Gage’s response was immediate and gruff. “Not happening. I’m not taking you anywhere near the Kingdom of Silk.”
“You’re not my only option,” Katy said, narrowing her eyes on her mate.
Wyatt lifted a finger. “I could?—”
“You could end up as a skinned wall hanging if you keep it up,” Callon cut him off, voice low and dangerous.
Otto piped up, tail flicking. “Panther wall hangs stupid. Mistress right to want to rescue. Stew is better than rescue. I bite you.”
Everyone stared and then their heads turned collectively to look at Katy. She was the little lizard’s translator anytime his sentences were especially jacked up.
Katy shrugged. “Appare
ntly decorating with panther hides is so last year. Also, he’s hungry and wants a rescue plan. I’m with him.”
“What about that last part?” Drystan asked.
“If you try to stop him, he’ll bite you,” Katy shrugged as if that wasn’t a death sentence.
Lola grinned, pulling her threaded fingers from Callon’s clasp. “Let’s cook, Katy. We’ll need fuel for the impending disaster.”
Callon and Gage said in unison, “No.”
Lola raised a brow. “Too late. Katy, let’s raid the kitchen.”
Katy was already moving, Otto bouncing on her shoulder. “Coming!”
Wyatt called after them, “I like my stew spicy, Lola!”
Callon’s glare could have melted titanium.
Lola glanced over her shoulder and waggled her fingers at him as she disappeared into the kitchen. “Don’t eat the panther, Leo, you’ll ruin your appetite.”
The kitchen quickly filled with the scent of sautéing onions and garlic, the sizzle of meat in a hot pan, and the sound of Lola and Katy’s laughter. The males kept coming in, offering unhelpful “suggestions” and offering to taste the food.
Gage hovered behind Katy, his hands on her hips, chin brushing her shoulder as he grumbled, “You know, you don’t have to cook for them.”
Katy rolled her eyes as she looked at Lola, though speaking to her mate. “You’re just mad because I don’t make stew for you every night.”
He nipped her neck, making her squeak. “You better believe it.”
Callon sidled up to Lola, lips at her ear. “You’re not feeding Wyatt.”
She grinned, holding up a spoonful of stew. “Watch me.” Was she taking entirely too much joy at the jealousy the panthercaused? Yes. Would she stop . . . probably, at least before Wyatt got himself killed . . . hopefully.
Dinner, when it was finally served, was a circus. The panthers inhaled food like they’d been starved for weeks, and Gage and Callon made a show of glaring at any male who dared compliment the cooking, as if that somehow made it worse that Lola and Katy had cooked forothermales. Otto sat on Katy’s shoulder, munching on a piece of carrot and nodding his approval.
Wyatt sighed in satisfaction. “Best stew I’ve had since . . . well, ever. You’re wasted on the lion, Lola.”
Callon’s response was a low, dangerous rumble.
Lola just patted Wyatt’s arm, eyes sparkling. “Don’t worry, he’s well fed.”
Bane, ever the voice of reason, spoke quietly. “If we’re going into the Kingdom of Silk, we need a plan. No heroics.”
“I agree, we need to go in,” Callon said, sounding quite irritated about it. “Roan isn’t just our shaman, he’s a friend. And Maddie is Lola’s friend, which makes her important to KOC as well.”
“Glad you’re finally seeing reason.” Lola smiled.
