Page 165

Suddenly Melanie jumped up, “Oh gosh... I need to clean everything. I left your kitchen such a mess!” I replied, “I got it. You cooked.” She wasn't listening though because she was already running into the kitchen. She seemed panicked and her heart rate told me she was nearly having a panic attack.

I frowned asking, “What just happened?” Sierra sighed, “It’s complicated.” She raised her voice, “Ash, we are on vacation. It’s ok.” I walked into the kitchen and found my mate scrubbing a pan as if her life depended on it.

I snapped everything clean then conjured it all back to the original spots.

Sierra raised her eyebrows muttering, “How handy.” Melanie turned around apologizing, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have left everything out like that.

Some of that needed to soak, and I just left it all out.

I shouldn’t have done that… I can’t believe I didn't at least soak everything.”

I walked over and wrapped my arms around her.

I told her, “It’s just dishes. It’s fine.

As someone whose family owns the place, I promise it’s fine.

I’m impressed that you can cook. Either Mrs. Blanch or Zoe cooks my food or someone snaps it.

There is an Omega who makes killer cookies, but that’s it.

I really appreciate you making us breakfast. Ok? ” She slowly nodded.

Phil linked me, “Hey golden eyes, cut it the fuck out before she thinks you’re mad she didn’t wash the dishes.” I closed my eyes and replied, “Why the FUCK would she be afraid over the fact that she didn’t wash the dishes? I can promise you it’s not anything the McAlister’s did.”

I paused adding, “Hell, I know it’s not. Jase left dirty dishes in the sink for a week. Sam just let them pile up until he did them. Then she made him buy her a new cooking pan when he couldn't get all the stains off of it. Dirty dishes don’t really bother them.”

Phil sighed, “I’m sure Black Path has some weird thing about the kitchen being clean.” I raised an eyebrow retorting, “Why would a Beta’s daughter work in the kitchen? Or be yelled at for not cleaning a pan?”

Phil sighed, “That I do not know. She clearly likes to cook though, so I’m sure that’s why she was in the kitchen.” I snorted, “Black Path gives zero shits about people’s passions.” He admitted, “Ok, that’s a valid point and true, but I was aiming for you being calmer.”

Sierra said, “Let’s just go sit out on the deck and have some more of these Fairy snapped alcoholic beverages and take in the scenery.” I nodded saying, “We will be right there. You guys head out.” They left quickly, holding hands.

I turned Melanie around. I studied her from head to toe. I asked, “Are you ok?” She shook herself, “Yes... I just….” I finished, “Panicked about dirty dishes. That you probably would’ve cleaned while we ate, but I insisted you come eat with us.”

I tucked her hair behind her ear, “I can snap everything I want done or clean. I wasn't worried about the dishes. Even if we had to clean them by hand, neither Phil nor I would be upset about it. Hell, we’d have cleaned the kitchen. That’s how things work with my family.

You do the cooking then you definitely don’t do the cleaning.

If you do it’s because you can snap it clean. ”

I chuckled, “My first memories of the holiday’s that I can recall are of my mother making my dad pies for Thanksgiving and this Christmas cake he likes. You’ll love said cake. It’s called red cake, and it’s aptly named. My mother can cook three things. Sugar cookies, cherry pie, and red cake.”

“Every SINGLE time she cooks it looks like a bomb has gone off in the kitchen because she insists on making all these things for my dad from scratch. She’s actually a good cook, but boy if she couldn’t snap things clean, I think Mrs. Blanch would turn red from the state of the kitchen.

She might even pass out, but she would never hurt anyone over it. ”

Melanie asked me, “What’s your favorite food?

I can learn how to make it for you if I don’t already know.

” I replied, “I loved everything you made this morning. My favorite food is probably steak. Favorite meal would be steak, asparagus, and mashed potatoes or a baked potato. My favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake.” It had been ever since I was fourteen years old and smelled her hoodie.

She seemed to make a mental note saying, “I’ll remember that.” I had zero doubt she would as a Beta wolf. Her heart rate was slowly coming down which made me happy. I asked, “What’s your favorite food?” She was quiet before admitting, “I haven’t thought about it in a long time.”

I tapped her nose, “Think about it, and get back to me.” She smiled, “I love sugar cookies. It’s always been my favorite dessert. I’m not a fan of other cookies though… especially peanut butter cookies… they are… just a no for me.” That was too bad. They were Karina’s specialty.

She shook herself. Before I could ask why she didn’t like peanut butter cookies she gathered herself. She said, “We should go outside.” I disagreed, “Not yet.” I kissed her gently then pulled back. I winked, “Now we can go outside, and talk about plans for the day.”

Melanie asked, “What are we doing?” I answered, “I’m taking the group to Interlaken. We can hike and sightsee. It’s very pretty. Then tomorrow I’m teaching you to snowboard.” She grinned happily saying, “I always wanted to learn.” I kissed her forehead, “Good.”

Oden snorted, “You knew that. Ajax told me and Jase told you.” He was right. I did know that, but I was going to use every bit of knowledge I had to impress my mate and make her dreams come true. I held out my hand which she quickly took.

We walked outside to join Phil and Sierra, who for some reason was still going by Samantha. Sierra reached over and squeezed Melanie’s hand then handed her another drink from the pitchers I'd snapped. I had so many questions.

The most important ones were: What the HELL happened to my mate? And who the fuck hurt her? Because when I found out the answers to those questions, heads would roll. No one would get away with hurting Melanie. Ever again.