CHAPTER 165 - MUFFIN MASTER

-VALEN'S POV-

Teleporting into my parents' house could always be risky. Manifesting in the living room lessened the possibility that I might not barge in on them doing the nasty. Something churned in my gut at the awful memory of how many times I have caught them. Blah! I shuddered and shoved the images out of my head.

Today, thankfully, the coast was clear. The scent of roses filled the house. It was homely. Zeus stirred within me. We missed Mama Wolf.

Hearing a fridge door open and close, I headed to the kitchen with a smile. Mom placed a bowl of baked turkey legs on the counter.

Nyx suddenly pranced from midair to Mom’s side. His big white head nuzzled into her side as he looked up at her. His curling tail switched from side to side, excitedly.

“I felt you come in.” Mom lifted her head, smiling with the warmest love in the world. Her hand automatically patted Nyx’s white head. “We're alone, but your Dad should be here any minute.”

She left the counter and I watched her take out a plate from the top white cupboard to put a turkey leg on it.

“What's the urgency?” I went over to her.

By the time she swung around from putting the plate into the microwave, I hugged her sideways and kissed her temple.

“I'll get into it when your Dad gets here.” She tapped my arm and I released her.

“How's Venus?” I asked.

She bent to get Nyx’s dish from the lower cupboard, placing it down on the floor. He flicked his tail, observing Mom’s actions.

Mom frowned. “Marlena did her wiccan diagnosis and discovered that Venus is being affected by the antidote we placed into her system to eliminate the Kripling's blood.”

“That was years ago,” I remember when we were kids and the Lion King tried to steal our sacred Coyolxāuhqui stone.

The pack was invaded by Barakian Kriplings that were resurrected warlocks in the form of wraiths. One bit Venus to snatch her blood while poisoning her body with his. The antidote was from Mer-King Aegeus of Pearl Merrow Kingdom to form good relations with us. It allied the ocean tribe of Oscianever Loch with our land-walkers pack.

Mom retrieved another turkey leg from the pile on the counter and bent to give it to Nyx in his dish. He swished his tail and licked the bone a few times before devouring the cooked meat.

“Well, the antidote is affecting her now. She's…” The microwave beeped and Mom turned to get my meal.

I wasn't hungry, but she would still feed me. It was always best to come here with an empty stomach.

She placed the dish in front of me. “Venus is craving things of the ocean. Your Dad wants to meet with the Mer-King but because of the Worgens attack, there was a delay.”

Mom frowned, handing me a napkin. Too much was happening to this family.

“Do you want me to go and see the merman?” I would do anything to ease her stress.

“Could you?” Her hopeful eyes questioned. “You’d get to his tribe faster than if we summoned him here.”

“Sure.” I nodded.

She smiled and extended a hand to cup my cheek. “Thank you. I know you're under a lot of pressure. I take it that Raina’s awakened.”

“Yes. Her parents took her to Suftrose Forest to placate the unrest.” I munched.

I devoured the tasty turkey leg as Mom went on about the Howl De Lune that was coming up. I brought up the invitations that Raina and I received and that we declined.

“I’m sure the Alphas will understand. Besides, you could always visit their packs later.” Mom turned, folding her hands to observe my lion guardian who was busy licking his turkey bone. “You need a trim.”

Nyx huffed, looking up at her under his long white lashes. When he realized that Mom was going into a drawer to bring out her shear, his brows drooped, and he shimmered into invisibility with the turkey bone in his mouth.

Mom chuckled and closed the drawer.

I hummed while wiping my mouth. Then my eyes caught sight of the triple chocolate muffin on the transparent cake stand with a dome cover.

“Mom, you made muffins and didn’t call me over. You know how much I love these.” I complained, stretching towards the cake stand and taking out the last pastry.

“It’s your father’s favorite.” Mom beamed.

“Well, it’s only fair that I get the last one,” I said matter-of-factly.

My mouth watered as I remembered its delicious flavor. It’s been too long since I had Mom’s pastries. I opened my mouth to take my first bite of its sweetness. The muffin disappeared from my hand in a flash. My brows furrowed and I gasped.

“Hands off the muffin.” Dad was by my side, panting as though he came running in. His right hand held the muffin up.

“Mom said I could have it. The muffin is mine.” I reached for it, and he pulled his hand away.

“Not if you can’t take it from me,” Dad argued, bringing his hand down to munch on it.

“Challenge accepted.” I rasped and delivered an open-hand strike to his hand.

The muffin flew upwards. Our heads raised to lock eyes on the target. Both of us jumped after it. Our emeralds clashed. Dad’s hand reached up. I countered him with a backhand strike while lunging my other hand after the muffin. The man grabbed my lower arm to stop his body from sailing backwards.

The fight ensued.

The muffin began descending. Dad connected a ridge hand strike just under my chin. I cough-groaned and staggered back in the air. I had to grab the edge of the island to stop my fall. Twisting my body, I swiftly pushed myself forward to land on the white countertop.

Mom gasped in utter displeasure.

My victory engrossed me in the moment as I snatched the muffin before Dad did. “Ah! The student has surpassed the master.” I grinned down at him.

Dad growled in annoyance. Before I could blink, he jumped up and attacked me. I swear he became an octopus. With the speed at which his hands moved—like eight tendrils—he struck my neck and chest many times.

To his delight, he robbed me of the pastry again. He landed on the hardwood floor, gloating. “I am still the master.” He smiled at Mom, giving her a flirty wink.

“Mom, Dad took my muffin.” I tried to sound as sad as possible, playing the mama’s boy card, and folded my arms. I had to do it. It was a sure win for me now.

“Vance, give your son the muffin.” Mom coaxed. She moved from around the island, going to him. I smirked.

Livid, Dad’s mouth dropped open to protest. “After all of that, you want me to give ‘my muffin’ away? I won fair and square.”

“Baby, you ate your fair share already. Giving him one won’t kill you.” Mom snaked a hand around his waist with the other hand trying to get the muffin. He held it away from her.

“I could be dying of chocolate deficiency. You wouldn’t know.” Dad shot back in the saddest voice, pouting at his Luna with puppy eyes. “And I ate the muffins because they’re mine. You baked them for me.”

“I’ll bake some more tomorrow.” Mom insisted, doting her blue eyes on him. Her small hands rubbed down the expanse of his back.

Dad’s nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed slits at me. Three seconds passed, and he threw the muffin at me. I caught it and immediately sank my teeth into it.

“Firecat, stop being sweet on other people,” Dad complained, shaking his head. “You’ve got to stop letting just anybody into our home.”

Mom cupped his face and captured his lips. He reciprocated by circling his arms around her and deepening the kiss. I rolled my eyes and cast my gaze to the window. This was the part where they would forget that I existed.

I rubbed the side of my forehead to make myself relax. Raina came to mind. I missed her. I wanted to kiss my own mate too. At this point, my parents’ intimacy got me so irritated. Then I purposely cleared my throat to break them up. Their lips parted with little pecks here and there. I blew out a hard breath and yawned loudly.

“Valen, come off my counter and you better clean off those shoe prints,” Mom warned with stern eyes.

“Yes ma’am. Right after I finish ‘my muffin.” I rubbed it in with a devious grin, gauging his reaction.

Dad clenched his jaws and grumbled to Mom, “Stop letting the neighbor in.”

“Hey! I’m your firstborn.” I huffed, taking offense. The mansion that I built for my family was next door.

“And what’s your point?” Dad raised his brows. A sarcastic smirk tugged on his mouth. “All I see is a pesky neighbor.”

“Boys!” Mom cut us both off, slicing the air with a hand. “We’ve got important matters to discuss. Join me at the table.”

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