The weekend after Thanksgiving, Hayden had planned ahead of time to try and help Tracy make their get-together dinner run smoothly. Maia was the one to come up with the idea to incorporate their diverse ethnical backgrounds into the dishes instead of using standard American meals that everyone was forced to eat, and Hayden loved the idea. She just hoped dinned wouldn't be awkward since the truth about Josh and Donovan's pact was revealed, and Theo was forced to break up Maia and Donovan's relationship.

"Good morning, Tracy." Hayden says.

Tracy gave her a smile, and they walk into the kitchen.

"What are you making, chica?"

Hayden chuckled.

"My sister suggested tamales, but…"

"What's wrong with that?"

"We normally make those around Christmas time."

"Okay. Understandable."

They heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and Maia appeared.

"Oh! Maia! You're awake."

"I couldn't sleep." Maia replies tiredly.

The room became quiet.

"I decided to sleep in since it's the weekend."

"Probably a good idea."

Maia picks up a bag of potatoes.

"I'll start making Beth's potatoes since she'll be at work today."

"Her recipe's on the table over there."

"Thanks Tracy."

Maia picks up the paper, and raises an eyebrow.

"Oooh! There's cinnamon in it."

"That'll be tasty."

Maia nodded, and the girls got to work.

After a couple hours of prepping the ingredients for each dish, Hayden answered the front door when Corey arrived. He texted her ahead of time that he would be arriving early after a morning lacrosse game and after game meetup lunch, and walks inside to find Tracy focused on making a stew over the stove. Maia had a struggling look on his face while trying to make mashed potatoes, and Hayden's meal was being made across from hers.

"This already looks better than my family's dinner last night," Corey stated, and everyone laughs. "My dad accidentally burnt the turkey."

"Luckily, we're not having any."

"Thank God."

"This is more of a pot luck."

"Sounds great!"

Maia sighs, and throws away the mashed potatoes.

"Whoa! What happened?"

"I burnt them."

Tracy patted Maia's shoulder.

"Don't worry. My stew needs time to cook."

Tracy pulls out a potato from its sack, and begins peeling its skin.

"I can make the potatoes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! It's no problem!"

Tracy's smile made Maia feel better.

"Could you check the fridge to make sure we have enough drinks?"

"If there's no soda, I can make lemonade."

"That'd be great, Maia!"

Hayden noticed Tracy's venom was dripping on the potatoes.

"Careful, Tracy! Your venom…"

"Oh, God dammit!"

Tracy quickly threw out the peeled potatoes.

"Can't you wash them off?"

"No. The venom would sink into them."

"I'd still eat 'em."

Tracy scoffed at Corey.

"I don't plan on poisoning anyone on Theo's birthday."

"That's probably for the best."

Maia shuts the fridge, and turns back around.

"We're low on drinks, Tracy."

"Course we are!"

Everyone noticed Tracy seemed tense and stressed out.

"Feeling nervous, huh?"

"Yeah. I want this to go perfectly."

Tracy sighs.

"For Theo, and myself."

"Why's that?"

"It's my first Thanksgiving without my dad."

Everyone was silent.

"Anyway, there's a convenience store nearby I can stop and get drinks."

"Corey? Could you drive her there?"

"Sure! Come on, Maia."

Maia and Corey walk outside into his car, and drive away.

"Do you know what everyone's brining?"

"Yes. Tracy informed me."

Corey smiles.

"Can you tell me, please?"

Maia knew Corey was trying to make conversation to get her mind off of Donovan. The entire pack knew what happened with them, and everyone felt like they were walking on egg shells around the poor girl… especially Donovan who was like a live bomb when it came to his sensitive emotions. One wrong word and he could kill you instantly.

"I wish I could contribute."

"Me too."

"You're bringing lemonade!"

"Yeah, but it's not like it's my own recipe."

"I guess that's true."

Corey sighed, and Maia smiles.

"Right now Tracy is trying to make Beth's family's special mashed potatoes with cinnamon since Beth will be working at the diner all day." Maia explains happily, "Josh is baking some Brazilian cheese bread with his mom, you saw Tracy's special broth cooking on the stove, and Hayden is going to prepare and cook some Machaca."

"What is that?"

"Shredded dried beef."

"Um, ew?"

"Its meat wrapped in a tortilla."

"Oh! So it's like a taco?"

"Basically, but the meat is prepared differently."

