Lycan's unexpected mate

Family Chef, part 3

David

We have just dug into our meals. It's so true that Tyche knows the herbs and ingredients perfectly, so her mix of spices has made the food much better.

I can hear Atalanta enjoy her steak when she closes her eyes and moans after taking a bite. She is so . . . ordinary. I mean, she's an Alpha's daughter and the Werewolf Princess lady-in-waiting but her manners speak of a young independent woman who wants to break free from the cage of stereotypes.

I envy Carson that his mate is so good and nice and gentle. Ranked werewolves are sometimes stuck-up and they look down on rogues or Omegas like him. Thankfully, she isn't like the others and she could accept the withdrawal of truth about their bond. I have never heard about the amia bond before, but I believe it to be real.

I keep my gaze down on my meal and notice that Atalanta's moan has a huge effect on Carson because his pants bulge out painfully. I feel sorry for him in this case because there is no way for him to relieve himself. He sets his meal back on the plate and dusts his hands.

"If you need some privacy with the steak, I suggest that you go to the kitchen. Nobody will bother you there," Carson says seriously but I can easily recognise the amused undertone. I am unsure about the women, though.

My mind relaxes after Atalanta's reply: "Oh, why would I? I like your company and, if anything, I can take this matter to my home. Are you willing to accompany us?"

I can see how Carson's jaw drops in surprise. Tyche blinks slowly and looks between the two of them. Atalanta seems surprised with her answer as well because she presses her lips together and looks somewhere at the wall behind us.

Carson composes himself and coughs a little. "You see, the invitation sounds tempting but I'm not into three-some." He gulps thickly and adds some reason into the cheeky conversation: "Just remember that I'm a rogue and rogues aren't welcomed to cross a pack's territory without the Alpha's authorisation. So maybe some other time you will be allowed to show me around."

A bead of sweat trickles down Carson's neck and I realise how nervous he is that he could lose her due to this.

"Carson's right, Atalanta," Tyche agrees readily. "And what's more, our laws are stricter because we're protecting the Royal Pack. We can't let him in, and I haven't decided yet if I can trust him well enough to let him see you again."

"Pardon me?" Carson exclaims.

"Let me finish first, young boy." Tyche gives Carson a cold glare and looks back at Atalanta. "I don't like the fact that I can't recognise him next time because he doesn't have any scent on him."

Now, this is a valid reason, but I don't understand one thing. Tyche seems to be around our age so why is she calling Carson "a boy"? Could it be that she's older than she seems? And if yes, then how much older?

"Well, what can I say. . ." Carson says with a shrug. "I have to keep something to myself. My identity is my most precious possession."

He looks straight at Atalanta and she gives him a knowing look. What does he mean? And why is she okay with it?

"Tyche, I'm sure that next time we meet, he won't be so afraid to show his scent," Atalanta calms her friend.

Tyche sighs. She surely doesn't want next time with us but she won't let Atalanta down and leave her alone. I know all this scent thing is being done so that the mate bond stays a secret. Maybe, if I get Atalanta's DNA, Daniel could make the potion person-specific and Carson will be able to show himself to others. Yes, I should do just that. But how? What part of her can I take without suspicion?

"But he's a rogue who works with a witch," Tyche points out.

Carson swallows his bite and asks offended: "And?"

Tyche knits her brows together and inhales to answer him.

"Now, now, don't blow it up," I quickly interfere with their conversation. I don't want this to escalate to something absurd.

They both frown at me and I shudder under their gaze. Bad idea. It was a bad idea. I quickly turn back to my wrap and start chewing on another bite. Atalanta has to sense the tension around the table, too, because, suddenly, I can feel a calming aura reach my mind. It caresses me gently and puts me at ease before dissipating and leaving a serene calmness instead.

This feeling overcomes the possible terror brought to me by Atalanta bellowing: "That's enough, both of you!"

I jump up as well, but my insides aren't shaking much. Atalanta looks terrifying with her blazing eyes, but there is also something fascinating in them. It seems that there is a golden glow swirling in her eyes and it draws me in like a river whirlpool. The shocking thing is that I'm willing to let myself drown in the whirlpool even though I'm not her mate.

Suddenly, she starts blinking again and the whirlpool disappears. But the feeling of her strength remains. I look around the table and notice that Tyche and Carson are staring at her shell-shocked. She pulls their hands together and makes them shake their hands in a peace treaty of sorts.

