Sitting on the edge of the bed for several seconds, she waited as her stomach began to settle. Once she was happy, she got to her feet and slowly walked toward the window. Pulling the curtain back, she gasped. Endless ocean and a beautiful beach lay before her. She raised a hand to her lips, almost taken aback by the beauty.

It would be no hardship staying here. She had no doubt.

She moved away from the window and went toward the door. Opening it up, she smelled something amazing.

Lucas had to be up already.

She glanced back in her room. The desire to stay here all day was strong, but she decided not to be stupid.

Maybe if she convinced Lucas how unsuitable they were, he’d give in and allow them both to be free.

She left her bedroom door open and took the steps, making her way to the main floor. Following the scent, she came to a stop outside the kitchen. He was working a wok, flicking up the ingredients.

Run.

No, no more running.

Even as she wanted to go back to her room, her stomach growled.

Lucas looked up.

There was no more running.

She’d run so often in high school. It was almost second nature to her now to do so.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.” She stepped into the kitchen.

“I had no idea they were going to drug us to bring us here.”

“It kind of makes sense though, right? It looks so beautiful.” She offered him a smile.

Lucas paused, staring at her.

Seconds passed.

He didn’t move.

“Are you okay?”

He shook his head then nodded. “Yes, I’m perfectly okay.” He nodded at her. “Do you want to grab the dishes? This is ready.”

She nodded and moved past him, looking in the cupboards for a couple of bowls. It was the third cupboard she found them in.

“You cooked this?” she asked, putting the bowls beside him.

“Yep.”

“I had no idea you can cook.”

“My mom taught me.” He divided the food into the bowls.

Being this close to him, Mabel hated how he filled out the crisp white shirt he wore. It should be illegal what he did to it.

Rather than speak her thoughts, she avoided looking at his impressive, muscular arms, covered in tribal ink. She saw his family crest on one arm, the one announcing him as the new Alpha.

If she didn’t put a stop to this mating madness, she’d be the Alpha’s mate. The role was very much coveted by several women within the pack. All of which could have the damn job.

Lucas picked up the bowls and carried them through to what looked like a dining room.

They sat on opposite ends of the table.

She’d found some chopsticks in a drawer, and she handed him one.