After taking my bath, brushing my teeth, and slipping into fresh clothes, I finally felt like myself again.
The warm water had washed away the lingering numb in my leg where I'd fallen down earlier, and the mirror reflected someone who looked far better than she had any right to after sleeping for three days straight.
My skin glowed faintly, my eyes were clearer, and there was a strange lightness in my body as if something deep inside me had been reset.
Still, my stomach growled insistently, reminding me that rest alone could not replace food.
I left my room and made my way downstairs, my steps steady and surprisingly light. The mansion felt quieter than usual, the long corridors echoing softly beneath my feet as sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the polished floors.
The moment I entered the dining room, a rich blend of aromas hit me all at once, warm bread, roasted meat, herbs, spices, and something sweet underneath it all. My mouth watered instantly.
Kael stood near the long dining table, giving instructions to one of the maids. He was dressed neatly as always, his brown hair falling perfectly into place, his posture relaxed yet attentive.
The table before him was… overwhelming.
Platters of food stretched from one end to the other more than I had ever seen prepared at once.
The maid bowed respectfully as she pushed a trolley past me, and I returned the gesture with a polite nod and smile before walking further into the room.
The moment Kael noticed me, his expression brightened.
A wide, genuine smile spread across his face.
"Well, look who finally decided to wake up," he said warmly. "The sleeping beauty is here."
I couldn't help but smile back as I walked toward him.
"You seem to be in a pretty good mood," I said. "Even more than usual."
Kael always smiled...it was one of the things that made him so easy to be around but today, his face seemed lighter, happier.
"And you," he replied smoothly, his eyes scanning me briefly, "look brighter and more relaxed than I've ever seen you."
A small blush crept up my cheeks before I could stop it.
"I do feel better," I admitted. "Much better."
My gaze drifted back to the table, disbelief slowly settling in.
"Why is breakfast being served so late?" I asked. "It's already past ten."
Kael followed my gaze and chuckled softly.
"We've already eaten," he said simply. "You haven't."
He gestured toward a chair close to where he stood.
"Sit. You've starved enough."
I looked from him to the mountain of food and back again.
"Wait," I said slowly, pointing at the table. "You don't mean… all this is for me?"
He nodded, completely serious.
"I heard she-wolves have large appetites," he said casually. "And from what I've seen whenever we eat together, you definitely don't eat small portions."
I stared at him, stunned.
"So," he continued, unfazed, "I calculated how much food you would've eaten over the last three days. Then I ordered everything at once."
He said it with such innocent pride, as though he had just solved the most complicated equation in existence.
"You… calculated it?" I repeated.
"Yes," he said, nodding again. "The maids couldn't prepare so much food on short notice, so I ordered it."
I blinked.
"All of this?" I asked again, just to be sure I wasn't imagining things.
He frowned slightly, clearly misreading my reaction.
"Don't you like it?"
"No!" I said quickly, shaking my head. "I do. I really do. It's just… it's too much. I can't possibly finish all of this."
His expression relaxed immediately, and a smile returned to his lips.
"That's fine," he said gently.
He pulled out the chair for me and placed a steady hand on my shoulder, guiding me down until I was seated comfortably.
"Just eat until you're satisfied," he said from behind me before moving to take the seat opposite mine.
The food smelled heavenly.
Steam rose gently from the dishes, and the scent of roasted chicken filled the room, rich and savory. There were vegetables cooked in fragrant sauces, freshly baked bread, bowls of soup, rice dishes, meats, pastries more than I could count.
I didn't hesitate.
I started eating, carefully taking small portions from different dishes, wanting to taste everything. Each bite was better than the last, bursting with flavor and warmth that spread through my body.
"The food tastes amazing," I said with a full mouth.
Kael laughed softly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It really is," I said honestly. "Where did you get all this?"
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"It's from a friend's restaurant," he explained. "The place has been around for longer than I can remember."
I paused mid-bite and stared at him.
"How long are we talking about?" I asked.
He tilted his head, thinking.
"More than a century, I think."
My eyes widened in disbelief.
He noticed immediately and chuckled.
"It's owned by an old friend," he added. "He's a vampire."
That made more sense… somehow.
I nodded slowly and continued eating, feeling fuller and warmer with each bite. By the time dessert arrived...a slice of rich chocolate cake and a bowl of fruit, I was completely satisfied.
As I took a bite of the cake, I glanced up at Kael.
"Are you going anywhere today?"
"No," he replied. "I'm not." He then paused and continued, "I've been running errands for days," he said. "Today is my day off."
"Errands?" I asked curiously.
But instead of answering, he turned the question around.
"Do you want to go somewhere?"
I hesitated, then sighed softly.
"I'm tired of seeing the same four walls," I admitted. "This mansion is huge, but I haven't really gone out. I've been bedridden for days, and I just want a change of environment."
Kael listened quietly, his expression thoughtful.
"You could leave the mansion," he said slowly. "If Alexander allows it."
Then he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
"But I don't think he'll approve if you want to go out with me."
I smiled faintly, understanding immediately.
It seemed he had gotten into trouble with Alexander the day I went out without permission. The thought made my chest tighten slightly.
Had I caused him problems? Was that why he'd been so busy lately?
"Forget it," I said, brushing the thought aside.
"Alexander is going out today," Kael mentioned casually.
I immediately shook my head.
"He's the last person I'd want to follow outside."
Kael burst into laughter, his voice filling the dining room warmly.
"The housekeeper is going out too," he said. "You could go with him instead. He's more approachable and far less annoying than Alex."
The idea sounded tempting.
Still, doubt lingered.
"Will Alexander even allow me to leave the pack house?"
Kael waved it off confidently.
"Don't worry. I'll convince him."
I nodded slowly, a genuine smile spread across my face.
"I'll go talk to him now," Kael said, standing up. "Finish everything on that table. We don't want you sleeping for years this time."
I laughed softly at his joke as he walked out of the dining room.
I continued eating the last of the chocolate cake, my heart feeling strangely warm.
Kael really was… something else.
The fact that he had gone through so much trouble just to make sure I ate properly stirred something in my chest...something light and fluttery.
At least there was one vampire in this place who genuinely cared about me.
And unlike the other two, he wasn't neither cold or annoying.