Vivianna
When I got down to the kitchen, the large table was covered in food.
There was a large salad, baked fish, cabbage rolls, and what looked like potato pancakes.
I felt my eyes widen at the spread, amazed that someone had found the time to make all of this.
I took a seat at one of the open place settings, and Tavas set down a glass of water for me.
“This looks amazing, who made all this?” I asked, making sure I didn’t drool all over myself.
“I did,” Tavas said, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. “You could say cooking is a hobby of mine.”
“Hell, if this is going to be normal, I think I might need to talk you into being a potential mate,” I said, grabbing a slice of what looked like fresh rye bread.
How did I not smell all this amazing food from upstairs? I would’ve run down when he first woke me up if I knew all this was waiting.
I smelled it…
Ignoring her comment, I slathered the bread with butter, munching while I waited for the others to gather and sit at the table.
I noticed that Bartlet, the guard from downstairs, sat with us as well.
I smiled at him, hoping there were no hard feelings between us.
I didn’t want him to think I was a total bitch—I’d just really needed to get in that room.
Now that everyone was seated, they started grabbing platters and dishing up the food.
Darius, who was sitting next to me, finished filling his plate, then reached over and took my plate, replacing it with his own.
I looked up at him, surprised. There was plenty of food to go around, so why would he worry about me eating?
Then I looked around the table and saw most of the food was already gone, piled high on the other guys’ plates. Holy crap, they eat a lot.
I wasn’t sure what to make of this. He told me flat-out that he didn’t want me to get any ideas, but this wasn’t helping. Maybe it was instinct for Darius to make sure I was fed?
As my wolf pointed out, I haven’t had much luck in the men department.
Seeing how these four guys were taking care of me was amazing.
I just couldn’t stop myself from waiting for the catch.
I’d learned from my father that everything comes with a price, you just had to decide if you were willing to pay it.
Girl, please. The price would be worth it for any of them.
“We would like to leave for Kursar tonight, if you’re okay with that. It makes me nervous to still be so close to the Russian border. The sooner we get you away from here, the better,” Darius said, breaking the companionable silence.
My mouth was full of savory fish as I paused at this. I wasn’t thinking we would be moving this fast on getting away from the safe house. I still didn’t know how I felt about leaving here to go to Kursar. Were they all still planning on going, or had things changed because of the other night?
Not noticing my hesitation, Darius kept sharing his agenda. “The plan is to leave a little after midnight; we’ll be heading to a small airport about two hours away from here. I have a private plane there that we’ll take to Kursar. The flight should be fairly short, only an hour or so.”
I observed Darius for a moment, and my guess was that he had more to him than his demanding exterior let on.
Not knowing much about them, I was relying on my wolf senses to get as much information as she could gather.
Even with my wolf’s instincts telling me I was safe with them, I hesitated at making this trip.
Was trusting them to choose what’s best for me really the best option?
I understood it might be my only option, yet I still fought against being rushed to make this choice.
Before now, there’d only been one time in my life that someone didn’t make all my choices for me, and that was working in the A&E.
Other than that, I’d been in medical school for five years, did my residency, and went right into working.
I couldn’t remember if I’d ever taken time off for a vacation that was longer than a day or two.
Come to think of it, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken a vacation, period.
Even if my father wasn’t really my father, I’d clearly picked up some bad habits from him, like being a workaholic.
“There’s nothing to worry about since we’re just waiting on the plane to get here,” Rik said, mistaking my silence for worry.
“Looks like you get to kick your feet up and relax until we have to leave,” Koit added as he wiped his plate clean with a piece of bread.
“I don’t know how to do that,” I commented before I realized what I was saying.
Great, now they’re going to think I’m some uptight, neurotic freak who can’t relax.
That’s because you are.
Can it, lady. If you’re not going to be helpful, then keep your comments to yourself, I grumbled.
Touchy, touchy. Maybe you do need a few days to chill out. Or to get laid—either would work in my opinion.
My wolf was right about needing to take some time for myself.
