Chapter 233
Xena’s POV
Even though I didn’t want him to do this, I was beginning to think might be the only way to get him to relinquish control. He was a man spiraling out of control, and that was dangerous. “I understand.
We sat there for a while longer until the sun hung high in the sky. should go check on my men, Ryder sighed.
“I’ll go prepare lunch for everyone. I’ll mind–link you when it’s ready
Ryder stood up and extended his hand for me to take. I accepted it, and he pulled me close for a kiss. “That would be a nice gesture.”
‘I can’t promise anything fancy since I haven’t spent time in that kitchen yet, but I’ll do my best,” I promised as we stepped into the sunlight.
“Nothing special needed. Just enough to keep us going.” Ryder released my hand as we had to walk in opposite directions.
“Take care,” I called out to him.
“You too.”
When I walked into the pack house, I really hadn’t expected Alpha Benedict to still be inside. I hadn’t even seen Luna Kestrel today, which was somewhat unusual. Still, not wanting to encounter him, I walked directly to the kitchen without greeting him and closed the door.
Opening the refrigerator, I began examining the different options available for preparation. It must have been recently stocked because it was filled with various ingredients. Finally, I decided on steak. I could slice them, and people could decide whether to put them on salads, eat the steak alone, or make burgers.
I pulled out all the steaks. My first step was to take out the cast iron pan and season it with oil and salt. While it heated, I removed the steaks from their packaging and patted them dry. After seasoning both sides, I added some butter to the pan and placed one steak in.
Opening the oven, I set it to warm, then gathered ingredients for coleslaw. That was simple enough.
Taking a large bowl, I emptied the package, added the dressing, then returned it to the refrigerator. Back at the steaks, using tongs, I moved the steak to sear all sides, then flipped it. I was aiming for medium–rare.
Once the steak was finished, I wrapped it in foil and placed it in the oven. I continued repeating this process, setting out different options on the table for them to choose from. As I was nearly finished, the door opened.
“That smells wonderful.”
My heart sank as I turned around. “Alpha Benedict…”
My hands unconsciously tightened around the tongs I was holding, knuckles white from the force. I could feel my wolf growling within, warning me to be careful. This man had once treated me like a daughter, but now… now I wasn’t sure what he was anymore.
Relax, I’m not here to cause trouble.” Alpha Benedict waved dismissively, gesturing for me not to be tense.
“Ryder… dinner’s ready, and your father just walked into the kitchen, I said through the mind link, struggling to keep my voice steady.
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Chapter 233
On my way, Ryder responded, and I could feel his unease.
“Dinner will be ready in just a fuinute. If you want to sit down first, bring the steaks out in a moment. I turned to grab oven mitts and removed the steaks from the oven. However, instead of walking toward the dining table, he stood by the door watching me slice each steak. I left them on the cutting board, then moved everything to the table.
My hands trembled slightly as I sliced the steaks, feeling Alpha Benedict’s gaze
following my every movement like a shadow. This sensation of being watched triggered my instincts, muscles tensing, ady to respond to any threat.
Before I knew it, I was nearly finished with all the work. “Xena?” I heard Ryder calling.
“In here!” I answered, completely relieved to hear his voice.
Ryder walked through the door and froze when he saw his father. “What are you doing here?”
“Didn’t she tell you was here?” Alpha Benedict looked at Ryder with disbelief.
“Why are you standing in the corner watching her work?” Ryder turned to face his father.
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