Corey finds a parking space in front of the convenience store, and they both step out and walk straight inside.

"If you really want to contribute, Corey."

"Yeah? Got any ideas?"

"We could always have salad."

Corey grinned.

"Thank you, Maia!"

"It's no problem. I'll grab the lemonade, and you the soda?"

"Sure. I think it's over here."

Then they both went their separate ways.

"Let's see…"

Maia walks into an aisle, and spots a specific lemonade mixture box.

"Aha! There you are!"

Maia picks up two boxes, and smiles.

"Now to find Corey."

She walks out of the aisle, and over to the produce section.

"Corey? Where are you?"

"Over here!"

He was waving his arms in the air.

Maia noticed he had a cart with him now, and three cases of soda were placed on the bottom rack near the wheels. She helped him pick out fresh produce to put in the salad Corey was bringing, and suggested using shredded cabbage instead of buying lettuce to cut up instead as a healthier option. After finally finding fresh red onions and tomatoes, the pair walk over to an available check-out aisle to ring up their grocery items.

"I'll pay for all this, Maia."

"No! You shouldn't…"

"It's okay."

The cashier places their items in paper bags.

"At least let my pay for the drinks."

"Alright. It's a deal."

After paying for their groceries, the cashier smiled up at Maia.

"Have a nice day! Oh, and Ms. Kent?"

Maia was confused.

"I'm sorry to hear about you loss."

Corey looks over at Maia who was stunned.

"Oh, um… Thank you."

"Your parents were so kind."

"Right. Goodbye."

"Happy Thanksgiving!"

Corey and Maia walk out of the store with Maia completely dumbfounded.

"Hey, you doing okay? That must've been–"

"It's fine. It doesn't bother me."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh-huh."

Corey unlocks his car, and Maia places their bags in the back.

"Let's get back before Theo returns."

"You're right."

They both entered the car, and Corey starts driving back to the house.

"Are Zach and Gretta brining anything?"

"I'm not too sure."

"Tracy didn't say they were?"

"I think Zach is bringing a dessert, but Gretta…"

Maia sighs, rolling her eyes.

"I think she refused to bring a thing."

"Sounds like her."

When Corey pulled up the driveway, they both noticed the rest of the chimera pack making their way inside the house. Theo helped Corey carry the three packs of soda while Maia carried the bags of groceries with her lemonade mix and Corey's salad ingredients. Unfortunately for her, Gretta wound't stop incessantly chatting up her ear.

"Can I ask, Maia, dear?" She spoke.

"Sure. Anything…"

"What's Donovan like in bed?"

Maia's eye almost twitched in response to the question.

"Why would you want to know that?"

"Cause I'm trying to have sex with the dawg!"

"That's bestiality, you know?"

Gretta rolls her eyes.

"You know what I mean, Maia!"

"Yeah, so what makes you think I care?"

Maia squeezes her hands.

"Now leave me alone, and go bother someone else."

"Fine! If that's how you feel."

Maia sighs, and made her way into the kitchen.

"What's with the extra bags, Maia?" Hayden asks curiously.

"Corey wanted to make salad for us since he felt bad about not being able to bring anything to eat," Maia explained, taking the ingredients out of the bags and onto the counter. "I also realized we forgot to buy bottled water for the house, Corey."

"I knew we forgot something!"

"You'll drink the tap." Theo stated, "it won't kill you."

"Are these soft to you?" Tracy asks.

Theo steps over by Tracy, and tastes a bit of the mashed potatoes.

"A little soft, but mostly watery."

"UGH! I quit!"

Tracy dumps out her ruined mashed potatoes.

"I need to check on my mom's broth. Hayden? Could you help Corey make the salad?"

"Of course! My meal is done anyway."

Hayden took out a large wooden bowl and salad tossers from a cabinet. Corey and her washed their hands in the kitchen sink including the fresh produce as well. Then they took the items over to one end of the dining room table to combine the salad. Zach was awkwardly standing by the fridge carrying what he brought to the Thanksgiving dinner, and Maia noticed.

"What did you bring, Zach?" She asks.

"It's nothing much." He mumbles.

"It looks yummy!"

"It's French vanilla ice cream."

"Delicious. We can have that for dessert!"

Zach nodded, smiling. Then he placed the ice cream in the freezer.

"Can I help? I'm good with my hands."

"Tracy may need help."

