"Dinner must be cold by now," George said to Dawn. He knew that she loved cooking for him, and because of Alpha Edward, it was ruined.
"Food is fine," Dawn assured George. "We kept it in the oven on warm, and the salad is in the fridge. I told Estelle and others to take the rest of the evening off. Zi and I will set up everything. You can head to the dining room. Do you want a drink while you wait? Or would you rather shower first?"
George shook his head. "I don't want you to serve me. Owen and I will help."
Dawn was surprised to hear George volunteer to work in the kitchen. It was one thing when it was just the two of them, and Zina was fine, but she considered Owen as an outsider.
The Red Moon pack was patriarchal with jobs strictly divided into male and female even for Omegas. Household chores like cleaning and cooking were assigned to females, while males would work outside on more "manly" tasks.
"What would warriors think if they see their Commander working in the kitchen?" Dawn asked George in a hushed tone.
George side-glanced at Owen. "I found one warrior in my kitchen working on a salad. I'm sure he won't mind setting up the table. If he dares to talk about this, I will tell people how an apron suits him." And that was George's apron! He will need to wash it, so it doesn't smell of Owen. George would throw it away, but it was a gift from Dawn. Why did Dawn allow another guy to wear it?
No matter how George looked at Owen, he disliked him more by the minute.
Owen never participated in the activity of setting up the dinner table, but he followed Zina and did what she told him to do.
To Owen, everything was novel and he moved about in a daze, hoping that he won't break something or make a mess and embarrass himself in front of Zina.
Owen's hands were full of spoons, forks, and knives, and he was arranging them on the dining table when he noticed an unexpected person at the door.
"Young Alpha James!" Owen exclaimed with panic.
Why was the young Alpha here? That can't be good! What if he sees Zina? Did James follow them to George's villa, or did he come on some other business? Did Alpha Edward send him?
James tilted his head while observing Owen who was standing frozen and staring at him.
James was not aware that Owen and George were this close. Actually, James was surprised when George appeared with Owen in Alpha Edward's study.
James recoiled when George nudged him from the back.
"You are blocking the way," George grumbled. "Why are you here?"
"Thanks to you, my dinner is late, so I came to eat here."
George shouted into the hallway, "Dawn! We have a freeloader for dinner!"
A second later, Dawn shouted back, "There are no such things as freeloaders in our house! If someone wants food they need to come and get it!"
George turned to James. "You heard her. Go into the kitchen and grab a plate and utensils for yourself. Don't expect to eat for free."
Owen observed this exchange with his eyes wide open. What did he just see? Did George boss James around? And James did as he was told without complaining!
Owen knew that George was James' tutor, but they were always politely distanced and why did this give such a homey feel?
George put a pot with the soup on the table and looked at Owen who didn't move.
"Why are you frozen?"
"Is young Alpha James going to eat with us?"
"Yes," George responded, and he cocked an eyebrow at Owen. "Really? You just found out that I'm hiding my mate and that I have an Alpha aura, and James coming to dinner is surprising?"
Owen had to admit that George's words made sense. What can be more shocking compared to George being a hidden Alpha? They practically grew up together, and Owen had no idea!
Owen was itchy to find out about George's background and how come he and James were so close, but he didn't dare ask about any of it.
'Why is that bozo here?' James' voice sounded in George's mind.
George chuckled. Somehow, James' irritation made George feel better. 'That bozo is Zina's mate.'
James appeared at the door of the dining room with two plates and utensils in his hands and his scrutinizing gaze settled on Owen.
"Zina is your mate?"
"Yes, young Alpha James," Owen responded stiffly. Talking to George came naturally because they knew each other from a young age, but James was up in the hierarchy, second only to the Alpha, and Owen was unsure how to talk to the youngster without offending him.
"Is he a liability?" James asked George and Owen's insides tightened.
"Unless he wants to be mateless, he is with us," George responded.
James cocked an eyebrow. "How far?"
"I'm not sure yet," George responded honestly.
James hummed ambiguously and resumed arranging plates and utensils with utmost care.
Owen's emotions stabilized when Zina showed up at the door with a big bowl of salad. He made that! Owen loved the way Zina smiled at him. He could look at that smile the whole day and not get bored of it.
Another figure appeared at the door and Owen gaped at the sight of James walking there, hugging the female, and kissing her like no one was watching.
"Can you keep your greetings short?" Dawn asked James and Cornelia while shimmying into the room past them. "We are all starving."
"You can start without us," James said with a smile in his voice and then he kissed Cornelia again.
Dawn waved at others to sit. "This can take a while."
Owen was not sure if he could handle more surprises in one day. What did he get himself into? Who was the female? Was that a mark on her neck?
Zina tugged Owen's shirt and he realized that he was staring. He quickly sat on a chair and then he sprung up to stand and hold a chair for Zina to sit on.
Zina giggled. Owen was so awkward and adorable, and she wanted to hug and kiss him until tomorrow. And longer, much longer.
Owen observed another strange thing, George didn't wait to be served. It was custom that Omegas will serve others, yet George was reaching for the bowls and trays, and… George was putting food on Dawn's plate!
Owen realized that he was overwhelmed by a desire to feed Zina. Will she allow it? Well, there was only one way to find out.
Owen put one chicken drumstick on Zina's plate and they both stared at it for a moment before looking at each other.
"Is this OK?" Owen asked apprehensively.
"Sure," Zina responded.
"Macaroni or Ceasar salad?"
"Both," Zina said and Owen took that as an OK to put more food on her plate.
Owen focused mightily on getting food for Zina while trying to ignore the couple that was engaged in kissing only a few steps away.
It was not the first time Owen to see people kissing, but his mate was right next to him! Zina smelled amazing and she looked even better and he wanted to kiss her, yet he couldn't! Damn it!