"No more arguing about trust," she tells them firmly. "I don't want to use this means on you ever again."

She looks at both of them and adds: "Tyche, I trust Carson to be honest with me. He would never hurt me, intentionally or not, because the bond won't let him. The same goes for me."

Tyche blinks slowly as if she were being hypnotised while Atalanta looks regal as if she were the princess herself. I can't help but wonder how much time she has spent with the Princess that she can portray such a powerful pose.

In my peripheral vision, I notice Carson following all her movements with his head. Atalanta turns at him and adds: "And you, Carson, don't argue with Tyche. She wants to protect me and has generally been wary about strangers. But once you get to know her better, you'll realise that she's the best person to have your back."

Tyche seems to blush a little while Carson gazes at her. Neither of them has anything to say and Atalanta keeps their hands together a bit longer. "Do you swear not to dispute with one another about your loyalty? Can you promise that to me?" she asks once more.

"I swear," Tyche mutters as Carson says: "I do."

Good God, how has she managed to calm them like this? I am looking at it from the outside so I can't tell how the trio is feeling, but there is a link between them. However, the triangle seems unstable as if there should be another person included in the bonds to create a balance of power over one another.

It could be only my feeling, but it seems that Atalanta and Tyche share a protective link. Maybe Tyche is really older and she looked after Atalanta when she was small. And Carson is mated to Atalanta so the bond is strong there. However, he has no bond with Tyche and she's unhappy to form one, even if it were just friendship. And then there's her mate, who could be the anchor. He may have formed a friendship with Atalanta but it would be unexpected if he were to form a bond with Carson as well, because they're both men . . .

Oh my, my head feels like exploding. I shake my head and try to gather my wild thoughts. They're worse to contain than tiny bunnies. While catching them and stuffing them into their cages, I completely miss the point when Atalanta releases others and asks me a question. Of course, I don't answer and keep eating with my head down. I realise that something is wrong when Carson touches my shoulder and asks: "Hey, are you with us? You don't seem to catch Atalanta's question."

I look up and close my eyes for a moment. Then I put my little finger in my ear and thrash it around the ear canal a little bit. "Sorry, I was lost in thoughts. You were saying?" I ask calmly but feeling embarrassed as well.

Atalanta studies me for a moment while chewing and I'm sure she tries to find out if I'm pretending or not. She swallows and probably repeats her question: "I was wondering when you met Carson. How long do you know each other?"

"We met about two years ago?" I say more like a question than a statement. "We're roughly the same age and we both left our packs at the age of eighteen." I know that the second part wasn't necessary but I think it made sense to be included as well. I'm three months older than Carson but in terms of knowledge, I seem to surpass him because I got to study while he didn't. Therefore, I'm teaching him everything I know.

Tyche asks another question before I can grasp my turn. "Did you commit something bad that you were made rogue?"

I put a hand on Carson's shoulder so that I can fight my own battle. I look at Tyche sadly as I know that I can't and won't use my pass for this question. "Yes," I say calmly and composedly. Her face shows surprise, just as I have planned. "Yes, I've done a bad thing. I allowed an older and more skilful werewolf to fight me for my Beta position and I lost because I had almost no experience in fighting in my wolf form."

Atalanta covers her mouth and Tyche blinks at me, trying to process what I have just told her. But I continue relentlessly: "My former Alpha decided that I was unsuited to stay in the pack when I couldn't win such a simple fight. He didn't acknowledge that I had gained Zephyr only two months prior. So, he made me a rogue and kicked me out without treating my injuries. Carson found me, cured me and here I am. End of the story."

I stare at Tyche who looks ashamed. Serves her right. I can defend myself and Atalanta has Carson's back. Thankfully, I'm not a part of their pack and the chances of being mated to their pack are almost non-existent so I can allow myself not to play a good boy all the time.

Tyche sighs and admits: "I'm thirty-one but this is one of the worst stories of becoming rogue that I have ever heard."

Atalanta coughs due to Tyche's blunt statement and explains: "What Tyche meant is that we're both incredibly sorry that this has been allowed. We've heard different stories but both yours are by far the worst. Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do to change how Alphas lead their packs so that we could prevent this from happening again."

I understand very well. She can only influence her own pack and that only if the Alpha lets her. But I would be damned if I ever let myself believe that Carson wouldn't allow her to interfere. He's a great leader who listens to everyone now so he will be a great leader for another pack, too. But what will happen to us? Who is going to take his position?

