Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 327

We unanimously decide that our troubles can wait until our new guests have left. It might be awkward to talk about my boy situation with little Charlie to the right and Onai's family to the left. We opt for relative silence.

Onai's family seems to thrive in it. His dad and brother scarf down the food. It's a wonder they managed to remember the utensils. The second Luca finishes his plate, he stretches his arms above his head before looking at Onai.

Onai gestures to the pitcher at the center of the table. Luca gets up eagerly, reaching to grab one of the plastic cups. He doesn't hesitate with what he's doing. He's no guest after last time. He pours himself a hefty glass.

His father grunts. He stops pouring, grumbling under his breath. His dad doesn't budge. Luca sighs, screwing the cap back on. Then, he carefully carries the drink past his chair, past his confused father, past my parents questioning eyes, and to Megan.

She looks startled as he moves her plate to the side to make room for the cup.

"Oh." She stares at it.

Luca nods.

She looks at the cup from the corner of her eyes. "Did you... put it in your mouth this time?"

"No...?" Luca brings the cup to his mouth quickly.

She grabs his arm. "I didn't mean for you to do it!"

"Oh." He stops, handing it back to her.

She eyes it warily. "I honestly don't know where that's been, but..." She smiles, hesitantly. "Thanks...?"

He nods again. Then, he walks away. Then, he brings her another cup.

Her eyes widen further. "Wow. Look at that." She puts it down. "Um. Still not sure if I'm gonna consume it, but... Hey. It's much appreciated."

He goes to get another cup.

Dad whispers, "What's wrong with that one?"

I kick him under the table.

Megan grabs Luca's arm before he can go back for a fourth one. "Hey, Luca?"

"Hm?" he asks.

She seems to pick her words carefully. "I..." She scratches her head. "Kind of have enough soda. Thanks."

"Are you sure?" He leans into her personal space, sniffing her.

She leans away. "Yes. Positive."

"Okay."

Silence.

He licks straight up the side of her cheek before grabbing her plate. "Now I'll get you more food. Then find you a den."

She sits petrified. Michael almost tackles Luca. Dad's right behind him. Mom pulls Megan away, holding her close. The brothers and I do our best to hold them back and calm the situation down. Meanwhile, Luca's dad pulls him aside to give him a long lecture on etiquette and hormones.

Dad joins in, along with Michael, Onai, and Mom. Before I know it, Megan's lecturing him, too.

"In all my days," Megan huffs. "You do not lick a woman's face."

"What woman?" Dad asks.

She glares at him.

At that moment, the brothers and I are the only ones still comfortably seated at the table as all hell breaks loose around us. I shake my head, resting my forehead in my hands. I glance at them from across the table. "This day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?"

They look at each other.

I frown. "What?"

"Guys-"

"It's Ethel," Aiden says.

My heart drops.

"He knew what he was getting into when he accepted the job," Aiden says. For the first time, I don't think he believes his own words.

Still, the conversation begins and ends there. The others come back to the table to finish dinner. Dad has established a metaphorical wall across the table between his children and all the men who threaten them.

I consider whether or not I would've made this plan at all if I knew it would put Ethel at risk.

Bonus Scene - Leaving Scene

"Half-wolf," Onai's dad says, standing on the doorstep.

"I know the werewolf part," Michael says. "I'm asking about the other thing."

"That is the other half."

Michael blinks. "I'm not following."

The brothers and I keep quiet. They back away towards their cars. I head back into the house, slowly.

"I'm half-wolf," Onai says finally. "Half-gray-wolf."

"As in-" Michael starts.

I throw the door back open, reaching out to him. "Don't say zoo wolf," I whisper-scream.

Michael waves me off. "I wasn't going to say that. I'm just asking, like a normal mountain wolf?"