Page 16 of Hellcat

"Are there specific places?"

"Wherever you find room," said Daunte, walking in and wrapping his arm around her neck like they were long lost acquaintances. "Hey, newbie. I'm Daunte Cross, beta. Thanks for taking care of the smelly mutt."

Tania chuckled. "You're welcome, I guess? Where is he, by the way?"

Jas laughed. "Sulking upstairs with the kids. He's feeling very sorry for himself since his snip. I'm Jas. Do you want a drink? I'm making cocktails."

"I don't drink, thanks."

Jas pointed to the pitcher with mint and ice. "Non-alcoholic apple mojitos for the kids and whoever's on patrol duty."

"That'd be great."

The dining room filled up; everyone introduced themselves pleasantly. Ian attempted to relax, returning to the kitchen, but his mind remained on her cheek. If she'd left the previous day and there still was a mark he could see, it hadn't been a little tap—not that that would have been any better. She'd been hit pretty hard. The silicone spoon in his grasp bent as his fist curled around it.

Shit.

A glance at the oven, and he announced, "Food's ready now. If you're not in your seat, Daunte'll eat your portion."

Daunte grinned, but all around the house, there were heavy, fast-paced steps, and by the time Ian came in with four ceramic ramequins balanced on his hand, wrist and arm, everyone was seated, except for the four enforcers on duty, Theo, Ari, Ava, and Coveney.

"Holy shit, this smells amazing," Daunte drooled when he placed a starter in front of him.

"Language!" said Ace. "Thank you, Ian."

He returned with a further four.

"Can I help?" Tania offered.

Clari snorted. "Ian doesn't trust us with his precious food. Not that anyone's complaining. He cooks and serves, we tidy up. That's the deal."

"Your mate dropped a whole bowl of chili once. We ate it in our animal form so it wouldn't go to waste. Never again."

Eating as felines was just as satisfying as eating in their human form, but the animals didn't truly appreciate food—especially when it was cooked. They favored fresh kills.

He finished serving and went to take a seat. The pride had kept a free place at Tania's left.

"All right, dig in."

No one talked for a while, devouring their soufflés. The gods had been lenient, and they were perfect: light and airy, smooth and delicious.

"Holy shit, Summers!" Luke drawled. "Someone tell me why you don't cook every night."

"I'd also like to know," Rye grumbled. "It's been a whole decade since you've made this."

Ian shrugged. "Too much effort. Slim chance of success. I only tried because we have three courses, so if I'd messed it up, we would have skipped the starter."

"Three courses," Rain repeated dreamily. Then she pointed her fork towards Tania. "You need to visit more often."

Tania laughed, asking, "You don't usually cook like this?"

Ian shrugged.

"His food is always ridiculously tasty," Daunte explained. "But yeah, he typically makes one big dish that takes him as little effort as possible."

"I don't really enjoy cooking," Ian said.

"Really?" Tania asked. "It's pretty rare to be that good at something you don't like doing."

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