Carson touches Atalanta's hand and says calmly: "Those things made us who we are now. If we had been granted the privileges, we wouldn't be sitting here now."

She looks up at him and nods tightly. She seems to be pondering over something. My guess is the possibility that she were born into another family or pack without her current responsibility. Then something occurs to me.

"Wait a minute," I exclaim. "You're already thirty, Tyche? You look much younger than that. I thought you're in early twenties."

She chuckles and smiles at me warmly. "Well, well, well. Thank you for the compliment. I didn't think you would register that. You're quite observant."

I puff my chest slightly and admit: "I'm Carson's second-in-command, his Beta, so I have to be able to catch those filling parts."

Her eyes light up and she winks at Atalanta visibly. "I like your honesty. You have to be a great Beta to your community. I just wonder if rogues from other races obey you?"

I don't get to answer as Carson speaks up: "If anything, I have . . . our group has a Governor, and a Servus for that." Then he rubs his chin and adds: "But I barely need all three of them to make sure that people follow my lead."

Atalanta swallows a piece of meat and teases us with a serious voice: "So, should I use your titles then? Should I call you Alpha Carson Gillion and Beta David Flinagan? Should I pay you my respects because you're of a higher title than me?"

"I'm not a real Alpha," Carson defends himself with a strained laugh. The way she said his name surely had an effect on him. "I even used to be an Omega," he admits, and then he cringes, probably because he didn't mean to say this out loud.

"And what?" Atalanta shrugs. "You were treated as an Omega when you were young, but now people trust you, they rely on you to help them. I can't believe your rogue community is any different from a normal pack. And this makes you their Alpha."

She seems genuine and I like her open mind. She takes a thin strand of her hair and twirls it on her index finger. "Actually," she adds after a moment, "I would like to know more about your community."

She releases her hair with an audible tear and looks straight at Carson. She blinks at him and licks her lips. Damn woman, she's using her bond with Carson even though she may be unaware of it!

Carson sighs with great restraint and asks with a faint smile: "What would you like to know?"

Tyche speaks up: "If I may?"

Carson moves his eyes to her and motions for her to ask. He takes a bite to give himself some time before he answers.

"You said that you have a Governor and a Servus, right? Does this mean that your werewolf community accepts both Sorcerers and Vampires?"

I inhale sharply and then it occurs to me that it's nothing surprising for them to know about leadership in other races when they have close contact with our own Royal family. Carson nods his head before answering: "Well, of course. There are rogues in every race. We, and I mean David here," he motions to me, "and myself because we have founded our group, we know about cases when the leaders were unable to provide for their people, when the pack or coven felt unhappy or oppressed under their rule, or better yet that they didn't share the right opinion presented by the leader."

Carson looks at both Tyche and Atalanta pointedly. "People in our group have been hurt, in some cases both physically and mentally, but they are on their way to a recovery even though other packs rarely accept us. And, sometimes, getting to know other people who are faring similarly bad or even worse despite being from another race can help boost their own confidence and mutual cooperation."

I hold my breath all this time. Carson has summed it up perfectly but hearing this out loud makes me depressed and hollow. I know that we are all outcasts but hearing the reality so bluntly put is painful. Carson can sense that it makes me unhappy and touches my shoulder in sympathy, for which I'm grateful.

"We share our pain and losses, and it makes us stronger in face of the obstacles and challenges because we know that we aren't alone," Carson finishes with a look at Atalanta and releases my shoulder.

"Oh my," Atalanta says almost tearfully, "it has to be awful when people witness something like this." She sighs and shakes her head ruefully. "Has anyone found themselves a pack or a coven or are you all together since the beginning?"

I decide to answer her question: "Yes, some of us. But it's rare. From time to time, people don't return because they were killed and we learn it much later. We have a rule to let at least someone know if we find our Mate or if another pack accepts us."

I rub my neck and look at Carson discreetly. He doesn't look mad at all.

Tyche points out: "That's a good rule. Have you ever put it to practice, though?"

Carson shakes his head in disbelief and no-one can blame him. He's surely thinking of White's pack and how he pushed some of our people to become part of the pack where he had ordered to kill all the ranked werewolves. It seemed to be the best option at that time because now we don't need to move from the clearing so fast. But he's taking the lives personally because he sent the men to their death, which came either in hands of other rogues, the pack or Atalanta's people. My gosh, her people have killed ours and she has no idea! And she mustn't find out as well.

