The Lycan King's Princes

Not With You

---POV Emilia---

I shot my eyes at his and shook my head. “No! I’m just…I used to make food a lot when I was younger. It made me feel at ease instead of the pressure of being a prodigy. I know that sounds stuck up, but I didn’t ask to be a prodigy either. I just enjoy cooking and I have enjoyed it since I was nine.” I said hurriedly.

He walks up and leans on the counter folding his arms. At this point, I had the luxury of looking him over. He was in a light grey shirt, dark navy jeans and high-top shoes. He had a worn black bag slung over his shoulder and it seemed much smaller than his torso. Well, everything seemed to be much smaller than his monstrous form. Including me. “So, you made this for dinner?” He asked with minimal to no emotion. It kind of caught me off guard. He seems to be acting differently than when we reunited.

He didn’t even tell me he was gone. He had just disappeared and now he's back at five? “Yes…I didn’t know where you and Seth were so I just…thought it would be nice for you to have something to eat.”

He nodded his head and walked out of the kitchen. “We have meetings until seven.” He said in passing.

Does that mean I should have everything ready by then? I hesitated in between the island and the stove. I’m so confused right now. “Just go with your gut, Emilia.” Natalia said. “He will be a tough one. Don't worry yourself over that. We already expected this. I mean we grew up with the guy. It looks like his body got bigger while his personality stayed just as cold as ever.” I sighed in agreement.

After about two hours, the curry had finally simmered down to perfection and I realized I was right on time. Seven p.m.. I poured the vibrant orange curry in the biggest serving bowl I could find and used a slightly smaller one for the rice. I wasn’t able to make any bread, but I found some of the sliced kind and added some garlic oil I made along with the curry.

I walked out of the kitchen with the silver trolley I found in the corner, piled with food. I wandered around until I found the dining area. “Emilia.” Sam said, with a slight bow.

I looked around and all the dinnerware was placed in three locations at the head of the table and on either side. “Hello Sam. Did you set the table?” I asked happily.

“Yes, Emilia. The food smells divine.” He said before bowing. “Seth and Tobias will be down shortly.”

I nodded and hastily put the food on the table and brushed my hands on my sweatshirt. I looked down and realized I was a bit messy. “I don’t think he would appreciate this view.” Natalia purred.

I huffed and blew a strand of hair out of my face. “Do you mind if I freshen up before dinner?” I asked Sam.

He looked up in shock, then smiled. “You will be good for him.” He whispered under his breath before clearing his throat. I was not supposed to hear that. “Yes, Emilia, you can do whatever you want.”

I nodded and raced off to my room. I flung open the door, grateful that my scent was still lingering in here from earlier this afternoon. If it wasn’t, there would be no way I would be able to find my room here. I slammed the door and slid over to my suitcase. That was when I realized I had only packed one nice dress. Something a little too nice for this occasion. It’s just our first dinner together after moving in. Not a gala. “I beg to differ.” Natalia chuckled.

I groaned irritably and settled on my fit-and-flared ash-grey skirt and a dark blue tank top. I slipped on some nude flats and ran back downstairs. Once I made it into the room I huffed, catching my breath, Seth and Tobias turned to me. Seth smiled brightly and Toby…he just stared at me blankly. I took a deep breath, getting myself together, and he turned to Sam standing in the corner behind him.

Sam raced up to the vacant chair and pulled it out for me. “Sit.” Tobias said coldly.

I froze for just a moment, before nodding. I walked up to the seat, now pulled out by Sam, and sat down quickly. The chair was easily pushed in, and I looked between the two of them. “Um…you start with the rice first, then put the curry on top. That’s usually my favorite way of eating it.”

Seth didn’t move, but Tobias started scooping rice on to my plate, then his. Then he grabbed the curry and again, served me first, then himself. He clenched his jaw and shifted his weight before he started eating. Seth didn’t even grab a serving spoon until Tobias put the first spoonful in his mouth.

Once Seth finished plating, I started eating with him. “Why did you wait for me?” Seth asked in an audible whisper across the table.

I shrugged. “I usually eat when everyone else has their food plated.” I said, glancing between the two brothers.

Seth shook his head. “You’re the next Lycan Queen. You and Tobias eat first.” He whispered again and started on his plate.

I nodded, keeping that in mind. Since the Dragon royal family is based off of who is the reigning Origin, we try to keep an equal playing field with those around us. You could be living in the castle one day and the next, sent to the retired royal village while another random dragon ascends the throne. Not all Dragon Origins are dead and they don’t have to be for the next successor to show themselves. They actually train their successor. The only Origin out of the five that does as such.

I continued eating in the silence and Tobias wiped his mouth and glanced at him under my lashes. “Yes?” He asked with that cool tone again. What happened to the guy who was snuggling with me on the plane?

“How was your day?” I asked curiously, trying to ignore Tobias's shift in demeanor. “I heard you two go to school with the humans.”

He took another bite and nodded. “It was pretty normal. Finals are coming up next week, so we are in study mode so we can finish on time. Graduation is the week after that.” Seth said, going in for seconds. That kid eats a bit too fast for me.

“Oh, that’s awesome. I’m assuming your family will join you for the graduation?” I asked, thankful for the conversation. It definitely eased the tension.

“Yes! It will be fun. We are known as a rich family on the outside, not as royalty, but knowing our family, they will still impress the room.” Seth said nonchalantly.

I finished my last bite and the clanging of silverware at the head of the table shocked me back to big, tall, and bruting. “Are you finished?” He said shortly…again.

I nodded. “I can pack the rest for lunch. It's really good cold. You two are more than welcome to take some to school with you tomorrow and –”

“Come.” He said, standing and heading out of the room.

I gasped and pulled my napkin off my lap before following him out the room. I had to jog to keep up. “Wait!” I called.

He froze at the top of the steps and looked over his shoulder. I slowed my pace and made it to his side. He took my hand and directed me past my room to another at the end of the hall. He pushed open the door, and I realized the stark difference between my room and his. It was plain, nothing too fancy, but the bed was a custom king and the room had its own lounge and a small wet bar. There were a couple other doors, presumably to the bath and the closet.

Even before the door could latch, he picked me up and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his torso. I gasped, realizing I was in a skirt and tried to push the fabric further down my now stretched out legs. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t. Not with you.” He said in a rough…restrained voice.

"Tobias...what are you talking about?" I questioned. His persona shifts were giving me whiplash. I honestly can't keep up.

He pulled me closer, and I froze with my fiddling when his hand went under my chin and softly tilted my head up to meet his gaze. “Not with you.” He whispered before smashing his lips on mine.