Isabella

Well she had to admit that Lucas looked even better once he had freshened up. She left her phone in the cabin while she attended breakfast for family. Not only was it hard to hear from her friends and see them having an amazing time skiing but she needed to focus. She just wasn't sure about what yet. Liam raised his glass and the entire table became quiet. He would give the toast instead of his father, the whole situation just felt strange to her.

“To the clan. From near and far, the Bradwick family welcomes you and appreciates you taking time during the holidays to be with us. I'm sorry that my siblings and my parents couldn’t join us this year, but as I'm sure all of you are aware we are dealing with our own issues at the castle. I do bring glad tidings from all of them, they are thinking of you and wishing you and your families well. I hope you have many gifts this year and in the years beyond. To the clan,” he said finally as he raised his glass higher. The speech had been one that his father had said pieces of in the past. Liam looked proud of himself that he had handled it with as much composure as his father had always done. Isabella raised her glass with everyone else at the table and repeated, “To the clan,” before clinking with those around her and taking a sip of the mimosa. People immediately began digging into the French toast, waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs, ham and fruit that was set in front of them. Croissants were being passed around and homemade doughnuts were down at the other end of the table. It was a feast. Christmas Eve brunch was always overdone with the Bradwick's, it was just part of the season for them. But Isabella was not complaining. She just filled her plate and began to dig in, she wasn't really paying attention to the conversation around her until it turned to Cole, the current alpha in his father's absence. Olivia and Liam's older brother.

“Liam, how is Cole? I'm surprised that he sent you instead of coming himself.” Isabella knew that passive aggressive tone, it was her uncle from West Virginia. He monitored the clans there, but she knew that he wasn't happy to have Cole in charge of the Eastern clan. He felt that someone older with more experience should be in charge in Alan's absence. Especially since Cole had been the one to put down the new law that girls had to stay living with their parents until they were married. Isabella was annoyed with Cole for that one but she understood that he was doing what he felt was right to keep his people safe. She couldn't be angry with him for trying. He just had a terrible delivery.

“Joshua,” Liam said turning towards their uncle, “Cole sends his regards. But obviously, he's running the entire Eastern clan, he couldn't just shut down being an alpha for a few days. That's not how it works. All the siblings are helping him out, taking our turn to do our duty. We understand what it means for our family.”

Joshua scooped another piece of French toast into his mouth and Isabella watched in disgust as syrup ran down into his scraggly beard. Joshua was nothing like her mother, even though they were siblings. As he had grown older he had become more of a brute. He was blunt and stubborn and he never thought he was wrong. He didn't always make family interactions very pleasant.

“It's just that he's putting down a lot of new laws, silly for him to not show his face. Almost makes someone think that he knows that there's some distrust.”

Isabella noticed her end of the table became a lot quieter. People were now talking in hushed whispers wondering what Joshua was getting at. She was too. She set down her fork and took a sip from her mimosa watching Liam and Joshua's eyes narrow at one another. Liam was young but he wasn't dumb. He knew how to play the game, as well. She had seen it a million times before. Joshua was the head of one of the sections of the clan. She wasn't sure in this case who had more authority.

“Distrust? Are you saying the clan has distrust Joshua?” Liam said in the accusing tone.

“Some of the West Virginia sections are getting concerned Liam. I'm sure you can understand why. Our ways are maybe less evolved than yours, but it always worked for us. No one in our portion of the clan has died from anything other than old age in nearly a decade. We know how to take care of our own, we don't need some stupid laws to tell us what to do.”

Isabella felt her father tense next to her. “Cole was just trying to do what he thinks will keep our clan safe. To keep us strong in a time of turmoil.”

Isabella's head snapped on the last word. Turmoil? Sure, the Bradwick sister had died, but she drowned in a lake accident. She hadn't been aware that anything was suspect about the situation.

“Cole is the current alpha. Whatever he says goes. Joshua remind your people of that. Now let's get on with stuffing ourselves full of delicious breakfast, shall we?”

Joshua bowed his head slightly and began shoveling food into his mouth once again. This proved it really was Liam who had the authority, but Isabella still wondered if this was the end of the argument. Or if there was more to come.