Chapter Thirty-Two: Three Alphas, One Table, Zero Peace
879 Words
Asia had survived rogue wolves, vampire ambushes, prophetic nightmares, and near-death training sessions.
Nothing—nothing—prepared her for dinner.
The table was set like Luna Mara was hosting royalty. Candles. Polished plates. Actual cloth napkins. The kind of setup that meant something bad was about to happen.
Asia stood frozen in the doorway, eyes darting between the guests.
Jack sat to her right—calm, composed, spine straight, looking like he belonged anywhere he chose to sit.
Kael sat to her left—leaned back, legs stretched out, smirk permanently attached like a bad habit.
And at the head of the table…
Alpha Kade.
Arms crossed. Jaw tight. Aura sharp enough to cut glass.
Three predators.
One room.
Zero patience.
Luna Mara clapped her hands cheerfully. “Now that everyone is seated, let’s all remember this is a family dinner.”
Alpha Kade didn’t take his eyes off Kael.
“A vampire,” he said again, slowly, like repeating it might make Kael disappear, “does not count as family.”
Kael smiled sweetly. “Ouch. And here I thought you invited me because you liked me.”
Jack muttered, “No one likes you.”
Kael turned. “That hurt more coming from you.”
Asia dropped her fork. “Can we please just eat before someone flips the table?”
Round One: The Staring Contest
The food was served.
Alpha Kade didn’t touch his plate.
Instead, he stared at Kael like he was daring him to blink.
Kael noticed. Of course he noticed.
“…Is there something on my face?” Kael asked.
“Just deciding,” Kade replied calmly, “how fast I could rip your head off.”
Kael nodded thoughtfully. “Solid answer. For the record, it would take longer than you think.”
Jack’s fork paused mid-air.
“Try him,” Jack said flatly. “I’d like to see that.”
Alpha Kade’s eyes flicked to Jack. “This does not concern you.”
Jack met his gaze without flinching. “Everything involving Asia concerns me.”
Kael leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “Aw. Protective already? Cute.”
Jack’s chair scraped the floor as he shifted. “Say that again.”
Asia slammed her hands on the table. “DO NOT.”
Luna Mara smiled brightly. “Would anyone like more chicken?”
Round Two: The Alpha Flex
Alpha Kade finally picked up his fork.
“So, Jack,” he said casually, “how long exactly have you been training my daughter?”
Jack answered immediately. “Long enough to know her limits.”
Kael raised an eyebrow. “And how long until you stopped pretending you weren’t into her?”
Jack didn’t look at him. “Still pretending.”
Kael laughed. “Liar.”
Alpha Kade’s fork snapped in half.
Everyone froze.
“…Oops,” Luna Mara said gently.
Kade stood slowly, power rolling off him in heavy waves. “You think this is funny?”
Kael stood too—unbothered, hands raised. “Relax. If I wanted to start something, this house wouldn’t still be standing.”
Jack rose as well.
“Sit down,” Jack told Kael.
Kael smirked. “Make me.”
Alpha Kade growled. “Both of you.”
Asia slid under the table. “I regret everything.”
Round Three: Psychological Warfare
Luna Mara cleared her throat loudly. “Let’s try something new! Compliments.”
Silence.
“…What?”
“Compliments,” she repeated. “Everyone says one nice thing about someone else.”
Alpha Kade stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
Kael clapped once. “I’ll start! Alpha Kade—impressive temper control. Most wolves would’ve snapped by now.”
Kade: “That was not a compliment.”
Kael: “It was for me.”
Jack exhaled slowly. “Asia is strong. Smarter than she realizes.”
Asia peeked up. “…Thanks?”
Kael leaned closer. “See? I can do it too. Asia, you’re terrifying when you’re angry. Truly inspiring.”
Jack shot him a warning look.
Kael grinned wider.
Alpha Kade finally spoke. “Jack… you are powerful.”
Jack nodded. “Thank you.”
“…And that,” Kade finished, “is why I don’t trust you.”
Kael burst out laughing. “Oh I like him.”
Round Four: The Final Blow
Dessert arrived.
Luna Mara set it down carefully. “No fighting until after cake.”
Kael sniffed it. “No garlic?”
Luna Mara smiled. “I showed restraint.”
Kael looked genuinely touched. “You’re a saint.”
Alpha Kade leaned forward. “This changes nothing.”
Kael met his gaze, serious for once. “I know.”
Jack added quietly, “Neither does pretending we aren’t all tied to her.”
Asia looked between them—three forces pulling at her life in different directions—and sighed.
“Next time,” she said, “we’re ordering takeout.”
Alpha Kade grunted.
Jack smirked.
Kael raised his fork. “Agreed. Less tension. More bloodshed.”
“KAEL,” Asia snapped.
He smiled. “Kidding. Mostly.”
Luna Mara leaned back, satisfied. “Well,” she said happily, “that went better than expected.”
The house was still standing.
Barely.
- Writer
