"Is there something wrong, Kiara?" Jennifer murmured, interrupting Kiara, who had been completely focused on eating. The Beta female's voice sounded anxious and worried about Luna's unusually gluttonous behavior.
"Yes, everything is fine. Why?" She responded while spearing a new piece of pancake without glancing up. When the young lady had started her meal, she had already chosen to be the very definition of shameless that morning!
"Well, I guess you're eating more than usual," Lena remarked, clearing her throat. The Gamma female hadn't wanted to bring it up, but if she kept stuffing her stomach with all that food, she would make herself sick. Plus, Kiara wasn't the only one in the dining room. Though it was possible that she had forgotten, which was why Lena felt compelled to remind her oblivious Luna. Kiara tilted her head up lazily to look at the Beta and Gamma couples. Kaiden shifted his eyes and then immediately began wiping his mate's lips with a napkin, while Tyler gave his Luna a hesitant smile. Both men had no intention of making Kiara feel uncomfortable. So they resumed their meals with a smile. Jennifer instantly motioned to her Luna, informing her that Zander had been observing her as well. Her husband's brother.
As usual, everyone had gathered for breakfast. However, a new Omega had joined the kitchen staff today, and she had prepared everything perfectly. Eggs, pancakes, chicken, and waffles were all on the menu. The delicious aromas wafting off of food had drawn everyone into the dining area away from their hectic morning schedules. Jennifer's mouth had watered and she had begun to eat right away. The chicken had an absolutely amazing flavor. Her mood had been swinging wildly due to pregnancy, and she had been very picky about food. Kaiden woke up in the middle of the night to fulfill her demands for something different to eat. It was challenging for him to meet her needs in the middle of the night as the Omegas were all sleeping, so the dedicated mate had learned to cook a few things for his stubborn mate.
He especially praised Kiara for the breakfast menu that morning. As the new Luna had specifically asked the new Omega to alter the recipe slightly for Jennifer. Kiara could see that her pregnant Beta was totally satisfied. She had instructed the Omega on what spices she needed to add to make meals flavorful, something she had learned from her Mother. Everyone ate breakfast as if there were no tomorrow and congratulated the new chef. The Omega quickly admitted that the secret to her success had come from Kiara. But Kiara had no intention of revealing her latent talent.
How would Luna's homemade cuisine fare if she taught the Omegas how to cook? It would be scrumptious and appealing! Everyone could only daydream and wait for the day when the new Luna would cook for all of them. Lena and Tyler had been too preoccupied with feeding one other and looking gorgeous. Kiara watched them, making Lena blush. The redheaded, ill-tempered woman blushed unexpectedly, but how could she control her heart? Tyler had fallen deeply in love with Lena, more than he had ever dreamed possible.
Alpha Zander joined them shortly after everyone had begun eating. He had anticipated he would be a bit late, so he encouraged them to start without him. Everyone's bewildered eyes soon moved to the woman who always ate far less than the other people who joined her for breakfast. But she looked different now. Kiara had already finished her meal and was surrounded by empty dishes. Yet she continued to eat, the Omega was hesitant to pick them up.
Kiara's gaze was drawn to Zander when Jennifer made a gesture. The younger Alpha had taken his usual seat in his designated seat. But his food remained untouched. His chin had been resting on his palm as his elbow was leaning on the table. He continued to observe the young Luna scarfing down food. He hadn't even started his own meal because his eyes wouldn't allow him to look away the food-eating contest in which his sister-in--mate had unexpectedly joined. Could her little stomach manage all of the food? While the Alpha watched her eat, Luna smiled at his unknown expression.
"What? I'm hungry. Can't I eat?" Kiara arched her brows, taking up another whole dish of food that had been resting next to her left side. She had not forgotten what had happened a few days ago. He still hadn't explained why he had needed to prove to Adira that he didn't have a mistress. When she’d asked Adira, she’d said, "It's nothing." The older sister had no intention of telling her sibling anything, but she’d felt compelled to do so when Kiara had stated that she would not tell her anything if she got into trouble. Adira had to give in and tell her what Frida had said to her, as well as the situation she was in with Zander. Kiara had become irritated. How dare that she-wolf speak ill of her sister? Then she learned that Frida had been banished from the pack. She’d fled before she could face the true consequences that she had gotten herself into.
Zander sucked in a long breath when he realized the cause of Kiara's changed attitude was what had been said to her sister. Frida had called Adira a slut and Zander had been too late to stop Frida. Obviously, if someone had called Xavier slanderous words, then Zander would have done worse than what Kiara had been doing right now. She looked quite rebellious. As expected, both sisters had big mouths.
"Of course, you may eat as much as you want. But the plate you're eating from right now belongs to my brother," Zander lazily pointed out, referring to the plate she'd picked up from her left. It was the side that Xavier usually sat on. Kiara's gaze was drawn to the empty seat of the Alpha, which had now been vacant for two days. It had already been two days prior to that since the last time, for a total of four days. Xavier had departed for a business meeting. Kiara had not talked about his changed attitude until now. Venus had been irritatingly roaring in her head for days. On the days when they hadn't seen their mate, Kiara had lost her patience, and she was now reverting to her old habits.
