Alpha's Faire

XXVIII

"Well, this looks good." Yvette drawled out as they stared at the table before them. It was a simple spread of mostly grilled vegetables and what appeared to be some sort of ham mash. Raphael had to admit that while the food wasn't exactly high-end, it still smelled amazing. Spices enhanced the scent of each dish. Raphael could tell before even tasting the food that it was going to be delicious.

"Thank you," Dr. Lewis remarked as she sat down a glass of wine beside Yvette's plate. "I doubt that Alpha Stone would approve of me stealing food from the force to feed us privately."

"Of course. What matters is the safety and well-being of the force and their patients." Raphael murmured as he watched her place another glass beside his plate. "Is the wine also from your stash, Dr. Lewis?"

"No." She replied, sitting down with a glass in hand. "I didn't bring this. Shou keeps a secret collection here for his guests."

"At least that was the plan," Shou remarked, placing a hand over Dr. Jexanna's, kissing her cheek gently. Raphael's gray eyes narrowed as the dhampir glanced over his way. "I also know that my niece does enjoy a good drink now and again. But given her present state, she decided to send all alcohol to the compound."

"Well, she has excellent taste," Yvette piped in, sipping away at her glass. "So, Captain. Do you mind indulging me in a little bit of gossip?" Yvette took out the napkin from her setting and started to settle it onto her lap. Raphael watched Dr. Lewis bring a glass of wine to her lips, closing her eyes.

"Why, all means," Shou smirked. "Does it pertain to a certain Doctor?" Jexanna immediately flinched at Shou's mention. Raphael's fingers twitched at the mention as he brought the glass to his lips.

"Of course, I do believe I was promised details." Yvette grinned a Cheshire smile. "So how did you two even meet in the first place?"

"Through Jexanna. She was hiding out at my place and Shou came around looking for her. I found her pretty captivating, to say the least." Shou took Dr. Lewis's hand from her lap, intertwining their fingers together, right before giving her hand a gentle kiss. His golden eyes gazed deeply at Dr. Lewis who blushed.

Raphael's appetite grew smaller with each passing moment.

"Shou-Shou stop it. I doubt that Alpha Stone wants to hear about our relationship." She glanced over at Raphael with nervous sapphire eyes. Dr. Lewis or Jexanna pulled her hand away, shaking it slightly. Raphael glanced as Shou's mouth grew tight at the motion. She was shaking him off.

A smirk curled onto his lips at the thought.

"I would, however." Yvette piped up as she grabbed a bowl of chickpeas, placing a spoonful on her plate and Raphael resisted the urge to stab himself with his fork in an effort to keep himself from sane. "Would you like some, Alpha Stone?"

"Yes please," he murmured, trying to remain cool and collected. His eyes glanced back over to Dr. Lewis who started to fill her plate with food.

"It's not much to tell." Dr. Lewis resounded. "But if you're keen on the deets, I'll be sure to visit you later this week."

"Fine, torture a girl." Yvette poutted.

"There's no need to torture either of us here," Raphael couldn't believe how smooth the words came out as he took another sip of wine. "I am actually quite interested in your relationship."

"Really?" Jexanna stared him in the eye as her tone dropped an octave. It wasn't polite, but dry and annoyed. "I would have thought that you preferred to keep things private, Alpha Stone." Her eyebrow twitched as it furrowed down. Her soft pink lips curled down into an adorable pout.