300 Days With The Alpha Beta Triplets
DREADED QUESTION

Bella:

In no time, we were at the airport in the Dusk Pack. We made it down the airstairs, and the men with us helped take

our bags out of the plane. There, at the car rank, four cars were waiting for us. Two were to take Finn and Kai to their grandma's place, and we had two for ourselves.

"See you guys in two days," Finn said as the men loaded their stuff into the trunk of their car.

"Yeah, see you guys," Kai said, then they exchanged brief hugs with Ryder before turning to Hazel.

"I'll try to miss you guys," Hazel said in a low tone, then she gave Finn a light punch on his shoulder.

Finn grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly. After he pulled away, Kai hugged her, too. Then they turned to me.

"Oh, I'm going to miss you guys so much," I said to Finn and Kai, throwing my arms around their necks.

They both wrapped their arms around my waist, pulling me close as my chest grazed against theirs, then they kissed my cheeks before pulling away.

With that, we watched them get into the car, which drove away at once. I took a deep breath, and the three of us walked towards the remaining two cars. Ryder got in front while Hazel and I took the back seat.

We watched the twins' car zoom off before ours, then our car left for the house of the Beta of the Dusk Pack.

Shortly, we arrived at the huge, castle-like structure. The last time I was here was during the wedding, and everything was the same. As soon as the car came to a halt, Carmille rushed through the door to welcome us, and Tyler came out shortly after, just like the last time.

"You came," she said to Ryder as soon as he stepped out of the car.

"Why wouldn't I visit my mother?" he asked, and she pulled him into a hug, patting his back. "Mom, I can't breathe," Ryder said, and then she pulled away from him.

"Tyler, my man!" Ryder exclaimed as they jammed their fists together before going in for a hug.

Carmille turned to me with a warm smile on her face.

"Good day, ma'am," I greeted with a curt bow, and Hazel did the same.

"It's nice to see you again, Bella," she said, and then she turned to Hazel.

"This is my friend, Hazel," I said to her, and Hazel flashed a smile, putting out her hand, which Carmille took.

"Hazel Baudelaire," Hazel said, causing Carmille to pause.

This was expected.

"Are you..."

"Yes," Hazel replied before Carmille could finish.

"It's nice to meet you, and you are welcome to my humble home," she said, and we thanked her.

Three ladies dressed in aprons were called on to show us to our rooms, which were separate, unlike the last time. Coincidentally, I was placed in the room Ryder and I stayed in last time.

As soon as the lady assigned to me dropped my luggage and shut the door, I walked to the bed, throwing myself on it as the memories of what happened that day replayed in my mind.

A knock on my door drew me back to reality, and I groaned, standing up to see who it was.

"Hazel!" I exclaimed, rubbing the back of my head as she stood there with a mini bag, which probably had her clothes.

"It's getting late, and I have to meet Riley at his apartment, remember?" she asked, and I rushed to the bed, grabbing my bag.

"Let's go. Ryder should be downstairs," I said to her, and we made our way downstairs to see Ryder conversing with his brother. "I'd hate to borrow him, but we have to go," I said, and Ryder got up at once, grabbing the keys from the kitchen table.

"I'll catch you later," he said to Tyler, and they shook hands. "Bye, Mom."

Carmille glanced at us from where she was standing by the gas cooker, with a helper turning something into a pot.

"Drive safely, honey. Take care of Bella, and be back before dinner," she yelled, causing my face to heat up.

She seemed nice to me, which made me wonder why my mother hated her. We got into a black Audi, and Ryder sped off at once, making his way to Riley's apartment.

Shortly, we arrived at the parking lot, and before Hazel could call him, he walked out through the sliding doors. Hazel pushed open the door, rushing toward him. He put his arms out, and she jumped onto him while he grabbed her tightly, whirling her around for a few seconds. Then they kissed before walking toward the car.

Hazel took out her bag while Ryder wound down the window on my side.

"Hey, Riley," I greeted, and we shook hands, and he extended his hand to Ryder.

We talked for about a minute before he pulled away.

"Let me not bore you, and I don't want to keep her waiting," he said, wrapping his arm around Hazel's waist, planting a kiss on her lips, then taking her bag.

Ryder drove off after we said our goodbyes, and we made our way back to the Beta's residence.

The first thing that greeted us was the smell of freshly cooked dinner, followed by the sight of the Beta, Duncan, leaning against the kitchen counter as Carmille took a bowl of soup from it to the dining table, which had eight chairs surrounding it.

"Good evening, sir," Ryder and I echoed, bowing and genuflecting.

"Good evening," he said, then glared at Ryder. "It's been a while, young man."

They began to converse from there, while I made my way to the dining table, my belly rumbling at the sweet aroma of the assorted meals. I took a seat from the side of the table opposite where Carmille was seated. Tyler took a seat on my side, but not too close-he left the middle seat for Ryder.

"Boys!" Carmille called out, and both Ryder and Duncan stopped talking, making their way to the table.

We said a brief prayer before we began to eat. The meal tasted amazing, and the entire family was welcoming. We discussed and laughed as we ate.

Soon, it came to an end.

"Thank you," I said to Duncan and Carmille. "The meal was delicious, and I enjoyed your cooking." Technically, it was hers because she supervised the maids, ensuring they used the right ingredients in the right quantities.

"Thank you, Bella," Carmille said as the Beta leaned in to steal a kiss from her cheek. "Help me clear the table, will you?" she asked, and Duncan looked at her, his brows furrowing.

"It's okay, baby. I won't be long. I'll clear the table, and I won't do the dishes," she said, stealing a kiss while the Beta sighed and got up.

"Your mother-she never listens, and she won't stop working," he said to Ryder, who chuckled.

"I'll need you boys to clear out," Carmille said, and my heartbeat quickened.

She definitely wanted to speak to me alone.

As soon as the boys left, she pushed her chair back and stood up, and I followed suit. She stacked the soup plates, then pushed them toward me.

"Help me put these in the sink," she said, and I nodded, reaching for them. "Thank you for everything," she spoke before I could move an inch.

I stared at her with my hands on the plates.

"Each time I look at my boy, my heart leaps for joy, and I cannot thank you enough. You did that, Bella," she said as she stacked the flat plates.

Unsure of what to do, I grabbed the plates before I muttered, "It's a pleasure, but you did a better job."

I hoped it was polite enough, and the smile on her face proved it.

I tossed the plates in the sink, and then she said to me, "You can go to bed. I just had to let that out tonight."

For a while, I stood still, watching her take away the plates. My mind bugged me with questions I felt she had answers to, and without wasting time, I opened my mouth.

"I don't mean to pry, but the tension between you and my mother was pretty obvious at the camp. I know you have history, and I had this whole construct about you, but you seem like the nicest person I've met. If you don't mind, I'd love to know what happened between you two-like the entire love triangle."

She paused when I said this...