyes filled with tears as the laughter continued, and he placed his hand over his mouth.
Heather was even laughing with the rest of them. I didn‟t see one thing funny about announcing to the whole world I was a howler!
Uncle David placed his fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. Daniel gently wiped away his tears, as did Jason and Heather. Finally, someone had the courage to come to my rescue.
“Well son, I know your family is pleased. Another little Maxwell,” Uncle Dave said, touching his wife on the arm.
“Yes, we are all excited. It is a little Martin as well.” Daniel spoke up proudly.
Uncle Dave nodded. “He was a great man.” His words were soft and gentle. “We all still miss him greatly.”
Daniel and I nodded. Aunt Doris still remained silent.
“Excuse me,” Jason interrupted. “Daniel, I need to speak with you.”
Uncle Dave and Aunt Doris bowed out gracefully and went their own way. Jason waited until they were out of hearing range before he began.
“Tell me,” Jason began. “What is the Council‟s plan against these Dark Wolves?”
“The black wolves?” Daniel wiped his mouth with his napkin. He took a sip of his drink then cleared his throat. “As we speak, a group of Lycans is gathering to confront these rebels.”
“Yes, well, you may want to rush things up a bit. I just heard they‟ve already taken out two more clans, killing them entirely. I can‟t see how all this business came about. Them turning against the Council and all,” Jason continued.
“Well, personally, I do not even think these rebels belong with the Council anyway.” I chimed in. “These Dark Wolves, as they call themselves can‟t be a part of our Lycan group. They must be outsiders.”
“Impossible. The Council knows all the Lycan lines.” Daniel chalked up.
“Wait a minute.” I began. “Daniel, are you sure? I mean what if there was a line of wolves out there the Council never knew about. What if this line is the Dark Wolves?”
“Yes, she has a point.” Jason shot in. “The Council has kept record of all the births within its line for over a thousand years. But what if someone in that line separated?
There would be no way of knowing.”
Daniel contemplated Jason‟s thoughts for a long moment. There was no way the Council would be able to track all the Lycans. Not if they didn‟t register. The possibilities of a new line were high, a part of a Lycan group that may have left years ago.
“Well, wherever they came from is irrelevant. At the present time, they are dangerous. We will find them and destroy this group,” he stated firmly.
Jason nodded. “May Fate bless you. Daniel, most of us are older and unable to fight. However, our prayers will be with you.”
Now more than ever I was unnerved. The Dark Wolves were a threat to our very existence, ruthless killers and murders. The question no one could answer was why?
Why had this particular clan turned against the Council? Why were they trying to turn other clans against the Council?
Daniel‟s hand pressed lightly against my back. Leaning closer to my ear, the warmth of his breath lingered against my neck.
“Julie, do not worry. Tonight is about our little one.” He said as his left hand on my stomach.
It was an odd feeling. My stomach twitched with butterflies at his touch. Yes, our little one was well aware of its parents. I gave Daniel a soft assuring smile. It was our night. We would enjoy it to the fullest.
After my second plate of food, I felt rather full. There was something about the roast beef that satisfied my hunger. Wasn‟t sure if it was the extra garlic, but it was rather tasty. Heather and I made our way to the desert tables. The only thing I wanted was something fruity, a fruit pie of some sort. Taking into consideration that there was no blueberry pie, I managed with several different fruit pies. Heather and I returned to the table with two plates full of an assortment of deserts. Not a very classy act, at least not for the Maxwell family. At this point, Daniel and I were acting like a pack of wolves.
When we set the plate of desserts down, Jason and Daniel immediately went for them.
There was one slice of cherry pie left. Daniel reached for it, while I was finishing off the peach pie. At first, I didn‟t know what came over me. My head was down. From the corner of my eye, I saw him reach for the pie. I froze. My eyes were firmly fixed on his hand. Then I gave him soft warning growl. Slowly Daniel‟s hand moved back away from the pie.
Jason let out a hardy laugh. Daniel sat back in his chair and joined in the laughter with his friend. It wasn‟t very funny to me. Actually, it was an embarrassing moment I was sure Daniel wouldn‟t let me forget. The blood rushed to my face. Daniel slid his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. His soft kiss lingered on the side of my rose red cheeks.
“Sweetheart, I would not take the last piece of pie from you.” He chuckled.
“Sorry,” I said with a mouth full of food. “Couldn‟t help it.”
He kissed me again. I guessed being a pregnant Lycan had its challenges.
Soon enough the evening came to a close. On the way out, Daniel and I were still being congratulated by various people. The prevailing question seemed to be when the little one was due. Jason estimated seven months. Was that the first time Daniel and I were together? Well, it didn‟t really matter, at least not now.
A hand gently touched my shoulder and I turned to see Thomas.
