Tiana's POV
“I heard you were at the bonfire the other day," Fiona said. "Everyone usually roasts what they hunt and shares with others. I didn't see your roast. I also don't recall seeing you while we hunted."
"I did not partake in the hunt," I said with a tight smile.
Dinner continued in this awkward fashion, with Fiona interjecting herself into every conversation and making pointed comments that seemed designed to unsettle me. Despite my best efforts to remain calm and polite, I couldn't help but feel the sting of her words.
"It's just a shame that you haven't wolfed out yet," Fiona sighed. "I mean, how hard can it be?"
I said nothing in response to that, so she continued.
"Is that why you were kicked out of your pack?"
"I wasn't kicked out," I said in a strained voice. "I left of my own accord and found myself here."
"Really?" She harrumphed. "Are both of your parents full-blooded wolves? Or are you as a result of your father being with a servant who was perhaps human?"
"No, I—"
"Fiona, enough of your questions," Theo said in an authoritative voice.
"What? I'm just getting to know her. And looking into the possibilities of why she hasn't wolfed out."
"I don't think it should be a matter of concern to you."
"Right?"
She shifted the conversation to another topic, still finding ways to belittle me. She was talking about my training and how it's weird that I did not do any training while I was in my pack.
It was quite obvious that Fiona was in love with him and was trying to ruin me. Maybe she thought that I was going to take Theo away from her, as if that was possible.
Moreover, I still did not know my place until Theo's father returned, so she had no reason to be worried. I also was not romantically involved with Theo, even though a part of me wanted to delude myself into thinking there could be something between us, due to the special attention he was showing me.
"I was talking to you," Fiona snapped her fingers in front of me, snapping me out of my reverie. I had zoned out of what she was saying a while ago.
Theo turned to Fiona, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Fiona, I think it's best if you leave us now. Tiana and I have some important matters to discuss."
Fiona's eyes narrowed. "Since when did that start to happen? I'm usually a part of big decisions you make."
"Fiona," he said in a warning tone.
She plastered a smile on her face. "Of course, Theo. I wouldn't want to intrude any further."
She stood up gracefully, her red dress flowing around her like a wave. As she left the room, she cast one last lingering glance at Theo, a mix of longing and resentment in her eyes.
Once she was gone, the tension in the room seemed to lift slightly. Theo sighed and looked at me apologetically. "I'm sorry about that, Tiana. Fiona can be... difficult. She is a really nice person, but she doesn't have a filter. She usually says whatever comes to mind which can be off-putting."
"It's okay," I said, though I felt anything but okay. "I understand."
He was defending her, so that told me there was something more between them. They couldn't be just friends, could they? Or did they previously have a romantic relationship and end it?
I sighed.
Theo reached out and took my hand again, his touch grounding me. "Let's not let this ruin our evening. We were having such a good conversation."
I nodded, grateful for his effort to steer the night back on course. "You're right. Let's continue."
He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before releasing it. "What were we even talking about?" He grinned sheepishly.
"Can't remember to be honest," I laughed lightly, feeling more at ease.
"I am aware that you might be worried about my father accepting you," Theo said after a few minutes of silence.
"Not really," I lied. "It would be perfectly understandable if he doesn't, and I will not hold it against him," I said. "Let's be fair, I am an intruder, and you have shown me more than enough kindness. I will forever be grateful for the hospitality I've been shown."
I took a deep breath and continued. "He has every right to be concerned and kick me out. After all, I could be a spy sent by his greatest enemies."
Theo laughed lightly. It was a nervous sort of laughter. "I do not think he will though," he said. "He trusts my judgement because he and I usually share the same type of judgment when it comes to people most times. I'm sure he will love you."
"That means a lot," I smiled at him.
"And I know you're not a spy," he smiled. "You're too genuine for that."
"Really?" I asked with a grin.
"Yes. Really."
"Ever heard that saying which goes, 'The devil you know is better than the angel you don't know."
"Well, that's why I'm getting to know the angel," he smiled and then winked, making my heart melt.
I could not help but smile back at him. He was staring intently into my eyes now and it was hard not to break eye contact first. At the same time, I found myself being mesmerized by his eyes.
Theo was handsome. Perhaps not as handsome as the man who broke my heart, but he was very good-looking.
We continued our dinner, talking about lighter subjects and sharing stories. The earlier tension from Fiona slowly melted away. I was really glad and grateful for Theo defending me when she said certain stuff and glad he had made her leave.
Soon enough, we had finished eating. Theo stood up and pulled out my chair for me, his eyes warm and kind. "Shall we?"
I smiled and took his offered hand.