Macy POV
Breakfast is quiet. Roland is hungover and hiding beneath his hands. Cassian is pouting because my mates have made it through the portal. Destin refuses to look in my direction but keeps glaring at Edward. Winston and my parents are the only ones who seem to be in good spirits.
"Tell me how you got through the portal again?" Cassian breaks through the silence.
"We just walked through," Edward replies. "Isn't that right, Winston?"
Winston bares his teeth, and I am sure if he could growl, he would be. Resting my hand on top of his, I gently squeeze his finger. He relaxes beside me but doesn't take his eyes off his twin.
"Actually," I clear my throat. "Edward offered something to the Moon Goddess that she couldn't resist. That is how they got through."
Mom narrows her eyes. "What exactly is that?"
"Our firstborn child," I say through gritted teeth.
Everyone sucks in a sharp breath except for Roland. He uncovers his eyes and laughs. The man is fucking laughing. It is not just any laugh but a full belly laugh. I cut my eyes in his direction, but he isn't looking at me. He is looking at my mother.
She has thrown her napkin onto her plate and is pushing away from the table. "Tish," Father calls after her, but she has already rounded the table. She rears her hand back, slaps Edward across the cheek, and moves to do the same to Winston, but I stop her.
"He had nothing to do with it," I tell her.
Still, she hits him away. Winston's eyes are wide as he rubs his cheek. I know it is all a show for my mother. She could never possibly hurt him, but I play along and place a little kiss on the red handprint. He smiles smugly at the gesture, and I can't believe I forgot how attractive he is.
Playfully, he scoots his chair closer to me. I let him wrap his arm around me, and I lean into his chest.
"What's done is done," Roland finally stifles his laughter.
"Excuse me," I say, leaning forward. "We can't let this stand."
"It actually works in our favor," Cassian interrupts. "Your firstborn will have to be with someone other than the Lycan twins. Destin will be a suitable match."
"You can't force me to have a child with anyone," I scoff. "There has to be a way around the situation."
"You can't possibly be considering forgiving him," Mom hisses. "Much less having his child."
"I am not ready to be a mother," I reply coldly. "But when the time comes, I would like to be able to choose the father freely."
Destin's eyes flicker to mine, but I don't give away anything. So far, the only men in my life that are not on my shit list are my fathers and Winston. The rest can go to hell.
"We can talk about this little situation later," Cassian rolls his eyes.
"This isn't a little situation," I snap, but he is no longer listening to me.
"Your ball is tonight," he continues. "We need to know what colors you would like."
"This is more important than the future of my firstborn?" I say exasperated.
"Yes," Cassian replies. "Nyx is already preparing the ballroom. We will have appropriate clothes made for your mates. They will be introduced at your side as well as Destin."
Edward snarls, but no one looks at him.
I clench my jaw and click my tongue on the roof of my mouth. Everyone at the table is looking at me, but I don't want to talk about some stupid ball right now. I want to solve the fucking problem.
"Macy has always preferred black," Mom cuts in. "It is her signature color."
"No," I snap. "Red. I pick red."
Destin chokes on his drink, and I smirk at him from across the table. He shakes his head like he is disappointed. The corners of my lips fall when he excuses himself from the table. I thought he would be pleased, but I was obviously wrong.
"Perfect," Cassian smiles.
Everyone continues eating except for my mother. "We need to discuss what Edward has done," she says loudly. "It affects us all."
"We will cross that bridge when we come to it," Cassian says.
"So, we are just leaving my life up to fate," I whimper.
"That is what we have been doing so far," Cassian smirks. "It has worked out okay."
I swallow hard and fight back the tears forming in my eyes. I desperately need to change the subject. "What happened to Destin's mate?"
Cassian drops his fork. "Who the fuck told you about his mate?"
"Cassian said she was dead," I reply. "But I know that is not the truth."
"Fae cannot lie," Cassian reminds me.
"I deserve to know," I mutter. "If you are playing matchmaker."
"Arabella made decisions she could not recover from," Roland answers my question. "She is now a Gray Creature, and that is all you need to know."
"What is a Gray Creature? Are they the reasons we cannot be out after dark? Can she not be saved?" I pepper the room with my questions.
"We have already told you too much," Cassian snaps. "Let it go."
Dad snorts with laughter. "You don't know Macy well. She doesn't just let things go."
"She will have to be disappointed this time because we are not saying another word," Cassian glares at his father. "My father has decided not to use his brain this morning."
"Fuck you, Son," Roland replies, but there is no anger behind his words.
"If you would excuse me," I say quietly. "I would like to see the ballroom."
It is not a lie. I know Nyx is in the ballroom. If anyone will explain to me what a Gray Creature is, it will be her.
Cassian eyes me with suspicion, but I keep my face neutral and widen my eyes. "I am glad to see you are interested in the preparations for your ball."
I do not trust myself to answer, so I plaster a fake smile on my face and leave.