Ivonne's POV
"Careful, careful," I chanted in worry as Lora maneuvered the large glass pot where I had transferred the ready and delicious spaghetti into so it can be placed on the dining table.
Steam emmited from the transparent dish, filling the dining area and living room with its captivating aroma. I stood close to Lora as she lowered if on the wooden surface, ready to jump in for the rescue if there was any mishap.
"Phew," we both mumbled in relief as it was situated safely. We gave each other a look before chuckling at our synchronized reaction.
"Help me set the utensils while I arrange the plates," I said and handed her the pile of spoons, forks and knifes beside the stack of plate on the table.
She obeyed and in less than a minute three spots on the table was set for the Tobias, Lora and I. The spaghetti in the glass dish positioned at the center with a scooping fork in it.
Glass tumblers were set beside the plates and a jar of water was already on the table before we brought out the food. Wondering why the owner of the house wasn't down yet as he had gone to have a shower, "Lora can you—"
Just then my werewolf ears picked up the creak of his door as it opened. My lips curved in a small smile as Lora raised a brow in question at me. Shaking my head I muttered a "never mind."
"My nose caught the scent of something enticing," he disclosed as he descended the stairs and caught my eyes on him.
"I was simply about to send for you," I confessed as he approached the dining area.
"It's a good thing I'm here then," he beamed and to my surprise lowered his body for a moment place a quick kiss on my cheek. "It smells delicious."
He went ahead to pull out the chair at the head of the table which without a doubt was his spot. His expression neutral as if he didn't just set my pulse quickening and my cheek buzzing from the contact his lips made.
Lora who had watched this exchange seemed to stagger a bit, causing the plates to rattle as she grabbed the edge of the table to regain her balance, her lids widening as if her eyes were about to pop out.
"Aren't you eating yet?" He questioned bringing the both of us back to the present.
"We are," I spoke for Lora and I and dragged out the chair on his left while Lora dragged the third chair down his right side, almost at the other end of the table.
I didn't bother to convince her to come closer hence I knew she wouldn't. Aside that it was the first time she was sitting in the same space with her Luna and the more so, the most ruthless Alpha in the continent.
"Heavens we are thankful for this meal and we ask for continuous provision and protection," he gazed upward and said in what seemed to be a prayer after we got seated.
"Should I put yours or wanna do it yourself?" I asked after the short prayer, smiling inwardly at his nice habit.
"Go ahead and do your thing," he murmured with a gesture toward the spaghetti sitting in the glass pot.
I bobbed my head and returned to a standing position. I snatched up his plate and began to pile the delicious goodness in it. Pieces of the meat were scattered inside with the veggies and sauce.
After our interaction earlier or should I say after he had walked in on me and asked whom I was speaking to, I had forgotten about giving him his own share of the barbecue.
Instead I decided to join it with the other portion I bought for the spaghetti and cooked them all together. Everything came out just right and I hoped he'd love it.
I placed the plate back in front of him and did the same thing with mine. Shifting my attention to Lora I asked. "Should I? Or wanna do it yourself?"
She opened her mouth to say something but couldn't as she made a hand gesture, giving me consent to do as I please. I stretched across the table toward where she sat and retrieved her plate, piling it up with food.
Done with the servings, I returned to a sitting position as Tobias rolled the pasta around his fork and put it in his mouth. I watched him chew, my breath paused in anticipation.
I waited expectantly for his answer and his gaze connected with mine in that moment. He swallowed and at the question in my eyes his lips curled in a smile. "It's delicious, though I'm certain I could do it better."
"Well I never said it was the best," I uttered in a shrug and began eating. Lora followed as of she was waiting for me to start before she did same.
"I also never said it was the worst," he argued. "So chin up and don't look so down. I mean it. It's really delicious."
"I know you didn't and I didn't mean to appear deflated," I laughed lightly. "I've tasted your food and it was enticing. So there's a huge possibility you could cook this better than me."
"Wow," he let out in what seemed to be awe, a strange message in his eyes as they were directed at me.
"What?" I implored.
"Nothing," he shook his head. "It's just surprising you didn't flip out or burst out in tears like most females would."
"Why would I do that?" I questioned in a scoff and munched on the food I had prepared.
"I don't know, ask your gender," he shrugged and returned his gaze to his plate.
The rest of the dinner was silent as we all focused on our food. Lora on the other hand didn't dare to lift her stare from her plate as her head remained bent all through the period of us eating.
His blue eyes strayed to me from time to time and even when I caught him staring he didn't care to turn away rather I was the one who did so.
I knew a question lingered at the back of his mind, a question I didn't know if I was ready to answer. A question that would lead me to divulging the truth hence I wasn't sure if I could muster the courage to lie to his face for the second time that evening.
"Thanks for the meal," Lora announced, her chair scraping on the marble tiles and tearing our eyes apart.
She didn't wait for our response as she whirled around on her heel and disappeared to the kitchen with her empty plate in hand. I gawked at her vacant spot while Tobias gawked at me.
Soon Lora emerged from the kitchen and made a beeline for the stairs which she ascended and went straight to her room without even a single backward glance at the dining area.
Immediately her door closed I knew the hour had arrived. Tobias dropped the fork and knife on his empty plate while my brown eyes darted to mine which was almost empty.
Seeking an escape, I made a move to grab his plate and utensils when his large hand wrapped around my wrist, causing tingles and stopping my actions. "It is time I hear the truth don't you think?"
"I- Um- You see it was-"
"I heard a bit of your conversation but I need a confirmation before I jump to conclusions," he said in a calm and at the same time deadly tone, one that warns you not to dare pull a dirty trick. "Was it Lincoln?"
"Yes," I answered in defeat and dropped my vision to the tabletop as it was clear there was no use lying.
The sound of glass shattering pierced the air and my head snapped up to see broken shards in Tobias's free hand, blood dripping from his palm.