Part 6
1562 Words
Athea was nervous. She couldn't even remember the last time she felt like that. After the excruciating task, that was serving the stew without spilling, she finally took a seat besides across Aries.
The Omega could already feel Archer's judgemental stare as he looked around the table. Was he going to taunt her for something? Because he always had something to say.
"How are we supposed to eat this stew Omega?" He scoffed, not even bothering to pick the spoon or look at his bowl.
Aries and Aron were quiet by his side, just blowing air into the stew instead of intervening in between. She had no idea what did he want more. They said that they eat meat and stew was the simple thing she could figure out in a few minutes.
"With spoon duh!" She made a face while pointing her eyes towards the cutlery resting beside him.
The sudden laughter from the other side of the table alerted her. It was Aron but he quickly shook his head and turned his attention back towards his bowl. But she could see that weak grin playing at the corner of his lips. Aries looked amused too with the way he was staring at his brother but he did not say anything.
"Geez, why didn't I think of it?" Archer mocked her.
Before she could open her mouth to get back at him he interrupted her. She sat up straight as his voice travelled through the room, harsh and demanding.
"Don't get clever on me omega. I am asking about biscuits. Did you make them?"
Oh. She thought blankly staring at him. Of course, he would have asked about this thing she forgot to make. But in her defence, it was a new day for her in their cabin. Even though they specifically showed her the kitchen and everything that she needed to know. Aron and Aries stilled at that, shifting their glasses between both of them and patiently waiting for her answer.
She had two options. Either she could lie or she could actually confess about not remembering.
"Uh...I forgot"
Archer took a sharp breath. His gaze unmoving and calculating, as if he was judging her for forgetting the basic thing which is required. The atmosphere in the room was even tenser than before. It made her rethink, maybe she should have just lied about it. At least that would have spared her from his intense stare.
"You forgot?" He asked, his lips pressed tight.
She hummed just moving her eyes away from him even as difficult as it was. There was just something about his stare, the way his eyes were so captivating, smoky and alluring that it was a task to look away.
Aries suddenly cleared his throat, "Archer we have leftover bread from last night. Just go toast them"
After what seemed like ages she exhaled at that. She could have done that instead of freaking out and climbing on top. Athea finally looked back at Archer hoping his frown must have melted away but the Alpha looked exactly the same. Whom does she have to pray so that he can finally smile and relax and let loose around her?
"Archer" Aron pressed as if he was aware of the staring match Athea and Archer were having.
The Alpha finally tore his gaze off her and stared at his brother, "No I'm fine. Stew is gonna fill us up I'm sure"
The way he said that last part made Athea shudder. She really hoped that she didn't mess up.
"Let's just start already," Aries said picking up the spoon from his side. She nervously lifted her spoon, hyper-aware of the clanking sounds from the table.
"f**k-" A gagging sound made her look up and she immediately noticed Archer going into a coughing spree. The omega, as if a reflex thrust the glass towards him and stood up from her seat. He held a hand as if to say he didn't need any help. Just prideful Alpha things. She rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat as Archer took huge sips of the water not even caring how it stained his shirt. Was her food that inedible?
As Athea looked at the other two she noticed Aries. He cringed and let the spoon clutter on the table but Aron was much soft about it. He just made a face but swallowed the hot liquid anyway.
"I thought you know to cook!" Archer breathed wiping at his mouth. If it wasn't serious she would have laughed at the way his face looked like that.
"I do" She whined
"Then who the f**k puts baking powder in a stew? Baking powder!" Aries interrupted, wiping his mouth with the cloth napkins.
She cowered back at that. Why was she so stupid? Beth had taught her the basic difference to identify both, feel them in between both hands. Her face flamed in embarrassment.
"Do you have anything to say?" Archer gritted as she made herself look tiny in that giant chair. Athea simply shook her head, too embarrassed to meet their stare.
"Thought so"
Her ears cringed when the screeching sound of the chair echoed. The Alphas harshly pushed at the chair.
"We'll eat in the packhouse"
She wanted to cry. It was the worst form of humiliation. The omega can't even provide for her own Alphas. As the sound of their footsteps retracting rang in her ear she cried. Cried because she was away from her family and cried because she couldn't even be a proper omega.
***
Athea was simply scrolling through the pages of the magazine when she heard them. It had been an hour since they went to the packhouse. Ignoring the footsteps approaching the library room she simply flicked the pages.
"Hey..." Aron's hesitant voice rang
She closed the magazine and looked up, feeling her cheeks burn at his hesitant expression.
"I bought you something"
She raised her eyebrow at the plate. The stew was so bland and had a weird taste because of heavy baking powder in it so naturally, she had to throw it away. And the omega wanted to make herself grilled cheese but instead, she cried and walked into the library.
"I don't know what you like so I brought little of everything" Aron chuckled placing the dish on the table in front of her.
Her eyes shone as she looked at the plate filled with chicken breast, steak, mashed potatoes, two garlic bread, pudding, gravy, rice and beans. It was too much food.
"That's like three meals for me," She said ripping the lid from the edges.
Aron shrugged, lowering his head as if he was ashamed. She quickly cleared her throat, "You didn't have to do this but thank you"
He brightened raising his head up, "It's my pleasure omega"
She picked at her food as Aron pulled a chair and settled with a book. Everything looked delicious and she wanted to cry as she took a bite of rice and beans.
"It's soo good" She hiccupped which made Aron laugh. It was a good meal
***
"Why are you so nice? When your brothers are...not nice?" Aron sighed.
"You're my mate so of course, I'm not going to be rude towards you. But I'm really not sure about my brothers. They weren't always like that...they aren't bad...I guess I don't realize it that much because they're never rude to me."
"Of course not. You're their brother." She said sympathetically. And then added, "I don't have any siblings."
"I noticed when we visited your place. Did you want one?" Aron asked. It seemed like the Alpha wanted to know more about her and he was a good listener so why not.
***
It was dinner time and she was invited to the packhouse along with her Alphas. And she was sort of anxious to dine with everyone but it was a tradition.
"-And loves reading" Aron's voice made her halt at the edge of the door. It was unlocked and slightly ajar. Enough for any omega to hear the voices even though they were hushed. She shouldn't be eavesdropping but at the same time, she was curious. Sue her.
Then she heard Aries humming at that. "And not to mention she is a fighter"
"And she doesn't care about others opinions" Aron added which made Athea cringe. She should just walk out because they can hear her breathing. The omega was using scent neutralizer because she was going into packhouse so they can't smell her. She just had to control her breathing which is something she has mastered.
"Seriously. Stop trying to sell me on her. I don't want a mate, and certainly not her. I don't know why you both are salivating on some average omega who can't even cook for f**k's sake!"
Her breath hitched making them aware of her presence and she wished it hadn't. The ground to just swallow her up because she can't face any of them.
"Uhh..." She cleared her throat, trying to formulate a proper sentence but failed. Her eyes were burning with tears and she refused to cry again. Why was she being so emotional lately?
"Um, never mind." She turned around and stormed out of the house. They were calling her name but she didn't turn back. She just couldn't.
***
- Writer
