Rogue ignored Tai and Indianna and looked around, scanning the trees carefully. "I was hoping that Brandon would be here by now. I brought him a Christmas present." He nodded his head to Raiden. "Brandon has been boringly dull recently and it didn't take me long to figure out why. And it looks like poor little Raiden has been rather down as well. It's time we fixed that. Sister, dear, you look surprised? You must know that I'm aware of a lot more than you think I am, did you really think that-"
"Raiden?" Brandon emerged from the trees and immediately spotted Raiden who perked up instantly at the sound of Brandon's voice. "What... Jason- Tai-"
"Brandon!" Rogue called, smiling widely. "Perfect, everyone is here. Brandon, I brought your mate along for you so you can sort out your silly little argument that is making you both miserable."
"I..." Raiden stumbled over his words, looking at Brandon with glazed eyes. "I can't. We, I... No-"
"You're going to talk to him or I'm going to hurt your sister," Rogue said sternly. "What would you prefer, Raiden?"
Raiden blinked and looked between Tai and Brandon. He looked truly heartbroken. He lowered his head, his shoulders slumping as he nodded.
"No! Brandon can go to hell!" Tai called. "Don't-"
Rogue rolled his eyes and harshly shoved her toward towards Greyson and Indianna. She stumbled into Greyson who easily caught her, steadying her on her feet.
Rogue clapped his hands, grinning wickedly. "I'm famished. I think it's time for food!"
Tai went to turn on her heel, eyes alight with anger, but Greyson held her tightly. "You're going to go to Ace, keep quiet and get through this fucking nightmare like the rest of us. I don't care how pissed you are, reign it in and don't make anything worse."
"Once I'm angry it's rather difficult for me to calm down," Tai muttered.
"I don't care. I'm not letting your own anger be the reason that Rogue harms you," Greyson snapped. "Now, go to Ace because he is currently yelling many profanities at me in my head and that is not like him."
Indianna let out a sigh of relief when Tai made her way over to Ace, but she gasped in shock when she was suddenly seized by Stacey, who linked her arm through Indianna's and pulled her back towards the house. "Merry Christmas, babe! How are you? How are the babies? Omg, if they kick today you have to let me know, I want to feel my little niece and nephew! I'm so excited to spend the whole evening with you! Now that Greyson is back I've hardly seen you, it's totally not fair. Bros before hoes, you know? Besides, you know how much of an ass Greyson is I'm sure you'd die for as much time away from him as you can!"
*And you seriously don't want to kill her?* Came Greyson's voice in Indianna's mind.
*Don't start.*
"How kind is it of Jason to bring Brandon and his mate back together. They're clearly miserable without each other. He's so thoughtful bringing Raiden here tonight, isn't he? Whatever Raiden's issue with Brandon is will easily be resolved, Brandon's done nothing wrong at all. I bet it was probably something Brooke said, she's always causing drama-"
"Did Jason get you anything nice for Christmas?" Indianna tried to force her voice to sound as enthusiastic as she could as she cut Stacey off, not wanting to hear talking about a situation that she had no idea about. Instead, she directed the conversation to focus entirely on Stacey, hoping it would please her enough to distract her from talking falsehoods about Greyson, Brooklyn, Raiden or anyone in the pack.
"Oh, of course he did!" Stacey gasped. "Look at this. He got me..."
Time went past and soon enough everyone was sitting around the dining table, filling their plates the mountain of food that Laura had cooked with the help of everyone else. There was a low hum of conversation, awkwardness hung in the air, no one sure of how to act around Rogue in this peculiar situation.
Indianna was sitting next to Stacey who was beside Rogue, and Greyson was next to her, his hand on her knee, rubbing circles onto her bare skin. Harry, Brooklyn, Ace and Tai were sat opposite them. Both Harry and Tai had tense expressions and both were being calmed by their mates beside them. At the far left of the table sat Brandon and Raiden, after forcing Raiden to sit beside Brandon, they eventually started to talk, but Indianna couldn't make out if their conversation looked positive or not, they both seemed extremely awkward and tentative. Sitting next to them, to the side of Rogue, was Kal, Kimberly, Alice and Alec, who were conversing quietly and it seemed rather civil, which was impressive considering Kal was still holding a grudge against Alec. To the side of Greyson sat his family and Oscar and so far, no one, not even Greyson, Harry and Tai, had lost control.
"So, sister, how long is it until you are due?" Rogue asked, leaning to glance at Indianna.
"Seven weeks," Indianna told him, after swallowing a mouthful of food.
"Not long now," he nodded. "You know, twins are quite likely to be born premature. It could be sooner than you think."
"I hope not."
Rogue smiled. "Time will tell. I know that Stacey can't wait."
Greyson's hand tensed on Indianna's leg as Stacey grinned brightly, nodding her head excitedly. "I've already bought them matching outfits for you. Jason and I chose them together."
"That's lovely, thank you," Indianna said, forcing a smile.
"I have heard that you are not the only one who is pregnant?" Rogue said and Indianna immediately looked across to Brooklyn who froze, fork raised halfway to her mouth. Indianna then looked at Harry who had gone rigid, jaw clenched and eyes narrowed. "Congratulations, Brooklyn."
Brooklyn blinked, swallowing nervously. "Thank you," she mumbled quietly and she glanced at Harry who was now staring directly at her, trying his hardest to remain in control. Indianna felt Greyson shift impatiently beside her.
"So, is it a boy or girl?" Rogue prodded and he smiled when he laid his eyes on Harry, knowing that all Harry wanted to do was harm him, but he couldn't. Rogue enjoyed seeing Harry fight for control.
"We don't know," Brooklyn answered and underneath the table she was holding Harry's hand tightly. Squeezing it so she was cutting off the circulation. Harry could hear Brooklyn's heart thumping and knowing that she was frightened made him even angrier.
"And are you sure that the child is yours?" Rogue directed the question at Harry and a silence washed over the already uncomfortable room.
"What did you just say?" Harry spoke through gritted teeth, his tone venomous.
"I asked if the child that your mate is carrying is yours?" Rogue repeated, raising his eyebrows curiously.
"Jason, that is really not appropriate-"
Rogue raised his hand to silence Indianna, not removing his eyes from Harry who was now shaking, seething in silent anger. "Well?"
"Are you accusing my mate of cheating on me?" Harry growled. Brooklyn was looking between the two of them, eyes wide, a single tear on her cheek. She was too shocked to talk. Too scared.
"Of course not," Rogue said smoothly. "It is very obvious how much the poor girl loves you. I can't for the life of me figure out why, though."
"Enough," Greyson snapped.