Page 36 of Packed in the Fire house

“Gumbo?” Sunny asked, looking up at me in excitement.

“You like gumbo, Cher?” I asked as she started gathering a chopping board and setting up on the counter next to me.

“Honestly, I don't know. It's something I've always wanted to try, but I feel like most of the restaurants in California would only do a poor imitation. I'd hoped to go to Louisiana after I graduated, but I have this little man to take care of now,” she said, smiling at Luka, who was watching from his high chair.

“Unfortunately, you're right, a lot of the restaurants around here don't get it right. But I was raised in deep Louisiana, and my mawmaw had me in the kitchen holding a wooden spoon beforeI was even as old as Luka. Prepare for some proper sausage and chicken gumbo.”

“How did you find learning to cook? I imagine most little boys don’t have the patience.”

I snorted. “I didn’t have much of a choice. She made it crystal clear that I needed to be able to take care of my omega one day. The only reason Mawmaw was in the kitchen in the first place was because she enjoyed it. Otherwise, my pawpaws didn't let her raise a finger around the house.”

She sighed wistfully. “It sounds like they really loved her.”

“She was their entire world, as it should be when you're part of a pack.”

Sunny beamed at me as she started chopping. “When did you move here?”

“After my grandparents died, it just didn't feel the same, and then Katrina happened and we lost our family home. I came out here to make a new start for myself.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”

I shook my head. “It is what it is. I know my family would be happy that I made a good life for myself out here with a good pack. Actually, Walker is from the same place as me. We traveled here together.”

Sunny turned to me with a raised brow. “Really? I had no idea.”

“You wouldn't. He got rid of his accent long ago and fit right in. Unfortunately, there's no getting rid of mine. I'm stuck with it.”

“You shouldn't try to get rid of it, it sounds lovely,” Sunny said quietly as she started to chop the bell pepper.

The simple fact that she liked my accent made me want to puff out my chest with pride, even though it's something I had no real control over. This close, I got a lungful of herscent with every breath. Her closeness was both maddening and invigorating.

Once we had made our way through the pile of vegetables, the phone that Sunny had placed on the kitchen counter started to buzz with incoming messages. She glanced at the screen and then went back to chopping her final onion, her previously happy facial expression somewhat muted now.

“We only just gave you that phone. Surely you aren’t already getting messages from telemarketers?” I laughed, trying to make light of the topic, but I was burning with curiosity.

“Thankfully, I managed to keep my number, so I'm not exactly starting from scratch,” Sunny said. “Hey, can you pass me the rice? I’ll get it washed.”

I handed her the rice, even though her attempt to change the subject was pretty transparent. I had every intention of pushing, but I was going to wait until the time was right. There shouldn't be anything making my omega sad. I needed to do everything in my power to make her happy.

While Sunny was at the sink, rinsing the rice, another text popped up on the screen, and this time, I saw it before the screen went black.

You’re so selfish. This is why I won’t pay a penny of child support. The brat isn’t mine if we aren’t bonded.

I stilled. Well, that was interesting. Bonding wasn't a requirement to have a child, so why did this guy seem to think so?

“You’re getting more texts,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.

“They'll go away in a minute, just ignore him,” she said, her voice shaking.

My alpha didn’t like that hint of fear in her voice. In fact, her scent had become somewhat sour, and I hated that with a vengeance. Part of me wanted to grab her and demand sheexplain everything to me, but I knew if I did that she would likely run and hide.

Sunny clearly had a past that had led her to being in that apartment on her own during the fire. It was blatantly obvious that she was a good person, and sweet. I would bet my left testicle that someone had been taking advantage of her.

“Okay, do you want to help me make the roux?” I asked gently.

“I won’t ruin it?” Sunny asked, worrying her bottom lip.

“Not with me guiding you,” I insisted with a boasting smile. “I managed to teach Blaze how to cook a frozen pizza without burning down the firehouse. I am basically a master of teaching chefs.”

---