The Dinner – Party Animals! - 8

Aubrianne Ivanov

"You are a decent young man, Daniel, and anyone in their right mind would love to have you as a son-in-law. Hell, I was thinking of passing on the Alpha title to you before my baby girl came into my life."

"That should let you know how high of a standard I hold you." Theo finished watching the pair with a smile at the corner of his eyes and lips.

His eyes were almost twinkling with mischief towards his daughter, however. He was serious in his words to Daniel.

Aubrianne was wide-eyed the entire time. Was her father serious right now? Putting her on the spot about this? She eyed him with her shocked, unbelieving expression.

While Daniel suddenly felt broad-shouldered, confident, and the biggest man on campus, and what he was thinking to say was only because he felt hung like a horse and he had the balls.

He was the man, now with Alpha Thornton practically shoving his blessing down his throat, making it known where he stood in the matter.

Daniel was ecstatic. A huge grin was plastered across his features.

He and Cassius were cheering each other on and were going crazy on the inside. Now that he had Mr. Thornton's blessings, Goddess. Cassius could not contain his joy. This must be true; maybe he was supposed to end up with Aubrianne. Things were falling into perfect place for them.

He cannot hold back now.

Goddess, how could he give up now? Never. It was not an option.

"Goddess, huh," Daniel started, lost for words. Well, unsure of what to say first, he shook his head; where does one begin after comments like that, plus the effect it had on him was tantamount to winning the lottery.

He felt like his dreams were coming true.

Aubrianne's eyes slid from her father's to Daniel, and she stared wide-eyed at Daniel's reaction. She was proven wrong when she thought her eyes could not get any wider.

Christen and Timothy were livid at Theo's words. They were conversing with themselves when Theo caught their attention at 'Alpha.'

Their heads snapped towards the conversation happening and quickly followed. Then they were both staring daggers at Daniel, and their eyes narrowed and stayed on Aubrianne at 'before my baby girl came into my life.'

The rest of the guests watched Aubrianne and Daniel, oohing and aahing, agreeing with Theo's statement and their eyes sliding between Aubrianne and Daniel.

While Jada stayed quiet and watched Aubrianne amused, she knew Aubrianne was currently freaking out about something.

Jada could not sense Aubrianne's emotions, given that she taught Aubrianne how to mask her feelings, but she knew her friend and did not need magic to tell.

"It is an honor coming from you, Alpha! I am overjoyed to receive your blessings for Aubrianne's hand..."

'Whatever you say, do not mention Aubrianne's wolf.' Theo mind-linked Daniel, which threw him completely off as he was about to say, 'And we are already connected in a special way, as we are imprinted, so why not take it one step further'...

With Alpha Thornton's blessings, Daniel thought this was the time to make his intentions known. He might as well, right?

Now Daniel's tongue was tied, one because he could not say what he wanted to say, how he imagined himself saying it, and two d@mn Theo did not want his own family to know about Aubrianne's wolf.

'You know what? It could be because Kirrah and Brody were also here.'

'What the f**k is he doing?' Aubrianne asked Leia.

'Who?' Leia answered lazily, but was too entertained by this dinner.

'Aren't you paying attention? I know you are, so stop playing!' Aubrianne responded, a bit antsy, wondering what Daniel would say or do. 'Daniel, Leia!'

'How would I know? Maybe he is going to propose.' Leia snickered.

'What?' Aubrianne was definitely not thinking that. She honestly did not want these people to know about Leia. But Leia's take on it was shocking, propose? Well, that could never be it either, because how does one go from the night they had to a proposal?

Does that make sense?

'I don't want them to know about you,' Aubrianne informs Leia, her voice laced with concern.

'I know, me too, but don't worry, surely our father would have handled that, as we know it is only Daniel, Ivan, Martha, Jada, and Dad that know who we are, and Dad would protect us, oh and Shawn. They all would.' Leia explained.

Clearing his throat, Daniel decided to try again, "Alpha, I am so honored that you hold me in such high regard, it is my pleasure to serve this community, and I would be here for Aubrianne as well in any way she would have me."

With the slight distraction Alpha Thornton provided, Daniel and Cassius were able to think reasonably. First and foremost, they could not put Aubrianne on the spot like that.

He should stick to his initial plans to talk to her first, right?

And now all eyes were on Aubrianne, eagerly awaiting her answer. To see if she would "have him." She inwardly rolled her eyes but breathed a sigh of relief when Daniel did not mention anything about her, so she was happy to answer, "Oh, Daniel, this makes me so happy to hear because I really want and need your friendship."

Aubrianne responded with a light blush, and she reached to touch his hand. One thing Aubrianne still knew for sure was that she wanted his friendship. She did not want to lose Daniel.

"Aw, maybe it is too soon for her." Kirrah spoke up, looking at Aubrianne in understanding, and Brody said, "Yea, but who knows what could blossom with time, love, and tender care." He finished looking directly at Kirrah.

She gave him a look and said, "Or maybe she is just waiting for her mate," then Brody inserted, looking directly at Kirrah still, "Mates are rare these days. Chances she may never meet hers.'

Well, at this point, Aubrianne wondered if this was for her or them. Kirrah rolled her eyes and said, "Aubrianne, don't take them on, hun mates are a special thing, don't count them out; this is all new to you, so take your time. There is certainly no rush."

She said that part a little harsher and shot Brody a look, narrowing her eyes.

Now everyone else was watching them, suspiciously coming to the same conclusion that something was going on, and it was clear that Brody wanted more and Kirrah did not.

Well, she needed time, as she ended with 'no rush.'

'Gosh, is this dinner entertaining or what?' Leia stretches.

"Thanks, guys. I appreciate all the advice," Aubrianne said and smiled warmly; she did not know what else to say about it.

She looked at her father and gave him an eye. This was all his fault, putting her in the spotlight about this, and he smiled and shrugged, leaned in, and whispered, "Can't blame an old man for trying."

Aubrianne gave him her best 'shocked' and 'so appalled' expressions as she said, "Yes, I can." Then folded her hands defiantly.

Theo's eyes widened, and a broad smile appeared on his already smiling lips. Then he wondered, thank Goddess, she did not grow up with him because he would have spoiled her rotten.

He laughed because he knew how ridiculous that sounded. Still, he could not help but feel grateful for the excellent job Athalia did in raising Aubrianne into such a well-educated and disciplined young woman.

Looking at Aubrianne's little display of defiance, yeah, she would have ruled him as he imagined a three-year-old version of that. She would have had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

"Hey, but I am serious, though. There is no pressure on this. This decision is all up to you." Theo then reassures Aubrianne.

Now the evening was quickly winding down, and many opted to take away dessert, too stuffed to try and eat anything else.

While the servers tended to their desserts, Theo spoke again, thanking everyone for coming and spending the evening with him and his family. It meant a lot that they came, met his daughter, and spent some time getting to know her.

Also, Theo was unsure what the young folks had planned tonight, but he offered the poolhouse so they could all hang out nearby. Aubrianne would join them after the tour.

Theo had insisted his boys join Jada, Daniel, Daniela, Kirrah, Brody, and Aubrianne. Hopefully, some of Aubrianne can rub off on Timothy and Tobias.

There were collective groans around the table from Timothy and Daniela. The two-party animals.

Timothy could not wait to get out of there, head to a club and drink the night away. Or was he looking to get himself into more problems?

Daniela was also ready to party. She would meet up with Jenna, and they would go out.