Alpha's Tempting Stand-In Mate

Chapter 3. I’ll protect you

Avery 

I had been busy in the kitchen for twenty minutes, preparing a Japanese omelet, rice, and a few cheesy potato pancakes. I checked the time, there was still fifteen minutes until eight o'clock. Carrying the steaming dishes to the dining table, I searched for the little Alpha.

"Flavio, come and eat," I called out.

He gracefully jumped off the sofa, his short legs carrying him to the dining table where he took a seat.

"This is tasty," Flavio complimented after taking a bite, wearing a pleased expression.

"I'm glad you liked it. If you want, I'll continue to cook for you in the future," I offered with a smile, noticing his refined mannerisms in eating, sitting, and dressing. "By the way, Flavio, you're here quite late. Where are your parents? Are you the child of Alpha Killian's friend or a pack member?" I inquired, curious about his background. While the child appeared to be from a well-off family, I had never heard that Alpha Killian had any children.

The little boy frowned and nodded. "That's right."

"So, it's just as I suspected," I mumbled softly under my breath. "I didn't expect that. Alpha Killian may be a bit ugly, but he has a kind heart," I commented, realizing that at least his friend's children felt as comfortable in his home as they did in their own. It was evidence that the Alpha wasn't as violent or insane as the rumors circulating outside suggested.

"He's not ugly," Flavio asserted in a low voice, taking another bite of food. He ate slowly and methodically, finishing his meal. It was already 8:10, but I noticed him placing the two remaining uneaten cheesy potato pancakes on a small plate then heading upstairs.

However, he halted on the last step leading upstairs, turned his head, and cast a cool glance at me as I stood there somewhat dazed. He spoke with an air of confidence, "Don't worry, from now on I will protect you."

I blinked in confusion. Despite his small stature, he exuded a dignified and proud demeanor. When he looked back and spoke to me in such a manner, his gaze was authoritative, far beyond that of a typical five-year-old child. For a moment, I simply watched his retreating figure, stunned.

While I had been struggling to adapt to this new environment, I never expected a small child to make a promise to protect me. It made me wonder about his parents. Could it be that he inherited that charismatic aura from his father?

Turning away, I began to clean up the kitchen and dining room. After finishing, I couldn't muster the courage to return to the bedroom from which I had fled.

"Finally," I sighed with relief as I found a place to sleep. I settled down on the sofa and used my coat to cover myself.

Meanwhile, in the children's room upstairs…

(Third POV)

"This is for you," Flavio placed the fragrant potato pancakes on Flynt's bedside table.

"I won't eat it," Flynt retorted, facing the wall and giving Flavio the cold shoulder.

"Oh," Flavio then placed the plate of potato pancakes on his own bedside table.

Flynt, feeling conflicted, couldn't hold back his thoughts. "Didn't you say we should team up to prevent strange she-wolves from becoming our mother? You turned against me so quickly, you traitor!"

Flavio settled back on his small bed and cast a sidelong glance at his brother's back. "She cooks well."

"It's not our mommy who cooks delicious food!" Flynt protested, scratching at the wallpaper on the wall with his tiny fingers in frustration. "I want my own, my… mommy..."

Flavio lay on the bed letting out a sigh. He stared up at the ceiling and responded, "But our biological mother is dead." He was more mature than his younger brother, understanding that once a person was dead, they were gone forever. "Daddy shouldn't be alone for the rest of his life. The woman downstairs seems pretty nice," he added.

"My mommy isn't dead," Flynt declared, his little hands forming tight fists. "Mommy must still be alive, waiting for us to find her!"

Flavio closed his eyes and chose to ignore his brother's outburst. The children's room fell into silence, yet the enticing scent of cheese lingered in the air.

Eventually, Flynt couldn't resist the temptation. He got up from his bed, tiptoed over, and cautiously reached for a potato pancake, savoring it as it melted in his mouth. His eyes instantly lit up.

"This is delicious!" he thought, finding it incomparably better than the food prepared by the Omegas in the packhouse.

"After you finish eating, bring the plate down," when Flynt ate the second one, Flavio who was lying on the bed said in a childish voice, "And don't scare her in the future. We will protect her."

Flynt was left speechless for a moment. He frowned, "Brother, you've become really weird."

Flavio had always been indifferent to Flynt's pranks and antics, so why had he suddenly started defending this strange woman? Could it only be due to the delicious food she made? Flynt pondered these questions while taking another big bite of the potato pancake, confirming its delightful taste.

After finishing the food, Flynt carefully made his way downstairs to deliver the plate. Along the way, his eyes fell upon Avery, who was asleep on the sofa. She lay there curled up, still shivering slightly. Flynt walked over and gazed at her clean and pure white face.

She was pretty and she cooked delicious food. If only she were his biological mother. Flynt couldn't help but think as he looked at her.

Avery

I sensed someone staring at me, prompting me to slowly open my eyes. There, in front of me, stood the child from earlier, holding a plate and staring at me intently.

"Flavio?" I said, rubbing my sleepy eyes. "Are you... still hungry?"

He pursed his lips and fell silent for a moment, as if he was contemplating something. Then, he nodded. "Yeah"

His innocence and the hint that he might not have eaten properly melted my heart. I raised my hand and affectionately pinched his cheek. "Then I'll quickly whip up something for you," I promised. 

I walked into the kitchen, recalling, ‘Didn't he say he wouldn't eat after eight o'clock?’ 

Despite that, I decided to prepare something light that would be suitable for a child. To my surprise, the little Alpha devoured everything I had cooked, leaving me stunned.

‘Is this child's appetite... a bit too big?’ I asked myself silently. My surprise deepened when the little boy in front of me handed me the empty bowl and asked for more rice.

After he finished eating, I couldn't help but remark, "Flavio, don't you think... your appetite is a bit big?"

He was momentarily stunned but then laughed, "Yes, I'm very good at eating," he agreed, stretching out his stubby little fingers. "Make me delicious food from now on. I want double portions!" After speaking, he paused for a moment, as if carefully considering his request, then emphasized, "I want you to make two identical portions!"

Why two? I was a little taken aback by the demand but still nodded with a warm smile. "I understand that a growing child like you needs to eat well to grow taller."

I handed him the gift I had prepared for Alpha Killian, a box of cookies that I had made myself. "For you," I said with a smile.

Then, I raised my hand and affectionately rubbed the little guy's head. "I want you to grow taller and bigger."

Flynt's cheeks turned red before he quickly headed upstairs, carrying the cookies with him. I returned to the sofa and settled back down to continue sleeping.

Killian

My phone vibrated on the table, causing me to pause and pick it up. 

"She passed," Flavio declared.

Meanwhile, I heard the sound of Flynt munched on biscuits and shared his thoughts quietly, "Let's pass it for now. I don't actually like her, but her cooking is just so delicious. So, for the sake of my stomach, I plan to compromise."

I ended the phone call and began tapping my finger on my desk. I glanced at my laptop, where I could see Avery sleeping on the sofa through the CCTV feed.

Then, I mind-linked my Beta, Slater, "Inform the pack Elders to make the necessary arrangements and have the marriage documents prepared for tomorrow."