Page 12 of Wild Fated

Lana’s eyes flashed. “Fine.” She set the pieces on the stack, then stalked across the yard.

I swung. I split. Kael and Callista moved wood until the sun had dipped far below the trees, and I was covered in sweat.

Kael wiped his hand on his jeans, and his breath fogged in the cooling air. "Think that’s enough?"

I gave a curt nod, jerking my chin toward the cabin. "There’s food inside."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "You mean you aren’t a total misanthrope?"

The corner of my mouth twitched, but I shoved the reaction down. "Don’t get used to it."

The scent of meat and woodsmoke clung to the cabin, wrapping tight in the warm air that settled over the hearth. I hadn’t planned on visitors, but I had plenty of stored vegetables in my root cellar to expand the stew I’d started earlier that morning.

The fire crackled, snapping with small bursts of flame as I stirred the pot. Meat and roots, simple food I could trust. My wolf preferred it that way.

“You need help serving?” Kael’s voice cut through the silence, too casual. Too much like he belonged here.

I shook my head. “I’ve got it.”

I spooned the stew into bowls, the earthy smell rising with the steam. Kael was already moving, his presence loud and close. I handed one off with a grunt, avoiding his gaze. He handed it to his mate, then came back for his. I couldn’t tell if I was glad for him.

Lana took her bowl without a word, but as her finger brushed mine, she flinched, nearly sloshing the broth over the lip of the dish. She pursed her lips and retreated faster than a rabbit sensing a wolf.

Kael dug into his bowl without ceremony, spoon scraping loudly against the ceramic. Callista—his mate—tore bread into pieces and dipped them into the stew, her expression soft with contentment.

Lana swirled her spoon in the broth, her dark eyes flicking between the three of us. She took a sip, slow and deliberate. “This is good,” she said, her tone guarded.

Callista nodded, mouth full of bread. “Better than good. You’ve got skills, Destin.”

I hunched my shoulders, turning my focus to the stew in my own bowl. “It’s just food.” Words felt clunky in my mouth, too human. Too much effort.

Kael scoffed. “He’s always been a good cook.”

“You made this?” Lana dipped her bread into the stew, chewing slowly.

I nodded once. The air between us felt strange, off-balance. It was time to get this over with. I scraped my chair back from the table, the sound sharp against the quiet. “You didn’t come here to rate my cooking. What do you want?”

I didn’t need to ask the question. They’d already started this conversation outside of my cell. They were disillusioned if they thought they were going to give me a few days and catch me in a better moment.

Kael set his spoon down, his expression sobering. “I wanted to make sure you were good.”

“I’m good.” I folded my arms across my chest.

Kael glanced up with a look that said,can you stop being an asshole for five seconds?

I sent one back that said,probably not.He knew me better than anyone. He knew I wouldn’t like him bringing people here even if he trusted them.

“Great. Well. Thanks for dinner.” Kael slurped down the last of his stew, then pushed his chair back.

Lana put out a hand and stopped him. “Uh, no.” She turned to me, her eyes flashing. “You were like a father to him. He risked his life to free you from that hell hole, and you’re going to sit here and pretend?—”

“Lana.” Kael blew out a breath.

“You might have respect for him, but I don’t,” she snapped. “You haven’t even said thank you.”

I clenched my jaw. “Thank you.”

She rolled her eyes and stood. “Maybe there’s more than one reason you live alone in the woods.”

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