Mason POV

The kitchen is overcrowded as Gabriela, Julia, and Selena prepare dinner while Elara and her mates bathe the kids. I know Gabriela and Julia want me out of here, but I am not going anywhere. This is my last chance to bullshit my brothers and fuck with their minds.

Like a good boy, I peel the onions Gabriela reluctantly gave me when I asked to help. Selena glances at me, and I wink at her. She blushes beet-red and focuses on peeling the sweet potatoes.

“How would you like the onions cut?” I ask.

“It’s onion rings,” Gabriela huffs. “What do you think?”

“Right, sorry,” I mutter, biting back my anger. Would it kill her to answer me politely?

“Don’t mind her,” Selena whispers, looking at me with admiration. “I would’ve asked the same thing.”

“You’re special, you know that?” I ask softly, looking at her and deliberately let my eyes linger on her lips longer than is appropriate. “You know how to soothe one’s ego and soul.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls,” she giggles.

“Stop flirting with my daughter,” Julia snaps, glaring at me. “She’s underage.”

“Mom!” Selena protests. “My eighteenth birthday is a month away.”

“And I’m not flirting,” I smile stiffly. “There’s a huge difference between flirting and complimenting a person. I was only stating the truth.”

“I’m keeping an eye on you,” Julia scoffs, pointing a finger at me before she turns away and walks to the dining room to set the plates.

“I was totally flirting,” I whisper in Selena’s ear, and she gasps softly when I brush my hand against hers.

“Here’s your onions, Luna,” I say, placing the bowl in front of her. “What’s next?”

“Don’t you have wood to chop or something?” She frowns. “The kitchen is tiny, and we’re one too many.”

“I’ll help Julia set the table,” I smile politely, hiding my irritation and the urge to wring her neck.

I walk away, but linger at the door, looking at Selena. We make eye contact, and I blow her a kiss before walking away. Julia is placing the knives and forks when I enter the dining room.

“Red or white wine with dinner?” I ask, walking to the cabinet where the glasses are stored. “Obviously, I’ll also add sparkling juice for Elara and whoever doesn’t want wine.”

“White,” she replies stiffly. “It will pair better with the fish.”

“Okay,” I reply, reaching for the glasses.

“You’re a rogue and an orphan,” Julia looks at me suspiciously. “How do you even know which glass is which?”

“Like you said, I was an orphan,” I shrug. “I had to care for myself. I worked wherever I could, and I worked as a waiter at an upscale restaurant in the human city. They taught me.”

“Good to know,” she nods, walking away.

I exhale deeply and place a glass beside each plate. Damn, these people are getting on my nerves. I look around, and when I am positive nobody is around, I take out the affectionate potion and drip three droplets into Elara’s glass. I swirl the glass a couple of times and put it back.

Smiling, satisfied, I leave the dining room.

Elara POV

“Dinner’s ready!” Selena’s voice carries through the cottage. I pick up Stella and carry her to the dining room.

“Where’s everyone?” I ask when I only find Mother and Mason in the dining room.

“Axel and Kane are getting the twins,” Mother replies. “Selena and Gabriela are dishing the food.”

“Have a seat,” Mason says politely, pulling out a chair for me. “I’ll help bring the food to the table.”

“Thank you,” I reply stiffly, taking a seat. I am still furious with him for poisoning me, but I will not show it in front of Mother. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

“And a seat for you,” Mason says charmingly to Julia, pulling out a chair for her.

“Thank you, Mason,” she replies, and I can tell by looking at her face that she does not like Mason, either.

“It’s good to have you here,” I say to Mother once we’re alone. “I missed you so much, and it’s going to be worse when you leave tomorrow.”

“I know,” Mother sighs. “I’ll pray to the Goddess to keep you safe.”

Kane and Axel enter the room, and the conversation changes to the children. Gabriela, Selena and Mason bring out the food and place it on the table.

“I’ll pour the wine,” Mason announces. “Selena, will you pour the sparkling juice?”

“Of course,” she replies sweetly, and I look at her suspiciously.

“Is it just me, or does Selena look in love?” Axel frowns while we watch Mason and Selena fill our glasses.

“It’s not just you,” I grunt. “My sister is head over heels. All I need to figure out is if it’s because he did something, or if it’s her hormones.”

“We’ll keep an eye on her tonight,” Kane comforts me.

“Now, I’m happy she’s going to Malachi,” I reply. “At least there will be a distance between the two of them.”

I thanked Selena after she filled my glass, picked it up and took a sip.

“Elara,” Mason calls my name. I reluctantly look at him and make eye contact. “Do you want to join me when I go see Asher? I can ask him to bring Quinn with, and you two can catch up.”

Fuck! I curse inwardly when desire for Mason swirls through me. What in the name of everything holy is wrong with me? Why do I keep getting these flashes of feelings for him? Now it is clear that it is I, and not he. He is not poisoning me. Selena opened the bottle, and Selena poured the drink. And if I am right about Selena having the hots for Mason, she would most definitely not poison me to like the man she likes.

“No ... no, thank you,” I clear my throat and look away. “I would rather spend the time I have with Stella.”

“Okay,” he replies nonchalantly, and I keep my focus on my plate.

“Elara, why are you so pale? Are you okay?” Kane asks, concerned.

“No, I’m not,” I reply, on the verge of tears. “Mason’s not poisoning me. It’s me. There’s something wrong with me.”

“Are you feeling attracted to him again?” Axel asks.

“Yes,” I reply bluntly, as shame pulses through me. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how this is happening.”

“Don’t worry, love,” Kane says sympathetically. “We’ll figure it out.”