11. Making a statement

“How many Alphas are we cooking for” I ask once we get to the kitchen.

Ren let’s go of my hand and begins pulling out ingredients. Once she has everything she turns to face me.

“Five, but it wouldn’t hurt to cook extra…those men have bellies similar to black holes” she smiles before she starts pulling out pans.

“And the meeting, do you know what it’s about?”

She shakes her head. “No idea…but Bash said he’ll fill me in once he has all the facts since it was the council that requested they work together”

If the council was involved then it was something big. They’re usually able to handle things on their own, but the fact that they have reached out to the alphas means it’s something they can’t deal with by themselves.

It’s no secret that Sebastian was the strongest alpha around, so it only made sense that he would be involved. It’s also no secret that once he retires as an alpha, he’ll be given a position in the council.

“Would you mind turning on the coffee machine while I make the batter for the pancakes?” She asks, already pouring flour in a mixing bowl.

I round the kitchen and turn on the coffee maker. It’s then I realize how quiet it is. It is Saturday and usually there are people milling about.

“Where is everyone?”

“They’ve all been sent out of the pack house. Jax is with Colt at Lily’s and the rest are around the pack somewhere”

It made sense that they were all out. Given the meeting was important, Sebastian couldn’t risk someone overhearing their conversation.

I’m sure the minute I’m done helping Ren with breakfast I will also be sent out. Not that I minded at all.

Being around so much alpha energy will put me on edge.

“Sooo” she begins and drags the word. “How was your date?”

I groan. I really didn’t want to talk about my date with her ex mate. It was weird as hell.

“It was okay” I say, waving my hand dismissively.

Don’t get me wrong, if it were any other man I would be spilling all the details. But it wasn’t a stranger, it was a man that she knew intimately well. That was my problem.

“Really?” she asks “That’s all you’ve got to say? It can’t have been that plain so spill it”

Sighing I turn to fully face. “Don’t you find it kind of weird talking about him like that…you were once mated to him”

“Yeah, so? Darren is my past Mayra…I want you to get that, nothing you tell me that has happened between the two of you is weird, hell, I already knew you were secretly banging each other before Darren decided to man up and take you on a proper date…you’re the only on that thinks it’s weird” she finishes, pinning me on the spot with her eyes.

She continues before I can utter a word. “You deserve happiness and so does he. If you feel he’s the one then go for it, don’t let anything hold you back, including those fake scenarios playing in your head.”

I wanted to hear that and she has assured me but I still can’t let my inhibitions go.

“So now that that’s out of the way, how was your date?” she poses the question again while mixing the butter.

“It was honestly good…I wasn’t lying about that part”

And it was. Despite Raya almost ruining it, it had started well and ended better. I wasn’t going to tell her about the Raya incident because it would worry her. All she needed to know right now is that it went well.

If I have to tell them, it will be when I can no longer control her.

“So you feel a connection with him?”

As I wait for the coffee to be ready, I start with the bacon. Just to keep my hands busy.

“Yeah” I confess. “For some reason I can’t get enough of the man”

She full on smiles and when Ren smiles, it lights up an entire fucking room.

The connection I felt with Darren scared me because I didn’t even feel that with Sebastian when we first met. There was a pull but it wasn’t strong. I don’t know whether it was because Raya and I were broken on the inside or because Sebastian had already given his heart and soul to another woman.

“That’s a start and I pray it’s the beginning of something great for both of you because like I said you both deserve happiness and love”

I think about what she said. Did I really deserve happiness? According to Raya, I didn’t.

From there on we make breakfast while making small talk. Ren wanted us to have a girl’s day out but I didn’t think it was a good idea, given she was about to pop her babies soon.

While we talked my mind couldn’t help wandering to thoughts of Darren. I won’t lie, the feelings that he evoked in me scared me. I’ve never been in love. Sure I’ve had crushes here and there but nothing beyond that.

Darren made me want things I couldn’t have. He made the desires I tried pushing down, surface to the top. Part of me wanted to explore those feelings with him but I wasn’t sure if they could lead to anything. Or if I even wanted them to lead to something more.

“Mayra…”

I shake my head and face Ren. “Yeah?”

“I said, the Alphas just arrived, and Sebastian was asking if we are done” she says.

It’s then I hear the sounds of different engines.

“Yes, just let me finish this last piece”

I flip it and wait for the other side to cook just as Sebastian welcomes the first Alpha. I didn’t know him but he did look familiar. Maybe I’ve seen him in pack events or something.

I turn off the stove and place the last bacon on the plate. Ren told me that they would first eat in the formal dining room before heading to Seb’s office.

We had coffee, pancakes, eggs, toast and bacon. There was also some orange juice.

“You can take some since I know you haven’t had your breakfast yet” Ren tells me.

I nod at her and take a plate. I wanted to load mine before they came to get theirs.

I was just finishing serving myself when an arm is wrapped around my waist. I was going to go off on the person before Darren’s scent hits my nose.

Before I can do anything, he takes my plate and places it on the counter, turns me around to face and right in front of everyone, takes my lips in a deep kiss that leaves me weak in the knees.

I swear his arm was the only thing holding me up right. The possessive growl that leaves his mouth vibrates throughout the room and my entire body.

“Hot damn” a voice says but I can’t place who it is. “That’s huge statement”

He breaks the kiss and I immediately feel the loss. His black eyes draw me in. I almost miss the fact that he was speaking.

“Will you go on another date with me?” he asks but it felt more like a statement than a question.

I nod my head unconsciously. Almost like I was hypnotized and had no control over my actions.

I’m rewarded with a blinding smile and damn the man has dimples. How have I never noticed he had dimples? I was a sucker for them.

“Good” he mumbles before giving me one last scorching kiss that is sure to make me think about him the entire day.

He lets go of me and walks to the dining room.

I’m left standing there, watching his back as he leaves. I’ve got so many problems. So many things to deal with yet the only thing I could think about was him.

“Now that’s how you claim your woman”

I turn around to find Ren grinning like the cat that got the cream. She was bouncing from one foot to the other.

I shake my head and close my eyes. I was definitely in trouble when it came to Darren.