“Your cat, for starters. Where is she doing her business? Because I can’t see her non-existent litter box.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. She buries her shit.” Skyla smirks. “Just be careful you don’t step on it.”
“I hate you,” Allie replies flatly as she walks over to me. “I don’t like outdoor parties.”
“They can be nice. Plus, I don’t think Mal pooed anywhere here; she usually goes in the bushes,” I reassure her.
“Ok, first round up!” Grandpa Alejandro calls.
“I’m hungry! Me first!” Leona says, running over.
“Careful there, angel. Let me get your plate,” Grandpa Marcel says.
“Come on, children. Sit down, then you’ll get your food,” Aunty Kiara calls.
Once they’ve got theirs, it’s me and Allie, the next youngest, and I’m not going to wait. I take a plate and walk over to the table.
“Want me to bring it to the table?” Grandpa Alejandro asks. I look up at him. He looks grim, but that’s his usual face. Not to boast, but he treats me very nicely.
“Yes, please. I’ll have one kebab, two lamb chops, and one chicken burger, thank you.” I turn and walk over to the table as Grandpa Alejandro carries my plate over.
“Thank you,” I say, and he grins.
“You’re welcome, kiddo,” he returns to the girls. I begin putting salad on my bun, as Winona and Mama feed the little ones and Aunty Kiara brings everyone’s drinks.
Jaddati wipes the table beside me with an antibacterial wipe. That’s something Allie would do herself if no one else has.
And they call me a diva. I suppress a giggle as I wait for her to sit down beside me.
“I think I’m going to die from germs,” she mutters, taking a bite of her burger.
“You won’t,” I reply.
Once everyone has their food and is seated, I look over at Mama. “It’s my boyfriend’s birthday tomorrow night. I want to go to his pack.”
Mama freezes. “You have a boyfriend?” she asks, simultaneously with Ahren and Tatum.
“Yes, I do,” I reply emotionlessly, taking a bite of my burger.
“Who’s the fucker?” Grandpa Alejandro asks, frowning.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Holden Ridge. He’s the Alpha heir to the River Moon Pack.”
Grandpa Alejandro snorts. “Don’t know any River Moon Pack.”
“We do,” Uncle Rayhan says, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
“None of importance,” Grandpa Alejandro grumbles,making Grandpa Marcel chuckle.
“Is he treating you right?” Uncle Rayhan asks, as Skyla whistles.
“Nice, girl, get it.”
I smile slightly before nodding at Uncle, glancing at Mama, who hasn’t said anything else. “I’d love to learn a little more about him, and I think, why not, you should go. Tatum or Ahren can go with you,” she says now.
She’s upset that I didn’t tell her. Maybe I should have, but…
I nod. “Thank you.”
