Kaidon’s POV
I strode through the corridors of my palace, my mind racing as I made my way to the dining hall. My thoughts revolved around one thing: the possibility that Serena might have been Draven’s bride.
The mere thought that another man had been intimate with Serena sent a surge of jealousy and fury coursing through me. How? How could it even be possible?
He needs to die. Rowan, as usual, howled for blood, demanding that we seek out Draven and tear him limb from limb. I felt his fury intertwine with my own, and the urge to march straight to the Valkar pack and confront Draven was overwhelming.
I stopped in my tracks, taking a deep breath and trying to crush that impulse. Acting on such raw emotion would be suicide. I needed to be rational, to think, plan, and control Rowan before he drove me to do something reckless.
I entered the dining hall and settled into my seat at the head of the table. My hand supported my chin as my thoughts continued to spiral out of control.
We should have been her first and only. He will pay for this insult. He must die, Rowan’s angry growls kept ringing in my head like an annoying alarm clock.
Just then, the doors opened, and in walked my stepmother, Lady Verona, with her daughter Esme. Amelia followed a few minutes later, flashing a sultry smile in my direction, as if I hadn’t just threatened to end her entire lineage a few minutes ago. Her tenacity to latch onto me was nothing short of impressive—and annoying at the same time.
I responded with a nod and watched as Verona approached, her expression as cold and indifferent as always. The only hint of warmth in her eyes seemed reserved for her own daughter, Esme, who carried herself with a look of smug satisfaction, casting me brief, haughty glances as she took her seat. That little brat.
“Good morning, Kaidon,” Verona greeted, her voice icy and formal.
I barely inclined my head in acknowledgment, unwilling to let her draw me into her usual games. The only reason I hadn’t banished her from my lands was the simple fact that she’d once been my father’s mate. Any other reason had long faded.
Verona’s cold gaze lingered on me, perhaps expecting a response, but when none came, she turned her attention to Esme. I glanced at them briefly before dismissing their presence in my mind, waiting patiently for my meal.
Amelia slid into the seat beside me, launching into a conversation that barely registered in my mind. I nodded occasionally, not really processing her words; my thoughts were still distorted by the revelation about Serena and Draven.
After a while, the maids entered with trays laden with steaming platters. I realized how hungry I was, my stomach twisting and growling. I hadn’t eaten since the day before; my appetite had been soured by all that had transpired.
As the maids began setting the dishes before us, led by Cassie, a rich, mouthwatering fragrance immediately captured my attention. It was different from the other meals—like nothing I’d tasted in recent memory.
My eyes scanned the platters until I spotted it: a lamb stew with root vegetables, the aroma intoxicating. Cassie, holding the dish, placed it on the table, and I gestured for her to serve it to me first.
“Cassie,” I ordered, “serve me a portion of that stew.”
Cassie nodded, filling a bowl with a generous helping of the dish, and set it before me. As soon as I took the first bite, flavors exploded on my tongue. The stew was a perfect balance of tender meat, hearty vegetables, and rich spices—somehow comforting and invigorating all at once. It felt warm and nostalgic, like the first fires of autumn.
I could almost imagine it had been cooked with care and precision, like someone had poured their very soul into crafting it.
“It tastes that good?” Amelia noticed my interest and leaned forward, reaching for a bowl of her own. She tasted it and gave an approving hum. “This is exceptional,” she said, her face lighting up. “Whoever cooked this… they have a rare talent.”
I finished my portion in record time, savoring every bite. Even Rowan, who had been restless and howling with anger, had calmed down significantly.
Verona and Esme took a taste of the stew, and the pleasant expressions on their faces spoke volumes.
Wiping my mouth, I turned to Cassie, my curiosity piqued. “Who prepared this dish?”
Cassie hesitated for a moment, her gaze planted at her toes, unable to meet mine. “It was made by the new girl, my lord,” she said respectfully. “The one you appointed to be a maid… Serena.”
I froze in surprise. Serena again?
This woman… she kept intruding into my thoughts in such an unhealthy manner, and now her cooking too had found its way into my heart. I… was afraid that I would never tire of her culinary masterpiece.
Amelia also wore a look of surprise before her eyes narrowed as she processed Cassie’s words. Her expression darkened, her hand clenching around the spoon in her grasp, tightening until, with a sharp snap, the metal twisted and broke in her hand.
I watched her with mild amusement as she pushed her plate away, avoiding the stew as if it offended her. Ignoring her, I continued to savor my second helping, unbothered and with only one thought in mind: My mate was an exceptional cook!
When breakfast finally concluded, Verona and Esme drifted out of the dining hall. Cassie and the other maids busied themselves with clearing the table, working swiftly and efficiently. I gestured for Cassie to approach, and she did, bowing slightly.
“Cassie,” I said, “fetch Serena. Bring her here. I would have words with her.”
Cassie blinked, her surprise apparent, but she quickly nodded and hurried off to fulfill my command.
The moment Cassie was out of sight, Amelia, who had been simmering in barely contained jealousy, could no longer keep her silence. “Why are you calling her here, Kaidon?”
I turned slowly, meeting her gaze with a cold glare. Amelia was really testing my patience, and one of these days, I might have to put her in her place properly.
“That’s none of your business, Amelia. Now get out.”
Amelia’s face twisted in anger, her pride stung, but she knew better than to argue. With a stiff nod, she rose from her seat and strode out of the dining hall.
I tore my gaze from her and waited.