“I just don’t get the impression that you would ever hit someone. Besides, I know Kai irritates you, but I also know you bounce back because you like him.”
“Like him?” Sonnet scoffed, kicking her legs down and raising her arms up. She was cute like this. “How could I? He’s rude, greedy, selfish, and…heisa part of this pack and one of my mates.” She settled down, looking out at the water as Kai and Jude pulled each other out of it and collapsed onto the sandy beach. “I guess you and I are in the same boat, huh? Cause I know for a fact I hold the same affection for him as you do.”
She is observant.
Good.
Zayden held his breath and tried not to overthink as he wrapped his arm around Sonnet and pulled her close. He never touched her before, not affectionately. He was too scared. Navigating romance had never been his strong suit, especially after everything that happened with Juliana. But Sonnet didn’t seem to notice. She melted into his side like a missing puzzle piece.
“You’re a very empathetic, magnetic person, Sonnet.” He looked down at her, at her flushed cheeks, and smiled. He wanted to say more, give more compliments, but his awkwardness crept into his throat and held all his words hostage.
“Thank you for being my destiny,” she whispered in return.
His heart stopped. Even his alpha was choking on her words. Her beautiful, addictive confession.
“What were you writing before I sat down?” she asked.
He handed her his notebook and pen. “I like having a rough plan or schedule to follow, so I was figuring out some ideas we could do while we’re here.”
“Go to the aquarium, surf, play volleyball on the beach, go whale watching… These are all good.” She picked up the pen and began to scribble even more ideas. Zayden was surprised by how many she had, some as small as a sunset picnic and others as long as a full-day hike to as many lighthouses as possible. “The beach is my favorite place on Earth.”
“When was the last time you went?”
“My high school graduation. My parents took me as a present to Disney World, and then to Florida’s coast. We stayed at a hotel. It was really nice, but nothing compared to this Airbnb. Or this view!”
“It is a beautiful view,” Zayden whispered. “Well, minus Thing 1 and Thing 2 and their… What is that?”
“I think they’re trying to build a sandcastle,” Sonnet laughed.
Well, at least they were doing something together again. They used to be so close. The entire pack was, but Kai and Jude had an extra-special bond. Where one walked, the other followed, and now they were on two separate paths, and it was like neither of them knew how to function. But this was a start. Sure, their sandcastle was shit, and they were arguing more than they were working together, but they were still together.
It had been one day, and this vacation was already healing. Zayden should have more trust and hope that everything will be okay.
That’s what I’ve been telling you!
Zayden rolled his eyes. He held Sonnet closer, both watching and judging Kai and Jude. After a while, Jude noticed them cuddling on the patio sofa and raced over, sticking his tongue out at Zayden before picking Sonnet up bridal style and carrying her to the beach.
Zayden deserved it, since he did keep Sonnet away from Jude for most of the day. Now, they were chasing each other along the edge where the sand met the water, and what surprised Zayden the most was the fact that Kai was watching them without saying anything rude or turning away.
Inside the house, he heard someone rustling around. Zayden popped his head around the corner and saw that Felix had returned from one of the local grocery stores, ready and excited to make dinner.
Zayden took the opportunity to head into the living room and collapsed onto the couch. The moment his head hit the pillow, he was already drifting away.
Chapter 20
Felix didn’t remember the last time he smiled for so long, but standing in a beautiful kitchen with beautiful ingredients to make his family, hismate, dinner made his smile seemingly permanent.
It wasn't often that he was able to show off to anyone. Ever since the pack grew distant, and even before they were so busy with their music, Felix hardly got to cook for anyone, especially not anything elaborate or cool. Being here allowed him to show his love through what he loved most. Food.
While exploring the fish market and the town’s local farmers’ market with more fresh produce than he could count,Felix pictured the perfect meal to start off their vacation: a seafood-styled charcuterie board. He was going to serve shrimp cocktails as the focus with oysters, seared scallops, and mussels. Layered between the seafood was going to be caviar, lightly toasted and thinly sliced baguette, brie, prosciutto, thinly sliced cucumber and avocado, pistachios, marinated olives, an assortment of pickled veggies, and garnish the plate, thinly sliced lemon and oranges, as well as a sprinkle of dill and chives.
It was perfect.
Our mate is going to be impressed.
Felix smiled even wider. He hoped she would be. He also hoped that whatever she was doing outside with JudeandKai, they were behaving and treating her well.
He peered out the window as he was washing all his produce and meat, his smile softening as he watched the three of them returning from the beach. Kai was walking a few steps behind Jude and Sonnet, his eyes on their hands held tightly together.
