Chapter 30: Everyday.

Bella’s pov.

“She said her mommy is happier when I am around. That she noticed everything. How her daddy was a bad man. How he made her mommy unhappy, how she didn’t like it…” he said quietly,  brushing my hair behind my neck before stepping away from me.

I sucked in a sharp inhale of breath, that answer was not what I was expecting.

“She said that?” I asked quietly, my heart clenching at the thought of Megan noticing how badly I was treated, how hurt I was all of the time.

“She did,” he said, nodding his head as I turned around to face him, “she also said she doesn’t feel like herself. She wasn’t sure how to explain it… I think she’s still too young.”

I let out a deep breath, looking towards her room.

“Megan, hunny,” I called out unsure, stepping closer to her room, “your food is ready. John will be staying to eat with you…”

I heard the sound of her door creak open before her little head poked out, looking around and spotting John.

A smoke lighting up her face.

I sighed, shaking my head slightly as I turned around, grabbing their plates and setting them down on the table.

“Can you watch her? I need to have a smoke,” I said quietly before grabbing my cigarettes and lighter, going to my balcony, not waiting for an answer.

I lit my smoke up, knowing I should quit.

I went so long without one, I shouldn’t have picked it up again but… I couldn’t help it.

The stress, the anger, the sadness.

It was all too much.

I greedily puffed off my cigarette. Watching the pack members going idly about their day.

Children playing and laughing together.

Parents sitting back while watching, looking relieved at the peace and quiet.

Young warriors switching shifts, shoving each other around playfully, laughing and smiling.

Stores down at the center, the signs and lights displayed outside, welcoming members to come inside.

I sighed, feeling completely exhausted…

But everything I’ve done has been worth it.

For Megan, for the pack.

I don’t regret anything.

“Hey, Alpha Bella!” A pack member called out to me, waving with a huge smile on their face, their happiness practically radiating off of them.

“Hey, Angel!” I smiled back, putting my smoke out before waving slightly, heading back inside.

…

As soon as I opened the balcony door I was hit with Megan’s carefree laughter and John's teasing smile.

“It tastes good that way doesn’t it!” John's deep, loud laughter echoes throughout the room, making me pause in my steps.

I’ve never heard him laugh like that before…

“Mmmmh!” Megan mumbled through a mouth full of food, “it’s good!”

I looked down at her plate, noticing her mashed potatoes and steak are mixed together with her gravy.

I shook my head while I chuckled.

She’s always been picky with her food touching…

I’m curious to know how he convinced her to do that.

“You’re enjoying your food?” I asked Megan softly as I walked up behind her, placing my hands on the chair she’s sitting on.

“Yup!” She said cheerfully, shoveling a huge spoon full into her mouth, talking with her mouth full, “it’s delicious! John thinks so too!”

I grinned while looking between the two of them.

Megan, a genuine smile on her face for what feels like the first time in a long time.

And John, looking so carefree and relaxed, a couple of rare emotions I’ve seen on his face.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” John asked me suddenly, making my eyes dart in his direction.

“Me?” I said, laughing slightly, “I’m good… I made this for you guys, I’ll eat later.”

I brushed it off, knowing I don’t have the appetite to eat right now.

“You need to eat too,” he protested, getting up from his chair and walking towards the fridge.

“We actually don’t have much in there right now, I have to go shopping tomorrow,” I said before he opened it, warning him of our slim pickings.

“Don’t worry,” he laughed slightly, rummaging through the fridge and cupboards.

He set one chicken breast on the counter with rice, cilantro, broccoli and peas.

“You can cook?” I asked surprised, eyeing him up as he rolled his sleeves up, placing a frying pan on the stove.

“Yup!” He said joyfully, a huge grin on his face as he looked at me over his shoulder.

“Wow!” Megan squealed, clapping her hands together, “can you cook for me everyday!”

John and I laughed at the same time, looking at each other with a twinkle in our eyes.

“I mean… if it’s okay with your mom I’d love to come and cook for you everyday, Megan,” he said softly as he looked at her, making her smile brightly.

“Mom doesn’t mind! Right, mom?” She said, making me smirk.

“Of course not! As long as he’s cooking for me too!” I added in there, thinking I’ll like this.

John cooking for me, not having to worry about what to cook for Megan next.

“She’ll still have to do the grocery shopping though!” He said with a grimace, making Megan laugh harder, “I hate grocery shopping! It’s like my least favourite thing to do!”

Megan continued to laugh harder, holding her belly as she tried to stop.

I smiled to myself, loving how happy she looked.

How carefree she acted.

She hasn’t been acting herself since her father scared her.

John and Megan continued laughing, John making small jokes that usually went over my head.

Ending up making Megan laugh harder at me as I rolled my eyes at them.

“Here!” John said suddenly, breaking me out of my thoughts, “chicken fried rice, m’lady!”

He bowed, making me slap his arm playfully.

“None of that!” I said quickly, rolling my eyes at him again, “you know I don’t even like you calling me alpha, never bow like that again!”

He chuckled before taking a seat beside me, his hand finding my leg.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I picked up the fork, stabbing it into some broccoli and chicken before slowly putting it into my mouth.

I moaned loudly from the wonderful tastes that exploded into my mouth.

John’s hand squeezes my leg slightly, making my eyes widen before clearing my throat. Acting as if nothing happened…

“That’s amazing!” I said in between bites, eating faster than usual, my cooking is not nearly this good.

“Slow down!” John said hesitantly, squeezing my leg again, the heat from his hand seeping onto my skin, “you’ll have plenty more meals to try, no need to inhale it.”

I chuckled with my mouth full of food, my hand flying up to my mouth to stop it.

Megan’s little eyes darted between me and John.

A sparkle in her eyes as she stared at us.

“Everyday, right?” She asked while looking at John, her face scrunched up unsure of his answer.

“Everyday,” John agreed, looking at me from the corner of his eyes.

My heartbeat picked up, it's a usual thing around John.

“Everyday,” I mumbled, looking down at the plate of food in front of me.