“No," I stated firmly before Damien could answer, “I am a free woman. I just happen to enjoy spending my free time with Damien and his Brothers.”

The man had a mop of dark brown hair and thick stripes. He was really angry, as was his family. I saw the hint of their fangs as they threatened to drop. These men wanted to fight.

"Listen, buddy,” I said stopping in my tracks and putting up my hands, “Damien and his Brothers are very special to me. I get that you don't understand our relationship, but it is not what you think. None of us should have to justify this to you. It isn't your business.”

The men stood staring at me and I felt my family's desire to put my fragile body behind theirs. A fight was Looming in the crowded hall and I stood at the center of where it would be. Grabbing me and moving me may infuriate the other men, so Christof was ready, but not moving for now. A free woman would stand where she wanted to stand, even if it was dangerous.

“What, the dark hair man asked, “is bu-ddy?"

Unbidden, English was sneaking back into my vocabulary.

“Friend,” Bane answered calmly, for friend."

It is a word from her native Language.

“How do you know it?" the man's Brother asked.

Damien spoke and explained that we had a bond. It was stronger now because of the little girl growing in my belly. Even without that we had a mate bond, Damien and his Brothers had access to my knowledge.

I bristled at the conversation and crossed my arms impatiently.

“Our mate bond is not his business," I snapped angrily and loudly. "It isn't anyone's business except ours!"

Kein's hand smoothed down my back. I was being quite temperamental right now. The family had a reputation for steady reserve and they really wanted me to be like that, too. I'd been erratic all day.

“I don't want to be calm!" I said turning angry eyes on Kein.

“It is absolutely absurd to me how nosy everyone is. I feel Like we are Living under a microscope and I DO NOT LIKE IT!"

Christof grunted a laugh under his breath and I turned to find him trying to hide his amusement. "It isn't funny. This is so RIDICULOUS!" I railed.

Temper tantrums were funny to watch here, just like on Earth. On my home planet I would not have been subjected to feeling how outrageous my actions were to everyone around me. Their humor infuriated me and I Slammed our bond closed, so I didn't have to hear them thinking.

“FINE,” I shouted throwing up my arms, “have a big fight! See what that solves! I am going to eat."

Feeling a little foolish, but still quite upset, I marched toward the dining hall. Damien and his Brothers could battle it out in the hall. My patience for this game had worn thin.

The men that had stopped to watch the disagreement stepped quietly to the side so I could pass. No one got in my way as I walked toward the plates on the buffet table. There was not a line yet, because most of the men were in the hall watching the excitement.

I refused to take part in the communal conversation Damien and his Brothers were having as I picked out my dinner. I settled myself at a table in the mostly empty hall and stared down at my food, suddenly feeling lonely. Rose and I always ate together. Tonight I‘d been looking forward to sitting with my family. Dammit.

What a jerk I was to leave them out there. Especially after the indignity of yelling at them. Family should not do that to one another Perhaps they wouldn't want me for family after all, maybe we'd made a mistake.