I roll my lips in so I don’t gape at the long oak table piled high with a golden-crusted potpie, large bowls of whipped potatoes that look like clouds, and a tapestry of vibrant, mouth-watering vegetables.
“This is just for us?” I ask.
Hale chuckles. “Mom always cooks too much.”
Hale’s father sits at the end of the table in a wheelchair. From the photos in the hall, I noticed that Hale used to bear a striking similarity to his father. However, the man before me looks frail, a shadow of his former self. His face is gaunt and his thin arms shake as they grip a fork.
“Honey, this is Kady.” Winnie gestures to me. “Kady, this is Nick.”
“It’s about time the Valen Pack found an omega.” Nick’s voice is a little raspy. “They need one to keep them in check.”
“Oh, I’m not?—”
With a squeal, Hale pulls out my chair, motioning for me to sit down.
“Don’t pressure them, honey.” Winnie removes Nick’s fork from his trembling hand, setting it down next to his plate. “You know what young people are like these days.”
She serves me up a generous portion. I practically drool at the savory-smelling gravy drizzled over the potato mountain she put on my plate.
“It all looks and smells delicious.” Eager to dive in, my compliment is genuine.
I’m not used to dinners being served like this. At home, my father and I never eat together. When I’m there, I eat out or our private chef prepares meals for me to eat alone. Even on Thanksgiving and Christmas, we’re waited on by caterers at a table filled with Dad’s business acquaintances that I barely know.
“Oh, this?” She shrugs modestly. “Just something I quickly threw together. Do you cook?”
“Not really.” I wish I could say otherwise. “I’m more of a takeout kinda girl.”
“Well, that’s what you have alphas for.” Winnie winks. “They are there to take care of you.”
Is she joking? I wait to see whether there’s laughter to follow, but none comes. My father and many of the packs he’s tried to set me up with are still of the archaic belief that an omega’s role is best suited to being a homemaker, so Winnie’s view is refreshing, helping me feel even more at ease. Even though they’re basically strangers, I’m surprised by how comfortable I feel.
“We should catch up about work, son.” Nick’s tone is gruff. “There are matters we need to discuss?—”
“Do we have to talk business at the table?” Winnie’s expression hardens. “We have a guest. You can at least wait until dessert.”
I’m a little confused as to why Nick seems so interested in Hale’s work.
“There’s an important annual audit coming up, Winnie.” Nick reaches for the carrots. His hand tremors, letting out an exasperated sigh when he drops the spoon. “Darn it!”
“It’s okay,” Hale steps in to help his father. “I can serve it to you.”
“Thanks.” Nick’s smile doesn’t meet his eyes, which are tinged with frustration as he shakes his head. “Stupid pills making things harder than they need to be.”
“So, Kady, tell us about you.” Winnie wipes her mouth with her napkin. “You’re the first girl our Hale’s brought home, so we know you must be special.”
“Don’t scare her off, Mom,” Hale mutters. “We’re just here for the weekend.”
“What are you studying?”
“Law,” I tell her.
“Law. Very useful.” Nick scratches his chin. “That may be helpful to you too, son.” He grins. “It could save the company on legal fees.”
“I’m sure Kady doesn’t want to hear about any of that.” Winnie frowns. “If Hale takes after you, I’m sure she’s tired of hearing about his work too.”
“Actually,” I say after swallowing. “Hale doesn’t talk about his job at all.”
Nick stops picking at the food on his plate. “He doesn’t?”
