Chapter 5 Stilted Dinner

• They reached a large arched double door, carved with intricate filigree patterns that were arranged in satisfying symmetry. But emblazoned on each door was a crescent moon, made to be reminiscent of the Moonfyre insignia.
• Alistair wrapped his hand around one of the bronze lever handles, twisted it downwards, and pushed the right side door open without any preamble.
• Diana had to bite back the awed gasp that almost escaped her as her gaze took in the magnificence of the expansive dining hall. The dome-shaped ceiling was so high it could rival the cathedrals of the world she came from. Three huge golden chandeliers dangled above, numerous white candles sharing their brilliance to chase the darkness of the night. There were also four tall gothic glass windows lined the east and west walls, while a lone one stood vast, proud and mighty on the wall opposite of the hall’s entrance door. The red flames on the brick fireplace built on every corner of the hall danced brightly as though they could never be extinguished, crackling softly every now and then to announce their presence.
• Alistair ushered Diana in, walking her to the end of the long rectangular table, covered in white linen tablecloth and beige organza overlay. A ceramic serving plate, and a set of cutleries were waiting for her, and they were already arranged in a formal table setting.
• Without so much of a word, Alistair pulled out the wooden but cushioned high back chair for Diana, inviting her to her seat with a simple tilt of his head.
• “Thank you,” Diana said with a small smile, sliding into the offered seat.
• Alistair helped in sliding her chair closer to the table before leaving her to go to his own seat at the head of the table.
• “Seriously?” Diana huffed, watching him settle on his chair with the regality of a noble.
• She found it quite ridiculous to spend dinner together on a table that set them so far apart from each other. If she had to hazard a guess of their distance, Diana would say they were approximately five to six meters away from each other.
• “Wish to sit next to me, Diana?” Alistair asked, picking up his wine glass, which the awaiting sommelier had filled up for him. Then he took a small sip without breaking eye contact with Diana.
• “I am fine. Let us just eat.”
• For a moment that seemed to drag on for eternity, Alistair stared at Diana with an intensity that left her shifting on her seat. His eyes squinted almost imperceptibly, but then he schooled his expression into perfect neutrality in the next second.
• “Florence, the appetizers please.”
• Florence Winster, the old butler who served the Blackwell family since he was in his thirties, bowed slightly, saying, “Of course, Alpha Blackwell.”
• He made a waving gesture with his hand and the dining staff of the Moonfyre Manor brought in the appetizers Alistair had requested. When Diana had cleaned off her serving of cheese-stuffed eggs, the rest of their dinner was served one course after another. Neither Alistair nor Diana uttered a single word to each other while they ate, and their silence lasted until their meal concluded with a slice of apple pie as a dessert.
• Diana quietly thanked the staff after finishing her share of the pie and took a long sip of her water, making sure she looked as graceful as the real Luna of the Manor probably did when she drank her beverage.
• “Was everything to your liking?”
• Diana didn’t immediately offer an answer, taking her time to gently dab the serviette against the corners of her lips. “Yes. Every course was delicious.”
• Alistair nodded. Then he finished off the last of his wine with one clean swig, throwing his head back down the crimson liquid until the very last drop. He placed the wineglass down gently, while his other hand grabbed his serviette to wipe his lips dry without much care for elegance and class. He tossed the cloth beside his emptied plate and rose from his seat, saying, “Thank you for the great dinner, Florence. Send our appreciation to our kitchen staff.”
• “As you wish, Alpha Blackwell.”
• Florence gave him another bow, not daring to rise from the dipped posture until Alistair had passed by him.
• ‘He’s really so good looking,’ Diana mused to herself as she watched Alistair come to her with surety in his steps.
• “I shall walk you to our room,” Alistair said with an offered hand.
• Diana placed her own hand into his awaiting one and stood from her chair. Her breath got caught in her throat when Alistair moved his hand and slotted their fingers together in a tight hold. She tried not to dwell on the fact that her heart dangerously skipped a beat at the simple act.
• ‘I need to quit acting and reacting like an inexperienced damsel. But it’s so damn hard when he looks so, so, so handsome… Ugh!’
