First encounter
Kai sat at the table, Ian to his right and a certain princess to his left. Sienna looked ecstatic just sitting near the man she loved. He was not just any man. He was every she wolf's dream husband and every male wolf's source of envy.
Kai was the most powerful man within the werewolf realm. That was a position that many coveted but could not take. On the other side of the table, sat three people. A middle-aged man who appeared to be of royal upbringing and a woman who was of the same age group. Beside her was a young man in his early twenties.
These were Sienna's family members. Her father, his royal highness, Edward looked at home sitting in his chair. Beside him, his wife sat with a proud look in her eyes. Maria had already concluded that her daughter will be married to the king soon. She was ready to become the Queen's mother.
Her son looked bored. Alex wasn't much of a formal event person. He likes to use his time to have fun and enjoy his life to the fullest. Kai had no expression on his face. He was already bored from trying to maintain a friendly conversation.
He was saved by the approaching footsteps of the server who brought in a trolley filled with food. Kai's attention went directly to the food. The scent was unfamiliar yet quite aromatic. He started salivating before the food was served to him.
On a normal occasion, he would let his guests take the first bite but not today. The meal was summoning him. Without thinking about it, he dug into the food leaving the others at the table gawking.
Ian smiled. This was how things should have been from the beginning. Kai was the king. He should eat freely without caring about others. Since his king has paved the way, Ian was not polite either.
He dug in and moaned in pleasure. This must have been cooked by Lila. His gaze found Kai who looked as taken as he was by the food. Ian winked at him as he continued eating. Sienna and her family looked on in shock.
The initial smug look on their faces was long gone. Edward was filled with rage. Didn't they agree that Kai was never to disrespect them? Why was he showing disrespect? Regrettably, his beta was around.
Edward could not scold him. Hence he digs into his meal as well. Once everyone tasted their meals, they understood. The food felt foreign from how delicious it was. Maria was the first one to break the silence.
"My king, I didn't know that you have such good chefs in your manor. Is it okay with you if I borrow her for a short time?" Maria wanted to sound polite but she wasn't used to being polite. Her words came out as a direct command more than a request.
Before Kai could open his mouth to say anything, Sienna butted in. "Of course, there is no problem. If your mother wants anything, Kai will give it to you. Am I right, my love?" Ian stopped wolfing down the food. Something seemed off.
Why was Kai letting this bunch of idiots disrespect him to such an extent? Was there something they had against him? He was about to say something when Kai interrupted him. The sound of a spoon hitting the table hard filled the room frightening the people at the table.
"Listen up, you bunch of bullies. This is my home. You don't get to dictate how I run things. Since I have been kind enough to host you, start behaving like the guests you are. I am the king. Not the other way round. Now, if you will let me eat in peace."
He didn't bother to look at them again as he kept enjoying his meal as though nothing just happened. Ian clapped for Kai internally. That was more like it. He shouldn't tolerate these people. They were becoming too much with each passing day.
The werewolf king didn't know why he lost his temper. His patience was running out where these people were concerned. What do they take him for? Just because he depended on them, was it enough for them to disregard his authority?
He lost his appetite midway. The food was delicious. He wanted to keep eating more yet he couldn't with these people seating in his space and giving him orders. He stood up from his chair ready to walk out.
Before he left, he looked back and spoke. "Princess, for your information, you are not my wife yet. You have no right to make decisions for me. Stay in your lane. As for you, Maria, my workers have no business working with you. What I own cannot be shared casually with just anyone. You don't have the capability. Ian, help them out once they are done. I have something to do."
The only thing they could hear was the sound banging of the door. Kai was angry. He hated being dependent on others simply for this very reason. He should start looking for another source. One of these days, these bunch of greedy royals would turn him into a puppet king.
Ian saw his best friend's back. He wished to follow him and console him. Yet, he couldn't. Kai has given a command. He was obliged to execute his command until the last minute. He felt his mood sink.
Albeit the sourness in the air, nothing could deter him from eating this delicious meal. He pretended as though he was unaware of the glances that were shot his way. Edward was fuming mad from the humiliation.
Maria felt appalled by his blatant disrespect while sienna looked like a heartbroken puppy. She clenched her fists under the table as she walked out of the room. She no longer had an appetite. Her father and mother didn't bother waiting for Ian to escort them. They left on their own leaving Alex behind.
The boy was, like Ian, enjoying the meal. He couldn't help but add a second and third serving. By the time the two men were done eating, there was not a single grain of food left. "Yo man. What's up with the king? I get it though. My family could be too much sometimes. Too bad he is in this situation. I can't help him out. Anyways, thank the chef for me. The meal was scrumptious."
Alex winked at a confused Ian and strode leisurely out of the room. What did he mean by the situation he was in? Was there something that Kai hid from him? Did those people have something against him? Something they were using to make him comply with their wishes?
