The scent seemed to linger on him often enough that I wondered if it wasn’t intentional on her part, a mark of her claim in a way I’d never dared.
If someone from the pack smells him, they would think they're mates. But their pack members already knew the truth, yet they vouch for their “love”.
At the restaurant, Kyle and the others were already gathered. Desar walked straight to Elize, who looked up at him, visibly pleased.
She acted surprised to see me. “Maisie,” she greeted, overly polite, “it’s good you could make it.”
I smiled, but my conversation was directed to Kyle. “Thanks for the invite, Kyle,” I said, nodding to him. “I didn’t have time to bring a gift, though.”
Kyle waved a hand. “Don’t worry, Maisie. Desar’s covered it.”
I resisted the urge to laugh. Even this was taken care of for me, an afterthought.
The seating arrangement felt deliberate—me across from Desar, with Elize beside him, her chair angled just slightly toward his. I chose to ignore the awkwardness, pretending the slight didn’t bother me as I focused on the meal in front of me.
While I kept quiet, Desar laughed and joked with them as if I weren’t even there. I noticed the way he peeled shrimp for Elize, carefully setting them on her plate, a small smile softening his usually impassive face. I felt a dull ache watching him. He’d never done that for me, not once. But with her, he acted like it was second nature, a familiar, affectionate gesture he didn’t even think twice about.
“Don’t forget about Maisie,” Kyle jokes, giving me a sympathetic smile. “Can’t have you favoring one over the other, Desar.”
Desar glanced up at me, looking momentarily confused as if he’d just realized I was there. “Order another plate,” he said. “I’ll peel some for you too.”
I took a breath, my heart sinking as I shook my head. “No need. I don’t like shrimp.”
He raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. “What about fish?”
“I don’t like it either,” I replied, tone steady.
“Chicken?”
“Desar, it’s fine,” I said, more firmly this time, my voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t like anything you’re offering.”
He looked genuinely thrown as if he couldn’t fathom that I’d turned down his small attempt to appease me. I didn’t even bother meeting his gaze, focusing instead on my glass, the ice clinking softly as I took a slow sip.