When she was frustrated, angry, and unable to express her emotions, she would eat her feelings. Her wolf had already been restless, so she continued to eat despite the fact that her stomach hurt. She had never imagined that Xavier would turn out to be her mate, his absence had been driving her wolf insane. Now she lost her patience. Venus had not been with her when she had decided to be Xavier's surrogate, so the wolf was aggravated about having to suppress her desires for her mate. Kiara could hardly explain her everything but Venus was an animal.
Kiara took a big mouthful while observing the Alpha, who was a carbon copy of Xavier. Why did he have the same appearance? She couldn't forget the arrogant jerk of the Alpha who hadn't bothered to return to the pack house even if he had come back from the city two hours ago. Zander's blank eyes remained fixed on Kiara, whose gaze revealed what was going on in her head.
“Your brother’s food? Yes, this is his share, but where is he? The Omega made a mistake in making a plate for him. I can't let the food go to waste, so I'll eat this too if you don't mind,"
Kiara gave Zander a tight-lipped smile as she shoved more food into her mouth. Everyone exchanged glances as they sensed Luna's dark aura filling the dining area. Venus was really making Kiara act differently from her usual good nature. No one had ever seen this side of Kiara, it was incredibly appealing for a variety of reasons. Her cheeks were puffed out from all the food she had managed to stuff into her little mouth. Her lips were a bit messy, but she still managed to look adorable. Could she really eat all of that food?
"What would Xavier eat if you ate his breakfast? Will you enjoy starving your mate?" Zander leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed across his chest, as he made the argument of a good brother who cared about his big brother. Jennifer and Lena giggled, while Kiaden and Tyler rolled their eyes. What a good show. If Xavier was there he would definitely have choked. Who would risk stealing the Alpha's food? Definitely, the she-wolf that smiled at Alpha's brother while eating the last piece of Xavier's pancake. First, he had not so much as looked at her for days, so now should she think about him? The Alpha didn’t deserve breakfast!
"If he wants to eat, I challenge him to come and make me return his breakfast," Kiara countered, chuckling. When she challenged his brother, Kiara received a charming grin from Zander, who should have been offended. The room went silent, prompting Kiara to gaze toward the Beta and Gamma couples. What's wrong? Were they outraged over the fact that she had dared to challenge their Alpha? What were they all staring at? Kiara felt a palm on her cheek coming from her behind, just before she decided to glance back. The hand allowed her head to rest on the chair but pulled it back.
“Hmmm…” When Xavier's delicate lips met Kiara’s, she gasped. Her eyes widened when she saw him. Her heart raced like a galloping horse. Was she imagining things? Was he really back? After not being able to for a few days, his green eyes peered deep into hers. Venus finally yipped in delight, who had been leisurely reclining in her head. Kiara couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes. Her heart and thoughts were flooded with the aroma of whisky and orange, which she had been craving for days. But what in the world was he doing in front of everyone?
Xavier's palm squeezed Kiara's cheeks as his tongue entered her little mouth and took all of her unchewed food. She had put it only in her mouth. Kiara's chubby, food-filled mouth was left empty in a split second as Xavier took all that belonged to him. While nibbling her lower lip, the Alpha hardly pulled his lips away from hers.
Kiara was stunned as she blinked. He walked around the table still staring into her eyes, which were filled with innumerable questions. What in the world had he done? He had stolen food from her mouth? There was no disdain in his eyes, but he had eaten it as if it were the most exquisite thing he had ever tasted.
"Well, the food was delicious. Thank you for breakfast," Xavier remarked, wiping his lower lip with his thumb that had seduced Kiara. Kiara's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she blinked. That was when she realized that he had licked her messy lips clean with his tongue as well. Everyone's eyes had been drawn to the two of them, including Zander's. Xavier performed a brazen act by stealing food from her mouth, which had also been a kiss. Jennifer and Lena both had huge grins on their faces. They were all going to tease Kiara until she died of embarrassment. Kiara just knew it.
"Please excuse me. I've finished my breakfast," Kiara rose from her seat and exited the room before anybody could say a word. Everyone could see that the shy Luna of theirs had resurfaced as soon as the Alpha returned to the pack house. How did she return to her old self so quickly? Kiara's face was still crimson, she put one hand over her mouth. When had he arrived? Had he heard her? Why had he acted like that after ignoring her for days? Perhaps she was so upset with him that she hadn't noticed him entering the dining room. Or perhaps everyone had seen him and his sly friends had kept the secret to themselves!
Xavier had been standing at the door the entire time. He had finished all of his work and returned for breakfast only to find the fascinating scene of his woman's cute, puffy, and chubby face. Zander had purposefully begun the conversation as his brother had been about to arrive. Xavier noticed Kiara stealing his breakfast despite the fact that she was uncomfortable with overeating. He could feel her irritation. But how could the Alpha remain mute when his woman had openly challenged him? He had no choice but to act.
“Welcome back, Alpha,” Kiaden piqued Xavier's interest. Xavier averted his gaze from the entrance through which Kiara had fled. The Beta had a sly smirk on his lips.
“Yeah, welcome back. I expected you to be exhausted and want to take a shower, but instead, you opted to fill your stomach first! How sweet," Tyler commented, earning a bored glance from Xavier.
"You two better eat quietly, or I will beat you," Xavier warned, turning on his heel to walk out of the dining room to make his way to his room for a quick shower.
Zander chuckled. As usual, he had far too many tricks hidden up his sleeve. He was thrilled with his brother and sister-in-mate's show. Xavier accepted Kiara's challenge and won as well, but Kiara appeared to be the winner since she had received a kiss.