Mated to the Beast of the Wasteland novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 The Commander Carries the Plates

Chapter 53 The Commander Carries the Plates

The problem was, the guy was Lucian. George couldn’t take him in a fight.

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To smooth out the mood, George popped open another bottle, filled a glass to the brim, and pushed it into Gillian’s hand.

“Tonight we all owe Gillian. If you hadn’t caught that healing alloy problem, none of us could’ve washed our hands of it. Gillian, this one’s to you.”

George knew there were no outsiders at this table, so he could let his guard down.

“George, somebody clearly went after the 9th Legion on purpose. How’s command planning to follow up?”

Gillian wasn’t ready to tell anyone she was pregnant. She kept the conversation going, swirling the wine in her glass, scanning the table for someone she could pawn the drink off on.

A glance around the table told her nobody was a safe option.

“Don’t worry about it. Anyone with the nerve to play dirty against the 9th Legion better be ready to eat our fury.”

The topic lit George up. “Our boss doesn’t take a hit lying down. The whole sky over Goldspine City is about to flip. C’mon, let’s clink first.”

George tapped his glass against Gillian’s and threw the whole pour back.

“Hold on, George, wait a sec. Good wine needs good food to back it up.”

Gillian held up her glass but couldn’t stop him in time.

She gestured at the bare table and frowned. “There’s still no food out yet. That’s on me for being a terrible host. Hang on, let me go grab the dishes.”

“Gillian.”

Merrick walked out of the kitchen carrying a huge serving tray.

His eyes warmed the second he spotted her. He called her name softly, the affection in his voice impossible to miss.

Mid-July weather pressed down hot and dry.

In this kind of heat, unlike winter, the food wouldn’t cool down fast.

Seven or eight dishes filled the wide tray, and the smell hit before he was even close.

Mabel trailed behind him, beaming. “Merrick, you’ve got real strength on you. Thanks for the help, sweetheart.”

Gillian’s hand jerked, nearly slopping wine over the rim. Was Merrick really this down-to-earth?

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Chapter 53 The Commander Carries the Plates

Mabel had actually roped Merrick into being a server?

Gillian set down her glass and hurried over.

Number Two, Number Three, Sylas, and even Lucian rose to their feet.

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George and Vivienne stood up too. Clara felt the shift and stood as well. “Mom, Dad, what’s going on? Why are you all up?”

The Sovereign Guard rushed toward the kitchen as one.

Merrick had finally had his moment. Time for the team to clean up and bring out the rest of the dishes

Lucian was about to head over, but Number Two pressed him back into his seat. The three of us got it.”

Number Two’s eyes cut to Freya. How could Lucian be this dense? Now was the moment to stay glued to Freya, not pop up to help with plates.

Lucian followed the glance toward Freya. She was staring in disbelief at Gillian and Merrick, so he sat back down beside her.

Gillian and Merrick wouldn’t have bonded without Freya’s help, but right now Freya looked like she’d seen a ghost.

“Frey, don’t worry.”

Under the table, Lucian’s hand closed over Freya’s. “I’m right here.”

Freya came back to herself, looked at Lucian, and murmured in disbelief. “The commander’s name is Merrick Cole?”

Lucian nodded. Freya’s heart collapsed. She’d just ruined Gillian’s life.

Lucian couldn’t read why Freya looked so devastated. Wasn’t marrying the most powerful man in Wasteland City a good thing for Gillian?

Unless Freya had just denied their relationship because she actually wanted Merrick?

Lucian’s expression darkened. He pushed down the dread climbing up his chest and asked carefully.

“Frey, why are you staring at the commander?”

“Huh? I’m not staring at the commander. I’m not.”

Freya hadn’t realized Lucian was watching her. She yanked her eyes away and threw a guilty glance toward Gillian.

Lucian’s stomach dropped. Frey’s expression was all wrong.

Freya watched the smile fade from Gillian’s face and felt the weight of what she’d done settle on her shoulders. She’d just ruined her best friend’s life. Because Merrick, well. Merrick couldn’t get it up.

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