While Zach walked away, Maia realized Donovan had snuck into the cramped kitchen and began working on a dish of his own. She was trying to avoid him, but due to the kitchen being so crowded she accidentally nudges his shoulder causing Donovan to turn his head around.

"Watch it!" He yelled.

"Sorry! I'm sorry," Maia replies.

"Oh… No, I am."

Donovan bashfully looks away from her.

"Do you need help?"

"No."

"What is it?"

"Homemade calzones."

Maia leaned over to watch him work.

"I never knew you cooked."

"I use to do it a lot before my mom left and my dad died."

"Did they teach you how?"

"Yes."

"How sweet."

They stared at each other until the front door slams open.

"Hola, bitches!" Josh shouts.

Maia quickly walked away from Donovan.

"What are you doing, Josh?"

"I thought I'd make a grand entrance."

Maia chuckled.

"Where should I put these?"

"On the table, I guess."

Josh nods, and places the basket of cheese bread on the table.

"So what's on the menu, Maia?"

"We have Beth's mashed potatoes, Tracy's broth, Hayden's Machaca, your cheese bread, Donovan's calzones, and Corey is preparing salad... oh! Also, Zach brought over a giant carton of french vanilla ice cream for dessert."

"What about you?"

"I'm making lemonade."

"Is that all?"

"I don't know any family recipes."

Maia sadly sighed.

"It's not like I could ask my folks, you know?"

"Hey, I get it."

Josh gave her a warm smile.

"Go wait in the living room while we cook."

"You're all still cooking?"

"We're almost done. I promise…"

Donovan was listening to their conversation, and eyeing Maia.

"If the food smells this good, I'm sure it's worth it!"

Maia giggles causing Donovan to scowl.

"I'll be over here if ya need me!"

While Josh left the kitchen, Maia pulled out of one of the top cabinets a plastic pitcher and opens up one of the lemonade mixture boxes. She poured the correct amount of mixture into the bottom of the pitcher, adding water until it reached the right measurement near the top of the rim, and used the lid's built-in stirrer to combine the two.

"Interesting color."

Maia turns around to face Gretta.

"Why are you here?"

"I was bored."

"Josh is in the living room."

"So…?"

"So go bother him."

Maia started pulling out drinking glasses.

"I normally don't drink lemonade."

"You don't have to."

Maia began setting the glasses down around the table.

"You can have water or soda instead."

"What about alcohol?"

"What about it?" Theo interrupts, "it's not like we can get drunk."

"Maybe if we added a little wolfsbane…"

"No. Absolutely not."

Theo gave Gretta a warning look.

"It's like Maia said. If you have a problem with it then leave."

"Geez! Talk about a party pooper, huh?"

Maia ignored her.

"Theo? I give up." Tracy said.

She looks back at Theo with a frustrated look.

"I have no clue how to make these special mashed potatoes!"

"We could always wait for Beth..."

"By then the rest of the food will be cold!"

"Why don't I make them?"

"As in, like, your own version?"

Theo noticed Tracy looking worried, and shook his head.

"On second thought, I shouldn't…"

"Wait! Why not?"

"I usually like mine dry."

"If you like them that way then who cares?"

"I care!" Gretta interrupted.

They ignored her.

"You're sure?"

"This dinner is for you, Theo."

Tracy almost blushes.

"Everyone came to celebrate with you, you know."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"Of course! It's your birthday, leader."

They both laughed.

"Do we have more potatoes?"

"Yes. Beth went overboard, and bought six bags full."

"We'll be fat in less than a month."

Maia smiled at her two leaders getting along.

"Aren't they wholesome?"

She sadly turned to look at Donovan.

"A perfect couple…"

"Oh, get over it!"

Gretta crossed her arms.

"It's not like you were in love with him, right?"

"No! I… Well, I don't know."

She watches Donovan place a tray of calzones in the oven.

"Ugh. You're so annoying."

Gretta stormed over toward Donovan.

"I'm not done yet, Maia. I'm just putting them in–"

Suddenly, Gretta tugs him by his shirt and pulls him into a kiss.

"What the hell?!"

"Hm. Not bad for a wendigo."

Gretta licks her lips.

"Wonder what else of yours tastes good?"

"Seriously?"

Tracy pointed her finger at her.

"Not in my kitchen!"

Gretta struts out of the kitchen, and doesn't break eye contact with Donovan. Maia took her mind off the kiss by making sure they had enough ice for their glasses, and checking to make sure Theo didn't need help making the mashed potatoes. He even managed to find the time to steam cook some corn to go with them.

