Embraced (Alpha Team Why Choose Book 3) by D.M. Page

Author:D.M. Page [Page, D.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2023-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

Rion

I stare at the recipe on my phone, the one Anna got me the day we went shopping. Apparently, Aksel is paying for it.

I’ve been watching videos for this particular dish all week and I think I’m finally ready to try it out. No better time than when I have to make a good impression on Anna’s best friend. I know she’s going to hate me on principal and I need to change that.

We didn’t spend that much time together when I dated Anna in college. I was avoiding them so they wouldn’t figure out I was a vampire.

I gather all the necessary ingredients, arranging them on the countertop in the order I’ll need them. The meat, vegetables, and herbs are just sitting there waiting to see what I turn them into.

I grab the chopping knife and use what Anna taught me, mixed with some techniques I’ve learned online. A sense of purpose fills my soul as the knife makes a rhythmic sound each time it hits the cutting board.

Next, I dial the stove to the temperature I need. I wish it was an actual flame but electric will do for now.

I get into a groove as I work with purpose and confidence, despite never having done this before. Everything comes together before my eyes and I feel incredibly accomplished with my work.

It’s almost enough to make me forget how uncomfortable this dinner is going to be.

Near the end, I taste a spoonful of my sauce. The spices and herbs burst on my tongue. After I add a pinch of salt, it tastes perfect.

I can’t believe I made this.

I plate the pork and pour my sauce over the top of it. It smells delicious, I’m surprised no one has come down yet to try and steal some.

The doorbell rings and I stay in the kitchen plating my meal, letting Anna get it.

I hear voices coming down the hall and know I only have another few seconds alone before I need to turn on the charm.

Maybe they’ll be more focused on hating Aksel than me. Should I call him Akshole in front of them as a reminder?

“Rion, you remember Aly and her mates Nicoli, Jeremy, Jay, Kiran, and Ajax. Right?”

Her smile is forced and I know she’s nervous about how this is going to go.

“Rion?” Aly asks.

“That’s my true name and since my brother has tainted the name Ryan with his sins, I wanted to return to my roots,” I explain.

Aly nods and reaches a hand out to me. “Let’s start over.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, wipe my hands off on a towel and shake her hand before she can rescind her generous offer.

Her mates all tense and stare at the place our skin touches until I move away.

Which is silly since I’m faster than all of them and Aly is probably the one most likely to catch me if I did act since she’s a hunter but I’m not going to remind them of that.

Everyone is stiff but the attention comes off me as the rest of Anna’s mates trickle in.

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