“Excuse me, but could I borrow the both of you a moment.” He stepped back allowing Daniel and me to stand.
With his left hand, he motioned to the side door. This couldn‟t be good. Thomas wanted to talk to Daniel and me in private. My thoughts raced as we stepped outside.
The air was a little chilled. However, I enjoyed it.
Daniel stood by my side while Thomas stopped short and turned to the both of us.
He cleared his throat, preparing for what I thought was bad news.
“There is no other way to put this. Due to the extreme circumstances, the Council has made a decision. They want to meet with the two of you tomorrow.” He was stern.
“The two of us?”
He nodded once. “To perform the Rite. The Council has changed their minds, and they feel it is necessary. Daniel needs to leave in a few days.”
“WHAT? WHERE?” I became hysterical. Daniel was not going to go anywhere without me. There was no way.
“Julie, calm down.” Daniel‟s voice was soft and reassuring.
Thomas held his expression, stern, hard and no emotion. “Daniel needs to leave to meet with the others. Then head a plan of attack against these so-called Dark Wolves.
I‟m sorry, but duty waits.”
“So they…” I couldn‟t even think straight. “They are going to do the Rite just so they can place him as their new leader?” I couldn‟t believe it.
“No, Julie. It is not like that.” Daniel tried to smooth over. “I cannot become the leader until the Rite is complete. I will just be going to meet with the others. We are not actually going into battle. It is just strategic planning.”
I snapped my head to him. “You knew of this ahead of time?”
He nodded his head. “I knew what they were planning. We had no dates in mind at the present time. I will return home shortly.”
“When are you going to leave?” I snapped my attention to Thomas. “When is he going to leave?”
“Sunday.” Thomas said flatly.
“No. Sunday is not good. Absolutely not!” My voice tensed, on the verge of tears.
“Dad, we have an important day on Sunday. I will leave Monday first thing in the morning.” Daniel pulled me in his arms.
“What kind of important day? I am not sure the Council will be pleased.”
“This is something for us. If the Council does not agree, then they do not need to worry about me becoming their leader. I take my future wife seriously.” Daniel snarled out.
“Daniel,” Thomas warned. “You know as well as I do, the Council doesn‟t take kindly to threats. That is the reason we are in this mess as it is.”
“I am very serious when I tell you this. Monday. And that is my final word. If you will not tell them, I will. One more day is not going to shatter their plans.”
Thomas withdrew his expression of disconcertment. He nodded in agreement. For the first time, I saw Daniel stand up for me. Not just the fact he stood up to his father, but the Council as well. Yes, Daniel just earned a few extra brownie points in my book. I slid my arms around him, and he pulled me tight to him kissing the top of my head.
“
You know you mean more to me than this
.” He whispered softly.
“Daniel, you don‟t know how much this means to me. I love you so much.” I was almost in tears.
He chuckled softly. “I told you to trust me.”
Daniel was right. He was showing me I could trust him. I could trust the fighter inside of him. Maybe it was time I let go a little more. He had already won my heart in so many ways. I knew he would be a good leader, and not only a good leader, but also a good husband and father. I was so proud of him.
“Nothing will come between us. I promise,” he swore, pulling me tighter to me.
Daniel spoke the words of truth. I knew it in my heart. He wouldn‟t let anything come between us. He meant it and I believed it. It was so.
We both followed Thomas back into the large room. Daniel was ready to leave, and he motioned to Jason and Heather. Thomas moved his way slowly through the crowd of people. He smiled broadly, as he greeted and shook hands with everyone. It was as if he had no worries in the world. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I couldn‟t help wonder whose side he was on? Didn‟t family come first? Or was it political with him?
As usual, we left the party slightly earlier than Thomas and Charlotte. Daniel remained silent during the ride home. He was still fuming over his father, disgusted actually. His angry thoughts were clear. Daniel saw no reason why his father was so persistent on him taking charge of the Council. He contemplated all sorts of treacherous ideas, thoughts I cared not to hear. Things his father may be thinking or planning.
“Daniel?” I finally broke the silence. He needed a distraction. Furthermore, I needed a break from his deep thoughts. “I was thinking about bringing a couple of dishes with us to the Reservation.”
“Reservation?” Jason shot out.
“Yes. I found my mother‟s side of the family. We, and that means all of us, are going to see them Sunday.” I hinted to Jason. “They are Cherokee.”
“Yeah, they‟ve planned a family gathering for her.” Heather chimed in.
“Oh, well then. Is that like a cook out or something?” Jason asked.
“I think so.” No, I wasn‟t sure. I never asked.
“Yes.” Daniel announced. “They usually have a big feast and love celebrating life.”
I turned to him. “You know them?”
“No, just what I have read. I did a little research of my own this morning. I did not want to go unprepared.” He finally smiled. “So I would suggest some picnic type foods.”