When the entire meal was finished, Tracy had asked everyone to take a seat at the dining table which made Maia nervous. Theo was at the head of the table with Tracy sitting to his right, Donovan siting next to her, and Gretta quickly taking the seat on Donovan's other side. When Josh sat on Theo's other side, Maia had no choice but to fill in the spot next to Josh while everyone else sat in the other seats. Not to mention leaving an empty chair next to Maia reserved for Beth.

"So what now?" Zach asks, "do we say a prayer?"

"No way! I'm starving," Gretta interrupts.

Theo nodded, agreeing.

"Let's just eat before the food gets cold."

Everyone grew a smile on their face, and started reaching for the food. Josh was the first to grab a couple of his mother's cheese bread, and placed one on Maia's plate for her.

"Thanks." Maia replies, smiling.

"No problem." He said.

Josh reached over for the Machaca next.

"Want some?"

"No thank you."

"You've gotta eat something!"

Maia noticed Donovan was sharing a calzone with Gretta.

"Actually, I'll try some broth."

"Okay. Sounds good!"

Josh poured some of Tracy's soup into a small bowl.

"Here you go! Nice and warm."

"Thank you."

"Anything else, Maia?"

"Why not get some food for yourself?"

"Hey, I've got plenty!"

Maia stared down at Josh's plate. He had Machaca wrapped in a tortilla, a side of mashed potatoes with corn, a couple of calzones, a bowl of soup, and a large piece of his mother's cheese bread.

"Are you that hungry?"

"Electricity runs out my metabolism."

Josh took a bite of his meal.

"So, yeah. I'm hungry!"

Maia noticed a bit of meat stuck to his lip.

"You've got, um…"

"What?"

"Here."

Maia picks up his napkin, and wipes the corner of his mouth.

"There. All gone now."

"Maybe I was saving it for later?"

"You're gross!"

Maia laughs, and Josh smiles down at her.

"I know I'm late!" Beth's voice shouts as she runs through the front door, "my co-worker was suppose to show up 10 minutes ago but got in a car wreck! So I had to fill in for her in order to make up for her being late, but it's all good because I brought dessert!"

"You did?" Zach sadly replied.

"Yeah. What's wrong?"

"Well I brought dessert, too."

"Like what?"

"Ice cream."

"Well that's perfect!"

Beth revealed to the group in her hands a freshly baked apple pie.

"The cook made this for us tonight."

"Alright! Go Beth!"

"Ice cream and warm pie?"

"Perfect combo!"

Everyone was practically cheering for Beth and Zach.

"Place it in the kitchen for now."

Beth nodded, and momentarily left the room.

"What a great surprise, huh?"

Maia nods as she took a sip of her soup.

"I love this, too."

"Thanks," Tracy smiled.

"It's so hearty."

"It should be. It took hours to brew it."

"Is it vegetable or bone?"

"That's my secret."

"Boo! No fair!"

Tracy laughed at Maia's reaction. She was glad to see her smiling again.

"I really like your lemonade, too, Maia."

"I didn't make it."

"You may as well have!"

"What?"

"You didn't recognize the brand?"

Maia shook her head.

"Should she have?" Corey asks, also interested.

"It's her father's company."

"My… My what?"

"Your dad ran a lemonade company."

"Don't you remember?"

"I… I don't…"

Suddenly, flashes of memories ran through Maia's mind. There was smoke and embers flying off into the night sky, and she was surrounded by a large ring of orange fire. She felt terrified, confused, and worst of all guilty.

"Maia!"

"Huh? What?"

Everyone was staring over at Maia now.

"What was that?"

"I asked what flavor this was," says Beth.

"Oh… um… Orange, I think."

"It's very citrus-y."

"Hey, everything alright?" Josh whispers.

He placed a hand on Maia's back, and she quickly nodded.

"I'm fine. Thanks."

Donovan watched on enviously.

"Hey, wait. These aren't my mashed potatoes."

"Yeah. Sorry, Beth."

Beth looked up at Tracy and Theo.

"We tried to follow the recipe, but we kept on messing it up."

"So I had to improvise on the potatoes."

"You could've called!"

"We didn't want to bother you at work, so Theo made his own version."

"My dad use to mix corn in his every year."

Theo stared at his food.

"It was my sister's favorite, too."

The whole room became quiet until Gretta interrupted.

"Can we talk about something else?"

