Lupe answered Isleen, "I raided the kitchen, Isleen! Found some lovely ingredients and whipped us up a delicious pasta primavera." She winked at Isleen. "We’ve all had our fill. I kept yours in the oven."
"Oh, good then." Said, Isleen before she turned to Fergus with her brow furrowed in concern. "Are you hungry, Liam?"
Fergus internally cringed. ’Hungry’ didn’t even begin to describe his state. He craved something far more deadly, far red, and slippery– something a plate of Lupe’s pasta wouldn’t satisfy. "Yeah, Mum, I’m starving," he lied smoothly.
"Would you like to eat with me?" she asked, her eyes filled with a warmth that made Fergus clench his fists.
Before Fergus could fabricate an excuse, Lupe interjected. "Oh, Isleen, honey, your portion’s not that big. I don’t think you can afford to share with Liam. Moreover, he ate the same potion as Cullen and I. What does he mean he’s hungry?"
That bitch; Fergus internally hissed. It seemed she was ready to join her mother in hell. Well, she should not be in such a hurry. One at a time, he’d send them all right there.
Fergus countered her with a hateful glare that he didn’t bother to hide. "Would you mind your business, you—"
Lupe cut him off with a pointed look. "Remember, Liam, manners. I’m not your age mate, so a little respect goes a long way."
What the heck?
Did this scrawny wolf girl just tell him she wasn’t his age mate? What the heck was she on about? Fergus was about to blurt out a scoff and give her the scare of her life. He was tired of this Liam facade.
He was glad it was going to be over soon. Very soon.
Isleen, however, stepped in. "Liam, please be nice to Lupe."
Fergus gritted his teeth. The act of playing the innocent child was wearing thin, fast. He just wanted to snap Lupe’s neck off.
Was that too much to ask?
"Okay, okay," he mumbled, earning a pat on the head and a "good boy" from Isleen.
As Isleen turned to retrieve her food, Lupe snagged her arm. "Hey, Isleen, after you eat, why don’t you come with me back to my house? I need to see what kind of work needs to be done so that we can all move in as soon as possible. Can’t be having Gamma Rhett come back to a messy house and running mouths." She shot Cullen a weird look at that reference.
Cullen did a ’hmph!’ and flung his neck aside as though he wasn’t scared of the potential complications of Rhett overhearing the slander.
Fergus could literally hear his heartbeat accelerating ever since Rhett had passed by. Right now, when Lupe mentioned Rhett, Cullen’s heartbeat heightened at a fast pace.
Fergus heard it all.
Poor fella; he thought to himself as his eyes traveled to Cullen. Not to worry, he would ease him of his worries soon enough.
The subtle shift in Isleen’s demeanor at the mention of Rhett also didn’t escape Fergus’ notice. A hint of something akin to pain crossed her face.
It was almost imperceptible but was there nonetheless. "Sure, Lupe," Isleen finally agreed. "Thanks for looking out for us."
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