The stillness of the afternoon sun shining down on the town and the quiet of the chilly air as winter came mimicked perfectly the atmosphere inside the Blackwood mansion.
Their icy breaths could've sent clouds from their lips and the looks baring distrust and lack of conviction only added fuel to the fire within the walls. The lavish interior sat bleakly on its tables and pedestals, showcasing to everyone what kind of wealth the Blackwoods dealt with as guests entered the mansion.
No less so when the mayor decided to make a surprise visit and drive by this Thursday afternoon.
The sound of tires screeching against the gravel alerted everyone on the ground that there was a visit.
The gatekeeper had notified Alpha Jax who then sent a mind link to his pack telling them to behave; in which it was included that no one shifted or started fighting on open grounds whilst the humans were present.
Jax and his mother welcomed Mayor Clan as he entered the mansion and guided him to the common room where coffee and cake had been set up already, awaiting him.
Mayor Clan removed his black scarf and looked around incredulously at the preparations.
"It's like you knew I was coming," he joked but couldn't mask the uncomfortable hint in his tone.
"The gatekeeper Mr. Mandarin informed us when you arrived so we had just enough time to prepare," Mrs. Blackwood mused and handed the mayor's coat and scarf over to the housekeeper.
They sat down on the beige leather sofas facing each other and poured the coffee.
It was clear that Mayor Clan had something important on his mind, he kept getting tongue-twisted as he tried to form coherent words.
Mrs. Blackwood smiled and leaned back as they awaited the true nature of his visit to be exposed and Jax was impatiently eyeing him hoping to speed it up. Jax looked towards the hallway leading to the stairs and one floor up where his wife was sleeping.
He rolled up his fingers and grew more agitated, wanting Mayor Clan to get on with it and tell them why he was there so that Jax could carry on and go find Lola. It wouldn't be hard, he knew where she was, in Ash's bedroom- a fact that when he thought about it set his teeth on edge and his fists on fire.
"About this surprise visit, I'm sure you're curious as to why I'm here." Mayor Clan said. He slowly lowered his cup and placed his elbows on his knees, a nervous smile stretched on his lips and he drew a deep breath- pulling Jax back from his thoughts, and expressing his wish.
"I was hoping that you would be able to plan and host the Winter Fest this year," he was quick to continue before anyone had a chance to say no, "the theme this year is Winter Whimsy!" He gestured with his hands in big motions and a twinkle in his eyes spoke volume of the excitement.
Mrs.Blackwood put her cup down and bit back a tasteless comment. A chuckle left her lips as she cleared her throat and asked, "Winter whimsy?"
Mayor Clan, excited and hopeful, nodded his head and rolled up the sleeves of his Ralph Lauren dress shirt.
The Burberry coat he'd walked in with hung in the coat closet and sitting big on his arm was a lavish silver Rolex.
The Blackwoods knew that they were to most part responsible for the Clan's success and wealth, seeing as the Blackwoods were here first and everyone else had taken a ride on the back of their golden chariot, riding it down a silver lane and into the land of the wealthy. It had, however, come with a price for all the families that they were glad to pay- being in servitude to the Blackwoods in any manner should they need it.
"Winter Whimsy, with the snow and the frost and the colorful candy canes and, you know, whimsy," he said joyfully trying to explain his vision.
When you were as wealthy, powerful, and untouchable as the Blackwoods, it was in the job description to control every muscle in your face to keep from revealing your true emotions. For Mrs. Blackwood that meant keeping a lid on the fact that she thought the Winter Whimsy sounded like the decade's tackiest idea and that she refused to touch it with a mile-long pole.
"Mayor, we love the town's many traditions, as you know, but why do you want to delegate the winter fest?" She asked.
The mayor looked around, he sucked on his teeth and pressed his palms together.
His eyes had a flame burning angry when he looked up but it was clear that he tried to push down whatever anger he bore.
"The talk of the town," he scoffed and chewed on his lip, "the talk of many towns is Lola Graves marrying into the Blackwood family. The news has somewhat trumped the fact that I'm the mayor and it's been petitioned that maybe you Blackwoods should take over the post." Though he tried, the anger seeped into his words like venom against a family that couldn't be harmed with poison, but Mayor Clan didn't know that.
"We have read the articles about Lola and our family but if anything it's put Wild Cliff in the center of light, as a beacon for the hopeful." Mrs. Blackwood said.
Her lips parted, about to continue her defense when Jax raised his hand to stop her.
"How about instead of us taking over, which would only worsen your situation and enhance the gossip, we campaign you. We can of course make the plans and preparations, even fund the event, but we let you take the credit for it."
The mayor's eyes grew to twice the size and his jaw dropped.
"You would do that?" He asked.
"You've been great to our family and have been very complacent, it is time we gave back," though we have given you enough to last for lifetimes.
"Mr. Blackwood, the generosity," he laughed, "thank you so much, I promise you won't regret it." Mayor Clan stood and Jax followed- they shook hands and the mayor couldn't stop smiling.
"Oh and normally it's the mayor's job to light the Christmas tree but I was hoping you and Lola would do the honors this year. I think the people would love to see you and your wife in public like that, she's made quite a name in the last few months," he mused.
Jax remained eye contact, he clenched his jaw and tried to seem as unbothered as he could but his mind railed to his wife in another man's bed and that comment- happy couple- something they hadn't been for a long time.
The sound of heels clicking against the floor drew everyone's attention to Lavina who walked in. Her long cardigan flowed around her knees, her stilettos clicked like sharp blades against the floor and her hair fell in bouncy curls over her collarbone.
"Mayor Clan, what an unexpected pleasure," she reached out her hand, her soft skin gently touching the mayor as he shook her hand.
"Lavina, hi," he looked bewitched, his eyes lingering on hers as though he stared into her depths and he licked his lips and pulled away only when Mrs. Blackwood cleared her throat.
"You're here," he said.
"I am, the Blackwoods have been very kind," she purred as she slid her glance over Jax's face.
"I hope we will see you at the winter fest as well," Mayor Clan said, his smile broadening.
Lavina, feigning modesty, looked at Jax and shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh I don't know, I haven't been a part of this town for a long time,"
"I know, your absence has been noticeable. I hope you will come, and I'm sure the whole town would love to meet you again,"
Lavina smiled. Jax nodded his head as he walked over to stand next to her. "I think she will," Jax said and grinned.
They heard the heavy steps against the floors, felt the air choking their pipes and the heavy tension falling over them.
Jax took a step to the side, letting the air flow between him and Lavina.
"Please, don't stop on my account," Lola said behind them and everyone turned around but it wasn't her that their eyes landed on- it was the fuming Alpha behind her that caught their attention.