• Diana peered at him curiously, wondering what was running in his head, but his face betrayed not a hint of thought or emotion. Alistair simply walked at a leisurely pace; his gaze trained resolutely on his steps.
• She matched his stride with ease, finding it easy to keep up with him. They continued to traverse the still and tranquil halls of the Manor, lost in their own thoughts. But even though she needed to take in and remember the halls and doors they passed by, Diana couldn’t help how her gaze would gravitate to the dashing side profile of the man who still had her hand in a secure hold in his.
• “You are staring so intently,” Alistair noted softly, bringing his head up to look at Diana.
• “Am I not allowed to?” Diana inquired, her voice carrying the same soft volume that he did.
• They made another turn after passing the large family tapestry on the wall, then they ascended a long, winding flight of stairs.
• “You are. But it is odd, don’t you think?” Alistair paused, giving Diana’s hand a delicate squeeze. “It is as if you are trying to etch my face in your mind.”
• “I told you, didn’t I? You are quite a sight tonight.”
• “You are flirting, are you aware? That’s not something a person would normally do to someone they wish to abandon.”
• Diana stared at the burning candles that stood on the gleaming bronze sconces, feigning interest at their slightly flickering light as she answered quietly, “I do not wish to abandon you.”
• “I would like to remind you that you were so adamant about breaking our bond earlier.”
• “There is a difference between wishing to do something and needing to do something.”
• Diana’s answer earned her another squeeze to her hand, and it was still as gentle as the first.
• “So you do not wish to abandon me,” Alistair stated carefully, slowly. “But you have to…”
• “Yes.”
• “Why? Why do you have to leave?”
• “Alistair,” Diana sighed. “Breaking our bond is the right thing to do. It might not make sense now, and going through it would surely hurt greatly, but the space that I’m going to leave behind will someday be filled by someone else who could be a better mate to you and a better Luna to the pack. You are going to be fine, Alistair.”
• To Diana’s surprise, Alistair’s reply had nothing to do with their current topic.
• “Did you mean it? When you said the meal was to your liking? That every course was delicious?”
• The sudden shift in their conversation baffled Diana into silence for a second or two. Her mind went blank for a moment as confusion took hold of it, and all she could think was, ‘What?’
• “Diana, answer me. Did you mean what you said about our dinner?”
• “Yes, of course. I have no reason to lie.”
• “Right. Of course,” Alistair agreed as they stopped right in front of the master bedroom they shared, the very same one Diana suddenly woke up to earlier.
• He stared searchingly at her face, his deep blue eyes appearing vulnerable for a split second. It made Diana wonder if she made another mistake again.
• ‘Did the real Diana hate cheese-stuffed eggs or apple pie? Was one of the courses served something she would not usually eat? Did I act so out of character during our dinner? Did Alistair take notice?’
• One question after another popped in Diana’s whirling mind. But Alistair put a stop to it when he opened the door to their room and said, “Well then… Good night, Diana.”
• “Wait! What about you? Aren’t you going to sleep too?”
• A ghost of a smile crept on Alistair’s lips. “You sound quite eager to sleep with me.”
• “I do not!” Diana denied with vehemence, a pink hue blooming on her neck and cheeks. “I was just simply wondering.”
• “To assuage your concern…”
• “I am not concerned.”
• “To quell your curiosity,” Alistair corrected himself, his tone ringing with patience as though he was indulging a hissy cat. “I have some matters to take care of. I told you, didn’t I? Let your mate handle it from here.”
• Diana gaped at Alistair, her heart traitorously galloping in her chest.
• “Good night, Diana. Sleep well.”
• “G-good night, Alistair.”
• He hummed softly and canted his head towards the room as if prompting Diana to go inside already.
• “Don’t forget to lock the door and all of the windows. Okay?” Alistair instructed firmly as Diana finally entered the room.
• “Okay.”
• “Very well.”
• They both lingered awkwardly by the door, unsure of what to do next.
• But Alistair eventually saved them both, taking the initiative to put an end on the agonizing awkwardness. He cleared his throat loudly and nodded to himself, saying, “Right. I will take my leave now.”
• He turned around to leave, no longer bothering to wait for a reply from Diana, who noticed the redness burning his ears.