Chapter 21 Dinner
Dinner
Skyla
The tiny table is crammed full of plates and elbows, the five of us squeezed into a space barely meant for four.
Dakota sits a little away from the table in a desk chair they dragged from his and Tadeo’s room.
He’s leaning so far back that he looks like he might tip over any second, but he doesn’t seem to care.
He’s grinning around a mouthful of food, humming with each bite while his plate balances on his knees.
I keep my head down and push a bit of chicken around.
They all keep looking at me, and I’m not sure what to do or how to act. I know what I need to do—eat, be polite, and pray they don’t notice the way my hands shake. But it’s hard not to be nervous with so many eyes on me.
Thankfully, the food is good—better than I expected.
I should have gotten more, but I served myself a very small plate, too anxious to eat.
The spiced chicken is a little burnt along the edges, but the rice is warm, seasoned, and filling.
And, honestly, it’s strange knowing that an alpha actually cooked this.
Alphas don’t cook.
At least, not the ones I’ve known.
My fork scrapes against porcelain as I chase the last roasted carrot across my plate. I put it in my mouth, but before I can set the fork down, Knox is already standing, spoon in hand, like he’s been waiting for me to finish.
“Oh, no.” I press my hand flat on my stomach. “I couldn’t eat anymore.” And that’s mostly true. While I didn’t eat much, I’m simply too tired to stomach anymore.
It’s been a long few days.
Knox studies me for a beat too long, like he’s weighing the truth of my words. His gaze flickers to the rest of the food on my plate, then back to my face. “Alright,” he says, slowly sitting back down. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
I nod, not sure what to say. While this pack seems very sweet, Brayden and Martin were sweet in the beginning, too. I’ll just have to wait it out to see what kind of pack they really are.
“What did you think?” Tadeo asks, derailing my depressing train of thought. “Was the chicken okay?” His gaze drops to what’s left of my dinner. “I know it was a little burnt…” he trails off like he’s embarrassed.
“Oh, no!” I say quickly. “I loved it!” And I suddenly feel horrible for not already complimenting the cook.
What was I thinking? “It was amazing,” I say a little softer this time.
And it was. Even with the black edges on the chicken and the occasional crunchy piece of rice. “I’ve never had anything so flavorful.”
Tadeo’s face instantly brightens like I just single-handedly lifted a weight off his back. His mouth curves into an easy smile, and his shoulders drop a full inch.
I like that I was able to make him happy.
“Told ya she’d love it.” Dakota winks across the table at Tadeo, and I swear the young alpha blushes as he looks down at his plate. It’s such a nice moment.
And then Alex barrels right through it, voice muffled with food. “I got a text from Marc.” He talks around a mouthful the size of his fist, then swallows before pointing his fork at Knox. “We’re not going in tomorrow, right?”
“No.” Knox pushes his empty plate away, then leans back in his chair. “I’ll talk to him in the morning. Let him know you’ve got other responsibilities now.” His eyes flicker to me, and suddenly every pair of eyes at the table is trained on my face.
Other responsibilities. Me.
“I’m calling my boss first thing,” Dakota says, balancing his empty plate on the counter behind him without looking.
“I know I should put in a two-week notice, but I’m sure Gwen will understand.
” His expression brightens as he looks at me.
“I’m really excited to be a stay-at-home beta.
The only problem is,” he grimaces, “I don’t really have any plans for stuff for us to do.
” He shakes his head slightly. “I gotta ask: what do omegas do all day?”
“Clean.” The word pops out of my mouth before I can stop it.
Dakota blinks like I just told him omegas juggle knives for fun. “That’s it?” He frowns. “You just…clean?”
Knox kicks his ankle under the table, and Dakota flinches before plastering on a bright smile. “That sounds great,” the beta says.
Alex perks at that. “No, no, no. Omegas don’t only clean,” he says, that Cheshire grin working overtime.
“They’re professionals at lounging.” He winks at me like we’re sharing some kind of secret.
“It’s an art form. Pillows, blankets, fuzzy socks—” He waves his fork for emphasis.
“Have you ever seen an omega nest?” He doesn’t wait for Dakota to answer.
“It’s like the comfiest slumber party fort ever built.
Snacks within arm’s reach, pajamas that cost more than the car, pillows piled up to the ceiling. Absolute luxury.”
“Yeah?” Dakota laughs at the mental image, before looking at me again.
His voice is softer, more serious, but his smile stays firmly in place.
“Well, we don’t have any of that fancy shit,” he says, nudging my arm gently.
“But we’ve got tons of comfy sweats, blankets for days, and we have plenty of board games. ”
“Anything but Risk,” Alex says as he shovels the last bite of his dinner into his mouth.
“Oh, we’ll be playing Risk.” Dakota smirks at the red-haired alpha, eyes glinting, as he leans in and says to me, “You won’t believe how red his face gets when he loses.”
I don’t mean to laugh, but it sneaks out of me, a sharp little sound before I can bite it down. It’s small, but real. Startling in my own ears. I haven’t laughed since…
“Keep it up, beta,” Alex growls playfully, leaning over his empty plate. “And we’ll see how red I can paint that ass.”
Dakota hums like he’s exactly where he wants to be, smiling even wider. “Yes, alpha.”
Tadeo clears his throat, mock exasperated. “Please. Not at the dinner table.” His eyes flicker between the pair. “I’m trying to keep my food down.”
Alex’s devilish grin spreads wider as he leans back in his chair. He opens his mouth, but right before he can say anything, Knox speaks up.
“Alright.” The pack alpha’s deep voice is commanding but somehow still kind, like he’s on the verge of rolling his eyes. “There’s no need to show Skyla how ridiculous we can be on day one.” He shifts his gaze to Alex. “It’s your turn to clean up.”
Alex’s grin instantly disappears.
“I’ve got some work to do.” Tadeo stands, pushing his plate toward Alex.
“Skyla?” He moves around the table, then leans down, whispering right next to my ear.
He smells so good this close. Coconut and citrus.
Warm and bright. “If I don’t see you before you go to bed,” his warm breath fans across my neck, making me shiver, “goodnight. I hope you sleep well.” Then he leans in and presses a single kiss to my cheek.
My gaze snaps to Knox, waiting to see if he’ll rage at Tadeo for touching me without permission, but the pack alpha doesn’t seem bothered in the least.
“Come on, Skyla.” Knox stands, and Alex and Dakota quickly do the same. “You need a bath. Dakota?” He looks at the beta. “Come and help.”
And just like that, my nerves come rushing back tenfold.