Alex had hinted to him about it to arouse his curiosity. Ian felt disheartened. If there was indeed such a thing, he has failed Kai as his best friend. He will ask about it when they were alone. Ian walked out of the room to conduct his business.
The rest of that day, Lila was tasked with doing the entire chores in the kitchen. At some point, Mildred left since she had other things to do. Since the king never ate supper, there was no need to prepare any other meal.
With this in mind, she worked to organize the kitchen and clean all the dirty dishes. By the time she was done, the sun was about to set. As she made her way out of the kitchen, she bumped into a hard body.
Lila wasn't short by any means. Alas. This time, she bumped into someone who was a head taller than her. Her face had hit his hard chest where his heart was thumping violently therein. She froze, willing herself not to look at him.
This was a familiar scent. The scent that had filled her senses the first time she woke up in the hospital. Her eyes became colder as her body stood rigid. Kai knew the person well. Unlike Lila who has ever met him only once, he has been doing a good job of stalking her.
Feeling her body against his made his wolf wiggle it's tail like a happy dog. He was almost disgusted by himself. Unfortunately, his human body was reacting the same way too. Her scent was rich and intoxicating.
He took in a deep breath as though he was deprived of air for the longest period. Wanting to meet those bewitching silvery orbs again. They were the most alluring pair of eyes he have had the pleasure to see.
"Are you going to pretend as though you didn't bump into me? Look at me!" He commanded, sounding harsher than he anticipated. Lila could resist it but she chose to submit. She raised her eyes and looked at him with innocence and purity in them. The eyes that seemed emotionless to others, felt like a vast sea of snow-white innocence to Kai. His golden orbs burnt with a flame that ignited from deep within his stomach and slowly spread to his heart.
He felt suffocated with emotions he could not fathom. What was happening to me? He wondered. His hands raised on their own accord as he found himself pushing the loose strand of hair away from her eyes.
"You have beautiful eyes. But I am not falling for them. You must be the new addition to the kitchen. Cook me something. I didn't have lunch." He ordered more. Lila looked away from him and walked back into the kitchen. She wasn't sure what he liked but from the rumbles that Mildred had this afternoon, she managed to catch his favorite meal.
She took out the ingredients and started cooking without a word. Kai who was used to silence found it uncomfortable. He wanted to hear her voice. From what others said about her, she didn't talk much.
He recalled the sweet melodious voice that complimented his looks in the hospital and decided that he wanted to hear it again." What's your name, little girl?" Lila's hands froze on the tomatoes she was chopping.
If it was someone else, she could have easily ignored them. However, for reasons unknown to her, this man's tone annoyed her. She felt like snapping at him and she did. "I am not a little girl. It's Lila, your highness."
Kai's eyes lighted with joy. Even when she is annoyed, she sounded cool. "Now? Is that how you speak to your king? You should respect your elders. Didn't your parents teach you that?"
He was just teasing her but he didn't miss the way she froze at the word parents. 'Oh no! Did I say something wrong! Stupid Kai and your big mouth.' He scolded himself but the milk was already spilled. He could no longer take back his words.
He tried to think of something else that he could say to ease the tension when her cool voice resonated in the kitchen. "Your highness, I understand that respect is earned. Not given. I can follow your command as long as it's reasonable. Beyond that, I am afraid I don't owe you more."
Lila felt mad at him. How dare he mention her parents? Luckily, she was facing away from him. If he saw the look in her eyes then, Kai would never tease her again. Fortunately, he didn't. "My parents are dead. Kindly refrain from mentioning them."
That was the last thing she said to him as she ignored him and cooked his meal. Kai decided to stay silent and watch her. The more he looked at her, the more admiration he felt. Not many people can get away with talking to him like that. He liked it coming from her. It gave him a sense of assurance that she took him as an equal. As she should, because he planned to seduce her until she gave in to him.
Lila served the meal and wiped the counter. Since he was eating in the kitchen, she had to wait until he was done before leaving. She let out a heavy sigh as she sat facing away from him. Kai felt weird eating all alone as she waited for him to finish.
"Lila, bring a plate over." He ordered. At the mention of her name, her heart reacted violently as it beat in her chest. She managed to look unaffected as she took a plate towards him. Kai served a generous portion of everything and gave it to her. "Eat with me. I don't like dining alone."
Since she was invited, she didn't resist. They ate in silence without saying much. Kai took the plate and washed it before putting it away. Watching his action, Lila wanted to make her way out of the kitchen. As she tried to leave, he held her by the arm and pulled her towards his body.
Once again, her face collided with a hard chest. Kai bent down and whispered into her ears. "You cook better than that woman. Will you cook for me every day? Just dinner?" He asked. He didn't want to force her into doing things she didn't want to do.
Lila thought for a while and nodded. She might as well use the chance to know his weaknesses. "Okay. Just diner." She muttered. Kai smiled. "Thank you. You are such a darling. Good night little girl." He blew air into her ear before walking away. Lila was left standing there in annoyance.