CHAPTER 573: +CHAPTER 573+

Nikolai watched in silent disbelief as Caspian and Lake coerced Angelo out of his seat with sweet smiles and sweeter words.

Davian just sat right next to his mate, his expression dark, his bright red sweater contrasting with his expression.

Asher also swooped right into the chair next to Caspian, proudly sprawling on the dining chair.

It was a grand dining table that could seat twenty, so there were more than enough seats. Everyone sat close to each other so they could easily hold conversations during their meal.

Angelo was a little overwhelmed; casual conversation wasn’t something he did often, so he was even quieter than usual.

Caspian and Lake didn’t make it uncomfortable, however; they were simply putting in the effort to make him feel like he was a part of them, and didn’t just put the spotlight on him.

"Where’s the rainwater I was promised?" Lake looked around in disapproval when the table was more or less filled up with food, and then there was still no sight of what he had been waiting for.

Caspian’s smile was a bit strained, he wasn’t good at lying to Lake. "It’ll be here with dessert."

"I’m not drinking anything but rainwater," Lake protested, upset. He had been looking forward to drinking an entire mug first thing.

Angelo was right in the middle of this, so he found himself intervening, "Dinner would probably be too savory for you to enjoy it, it’s best to have it with dinner."

He was bullshitting, but Caspian seemed like he was about to crack, so he didn’t know when he spoke up.

Lake seriously considered it, it was convincing enough that he managed to put his cravings on the back burner. "Alright then."

Angelo’s sigh of relief caught in his throat when Lake enthusiastically recommended to him some dishes that Katya had specifically made for him. Even without taking a bite, he already knew they were spicy.

"Angelo is not great with spice," Rosie offhandedly mentioned.

"Were you able to eat the lunch I packed?" Davian interjected with a slight frown.

"A bit," Angelo admitted, "It was tasty."

"I’ll make a separate mild portion next time," Davian promised, using a napkin to wipe the sauce on Lake’s lip.

"Want to try the new mild recipe tomorrow?" Lake quickly jumped on the chance before Angelo could speak up, honey eyes sparkling.

Angelo had wanted to tell the Mafia King that there was really no reason to go through the trouble, but just like with everyone else at the table, they had just seamlessly adapted him into their lives.

Caspian refilled his glass of wine as he was distracted, the Omega saying something to his mate as he filled his glass like it was his own.

"Not a chance," Davian shut down quickly, knowing that if he didn’t, his mate would find a way to weasel under his skin until he gave in.

In the quiet hubbub of dinner as different conversations happened side by side, Angelo found himself seeking Nikolai out.

Just like how Davian hadn’t given him a chance to turn down the offer he had so naturally made, so had Caspian’s gesture. It was just as natural, and it was clear that Caspian hadn’t been expecting appreciation in return.

The tension in his shoulders unraveled, a smile growing on his face when he found Nikolai already staring in his direction. He looked away to help pass a pan of baked potatoes closer to Rosie.

Nikolai didn’t look away even when Angelo did, barely tasting the food he ate. It was one thing for them to accept him, but it was completely another to do the same to Angelo, whom they had only just found out about.

When dessert was served, there was noticeably no sign of the ’rainwater’ Lake had been so patiently waiting for.

Katya herself showed up before Lake could point it out, still wearing an apron and a net cap. "It stopped raining, and we’re all out of rainwater." Was the only explanation she gave him.

Lake sighed but resigned himself to his fate; there was nothing else to be done if it had stopped raining. "I’m sorry for the trouble," He pouted, reaching for a tray of samosas.

Davian slipped out of his chair and went after Katya, curious about why the cook had suddenly done a one-eighty. He knew that it wasn’t because the kitchen had run out of coconut water.

Lake didn’t even notice, getting into an intense conversation with Rosie and Angelo about their favorite dessert. Davian had an idea of how that would go, considering that his mate only ate spicy food if he could, and Rosie was obsessed with blueberries.

He caught up with the cook a hallway away, questions in his gray eyes. "Is something wrong?"

Katya was pleasantly surprised to see him. She had planned to speak to him after dinner, and she hadn’t expected him to come right after her.

"Too much coconut water is bad for health," Katya shook her head.

The kitchen always got fresh and natural coconut water, so she had thought it would be alright to let Lake drink as much as he liked, but a brief research advised her against that.

"If he keeps asking for it, give him a cup or two every other day, no more, preferably less." The cook explained. "Although it might be best to come clean about it when he calms down."

Davian absorbed the older Omega’s advice like a sponge, returning to the dining room after she wandered off. The dining room was just like he left it, conversation and laughter merging seamlessly.

"The muffins are all gone," Asher reported as soon as he sat down.

Davian wasn’t at all surprised; they were blueberry muffins, so if they weren’t truly finished, Rosie had probably stuffed the rest into her jacket.

"I saved you one," The Alpha went on gruffly without any prompting.

Davian refexively caught the tissue-wrapped muffin that was thrown to him, surprise on his face. He didn’t even fancy blueberry muffins but he ate it anyway.

"Hey! No throwing food at the dinner table," Caspian scolded even though he hadn’t been paying attention when the muffin was thrown; it was almost like he had a third eye.

Halfway through the muffin, Davian felt more than saw Rosie’s puppy eyes. "No. This one is mine." He muttered, shoving everything inside his mouth.