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"Aye, and I'll do it after as well. MacKenzies love their food, and unlike some, we don't encourage the males to keep eating whilst telling the females to hold back." She raised her chin a fraction. "It's often a free-for-all at my mum's house, but most of the time I win and swipe more food than my brothers. Whilst I don't care if my bairn is a girl or boy, he or she will know how to beat out all her cousins when it comes to dinner time."
Chase grinned at how proud she sounded. "When's the next MacKenzie dinner then, so I can pay attention and watch your moves? In the past, I always laughed at the food fights."
Grant shoved him. "No more food fights. Last time, Faye got a black eye."
Faye rolled her eyes. "It was a small bruise from a chunk of cheese. I doubt Mum will serve it again, given how you growled and threatened Fraser's bollocks."
Grant narrowed his eyes. "Just because Fraser's mate is no longer pregnant doesn't mean he can forget what it's like to protect one who is. If he provokes me, I'll protect what's mine."
Faye raised an eyebrow at her mate. "I'd like to think I can protect myself against my brother. I did fine for over twenty years before you."
"You weren't pregnant then."
As the pair stared at one another, having some sort of nonverbal conversation, Chase decided he needed to break it up. Usually, the staring ended with his brother issuing an ultimatum or order of some sort—which never worked with Faye, so Chase had no idea why he kept doing it to provoke an argument. So Chase took one hand from each of them and tugged them along. "Come on. Mum is probably waiting for us and will need help with setting the table."
Mentioning how their mother needed help worked. Grant shut his mouth, pulled his grip from Chase's, and placed one hand on Faye's back and the other over her nearly full-term pregnant belly.
His dragon snorted. He's much more well behaved since he mated Faye.
Faye's presence helps, aye. But he would never cause Mum distress, mated or not, and you know that.
Ever since their father had abandoned them all a couple of years ago, he and his brother had made a pact to try harder than before to make their mother happy. It didn't always work—Chase liked needling his brother sometimes, which made their mum frown—but they were behaving for the moment.
As they approached the kitchen door, Layla's scent reached his nose. Fuck. She was still here.
This was going to be the most difficult dinner of his life. Unlike his brother, Chase wasn't meant to be a soldier or leader who kept emotions in check when needed. Bloody hell, it'd taken everything he'd had to keep the truth of his true mate a secret. He couldn't imagine doing it on a regular basis with every little thing.
His dragon spoke up. Be your normal self. Everyone in the clan knows you were stopping by to see Layla at work all the time and leaving wee gifts. If you act distant now, Grant will notice that, too.
He mentally sighed. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Aye, it seems so. Which is why you should simply tell him the truth and embrace it.
Hush, dragon, or I'll create a mental maze and toss you in there.
I'd dare you, but it's been a few days since we've seen Layla. So I'll behave for now.
His beast fell silent, and Chase entered the kitchen, finding Layla's gaze straight away. He smiled at her before he took in the dark smudges under her eyes and her slightly tousled hair. She'd been working too much again.
The urge to take care of her surged through his body, but Chase resisted. He needed to win her first and then act like her mate and not the other way around. Layla was a dominant female, which required more care.
Of course, Chase was up for the challenge.
Layla had hoped to check on Gillian McFarland as quickly as possible and leave before either of her sons showed up. Especially since sometimes her sons came over for dinner, but it wasn't always the same day or time.
If only Layla hadn't had to set one of the children's broken bones in the morning, she might've made the run sooner.
But it hadn't worked out that way. Which was why she now stood in Gillian's kitchen, agreeing to stay for dinner and asking what she could do to help.
Her dragon spoke up. It'll be fun. And less tense than our family dinners.
Ever since her sister's radio silence had begun five years ago, the old camaraderie with her parents had all but disappeared after one too many arguments between her and them. Layla couldn't remember the last time they'd even held a conversation longer than a few minutes. I somehow doubt it'll be less tense or enjoyable. We've been avoiding Chase, and it'll be hard to find the balance of paying attention to him and ignoring him to avoid any special notice from Faye and Grant.
Her dragon grunted. Not we, but you have been avoiding him. And I made no promise about not flashing naked images of him, either.
That's unhelpful. Grant and Faye will surely notice if you make me blush.
So? It's not like they'll tell the entire clan.
