193

**James POV: **

So now Rati has another project on top of all the shit she has going on. She has always been like this and I think it is my fault. Ever since she came to my pack everything, she wanted I gave her. Rati told the harem mother she wanted a horse I got her a horse. Rati wanted to learn to swim I had an outdoor swimming pool installed and a female taught her to swim. Now she wants a café and she is getting a café. A part of me wonders what would happen if Michael or I ever told her not to do something she really wanted. 

Who in the hell names a restaurant "Expo"? The restaurant looks nice on the outside... But I can tell that it is not usually open this early. But for the royals and company who would say no? I picked this place because the chief is the brother of one of my restaurant chiefs. The guards got out first then Michael, then Rati, I got out. Looking around I realized that the others were not behind us. How the hell is that possible? We all left at the same time. 

I walked in and held the doors for my mates. Inside I can tell they did not even bother to fully open. They must have a room that is already prepared for us. Because none of the chairs and tables are set up from when I am standing. 

“James, I thought they were expecting us?”, Michael asked. 

“They are”, I said. 

“Give them some time to adjust. It is clear they are not used to being open this early in the morning”, Rati said. 

I hear the rest of everyone finally show up. All of them about to complain I just told them to be hush the hell up. Moments later a man who can be no older than twenty walked towards us with a nervous smile.  

“Good morning, my queen, my kings. My name is Lehigh, I am the owner of this restaurant”, Lehigh said. 

“Hello”, Rati said. 

“Hello, Lehigh weren't you expecting us?”, Michael asked. 

“Yes, and I am not sorry we are not fully ready. I had to call my cook, some staff, to come in and open for you”, he said with a very nervous smile. 

“That's fine Lehigh. Is there a place we can sit?”, Michael asked. 

“Yes, I have a privet room prepared for you already. Please follow me”, he said. 

We followed into a room that had a wall-to-wall fish tank. The fish tank has sting rays, sharks, rainbow color fish, and corals. I am truly impressed and so is everyone else. The table is long and is made of marble, the chairs are metal but a nice kind I can tell that this room is used as a hall for events. 

“Wow, this is nice”, Oro said looking around. 

“Yes, it is babe”, Aldo said looking around right with her. 

“Please have a seat and a waiter will be out with drinks. If you have any special request, please feel free to ask”, Lehigh said. 

“Can you have the waitress bring out orange juice, cranberry juice, and some mimosas please?”, Rati asked. 

“Sure, as you wish your majesty. I there anything else?’, he asked. 

“That will be all for now”, Rati said. 

“Can someone need to explain why my pregnant ass had to get out of bed for food”, Renee said annoyed. 

“Yeah, Mike spill this have your name written all over it”, Oro said and I laughed. 

Michael explained we ran out of food at the castle. And that the old cook refuses to show our cook his system for ordering food. And what the former cook told him about training his replacement. Mason started laughing making all of us look at him. 

“Jean has always been given free rein to do what he wanted in the kitchen. As long as kept everyone fed, he let him do him. Attitude aside he does know how to cook”, Mason said.  

“How the hell does that happen?”, Aldo asked. 

“No one was paying attention. Take this as a lesson Oro. You are going to have to be on top of that”, Zavia said. 

“So, let me get this straight. I got out of my very comfortable bed because of some asshole cook. He is so dead when we get back”, Renee said. 

“Hello, your majesties, Duke, Beta, council members. I am Sue and I am your waiter this morning”, she said and I noticed she was heavily pregnant. 

“Sweety, are you sure you should be working? You look like you are ready to pop”, Zavia said. 

“Yeah, I am fine I go on bed rest next week. But until I have to earn a living”, she said with a smile.  

Placing the pitchers of drinks on the table. I notice she is having a hard time moving a lot. I shook my head and gave her my chair, then ordered her to sit. I told her we wanted the breakfast family style. Everyone ordered what they wanted. Before Sue wobbled away I told her that the manager come here. She looked scared but I just gave her a sweet smile. 

“What the hell why is she working? She is about to pop”, Renee said. 

“I am not sure but I'll have to look at the maternity leave policy when we get back”, Rati said. 

 "She is too far to be working”, Zavia added. 

“Mason is there a maternity leave policy in place?”, Michael asked. 

“No”, he said shamefully. 

“And why the hell not?”, Mōʻīwahine said pissed off. 

“Honestly, we did not think there was no need for one. Mates take care of their mates. The woman stays home while her mate cares for her”, Mason said. 

“That's stupid. What about widowed mates?”, Tanyin asked. 

“In my kingdom, pregnant women who are mate less”, take one year off with pay. And if they do not work, we give them a stipend for one year”, Vulverin said. 

“You called your majesty?”, Lehigh asked nervously. 

“Yes, sure. Why is she working so far along in her pregnancy?’, I asked. 

“Actually, today is her day off. But she was the only one who answered and said she would come in”, he said. 

“Are you aware how close she is to giving birth and that she can barely walk?”, I asked trying not to get mad. 

Lehigh explained that he called her last because no one else answered and he needed someone to serve. I asked him why would he not service instead of having a pregnant woman who was about to pop come to work on her day off. I told him after we leave, she is to go home with pay. I also told him I do not want him to have her carry a heavy tray and he is to do it. She is only allowed to place the food on the trays and relax in the kitchen. 

“And make sure she eats something as well”, I ordered. 

“The maternity leave policy should be something the social service department to handle”, Mason said. 

“I agree”, Gar said. 

“I will shoot Orland an e-mail telling him to include it in his proposal. And have it ready for our meeting”, Michael said. 

Lehigh came with one tray full of food, with the cook walking behind him. He placed the dishes on the table. A nice Lux spread, meat spread, fruit, and different types of eggs. Toast. Renee took no time digging in happily. She was kind of annoyed she could not drink any mimosas. I paid since Michael gave our cook his credit card. I left Sue a one-thousand-dollar tip.