Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 16

~Kimbriella POV~

I hurry over to the stove, hoping the pancakes didn't burn at all, or at least beyond repair. A pair of strong arms snake around my waist as I'm about to take the pancakes off the griddle. ''Ryker!'' I screech, immediately identifying the culprit.

''Yess?'' He croons from his spot behind my back.

''How do you always sneak up on me?'' I huff, brushing a piece of hair out of my face.

''I don't know.'' He murmurs, kissing my neck gently.

''Ryker!'' I yell again.

''Yes?'' He blinks rapidly, fluttering his eyelashes.

''You think you're so cute.'' I roll my eyes.

''That's because I am, and you know it.''

''Nuh-uh.'' I argue.

''Yuh-huh.''

''Nuh-'' My reply is cut of by him scooping me up with ease and swinging me around every which way. ''RYKER JARED ALDAINE YOU PUT ME DOWN THIS VERY SECOND OR SO HELP ME YOU WON'T GET A SINGLE PANCAKE!''

Immediately I'm placed on the wonderful, firm ground. ''Now was that so hard?''

''No.'' He frowns, looking like a scolded puppy. ''That's what I thought.''

''Um, guys?'' Ashalyn gets our attention, waving her hands back and forth.

''Yeah?'' I answer.

''The pancakes are burning.''

''Holy chicken nuggets!'' I shove Ryker out of the way and turn off the stove rapidly. The pancakes are an ugly black, charred beyond believe, and the smell is not exactly appetizing. I turn to Ryker, pushing my finger into his chest. ''Look what you've done!''

''What I've done!'' He exclaims. ''You were the one who got distracted!''

''And who would be the one that distracted me?

He sighs, defeated. ''Me.''

''That's right. Now go sit down at the table where you can't cause any more trouble.''

''But I want to help!''

I shoot him a firm glare, but he's unyielding, and seems sincere in his offer.

''Gah, Fine!'' I give in. ''Pour the batter on the griddle. And when there's a bunch of hungry werewolves wondering why breakfast is delayed, you have to take the blame!''

''Deal.'' He nods. His white T-shirt clings to his muscled back as he works.

''Okay, I'm going to say it! I know we were all thinking it!'' Brinley commands the attention of everyone in the room with her naturally loud voice. ''Kim and Ryker officially would make the cutest couple ever.''

To my embarrassment, each person in the room agrees, nodding or murmuring their approval of the statement. ''Um, no.'' I argue.

''Awh.'' She is blushing!'' I hear Cynthia's soft, musical voice proclaim from her spot in the room.

''Well, I for one agree.'' Ryker adds. ''Pay attention to the pancakes.'' I order, trying to save my face.

''I don't know what to do now.''

''Oh, for the love of chicken nuggets.'' I roll my yes and walk over to help.

''I think it's hot when you use the name of chicken nuggets in vain.'' Ryker whispers in my ear, his voice still attractively low from waking up recently.

''That's great.'' I snicker, flipping a pancake. ''Now it's your turn. ''

He begins to flip the next one. ''Good effort.'' I pat him on the back.

''I think I deserve a prize for this.'' He complains after the second pancake is also a disastrous failure. ''I think I'll take it over from here.'' I attempt to hold in my laughter, hip bumping him out of the way. ''Hand me the spatula.''

''I want to finish!'' He pouts, moving it out of my reach.

''Ryker...'' I growl menacingly, arms darting around him to try and get the desired object. Then he holds it above his head, the eight inches he has on my working to his advantage. Sometimes being five foot four does not work to your advantage. ''That's not fair.''

''Life isn't fair.'' He snips, sticking out his tongue. I gasp.

''Oh, no you didn't.''

''Just let me try one more time please!'' He asks and then I nod. The last pancake turns, landing with a satisfying flop, in the form it's supposed to be-flat. ''Finally.'' I giggle, glancing up at Ryker. I congratulate him, a bit sarcastically. ''Great job. You flipped a pancake.''

''Do I get a kiss?''

''You're not out of hot water yet mister. I demand that you go back to Keenan's house, apologize, and promise not to beat him up.

''That's not fair! He's not worth it. He wasn't good enough for you in the first place.''

''Oh.'' I raise an eyebrow. ''And you are?''

He scoffs, as if asking 'what kind of question is that?'

''Naturally.'' He runs a hand through his hair. I roll my eyes, a familiar motion whenever Ryker is in the room. ''Go.''

''Now?''

''Yes.''

''But-''

''Nope.'' I interrupt, smacking his butt. ''This is the only butt you're allowed to have. No complaints or arguments.''

He pulls a face, but finally mopes out of the kitchen, taking the three pancakes from the last batch, along with five other from the already made pile. ''What do you need eight pancakes for!''

''I'm a growing boy!'' He shouts back, the words muffled, since he's already stuffed in his mouth with the first pancake. ''Half of that statement is right, and it's not the growing part!'' I yell back.

''Hey!'' His indignant response causes me to giggle as his voice echoes from the front of the house. The sound of a door closing signals his exit, and I pluck a pancake off the platter, ready to eat. Everyone at the table is staring at me when I turn around.

''What?''I chuckle, looking at their faces.

''Cutest. Couple. Ever.'' Brinley breathes, breaking the silence.

''Shut up.'' I blush, then exit the room hiding my face, muttering ''Conceal, don't feel.''