Chapter 49 Open up
~ Lyra's POV ~
“Yes, I am quite hungry now. I refused lunch for a few reasons…” I started explaining, but my words slowly trailed off when I caught sight of Kael walking farther into the room with an ease that felt almost unsettling. He moved so casually that I found myself wondering what exactly he was looking for, or if he was simply observing something I didn't know just yet.
My eyes followed him instinctively as he crossed the room. He dropped onto the sofa without ceremony, settling back comfortably before crossing his legs and folding his arms across his chest. When he lifted his gaze and fixed it on me, it felt deliberate, as though I had just stepped into his line of fire.
“Yes,” he said calmly, lifting his brows in mild curiosity. “You were saying you refused lunch for what reasons?”
“The person who served it was rude,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “Also, that was the first time I was being served lunch instead of just breakfast and dinner, which is what I was used to. I got suspicious,” I explained, intentionally leaving out the part where my worry had crushed my appetite completely. I knew exactly how angry he would get if he realized that Taren had been the reason my thoughts were so consumed. I had already learned to avoid bringing Taren into our discussion.
Kael reached out and patted the empty space beside him on the two seater sofa, silently gesturing for me to come and sit next to him.
I hesitated only briefly before moving toward him and sitting down without protest, though my mind continued to race with questions about what was going on inside his head, and why he was suddenly acting this way.
“Bring the food here,” he instructed Taren.
Taren froze for a split second. The shock flashed clearly across his face before he managed to school his expression into something neutral, though the effort it took him to hide his reaction was obvious.
The food was brought over, and before I could even process what was happening, Kael picked up the spoon. He scooped some of the mashed potatoes and lifted it toward my mouth with unsettling confidence.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice rising with shock as I leaned away from the approaching spoon.
“Open up,” he said simply, offering no explanation and no sign that he intended to answer my question.
“I can eat by myself,” I told him, frowning deeply as I continued to refuse the food.
“Of course I know that,” he replied calmly. “I am neither dumb nor blind. Open up,” he insisted, his tone firm but unhurried.
“If you know that, then why are you still trying to feed me?” I asked, my agitation growing by the second.
He did not pull the spoon away. His expression did not change. The only thing he did was let out a soft sigh, so quiet I almost missed it, but his eyes never left mine. The look he gave me made it very clear that he was not about to change his mind anytime soon.
I finally relented. I opened my mouth and accepted the food, knowing very well that if I did not, we might all end up sleeping there indefinitely. The moment I did, a small smile curved his lips, subtle but unmistakable.
He moved to scoop another spoonful, but my hand came up quickly to stop him. He turned his head casually to look at me, his expression unreadable.
“What?” he asked.
“I would like to continue eating by myself, if you don't mind,” I said firmly.
“What if I mind?” he asked, neither releasing the spoon nor attempting to wrestle it from my hand.
“Please don't mind,” I replied, forcing myself to remain calm. “I believe you have more important things to do than watch a grown woman eat.”
He finally let go of the spoon, and relief washed through me immediately.
“This grown woman has become one of my priorities,” he said evenly. “So watching her eat is a pleasure to me.”
My heart flipped violently in my chest, performing a complete somersault I had not prepared for.
His eyes locked onto mine, and the intensity of his gaze only made everything worse. I couldn't handle it. I lowered my eyes quickly, focusing on the food in front of me while forcing back the smile that was already threatening to expose itself.
Why was he staring at me like that so shamelessly? Couldn't he see that we were not alone?
My thoughts betrayed me instantly, dragging me back to that night, to the memory of his lips on mine. My mind went completely blank, and for several seconds I forgot how to eat altogether.
I continued staring at the plate until his voice pulled me sharply back to the present.
“Do you need help?” he asked.
I shot him an annoyed frown. “No,” I answered, and finally began eating.
It was not easy to eat with two men watching me, but I did my best to ignore the weight of their attention. I focused on finishing my food, even though my nerves were anything but settled.
As soon as I was done, Taren took the plates and returned them to the trolley. He wheeled it toward the far end of the room, stopping close to the door before standing still.
“All right. Shall we begin?” Kael said suddenly.
The question immediately piqued my curiosity. Begin what, exactly?
“Yes, Alpha,” Taren responded, and the tone of his voice made my surprise deepen. It was then I realized that they were both involved in whatever was about to happen.
I turned to Kael slowly. “What are we beginning?” I asked.
He flashed me a smile, one that made my stomach twist with unease and anticipation.
“I am not here only to watch you eat,” he said calmly. “I am also here to watch you practice your magic.”
My jaw dropped.