Page 81 of Knot The Only Onee

I finished gathering all the stuff for lunch, dancing around Lucas as he finished his cooking ritual. I learned long ago to stay out of Lucas' way when he was cooking.

It was that, or end up flat on my ass covered in something gooey, sticky, or messy. Yep, that was learned by personal experience.

"Ready?" I asked Lucas as I kissed his cheek. I loved watching him cook. It was like a master craftsman, making works of edible art. "You're so fucking adorable," I growled.

Lucas gave me a saucy smile. "You know it, alpha Daddy."

My chest rumbled, the nickname making my cock tighten painfully. I brought my hand down on his ass and squeezed. "This ass is mine tonight, cub. I know Bridget will enjoy watching."

"Yes, please." He licked his lips, those aquamarine eyes darkening with his desire. "Let's kick them all out early so we can spend all night in bed."

I tucked stray hair behind his ear. "Patience, cub. We have business to attend to and to catch up with our friends. Plus, you outdid yourself with all the food for your barbecue feast. You don't want it to go to waste, do you?"

The way to his patience was through his food and making sure people enjoyed it.

"Fine." Lucas rolled his eyes and sighed as he turned the stove burner off. "Gather everyone in here for lunch."

"I'll make it worth it, I promise." I grinned, stealing his line from earlier before I sauntered into the living room. "Come and get it."

I made my way over to Bridget and helped her off Noah's lap. "Ready for your homemade chips, darling?" I asked her, perfecting my British accent.

Her brows rose. "Excellent work, James. I can make a proper Brit out of you yet." She burst into giggles as I held my arm out for her to take.

"Love you, little one." I kissed her cheek as she placed her hand in the crook of my elbow.

"Love you too, my surly alpha."

* * *

I leaned back in my chair and rubbed a hand over my stomach. "Damn, Lucas. That was excellent."

And this was just lunch. The cub was trying to make me work for my trim figure. I was damn lucky I worked so hard out on the ranch, or I'd be much heavier than I was now.

"Ugh," the girls both groaned, leaning on their alphas. Bridget was on my lap, her head now buried in my neck.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked Alena as he chuckled.

"So full." Alena put a hand over her mouth as she groaned again. She was snuggled against Elias' chest as he rubbed her back. "Why did you let me eat so much?"

Elias arched a brow and looked down at her. "Me? Baby girl, I know you didn't just ask me that. You demanded all the food and kept shoving it into your mouth."

Alena humphed and turned her face away from his. She even held her arms out for Julian, who lifted her from Elias' lap to his own.

"Ouch, that's harsh," Noah winced before he burst into laughter.

"It's the betas that provide the most comfort," Julian replied, his chin resting on Alena's head.

"See, normally I'd agree with you," I began. "But then I became an alpha, and it comes with this nifty purring thing."

Five sets of eyes, the ones not belonging to those in my circle, gaped openly at me as they processed my words.

"Surprise?" Bridget held her hands up and shrugged.

"Fucking told you." Elias slapped Simon's shoulder. "You owe me ten G's."

"You fucking made a bet about me?" My jaw dropped as my stare flitted between Elias and Simon. "That's cold. And here I thought we were family."

"Told you it was a stupid bet," Alena murmured. "I mean, the writing was all over the wall. You're way too alpha to be a beta, and now you aren't. So, end of argument. No one wins, the bet was stupid, and you should apologize to James."