Page 163 of The Delta's Rogue
“Sebastian, I need your help in here.”
Queen Tatiana summons me to the kitchen with a curled finger. Other members of our combined packs make their way to the table from various places around Peter’s house.
The noise in the dining room grows louder as I give Sarina another kiss on her head. “I’ll join you in a minute.”
She lifts her chin higher and kisses me on the mouth—another short and sweet kiss, but I tuck it into my pocket with the others, recognizing it for the gift it is.
I will treasure every kiss she gives me for the rest of our lives.
“Micah will be here later,” King Malachi tells Sarina. “We’re trying to space out our departures, so we don’t draw attention to ourselves since your mission is still classified. He’s not happy about being the last to see you, though.”
“What did you need help with, Queen Tatiana?” I circle the counter towards the stove.
“Tati, please. Or Mom.” She flashes me a smile that is identical to Sarina’s. She wipes her hands on a towel and then wraps her arms around me in a giant, motherly hug. “Thank you for bringing my daughter back safely.”
“I’m sorry I messed up her hair.”
She laughs in my ear at my teasing, her eyes squinting shut with the glee-filled sound. “You can make it up to me by making me a shirt like yours. I want mine to be purple, though.”
“Noted.”
“Good. Now dish up food for your mate!” she orders, thrusting two plates into my hands. “You too, Alpha Wesley!” she shouts into the dining room.
My brother jumps from his chair and rushes into the kitchen. Reid and Nolan both follow him, neither wanting to be scolded by our queen for not getting food for their mates. I prepare our plates quickly so I’m not separated from Sarina for a second longer, and as soon as they’re both filled, I grab two forks and make my way back to her side.
King Malachi sits at the head of the table, and Taryn, Haven, and Cassandra all sit at various points along both sides of it, each with an empty spot next to them. Sarina’s pack mates all sit at the far end, waiting their turn to enter the now crowded kitchen to dish up their meal.
Sarina stands off to the side, hands folded as her eyes dart around the table. Uncertainty swirls around her, and her gaze locks onto me as I set our plates down in front of the empty seat next to Haven.
“Do you want to sit with me? On my lap?” I lean down towards her ear in an attempt to keep our conversation private.
She relaxes slightly and slips her hand—finally not hidden by the massively long sleeves of my sweatshirt—into mine to follow me back to the chairs. “Please.”
I sit, and she sets herself right in my lap without prompting or hesitation. My arm winds around her waist, and I hold her tight against me, ensuring she is safe andcomfortable. She relaxes further at the reassuring, protective embrace, but her hands tremble as she reaches for her fork and eyeballs the piles of food I placed on her plate.
“Just eat what you can,” I murmur to her. “Whatever you’re hungry for, okay?”
I kiss her shoulder as she takes a small bite of her rice and chews it methodically. I gave her way more food than she’ll be able to eat. As far as I know, the yogurt I made her for breakfast is the only meal she ate yesterday. But she needs the fuel. And whatever she doesn’t eat, I’ll finish for her.
“That’s spicy, Twinkle Toes.” Wesley’s voice draws my focus to him and Haven, where he watches her with a frown as she spoons salsa onto her eggs.
“I like spicy.”
“I know, but it will give you heartburn.”
Haven rolls her eyes and adds an extra spoonful of salsa onto her plate, exaggerating her movements as she does. “Everything gives me heartburn right now, Wesley. Even water.”
“When are you due?” Sarina asks.
“June, but the doctor says it could be any day now, especially since I’m carrying an alpha.”
“And you?” Sarina switches her gaze to Taryn.
“June as well.” Taryn smiles and rests her hand on her stomach. “So they’ll be close, like Reid and Wesley are.”
Sarina glances at Reid. He watches Taryn with pride in his eyes and a huge grin on his face as he takes Savvy from Dominic so Dominic can grab his food. Reid bends to kiss Taryn’s cheek before sitting in his seat, and his attention remains on her even though his plate sits untouched in front of him.
Sarina’s mouth slides into a smug smile. “Looks like you finally figured out your type.”
