Blood Mates

Feelings Awakened

Alaia danced around the kitchen to her favorite song. Her pasta was starting a boil, her sauce was on simmer, and the garlic bread was toasting with its herbs, butter, and a light sprinkle of cheese.

Humming, Alaia was chopping parsley when her family appeared in front of her. They all lounged around casually as Loren leaned on the island and asked, “You’re cooking yourself?”

Alaia shrugged casually as she told him, “Why not? I found out what they were allergic to and decided to make dinner. First night here where we’re not bone-tired from travel, and we have special guests. I just want things to be nice.”

Sophia smirked not buying it, “Riiggghttt.” Alaia playfully scowled at her mother, “What are you implying mother?” Eric looked between them lost at the mother-daughter transaction as his son and daughter in law laughed.

Alaia frowned and faced them, “You know what, you’re all killing the vibe. Out, out, out!” She waved them out and all four held up their hands and left. Sophia was giggling with Haven when Desmond met them in the hall. Looking at them confused he asked, “What’s funny?”

Jerking his thumb at the kitchen door, Loren chuckled, “Alaia’s cooking for her new little human friend.” Desmond c****d an eyebrow before looking at his older brother amused, “Could it be our little Alaia is finally bringing home a man worthy of my big brother?”

Eric frowned at the thought and rolled his eyes, “No, this was all about making sure we’re accepted in town. Nothing else.”

Laughing, Loren looked at his mother rolling her eyes toward her husband, “She’s sweet on him and you can tell.” Sophia pointed to the kitchen and all of them tuned in and easily heard Alaia singing in Spanish. Her beautiful soprano harmonizing with the husky smooth voice of the original singers.

Eric frowned deepened, “She’s just in a good mood. It’s nothing to do with some human boy.”

Sighing as his dad stalked off quickly to his study, Loren couldn’t bite his tongue. “He’s going to fight this.” He noted to the family. Sophia sighed knowing this too and muttered, “I thought we got over him being prejudice against mating humans but he’s still fickle. And it’s Alaia, and if it ends badly, it’s his little girl that’s hurt.”

Desmond looked at Sophia amused as they started to the foyer, “Alaia is a far cry from the five-year-old little girl he keeps seeing.” Sitting down as a maid poured them both a brandy, Desmond told his sister in law, “She’s growing up, and she’s craving. If this boy is bringing all this out in her, you know what that can mean. And you know even he can’t stop that.”

Sophia could admit that was the truth. And as her son pondered this, it was his wife who spoke. “Let Eric exert himself for now,” Haven told them playing with her long blonde braid. “He can’t stop it, and if this boy is really something Alaia wants, she’ll have him. And it’ll be up to him if the prize is worth the sacrifice.”