Chapter 27 Kady #2
“It’s a little smaller than the other bedrooms.” Riven steps aside to let me pass him when we reach his room.
There are large posters of constellations covering the walls, and an L-shaped desk with one side covered in tiny metallic parts and tools, the other facing a wall with three mounted computer screens.
“Hopefully, you’ll be comfortable here.”
“I’m sure I will be,” I tell Riven as Calder places my bag down. “But as I said, the sofa really will be more than fine if you change your mind.”
“As long as you’re here, consider this room yours.” Riven’s lips kick up, giving me a peek of his dimples. “I won’t ever come in without knocking.” He motions to an adjoining door. “And the bathroom is through there.”
“We were thinking of just having a night in, if that works for you?” Hale looks at me, standing in the doorway.
“Sure,” I reply. “That sounds great.”
“I’ll get started on dinner,” Calder calls out before I hear his footsteps barrel back downstairs.
After Riven files out to give me a few minutes to unpack, I head to the bathroom to splash my face with cool water, checking my reflection in the mirror.
Riven’s bathroom shelves are lined with bottles, the products laid out in order of their application.
It looks like he has a very strict skincare regimen, which would explain his flawless complexion and lack of pores.
I grab my cell phone to shoot a quick text to the Stellas.
ME
Arrived safely!
DELILAH
Enjoy yourself, and have fun getting to know them.
SABS
Let loose! Remember this weekend is for you! Let wild Kady out.
Wild Kady has already seen enough action over the last few months, but I smile anyway.
FAYE
You’ll have to fill me in when I get back. Currently watching Gram and Frank swoon over each other. They’re so cute.
The Silverwood Pack’s driver recently moved to Clover Hollow and started dating Faye’s grandmother. We all couldn’t be happier for them.
SABS
Send Frank my love! I miss him!
I stash my phone away before changing into something more comfortable—an off-white, cable-knit sweater with a soft pair of matching floaty pants. I let my hair down then fluff it up around my face. Much better.
As I pull on my socks, I notice a family photograph on Riven’s desk.
It looks like they’re at Disney World, everyone with big smiles except for Riven who looks strained—overwhelmed, even.
He’s sitting in a corner, and one of his army of siblings obviously put a pair of wonky Mickey Mouse ears on his head moments before the photo was taken as he’s reaching to take it off.
I recall what he told me about feeling like he never fit in growing up, and my heart sinks, wanting to give him a big hug and tell him that he doesn’t have to try with me.
From downstairs, I catch the sound of the guys laughing. Leaving Riven’s room, I follow the noise.
“I hope you’re hungry.” Calder shakes a sizzling pan of sauteing vegetables. “I’m making some of my mom’s special sauce.”
“It smells great.” I take in the smell of crushed basil and fresh cilantro before taking a seat at the island next to Riven, who is reading a colossal, leather-bound book about heavy mathematical theory. “Who knew you could cook?”
Calder smirks. “I have many hidden talents.”
Something tells me he isn’t just talking about the food.
Hale joins us. “I just changed Larry’s bandage. He’s making himself at home.”
“Thanks for taking care of him.” I cast a glance into the living area to see my orange fluff ball cocooned in a blanket in the middle of one sofa. “You never did say why you dropped out of veterinary school?”
Sadness tugs at the corner of his lips before he answers. “That’s a story for another time.”
Riven looks around. “I’m guessing Ezra’s still out?”
“He’ll probably be out for hours,” Calder replies. “You know what he’s like when he gets fixated on fungi.”
“Do you cook, Kady?” I pull my gaze from Larry to address Riven’s question.
“Me?” I laugh. “Not at all. My housemate, Delilah, has basically kept me alive the entire time I’ve been at SVU.
Before that, I had a private chef.” I groan and cover my face.
“I know how privileged that sounds. Truth is, I never had anyone who could teach me how. Delilah offered, but I’m always so busy working that I’d rather grab something to go. ”
“Hey!” Calder snatches a packet of chips from Hale’s clutches before he has the chance to open it. “No snacks before dinner. You can prepare the salad.”
“Fine,” Hale groans, but his grin tells me he’s not really mad. When he opens the fridge, I see that the shelves are filled with colorful fresh produce. Hale must notice me staring, adding, “I asked my parents’ housekeeper to stock up before we arrived.”
