Chapter 58: Twenty-two.

Eloise hated admitting to herself that she wasn't as relieved as she thought she would be by Henry's lack of presence, at the family meal Grams had put together the night before. She was amazed at how prepared Alice had been for them, laying on a literal feast for their visit; until she found out that Sammy had been in touch with her about their plans, just in case it all went sideways and they needed either a buffer or an alibi, she had joked at the table. Well, partly joked, and didn't fully disclose which part of said joke was true, much to Michelle's annoyance. It turns out Grams had then even gotten in contact with Dax, amazingly managing to reach him out of hours and demanded a list of Eloise's favourite foods.

Eloise got a message in the middle of their meal from the god himself, begging her to make sure the terrifying older she-wolf lost his number. He claimed to never have been smothered or in this case grandsmothered in his very long life. He read like he was begging Eloise to never set the *Τρελή Λύκαινα* on him again.

Naturally she read the message out, causing a flurry of googling around the table, before both she and Sammy laughed while the others looked on either horrified or with tense faces. Not at Grams' expense, as they all appreciated the truth in Dax's words, but at the two pregnant females who were wilfully laughing their heads off at the expense of a powerful god who was begging to be left alone.

Eloise and Sammy only laughed harder at this, finding the thought of Dax being threatening too funny to contain themselves.

But, his was just one example of the underlying tensions between the pack who's table they were at and themselves. Although, thankfully Sebastian was true to his word and cut Daniel some slack, and Eloise could tell by the end of the meal, Sebastian had grown to like his brother in law, especially when he noticed how much warmer Sammy was when he was being welcoming towards her mate. On the surface the whole meal had went better than she could have expected, the only thing missing was, Henry.

He should have been there too.

But, she had to acquiesce that she could not make the right decision for him. If this was the path he wanted to choose, then so be it. Instead, Eloise focused on what she could, and on those she could. So, after a quick mindlink with Daniel to make sure he though Sammy wouldn't mind delaying their departure, she invited everyone to lunch after their appointment in the morning.

An appointment she was surprised to see a brooding Alpha waiting for her at the door of the clinic. Eloise failed to miss the tension in Henry's shoulders as his brother offered her his hand to climb down from the SUV, but all it earned from her was a thretening growl. She hadn't slept well and was not in the mood for any crap Henry might try and throw at her. Straightening her spine, she accepted the arm Sebastian offered her and allowed him to walk her towards the building.

"You tell him tiger!" He playfully remarked at her, causing her to bite the inside of her lip in an attempt not to smile at her friend.

A friend she didn't realise just how much she had missed.

Eloise could feel Sammy and Daniel at her back as they made their way to the clinic doors, a united front, and with Henry's own beta at her side, she could tell the sight had thrown her mate for a loop. So much so that it was his brother to which Henry first addressed.

"Why are you here, Bast?" He asked, in a gruff and demanding tone.

But Eloise interceded before Sebastian could respond.

"He is here, because I invited him and he knows how to be supportive. Which begs the question, why are you here, Henry?" She snapped, attempting to square up against the man that broke her heart, but failing completely as both Sebastian and Daniel angled themselves in front of her.

Henry growled. Not at Eloise's challenge or even her tone, she was his Luna, she had the right to challenge him as an equal. However, the way that the two betas thought to protect her from him, one of them his own brother, got to him beyond measure.

"I would never hurt her," he snarled directly at them, ignoring her insult despite how swiftly it hit its target.

Sammy rolled her eyes.

"Oh stop it all of you," she sighed, getting their attention. "El, he obviously wants to see your scan. If you're okay with it lets all go inside. If not, Henry you need to leave."

"I'm not going anywhere." Henry snapped.

But Sammy snapped back, "You don't have a choice. Eloise's body is hers, and hers alone. This appointment is hers and hers alone. It is up to her who she goes through those doors with, and you will damn well respect that. Unless you think its okay at some point down the line for another male to force his presence on your own daughter in a similar manner?"

Henry opened his mouth to respond, then closed it immediately after. His sister was right. He looked at Eloise beseechingly, his eyes pleading with her to allow him inside, and she could almost taste the desperation coming off him in waves. As he fought himself on steam rolling everyone to get his own way.

"Fine." She relented, pity getting the better of her. "Sorry, Bast. He is her father, and I can't just shut him out." She sighed.

"It's okay, El. I understand, if you need me I will be in the waiting room." Sebastian smiled, and patted her hand where it was resting on his forearm, before letting go of her and stepping off to the side.

Henry nodded at his brother unsure whether he appreciated his actions or was annoyed at him for them. No, he was annoyed, Eloise was his mate and Sebastian was his beta. He may need to have a conversation with him about keeping his distance.

Henry was pulled from his train of thought by Sebastian himself.

"You'll miss it if you don't follow her." He stated, nodding at the glass door behind Henry that had just swung closed on the disappearing figures of his mate, his sister and Daniel.

He hadn't even noticed their movements, he was too busy stewing over what was going on. Henry turned and swiftly followed while determining he had to get on top this situation. Otherwise, how could he achieve all he needed to. Eloise's stubborn behaviour of shutting him out had to stop.