Chapter 18 Over a Slice of Pizza
Over a Slice of Pizza
Alejandro
We returned to the mansion and entered the living room.
I looked around at all the kids playing.
The three girls were sitting on the carpet with Kataleya in the centre.
I could tell by the way that the girls were fawning over her that she was being taken good care of by them.
Goddess, even the fucking pups knew when something wasn’t right.
I sat down next to Dante, running my fingers through his hair and ruffling it up.
“So, not getting fucking bored, are you?”
“Nope. Besides, I get to watch TV, and there’re so many episodes I’ve been wanting to catch up on, so why not do that now? I haven’t got anything better to do anyway. No schoolwork, no training, just chilling.”
He gave me a grin, but I could tell from his eyes that he wasn’t okay. For me, he was fucking trying. That was what I had done. Now my fucking pup, who was only eight years old, had to pretend that things were okay when they fucking weren’t.
“Yeah. Make the most of it for now, because once you’re better, you’ll be catching up double time.” He nodded. The spark in his red eyes returned for a moment, and I fucking promised that I’d make sure he was back to normal soon enough. Whatever the curse was, we would find a way to break it.
The doorbell rang, and I knew it was probably one of my men with the pizza.
“Daddy, it’s the pizza,” exclaimed Azura.
Those pups sure could eat, and they definitely enjoyed their food. Well, whatever fucking made them happy with the mood being so fucking down, I was all for it.
I had Clara, one of the two Omega housekeepers, answer the door. Moments later, she came to the living room. She knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside.
“The food is here. Would you like me to serve you here or in the dining room?” She asked politely.
“I think the kids will enjoy eating in the living room for today. What do you guys think?” Scarlett asked with a smile as she looked at the girls and Dante.
“Who can say no? I would love that!” Skyla replied dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
I was sure she fucking would. That girl loved to chill.
She even said when she grew up, all she was going to do was relax.
When I asked her how she was going to survive or how she was going to end up providing for herself, she said that that was what I was there for.
She wasn’t fucking wrong. As long as I was alive, that girl could do whatever the fuck she wanted.
Clara placed the pizza boxes on the coffee table, and soon Claire, her twin sister, the other housekeeper, entered, placing some plates down. “Should I get squash or juices?” Claire asked politely.
“Get a mix of fizzy drinks and juices. I think the kids can have some fun today in celebration of Kataleya’s return. It’s only right,” Scarlett replied with a small smile.
“Yes, of course, Luna,” Claire replied before she quickly left the room. I leaned over, grabbed one of the plates and opened the pizza boxes one at a time.
“So, tell me, kid, which one do you want?” I asked Dante.
“I’ll have two slices of the cheese and tomato pizza, please, Dad.”
I looked across at him with his head leaning against the sofa. He wasn’t his usual self. Seeing that straight-up fucking hurt. The boy could usually have had like five to six pizza slices, and now what? He was going to stick to two.
“Do you want some fries or chicken strips?” I asked. He shook his head as I placed the plate in his lap. He picked up his pizza slice slowly, and it was clear that he didn’t have much of an appetite.
“Okay, girls, be careful,” Scarlett was saying.
I glanced at the girls and saw Kataleya watching me. I motioned for her to come over, holding my hands out to her. She gave me a beautiful smile before she rushed over and climbed into my lap, hugging me tightly.
“I’m so happy to be home, Daddy,” she whispered, looking into my eyes. I kissed her cheek softly, her soft, pure scent soothing as ever mixed with her shampoo.
“Yeah. I’m fucking happy that you’re home as well, baby girl.
” She smiled at me. Her dark eyes, which were the same colour as mine yet were the entire fucking opposite, were full of warmth and innocence.
“Do you want your usual? Or do you want to be a little more adventurous and have some chicken and jalapeno topped pizza?” I asked.
“Oh, no, Daddy! I want my usual. I want one huge slice of cheese and tomato pizza with lots and lots of fries, and I want to have chicken wings.” She gave me a huge smile that lit up her face. How the hell do people hurt children?
“Do you think this tiny tummy can handle that many fries?” I asked, tickling her. She giggled, writhing in my hold. I pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.
“I sure can,” she replied breathlessly. It was good to see her fucking smile.
“Kataleya is really a food monster who can eat lots and lots. Instead of making her tummy big and round, her food vanishes into space!” Skyla added as she bit into her pizza, topped with a mix of vegetables and chicken.