“Your parents have a housekeeper?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by his ringing cell phone. “Sorry, it’s work.” His shoulders tense as he looks at the screen and draws in a deep breath. “I gotta take this. The salad will have to wait.”
This is the third time he’s had to take a work call on the trip already.
“They seem to be hassling him,” I comment as Hale heads off to take the call, talking in a low, clipped tone. “Surely, they have other workers they can call on a weekend to make deliveries? He can’t be the only one. I thought he took the time off?”
“Hale’s job is a little more complicated than you think,” Calder replies. “But that’s his story to tell.”
I file away that information for later as Riven steps up to prepare the green salad to go with the pasta Calder’s making.
Stepping away from the stove, Calder pours me a glass of wine that he insists will pair perfectly. He watches me take my first sip. “What do you think?”
“Not bad.” I play down how good it is. “It has a sharp bite of raspberry and cherry, followed by vanilla and maybe a dash of dark chocolate. Very layered.”
“You know your wines,” Calder grins, impressed.
“After going to many dinner parties with my dad, I learned a thing or two.” I shrug. “Although half the art of wine tasting is trying to sound as pretentious as possible.”
Riven snorts, opting for a black cherry seltzer instead.
“Sorry about that.” Hale returns, breathless.
“You arrived just in time.” Calder starts plating up our food. “I’ll put Ezra’s in the fridge for later.”
Even though there’s a table, we all sit on barstools around the island to eat.
Between mouthfuls, I learn more about how they met.
Calder and Riven met at school, Calder and Hale’s parents are friends—so they met through years of family parties—and Hale’s parents basically took Ezra in as another child when he moved to town as a teenager.
The four of them becoming a pack after learning their designations felt like a natural fit.
“You’ll have to give Delilah your arrabbiata sauce recipe,” I tell Calder. He’s a surprisingly good chef.
He winks. “Only if she trades her muffin one.”
“I don’t know. If she does that…” I lower my voice, “she’d have to kill you.”
“Why don’t you sit down and relax, Kady?” Hale says when we’ve all finished eating and I stand up to clear our plates. “We can clean up before dessert.”
“It’s okay.” I remain standing. “I can help.”
“We’ll manage.” Hale’s tone is firm, like there’s nothing I can say to change my mind. “You’ve had a long day. Just relax.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s the catch?”
Hale laughs. “Are you always so suspicious?”
“I’m a reporter and law student,” I remind him. “It comes with the territory.”
“We have a gorgeous omega staying with us for the weekend.” Hale folds his arms over his chest. “Is it really so hard to believe we want to take care of you?”
I purse my lips. It’s true that it’s in an alpha’s nature to care for an omega, but I still struggle to believe people act without hidden agendas.
“Go.” Calder shoos me with a tea towel. “That’s an order. From your boss.”
“Fine.” I roll my eyes. “But know that I’m not following your orders, I just want to snag the best spot on the sofa.”
In the living room, I find Ezra tending to his cacti, giving them a light spritz with water. He freezes as soon as I enter the room.
I halt. “I can come back, if you’re busy?”
“No.” He straightens up. His pants have mud over the knees from where he must have been crouching in the dirt. “It’s fine. I’m almost done here anyway.”
“Can I take a look?” I slowly dare to approach.
He shrugs. “If you’d like.”
I peer through the vivarium glass as he carefully puts it back in place. I point at one of the cacti that has small pink fruit. “Cute color.”
“It’s a prickly pear cactus,” Ezra explains.
“It’s high in antioxidants and can help with things like reducing cholesterol, diabetes, and.
..” When he talks about plants, his voice becomes more animated, filled with his passion for botany.
Catching himself, he rakes his hand through his thick waves. “Sorry, you didn’t ask for a lesson.”
“I like learning new things,” I protest. “Maybe you can teach me something that Faye doesn’t know yet so I can impress her.”
Perhaps I shouldn’t have reminded him that one of my best friends is his student. He probably doesn’t even want me here.
I step away from him, pulling my sweater tighter around me to hug myself, as if a cold breeze has just whistled in.
“Did you find something good in the forest during your walk?” I focus on a subject that will hopefully make him feel more comfortable.
“A few things here and there.” He doesn’t make eye contact, closing up a bag of fertilizer. “I’m looking for some plants for next week’s classes. I’ll have to look again tomorrow. Alone.”
I hadn’t even offered to go with him, but he obviously wants to make it clear that I’m not welcome. I nod as I sit on the sofa. “Got it. You’re a lone wolf.”