I cough slightly and tap Carson on the shoulder. He looks at me and I jerk my head in the direction of the counter. I need to do something to distract myself. He understands quickly, gets up and I slip past him. "Do you want something to drink when I'm standing?" I ask, not expecting anyone to answer.

"Do you have some juice?" Tyche asks and I nod.

"What flavour do you prefer? There is cucumber, ginger, raspberry or classics like orange or apple," I list the options while moving behind the counter.

"I'll try the cucumber, then," she says and I nod.

"Can you get me plain water?" comes Atalanta's query.

"Sure," I answer and prepare all the glasses and the mixer for cucumber. We have frozen mix for the juices and you only need to add a little bit of fresh ingredients.

While preparing everything, I speak up: "Back to your question, Tyche, in the past year, we used the rule only once when Adrianna and Evans were accepted back to their pack. It's quite a moving story, let me tell you."

I have put iced cucumber water and syrup in the glass and put a little hot water in it to dissolve. Now, I mix the cucumber and add it to the glass, too. Others don't talk, they just eat their food in quiet. I place lemon and orange slices in my and Atalanta's glasses and pour cold water in it. Tyche's drink takes a little longer but I can take all three glasses to the table at once.

I set them to the side and then place them one after another in front of their recipients, the last one being me. Carson lets me slide into my seat and I take a big swig from my glass. Atalanta sizes me up and wonders: "Can you tell us more about Evans and Arianna?"

I glance at Carson who gives me an infinitesimal nod. It means that I can tell them more. "Sure, just her name is Adrianna, not Arianna," I correct Atalanta at first.

She moves her head to the side slightly as if she thought that I've made it up. Unfortunately not, and if anything, she can make a phone call and she'll hear it again.

"I don't want to go into too much detail, but Adrianna had been a rogue before she met Evans. They found each other and went to his pack, the Midnight pack." I pause and wait if the women ask about something or not. When they keep quiet and continue eating, I go on. "The Alpha ordered them to reject one another but Evans didn't do that and became rogue instead. They contacted us shortly after they learnt about our group and they were among the founding members."

I smile sadly. I have always wished them the best but I do miss Adrianna's chatty personality. However, they haven't stopped giving our group some money to make do. Carson doesn't know about this because he would refuse charities like that. He would insist on paying them back somehow. I don't understand how he can't accept money but when it's clothes or foodstuffs, he's okay with it.

"Do you miss them?" Atalanta asks gently and I blink at her in surprise. "Why am I even asking?" she adds just afterwards, her cheeks tainted pink. "I can see your expression. Of course, you miss them."

Carson sets his meal aside and exchanges with me on telling the story. "Evans and Adrianna had been rogue for about four years before they met us. I think it was mainly for their daughter rather than for themselves, but I'm glad to have met them. In that year and a bit that they were with us, I kept an eye on the Midnight pack for them and I even helped them decide whether to return or not when the old Alpha retired."

I snicker at Carson's word choice. Yes, he has kept us updated about the situation in the Midnight pack but the former Alpha didn't retire. He died in a fight with his son. Carson frowns at me and I hold my palm up in apology. "Sorry. It's just that it would be better to say that his son took the reigns of leadership instead."

Carson lifts a brow at me and then returns back to the story. The women look back and forth between the two of us. "Anyway, the Alpha's son invited them back and he tried to apologise for what his father did. I persuaded them to give him a chance because, from what I'd gathered, he was the complete opposite of his father. And his pack is blooming ever since. They even trade with us for medicinal potions."

Now this is something I didn't know. Are we giving them drugs? Are they paying for them and that is the money I see every month? But then why would Adrianna insist that Carson mustn't find out? This is a strange deal then.

Tyche clings her utensils and places them on the empty plate. "Can we contact the couple and tell them that we have met you?"

"Sure," Carson answers with a shrug. "Just tell them that everything is fine, that we aren't arrested in your territory or anything, okay? Adrianna is expecting another pup and the stress wouldn't do her any good."

Atalanta nods with a wide smile. "Of course, you can count on our discretion."

I notice that she only has a few bites left on her plate and the same applies to me and Carson. I wonder who will clean up the dishes and how will I get Atalanta's DNA for Daniel because our time together is running short.