“Or what your Aunty Raven used to think was that she had tiny alien-like insects inside of her tummy that ate all her food and didn’t allow her to grow,” Scarlett added.
“Oh, that’s because Raven is short,” Azura giggled. I smirked.
“Yeah, you got that right,” I agreed.
“Mama Red is small, too,” Dante added, smiling slightly.
“I’m two inches taller than Raven, though,” Scarlett replied, giving Dante a smile as she finally finished tending to the other two girls and took her large plate over to Elijah. She sat down next to him, placing the plate on his thigh.
“I think when I’m older, I’m going to be the tallest,” Skyla finalised with a nod.
“I think I will be,” Azura added with a thoughtful expression. “You’re quite small, Sky.”
“I am not.”
“You kind of are, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll be the tallest of you all since girls are always much smaller,” Dante added, mustering up a half-assed smirk.
“He’s right,” Elijah added.
“But we all know that height doesn’t matter,” Scarlett interceded.
“But, Mama, I heard Raven talking to Taylor, and they said size matters,” Azura added.
I almost choked on my fucking drink, clearing my throat and smirking as I looked at the couple across from me. Both exchanged looks.
“Guess size matters, huh?” I mocked. Scarlett, who looked a little shocked, smoothly covered up her surprise and took a bite of her pizza.
“Well, I’m sure they were talking about something else,” Scarlett tried to cover up as Elijah simply shook his head, a small smirk on his face.
“No, they were talking about Liam and Zack,” Azura frowned. “It’s okay. I’ll ask them when I go back.”
“I don’t think Aunty Raven should say size matters when she’s so tiny herself,” Skyla giggled.
“Okay, let’s change this topic,” Scarlett stated. Yeah, I’m sure no one wants to fucking imagine their son’s dick size.
I kept my hand on Kataleya’s plate as she ate, and I noticed something sticking out of her pyjama pocket. It was a dark piece of fabric. I reached for it, but to my surprise, she quickly grabbed my hand.
“That’s mine, Daddy!” She exclaimed, fear filling her eyes. Instantly, I felt like there was something wrong. Did it have some magic on it or something that she was told to keep close to her?
“Let me just have a look at it, angel,” I replied quietly.
“Can I have it back after?” She asked hesitantly, fat tears beginning to spill down her face.
“Yeah, I fucking promise.” If it’s safe.
She slowly took it out and clutched it tightly, still unwilling to give it up.
“Please save him, Daddy. His papa hurt him,” she began to sob as Scarlett rushed over, taking the plate from us and crouching down next to me as she stroked Kataleya’s hair.
“It’s okay, baby, you can keep it. Who is he?” She asked soothingly. That kid she mentioned outside that fucking place…
“Enrique. He was the bad Alpha’s son. He gave me food.” She began crying uncontrollably, and I hugged her tight as Scarlett rubbed her back, looking upset despite masking it well. There were similarities between her and Kiara, but Scarlett definitely hid her emotions better.
“Okay, I won’t take it from you. It’s going to be okay,” I murmured as the two young girls opposite exchanged looks, worry and concern replacing the amusement from earlier.
“Why would he help you?” Dante asked, despite his state. His eyes were sharp as he questioned her.
“He didn’t say,” Kataleya sobbed.
“She said earlier when we were there that he was around Dante’s age or a bit older,” I said quietly to Elijah and Scarlett. Scarlett’s eyes were filled with concern and worry. I knew it was for the pup. Kataleya may have some answers, but I couldn’t ask her.
“You can’t trust the enemy, Kat,” Dante said firmly, his eyes cold.
“But when there was shouting, he’s the one who hurried to unlock the basement door. He didn’t know the fire couldn’t hurt me… he said to me my family had come for me and to go outside quickly…” she whimpered.
So… this fucker had helped her…
“The day he gave me food, his papa found out, and Enrique told him to punish him. The guard at the door said if the young alpha prince died, it would be my fault. Then, when he unlocked the basement door, he was still unable to walk properly. I saw the marks on his neck...” Dante scoffed.
“Alpha prince. His father is no king, and nor is he a prince.”
“Dante…” I warned.
Arrogance and pride were two traits that Dante definitely had, but as much as I agreed with him that the man was no fucking king, I would not allow him to upset Kataleya, who clearly had been treated with some humanity by the fucker’s pup.
Although I didn’t like any boy being nice to my girl…
I was glad she hadn’t been fucking alone.
That kid had done more for her than I ever could have within those walls…
“Okay, let’s finish our pizza and not argue,” Elijah said, glancing at the irritated Dante.