Kidnapped Alpha Mate

Chapter 12- Kitchen Convos

Edward's P.O.V.

Once we were discovered eavesdropping on Em and Sophia's chat, we shuffled into the kitchen, our stomachs grumbling for a snack.

"What do you all feel like eating?" Miller inquired, his tone casual.

We exchanged puzzled glances, and I chimed in, "Miller, you can't even manage to boil water without scorching it!" This sent everyone into fits of laughter, including Em and Sophia.

Sophia's laughter was something else entirely; it was intoxicating, like a sweet melody. But just as quickly as it had erupted, her laughter faded. She shot me a fleeting glance before her gaze dropped to the floor.

My wolf growled in frustration, "Stop ogling her, you fool!"

I can't help it! I've never heard such a sweet sound, I replied.

"I know that!" he snapped back, his voice low and urgent. "But if you keep staring, you'll frighten her off!"

He was right. I didn't want to scare her away. The last thing I wanted was to lose the chance to get to know her better. I could already feel the connection between us, a spark that ignited every time our eyes met. But I also knew that my instincts to pull her in close could be overwhelming, and I had to rein them in.

So, I decided to make lunch—some spaghetti should be quick and easy to throw together. I turned away from the window where I had been watching her, a smile still lingering on my lips. The kitchen was a familiar space, filled with the comforting scents of herbs and spices. I grabbed a pot and filled it with water, setting it on the stove to boil.

"You can cook?" asked a voice as sweet and enticing as honey , one I'm coming to recognize all too well.

"Absolutely! I picked it up when I was twelve. My mom always told me that as man I should know how to take care of a household. She insisted I needed to share the responsibilities at home, both mine and my mate's," I replied, turning to gaze at the stunning beauty that is my mate as I wait for the water to heat.

She held my gaze longer than I expected, and instead of looking away, she simply offered a faint smile. That tiny gesture sent a wave of warmth through me.

Soph asked, "Your mom seems incredibly wise. Where is she now?"

I cast my eyes downward, struggling to rein in the surge of feelings rising within me. "She passed away two years ago."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken memories and grief. When I finally met Sophia's gaze, she offered a gentle, understanding smile that seemed to bridge the gap of our experiences. "I understand your pain. My dad died when I was ten."

Her admission struck a chord deep within me, resonating with the ache I had carried since my mother's passing. "See, we already share something," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. She nodded quietly, her eyes locked onto mine, filled with empathy that felt both comforting and disarming.

For a moment, the world around us faded into the background.

Soph took a deep breath, as if gathering her thoughts. "It's hard, isn't it? Learning to live without them. Sometimes I still expect to hear my dad's voice or see him walk through the door."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "Yeah, I know what you mean. There are days when I catch myself thinking I should call her, just to hear her advice on something trivial. It's like a part of me is still waiting for her to come back."

Soph's expression softened, and she leaned on the counter that's separating us, her voice low and sincere. "I think it's okay to feel that way. They may be gone, but their love and stories stay with us. It's like they're still a part of our lives, just in a different way."