the meeting went on better than expected

The whole compound looked festive as they alighted from the car. The woods covering the palace so fresh and inviting that she could feel the stirrings of a desire to run through it. The servants received them and went on to report them. They had arrived just about lunchtime and were taken directly to the dining table. There, they met Estella and Thapelo, dressed majestically in an inviting manner. They looked as majestic as ever.

The place looked festive as they had decorated the rooms. It looked out of this world. The large chandelier hanging from the top, sending soft light downwards. The huge windows by the sides drawn, providing sunlight through. The place looked sophisticated as well as comfortable. Estella and Thapelo stood and walked towards them.

“Good afternoon son, I trust your journey was, okay?” said Estella as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss Ryan on the cheek. Afterwards, she turned to her and hugged her warmly. “And this must be Leila, I have heard a lot about you, please come and have a seat.” She said as she held her hand and walked towards the seats. “Heey babe, are you trying to have my daughter in law all to yourself, let me hug her too.” Thapelo said as he walked towards them and engulfed her in a strong warm embrace.

Okay, maybe this was going on way better than she had expected. Leila thought in her mind as she turned to look at Ryan, who in turn winked at her. taking a deep breath, she sat down next to Estella, and Ryan sat by her other side. Small talk ensued and she realized that they were amazing to talk to. Realizing that they were a thousand years old had come as a shock because they did not look a day older than thirty. Besides they were so youthful in their behavior you would not believe they were that old.

Large chunks of raw meat were brought on the dining table, and the tableware lined on their plates. This time, they had real sharp knives because normal table knives could not cut through such meat. It was all fresh and damn, she had missed having fresh meat. Still warm from the time of death. Cutting a piece and placing on her plate, she could feel herself already salivating.

“This place has the best fresh meat, especially the game we have on our lands, I bet when you taste it, you won’t want to go away.” Ryan turned as he whispered into her ear. “Just taste, and please eat until you are full, no one here is concerned with food. Just look at my parents for a start.”

Looking at them, they were indeed focused on their food. The meat had been dripping but none of them had even dropped a single drop of blood on themselves. They had practiced this for long she guessed. Looking at the piece on her plate, she decided that she was going to have her fill. She first diced her meat into sizeable sizes before starting to eat. After a short period of concentrated eating, the only noise coming from the clutter of knives cutting through steak, conversation started again.

“I hear that Ryan has already marked you, however weird the event was.” Estella said as she took a napkin and wiped her lips. “How do you feel about that.”

Trying to push the meat down her throat, she took a sip of wine, then wiped her lips. “Um! To be honest, at first, I did not understand what had happened, and I did not like it, but now I am okay. With time maybe, we could make to be a family with him.”

“Sorry for the way it happened Leila, I guess the goddess of love had already predestined that you would be with my son. He is a good boy deep down if you are patient to dig as deep.” Estella said as he turned to wink at Ryan.

“Come on, stop it mom, you are now embarrassing me.” Ryan said as the tips of his ears started turning red. The man had to be blushing at this point. “Mom can we at least change topic?”

Looking at Leila, Ryan felt like stepping on her feet. She was actually holding back laughter, but her eyes showed it. She was laughing at him. She would learn not to do that ever again. “How have you people been, what is current with the pack.” Ryan asked as he shifted his focus from Leila to his parents. That question brought with it a somber mood over the hall. Clearing his throat, his father threw a slightly agitated look towards Estella, which Ryan caught quickly.

“Um son, things have been pretty complicated lately, can we talk about it later. Right now, I want us to just enjoy the meal before us please.” Thapelo said as he moved his hand to rub Estella’s. Giving a smile that seemed as sincere as possible, Estella moved on to safer topics. “We were actually planning on holding your wedding this week if it is alright with you people. Now that you have already become a couple, if everyone in the pack witnesses it, it would be good.”

“Yes, we do think it is a good idea. This will further consolidate your leadership position as the alpha.” Thapelo said as he focused his eyes on her. swallowing deeply, she felt her mind race. Things were moving too fast it was making her feel anxious. At the same time, she could feel her tummy churning. Like something very bad was about to happen. She did not know whether to voice it or not.

Ryan took her hand and answered on their behalf. “Mom, dad, is it okay we have some time to think over this. This was too abrupt for us please.” Nodding, they agreed on that and went back to talking. Seeing this the breath that Leila had not even realized she was holding was released and the soft squeeze by Ryan’s hand had her fully relaxed. By the time they were done with the meal, Leila’s ribs were hurting from laughter. Apparently, Ryan had not always been the most mature wolf, he was so naughty it was unbelievable.