Irregular (mlm)

Chapter 18

It had been a few days since Kai's conversation with his sister, and Owen noticed a shift in him. He was more affectionate, for one, like he was a little less afraid. And he asked to leave the room more, to go to the gym in the complex and to run around with the pups in the courtyard. Whatever Alice said to him, it had worked.

Owen was cooking lunch while Kai laid on the floor in a pile of fluff, tired from hours of playing with the pups in the courtyard. Who would've thought the way to tire him out was a bunch of baby wolves chasing him around?

Owen glanced down at him and smiled. These were the moments with Kai he liked the most. The domestic moments where they were almost a normal couple. As normal as a werewolf and a half werewolf couple could be, anyway. Moments when Kai didn't wake up trashing from nightmares or flinch when someone moved too fast.

Owen turned the stove off and gently nudged Kai with his foot. "Soups ready, Kai."

Kai stood up and stretched, yawning widely as he did so. Then, he shifted and leaned over Owens shoulder to look at the soup. "What kind is this?"

"Tomato." Owen dipped a spoon into the pot and raised it to Kai's mouth. "How is it?"

Kai ate the soup off the spoon, then turned Owen's head to the side and kissed him. With tongue. When he pulled away, he smiled. "Very good. Don't you agree?"

Owen stared for a moment, wondering if Kai realized just what he was doing to him. Probably not. Kai had a tendency to do mildly suggestive things without realizing. Owen tried his best to keep himself composed but a lot of it made his face heat up.

Owen cleared his throat. "Yes, it's good."

Kai grinned and went to sit at the counter. "I didn't know there were so many kinds of soup."

Owen chuckled and set a bowl of soup in front of him. "A lot of people eat this with a grilled cheese. We can try that next time we have it, I don't think i have any cheese in the fridge."

"What's a grilled cheese?"

As Owen scooped his own bowl of soup, he explained, "It's a sandwich made with cheese that you toast in a pan with butter. Some people add meat or other stuff, but the one you eat with the soup is just cheese."

When he turned around, Kai was looking at him with wide eyes. "That sounds delicious."

Owen smiled in amusement. "I'm not surprised it does. You've been liking cheesy foods."

Whether it be eggs with cheese, mac n cheese, or some other cheesy food, Kai always liked those best. Kai looked down at his soup, then back up at Owen. "Do you think we could get some cheese to make one?"

"You mean right now?"

"So we can have it with our soup."

Owen glanced at the clock. It was earlier than their usual lunch time, and Owen himself wasn't particularly hungry. A quick trip to the store and back wouldn't take too long, either. Plus, he really wanted Kai to get to try a grilled cheese. He looked so excited about it.

"Well, I can leave the soup on the stove and go to the store really quickly to get some cheese." Owen smiled when Kai's face lit up. "Would you maybe want to come with me?"

"Is that safe? My fathers men have been able to get in unnoticed multiply times now."

"We've installed various security and alarm systems around the town since the last attack. Plus we have wolves patrolling every inch of this place at any given time." Owen looked at him reassuringly. "Plus the store is like a two minute walk from here. We don't even have to take the car, and you can go in wolf form is your want."

Kai still looked a little skeptical, but after what seemed to be an internal debate he nodded. "I don't want you to go alone."

Owen put the lid on the pot of soup and grabbed his wallet and keys from the counter. "I'll text Paxton to let him know we're going out for a few minutes."

Once Owen got changed into clothes suitable for going out and strapped his gun to his belt, he walked to the door. "Let's go, Kai."

Kai shifted as he exited the room, and the hoard posted there moved away unconsciously. "Where are you two going?"

"The corner store for some cheese." Owen gestured to the gun on his hip. "I've got my gun and it's not a far walk."

The guard, who Owen recalled was named Alec, simply nodded. "Sure. I don't blame you for wanted to get out of this complex after being cooped up in here so much." He put his phone into his pocket. "I'll come with, if that's okay. I'd like to stretch my legs."

Owen glanced at Kai, but he was already waking to the elevator. "I guess that's alright. Just don't move too suddenly with him."

Kai was getting better about sudden movements when around children, he never growled or snapped at the pups playing with him, but he was still wary of most adults. He was used to being around them in short periods, but Owen was really the only person he was comfortable with.

Alec stayed a few steps behind them, hands in his pockets. Kai only spared him a few glances, as he was preoccupied sniffing everything they walked past. The store was on the corner of the street, only about half a mile away from the apartments, so they arrived within minutes.

Kai flinched back when Alec opened the door for them and the bell rang loudly. Owen patted his head. "It's okay. That's how they know someone is coming in."

He looked at the doorway warily, then sat on the sidewalk. "Okay, he's going to wait here."

Alec leaned against the building. "I'll wait with him."

"Do you want anything?" Owen pulled his wallet from his pocket. "Least I can do for having you wait around my place all day."

Alec smiled. "Thanks. Just a soda, any kind is fine."

"Sure. I'll be back."

Owen entered the store and went to the fridges in the back to grab some sliced cheese and a soda for Alec. The store clerk, Molly, smiled when he came up to the counter. "Owen! It's been a while."

"Yeah, sorry." Owen pulled some cash out and handed it to her. "At lots been going on."

"I'll say. That super wolf of yours is the talk of the town nowadays." She handed him his change as they waited for the receipt to print. "But I have to thank him for all the drama. The new patrols bring a lot cute wolves here to get lunch or snacks during the day."

Owen chuckled and put his change away. "Take care, I'll see you next time I need something."

She leaned against the counter and handed him his receipt. "Boo. Come visit be again tomorrow and bring in the wolf leaning against the wall, I'd like to get a snack of my own, if you know what I mean."

She winked at him as he slid his wallet into his back pocket and started to grab the bag off the counter.

Owen was nearly hit with a shard of glass when the door to the store shattered to his left. He swore and stumbled back, barely avoiding being hit by a flying Alec, who'd been thrown through the door. He swore again and helped him up. Luckily, his injuries were minor, only a few cuts and scrapes.

Molly jumped over the counter, snatching a bat out of nowhere and looked outside. "Who the fuck are those guys?"

Owen looked up. Kai was standing in front of the shattered door, hair raised and teeth bared. Three wolves were standing past him, ready to pounce.

"Kai's father must've sent them."

Alec rolled his neck and wiped some glass of his shoulder. "I really thought today was going to be chill."

Molly spun her bag in her hands, glaring. "Motherfuckers owe me a new door."

Alec and Owen both drew their guns, flipping the safety off. "Kai."

His ears perked, but he kept his eyes on the three wolves before him. Owen knew he hadn't attacked her because he didn't know if they were ready for this fight to start.

Owen met eyes with the wolf in the middle. "Get em."

Kai lunged.