Chapter 73
I’m anxious because Alexei isn’t in the same room. What is this? It was never this bad before. That’s because your body was still recovering from the overdose of smack. Now that you’re beginning to come back to yourself, you have a teenager’s libido and no control. I’m someone who’s gone from not showing any sexual interest in anyone for seven years to a state of sporting an almost constant erection…well let’s just say that it’s a good thing the waiting is over tonight. I’ve been used as nothing more than a sexual receptacle for a third of my life. To move from unwilling vessel to actual desire in a week is quite a stretch. I think I’m going to go look for Kane after I eat.
Katya knocked on the door and brought him a plate full of hamburgers and a basket of French fries with a separate basket of onion rings. Katya had never made him onion rings before. Alexei must have heard him tell Julio that he likes the ones from Burger King. There was no contest. Katya’s were amazing.
* * * *
Sean, Ian, Colin, and Kane were in the small sitting room attached to the master suite watching Donal climb walls. Katya brought in Donal’s beloved cabbage rolls, spinach and potato stuffed pierogi, and barbequed short ribs.
Kane remarked, “Strange combination.”
Katya shrugged. “Alpha Mate like Katya’s cabbage rolls and pierogi, but Elton Brown did barbeque yesterday, and Katya wanted to test lesson.”
Kane laughed.
“At this point I don’t care what I eat as long as I keep eating.” Donal finished Katya’s offering in ten minutes.
Kane took the tray and gave it to Ian. Ian went downstairs to get more food. Donal paced.
“Calm down. The frenzy will be over in a few hours then you’ll still be hungry, but you’ll just eat larger portions at regular meals, afternoon tea, and evening snack.” Kane tried to reassure him.
“This is exhausting. I can’t keep up. I’m losing weight,” Donal complained. “And I’m still hungry.”
“Here’s Katya,” Sean said fifteen minutes later. He grabbed yet another tray. She brought a brownie sundae with hot fudge, chocolate ice cream, real whipped cream, and sprinkles.
“Katya, please get more food and call Dr. Artis.” Sean followed her out of the room.
Five minutes later, Katya came back with Marie Claire’s potato leek soup, Meg’s fried chicken, corn on the cob, and mash potatoes.
Fifteen after that, Katya had red beans and rice and shrimp creole from Agnes.
“Why did all of the housekeepers make me a meal?” Donal asked as he picked at the latest entrée.
Ian smacked him in the back of the head.
Donal rubbed his head and protested, “What did I do?”
“They did it because they love you, stupid.”
“Why would they love me? They barely know me.”
“They know Alexei and what he was like before you entered his life. You are now part of a very loving family. Miss Elena is even arriving for the wedding with Miss Beaumont, her governess.”
“I finally get to meet Elena. I thought maybe you were keeping her away because of…you know.”
Sean smacked him this time. “You are a goof.”
“Michelle’s offering is next.” Colin laughed. “The housekeepers are very competitive. Since you need the carbs, I would expect baked ziti with a heavy meat sauce and lots of cheese.”
“Anything so long as it’s food. I went seven years barely eating, and now my arm is getting tired from shoveling food in my face. But I’m still hungry.” By this time, Donal was wailing. “I haven’t closed my mouth except to visit the pack since I got here, and the pack had me eat something at each house.”
Dr. Artis came to the room followed by a worried Alexei. Artis examined Donal. “Alpha, he has to keep eating. He’s not losing weight, but if he doesn’t keep eating, he will. You have three hours.”
Alexei’s teeth elongated. Sean shoved at his huge chest, pushing him out of the room. “You can’t stay here. You’ll be all over him. Let us take care of Donal. He’ll be fine.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Alpha Mate. I can’t lose him,” Alexei said in anguish. “Especially since it’s my pheromones causing him to mate before he’s physically ready.”
“Here’s Michelle with ziti…go, he needs to eat, not worry about you because you’re worrying about him.”
By ten, all the Mates were yawning. Katya brought up a hearty Russian breakfast with oatmeal, eggs, Russian sausage, brown bread, cold cuts, and blinis of all kinds. “Everyone needs to go. Donal has to be ready for Alexei. Katya make sure he eats.” Sean came over to Donal and gave him a hug followed by the others, in order as usual. Kane was last.