Chapter 7: Family Ties

DIEGO

I straightened my tie, grumbling.

~Trust my mother to think it’s a good idea to throw a dinner party for this punk. She thinks it will welcome him into the family.~

~I think he’s just a punk looking for power and thinks he can use my sister to get it. I’ll show him~, I rumbled to myself, straightening my jacket.

“You look so handsome, my boy” my mother gushed over my shoulder. I smiled. “Thank you, Mother.”

She grasped my hand. “Now, Diego, promise me you’ll keep it cool tonight. Gianna’s powers are waking, and I don’t want anything to upset her. You’ll keep calm for us, won’t you, sweetie?”

“I’ll do my best, Mother,” I replied, smiling.

She smiled happily and walked out.

I walked into the hall toward the dining room, and I scented him. The punk-ass alpha was here. I swallowed down the rumble in my throat, remembering what I’d said to Mother. I had to do this.

Father walked into the hall. We made eye contact and nodded to each other, both thinking the same thing. For Gianna.

The doors opened, and in he walked. I plastered a forced smile onto my face.

“Ah, Mr. Saunders! So glad you could join us!” My father extended a hand warmly. Why was he being so nice? I grumbled, and he shot me a fierce look. I shut up quickly and looked down.

“Pleasure to be here, Your Highness. Thank you for inviting me. Please accept my apologies for what happened on your grounds the other night. It was very out of character of me.”

I held in a snarl. Talk about ass licking.

“Not at all, Mr. Saunders. Nonsense! We are, after all, primal creatures. Please call me Raphael.”

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“Do excuse me. I’ll just go check on my wife.”

I looked up, and it was just us, me and this punk. “So,” I snarled at him. “You think you can handle my sister, huh?”

He smirked. “Seemed to be handling her pretty well the other night.”

~That’s it. This punk is getting it.~ I squared up to him, growling. He didn’t flinch. ~Shit, this guy is pissing me off.~

“Say that again, punk, I’ll break you in two,” I growled.

He smirked and squared up to me. “Looks like that shiner could use a friend. I got no problem going for round two, buddy,” he snarled.

~That’s it. He’s getting it.~ I growled. I grabbed his tux jacket, threw him as hard as I could across the hall, and howled.

He leapt up right away and turned on me, his eyes filled with a rage I’d only ever seen in my father’s and my own. ~Who the hell is this guy?~

“You’ll pay for that,” he snarled.

I smirked. “Bring it on, tough guy.”

We met in the middle, growling and snarling. I landed a punch into his ribs; he responded in kind.

~Shit.~

~This guy is strong.~

~Maybe he can handle her.~

I shook the thoughts out of my head and swung for his head. He ducked and swung at my ribs.

~CRACK!~

~Shit.~

~Fuck.~

Blinding pain seared through my side. ~This son of a bitch just broke my fucking ribs.~

My eyes glazed over in rage. I heard my suit seams start to rip. ~I’m gonna rip this son of a bitch apart.~

He smirked and motioned me to come on.

~All right, pretty boy. Let’s do this.~

I braced myself to lunge at him

“ENOUGH!”

The word was laced with power. I froze, glued to the spot. A quick glance over showed me the little shit was stuck too.

We both looked up. There she was.

Gianna. Her eyes were furious.

~Shit.~

KOL

I was frozen in place, looking up at the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Her command was laced with power. Just looking at her in that dress ignited my haze.

~Shit.~

~She’s amazing.~

I watched as she descended the stairs, fuming.

~Shit.~

“~You just can’t keep your temper to yourself, can you, Diego? For once, can’t you just play nice~?” she spat at him, and he winced, holding his ribs.

~Why is he holding his ribs? Did I break them? There were so many punches thrown, I don’t know whose landed where or when.~

She looked down and burst out laughing.

“He broke your ribs? Diego, what’s happening to you? Going weak in your old age?”

He glared at her. Her eyes were sparkling a beautiful crystal-blue. ~Fuck, she’s so hot.~

Diego laughed. ~Wait, what? He laughs?~

I stood dumbfounded, watching them laugh.

A slight cough behind us caught our attention, and we all turned.

“Dinner is served.”

~Shit.~

I had forgotten that was why I was here.

I straightened myself out and held out an arm for Gianna. She blushed and accepted it. “You look beautiful,” I whispered in her ear. I watched the blush spread from her cheeks to her neck.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I felt a throb in my pants.

~Focus, Kol.~

I took a deep breath and entered the dining hall. Standing at the end of the table were the king and queen.

I gulped.

~Here we go.~

RAPHAEL

I knew leaving Diego and Kol alone was risky business, but I wanted to see for myself how this man held up against my son. I had to say, I was impressed.

Judging by Diego’s stance, his ribs were broken.

~Yes, I am impressed. Maybe this man is strong enough for my daughter after all.~

I watched him enter the hall, my daughter on his arm. She was blushing. It was a nice look on her. He pulled out a seat for her and released her gently as she sat down.

He was so tender with her; it was nice to see.

I pulled out a chair for my wife and guided her to it gently. I turned back to my sons and guest who stood waiting for their invitations to sit.

“Please, gentlemen, take a seat.”

They obliged.

First course was served. We all began eating in silence, but I had a different plan for tonight.

“So, Kol, your family has been alpha for several generations, is that correct?” I looked at him expectantly. I saw him gulp.

“Yes, sir, five generations. My father stepped down a couple years ago.”

“So you come from a strong gene pool, then?” I continued, putting a forkful of stuffed mushroom into my mouth.

He froze, not sure what I meant. His gaze met mine, his eyes full of curiosity.

“Yes sir, I guess I do.”

I nodded at him, looking down at my plate.

“Tell me, son, do you live alone?” my wife asked him curiously. I saw Diego’s head snap up at this. His eyes narrowed, and his mouth shot open as if to say something.

I growled quietly, a father’s growl to a pup to keep him in line. Diego’s eyes met mine. ~For Gianna~, I urged him silently, glaring at him.

He clenched his teeth and looked back at his plate, nodding. ~Bless that boy. He’s got my temper.~

“Um, yes, ma’am; I have a property just outside the city, not far from the pack house.”

“Is it secure?” I heard my wife ask.

“Yes, ma’am, very secure. It’s gated, and only my most trusted members of the council know its location.”

“Wonderful.” My wife smiled. She grasped my hand, and I closed my eyes, taking a breath, knowing the next words I uttered would cause confusion and possible chaos.

~Please, Diego~, I begged, ~keep your temper in check~.

“Excellent. Gianna will move in with you tomorrow,” I stated matter-of-factly. I heard cutlery clatter to the table and opened my eyes, looking around.

My wife looked sad, but we agreed. Diego looked like he would burst out of his suit any minute. The twins looked astonished. Kol’s eyes were wide, and his mouth was open. But Gianna. My God. My darling Gianna. She looked positively hurt.

“Daddy,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. I swallowed, my heart breaking almost in two. I hadn’t heard her call me that in years.

~“Daddy, why?”~