"Something like what?"

"How about Donovan and Josh's little pimping scheme?"

Maia nearly choked on her drink.

"GRETCHEN!"

"What?! That's basically what they did!"

"Why do you care?" Hayden asks, "it's none of your business."

"Maybe I care about Donovan, hm?"

"Ha! Yeah, right."

"You can have him if you want."

Everyone turned to face Maia including a surprised Donovan.

"I'm over it."

"Really?" Donovan asks, skeptical.

"Yes. Aren't you?"

Maia made eye contact with him across the table.

"We weren't really a couple."

"I disagree."

"Couples go on dates."

Donovan crossed his arms, and stares at Maia.

"You wouldn't want to be seen with me in public. Especially since people around here know I'm a repeat criminal offender, and believe I should belong in jail–"

"A real boyfriend wouldn't care about what other people think, and I would've accepted whatever consequences would have been thrown at us. Just like any real couple would."

"Really?"

"What do you think?"

They both remain quiet, staring at each other.

"Why not live dangerously?"

Gretta slyly rubs her hand over Donovan's upper thigh.

"Can you please not do that now?"

"Nah. I like it there."

Donovan ignores Gretta, and continues eating.

"Maybe after dinner we can–"

Suddenly, Maia begins to have a headache and stands up.

"What's wrong?" Theo asked her.

"It's nothing…"

Maia started walking away.

"I just need to go grab an ibuprofen."

"Maia, are you sure?"

"Yes! I'm fine."

Josh watched as Maia quickly ran upstairs to her room.

"Go see if she's okay, Josh."

"Me? Why me?"

"Cause you're her mate, dummy!"

Josh rolled his eyes.

"I am not."

He threw his napkin over his plate, and walks upstairs to Maia's room.

"Gretta, this was suppose to be a nice dinner!"

"Yeah! What's with the drama?"

Gretta pouted.

"Why am I the one at fault here?!"

"It's always you."

"No!"

Gretta crosses her arms now, and frowns.

"She's the strange one here!"

"Maia has done nothing wrong, and is a part of the pack–"

"She's a stranger to us! A nobody!"

Everyone was quiet.

"She just showed up one day, and you let her become a part of the pack! Well, if you all want my opinion… I don't trust that girl for one second! She's hiding something, and I'm going to figure out what exactly that is!"

Theo slams his fist down on the table.

"ENOUGH, GRETTA!"

He revealed his fangs and glowing eyes.

"No more."

"Whatever! I'm done eating!"

"Besides, this dinner is also Theo's birthday."

Tracy eyed Gretta warningly.

"Don't ruin it."

Meanwhile upstairs, Josh had entered Maia's bedroom to find her in her bathroom splashing water on her face. There was also an open bottle of ibuprofen on the edge of the sink below her, and wipes the water droplets across her face on a hand towel. She didn't notice Josh was standing there staring her until she reopened her eyes.

"When did you get here?" She asked.

"Not too long ago," says Josh.

"Oh. Right."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Um, well…"

"Maia?"

"No. Not really…"

Maia felt tears forming in her eyes, and walks up to him.

"I could really use a hug right now."

"This is about him?"

She nods.

"Alright. Come here."

Josh wrapped his arms around Maia, and she sighs.

"How does that feel?"

"Better."

"Glad to help."

Maia wipes her tears away.

"We should go back downstairs now."

"Yeah. Okay."

When they came back downstairs holding hands, Donovan was the first to recognize Maia's drooping eyes. He could tell yet alone smell that she'd been crying, and that caused his stomach to feel like it'd been punched. He knew Josh cared a lot about her, and could possibly be a better boyfriend than him, but Donovan wasn't prepared to lose Maia again like everyone else he lost in his life.

"You better?" Theo asks, "no stomach ache?"

"No. I'm fine," said Maia.

She sat back down along with Josh.

"Just needed a break."

Theo nodded.

"You look thin, so keep eating."

"Yeah. Here ya go."

Josh placed one of his calzones on Maia's plate.

"You're too skinny."

"Maybe I can't gain weight?"

"Too bad."

Josh's eyes diverted to her waist.

"You'd look good with an actual real ass, Maia."

Maia slaps Josh's chest.

"OW!"

"Ha ha!" Hayden laughs.

"You totally deserved that, dude." Beth proclaims.

Maia found herself chuckling.

"Just eat, idiot."

Josh was staring at Maia, and couldn't help himself but grin.