Even with the two days I’d done nothing but lay around, everything had been moving so fast that I hadn’t really taken the time to process things.
Since I’d gotten to the house, I’d let the guys run the show, falling into old habits.
I was tired of just following along with the plan.
Now seemed as good a time as any to share my thoughts.
“Um, guys. I really appreciate you all making this happen so fast, but I’m not going,” I said, poking at the food I still had on my plate.
“Not going?” Tavas asked from across the table.
I set my silverware down and sat up tall in my chair. This was my life, and if I was finally going to take charge of it, I needed to do it looking strong. I hadn’t let my father make my life choices for me, and I certainly wasn’t going to let these men do that either.
“I’m not going to leave here with you guys tonight.
I want to stay for a while. I don’t want to go to this island under false pretenses.
I’ll go when I’m good and ready. With that being said, when I go, only those that want to be my mate can come with,” I said, looking at each of the guys in turn, saving Darius for last.
“Viv, we can’t stay here. It’s not meant to be a place for someone to hide out long term. We need to get you to safety, and Kursar is the best option for that,” Darius said with finality in his tone, frowning at me.
I’m sorry, did he just scold us? Oh, it’s on like Donkey Kong.
My wolf and I both bristled under the commanding tone that Darius was using.
“I don’t give a fuck what you think, Darius.
I’m in charge of my life, and if I want to stay here, I will.
I didn’t ask you to stay with me. You clearly laid out for me that you’re not interested, so if you want to run off somewhere else, be my guest,” I growled.
“Viv, you’re not seeing reason. It’s not safe for you to stay here, we’re too close to danger,” Darius said, trying to stay calm. “What if Vadik decides he wants to make a move sooner rather than later?”
“Then make it safe, Darius,” I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest, not backing down.
“I have already done everything I can to make this a safe place. I wouldn’t have brought you here otherwise. Now stop being a stubborn child and get on board with leaving tonight,” Darius retorted, standing up and collecting his dishes.
Stubborn child? Who the fuck does he think he is? Oh man, did he just open a can of whoop-ass. Let me at him, I’ll set him straight.
I jerked to my feet and lunged at him, causing him to stumble and sit back in his seat to keep from falling over it. “Listen up you controlling alpha douchebag. When I said I’m not going with you tonight, that was not left up for discussion. I’m. Not. Going.”
I could feel my wolf pushing to the forefront of my mind, adding to my aggressiveness.
I felt like I was being filled with a blind rage and I couldn’t do anything but hang on for the ride while Darius got the full brunt of the attack.
If only he hadn’t pushed me, I would’ve been up to negotiations on the matter.
Now there was no way in hell that I was leaving this home tonight, or any night, till I was damn ready.
Look at him, poor baby’s about to blow his top. My wolf paced, snapping her jaws at him, ready for a fight. You’re an alpha bitch, get used to it.
Darius just stared back at me, his lips pursed into a thin line as his face started to turn red, holding back whatever comments he had at the ready.
He was shaking, the rattling of the fork on his plate giving him away.
I could feel the others on their feet, ready to pounce if they needed to stop one of us from attacking the other.
Someone cleared their throat, trying to break the tension, but I wasn’t going to back down from my prey, not while I had him right where I wanted him.
Suddenly, a hand came up to cover my eyes and I was pulled back against a hard body.
“Why don’t we get some air,” Tavas said, his voice rumbling through his chest against my back.
Without uncovering my eyes, he guided me from behind, away from Darius and the punches that I was seconds away from throwing.
When he lifted his hand away, I found I was facing a door that led to the backyard.
Tavas reached around me from behind, pulled the door open, and ushered me out, not giving me the chance to turn around and finish the fight.
Once the door was closed, he headed towards a huge garden that took up a large section of the open space behind the house.
He grabbed an empty basket and a bucket that clattered with what sounded like tools.
“I could use your help gathering some ingredients for dinner, if you’re interested,” Tavas said, looking at me over his shoulder.