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Ethan comes over and serves me more rice and prawns.
“I thought there was going to be a banquet there,” he says.
“There was,” I say with my mouth full. “They just didn’t think I was a guest.”
He suddenly catches hold of my left arm. Lifting it, he looks closely at my elbow.
“What’re you doing?”
“Why do you have a bruise?” He takes a closer look. “And what about this?” he lightly touches the sore spot on my forehead. “What happened, Iris?”
“Nothing.”
“Iris?”
I wither under his sudden dominance. “Some people wanted to sabotage Delilah’s solo today,” I blab. “But don’t worry. I took care of the matter. Her solo went perfectly.”
“What about you, though? You’re hurt.”
“These bruises aren’t so bad. They’ll heal in a few days.”
He lets out a sigh and sinks onto a stool. “You got hurt for her sake and you still don’t get a spot beside her tonight?”
“Not when I look like this,” I say dryly and shovel a fat prawn into my mouth.
It’s a while before I realize Ethan has fallen quiet. Glancing at him, I find him staring at me with a strange look.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head but his brooding expression betrays him.
I know he wants to tell me to be more careful. To get hurt less. To give a little less when it comes to my sister.
He’s said it a hundred times and I’ve ignored him every time.
Growing up, Delilah did get a lot of attention from everyone around us but I was happy being a beta. Life gave me more options to choose from than being a trophy mate to some upper-class alpha.
“Thanks for the food,” I say, putting my spoon down. “That really hit the spot.”
“Let me give you a ride home.”
“Thanks, mate!” I grin at him.
Surprise flickers through his eyes. He reacts that way every time I call him that. I enjoy his obvious discomfort at the term but as usual, he lets it go.
“Can I come to work late tomorrow?” I kid as he starts taking off his apron.
“Nope.”
“You’re such a mean boss.”
He grins and picks up my jacket from the counter. “Come on. We both need to catch some sleep.”
I grab the bouquet before we leave.
“Do you think Delilah will care for it after receiving dozens of them tonight?” Ethan says as we walk out.
“Mom and Dad picked it out for her. It’s special.”
