Chapter 312: Are You Free On Saturday?

Princess woke up at her usual time to get ready for school, and to her surprise, her girlfriend was already awake.

"Good morning, love," Faye said as she busily whisked the eggs.

Princess kissed her, leaning down to press her lips against Faye’s warm cheek. Then she climbed onto the counter, grabbed a crisp red apple from the fruit bowl, and took a big bite.

The loud crunch echoed sharply in the quiet kitchen.

"What are you making?" Princess asked. She swung her legs back and forth against the lower cabinets, her eyes tracking Faye’s hands.

"Scrambled eggs," Faye replied. She poured the yellow mixture into the hot frying pan, the loud sizzle immediately filling the space between them.

"Okay."

"How are you feeling now?" Faye asked. She kept her eyes on the pan, her spatula moving the eggs around in quick circles, but her shoulders were tight with a quiet anxiety.

"Good. Why do you ask?" Princess tilted her head, chewing slowly as she watched her omega.

"Because I noticed yesterday... you were.. numb again," Faye said. She turned the burner down, her breathing catching slightly in her throat as she finally brought up what had been bothering her all night.

During the drive to the convenience store and then to the pizza place, Princess had barely said anything. Her usual vibrant aura was gone. It was like a thick curtain had dropped over her personality, locking everything inside. At first, Faye thought Princess was mad at her about the gym or the lycan meeting, but when Princess tucked the kids into bed, it wasn’t the same way she always did. Their usual playful bath time had been missing, no splashing or silly voices, and the dullness in Princess’s eyes had been obvious under the bathroom lights.

Faye had cuddled Princess all night so she wouldn’t wake up feeling the same way she had gone to sleep. She had wrapped her arms tightly around the alpha’s torso, holding her close against her chest and breathing in her scent until the morning light started to peak through the blinds.

That was why Faye had woken up before her that morning. She wanted to make sure breakfast was ready and hot, hoping a good meal would bring some of the life back into her girlfriend’s face.

"Yeah, I’m fine," Princess said with a smile. It was a small, quick grin, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, her chest expanding with a slow, controlled breath.

"Okay... I know you stopped taking your meds, but you still haven’t changed the doctor like I told you to," Faye said. She set the spatula down on a paper towel, turning her body fully to face the counter.

"I’ve stopped the therapy sessions like you told me to... but I need my medical files from Silviana so another doctor can understand my..." Princess trailed off, her fingers tight around the apple core as she looked away.

"Mental-Condition," Faye finished for her. Her voice was soft, devoid of any judgment as she stepped closer to the counter.

"Yeah... that," Princess said. She let out a quiet sigh through her nose, her shoulders dropping a fraction of an inch.

She finished her apple, slid off the counter, and took over from Faye.

"Let me do that while you go wake the pups and get them ready."

"Okay."

Faye walked toward the kitchen door, then paused.She turned around, walked back to Princess, and kissed her properly. She pressed her lips firmly against the alpha’s, pouring all her warmth and support into the touch until she felt Princess’s muscles finally relax.

"I love you," she whispered against her lips, her breath warm.

"Me too." Princess murmured, a real, genuine smile finally breaking across her face.

Faye walked into the kids’ room and got them all out except for one.

Leonny wasn’t in his crib.

Faye sighed lazily. She dropped her hands to her hips, her chest rising with an amused breath because she already knew where the boy was.

She walked to the closet and found him sleeping peacefully among her clothes. He had spent the entire night there, curled up into a tight little ball right on top of her favorite hoodies, his tiny thumb tucked securely inside his mouth.

She bathed the kids, even the sleeping one. She carried them into the bathroom two by two, the warm water splashing over the porcelain tub.

Unlike Princess, who usually turned bath time into an adventure that lasted almost an hour with toy boats and massive bubble towers, Faye finished in less than twenty minutes. She worked with a fast, efficient routine, wiping their chubby cheeks and rinsing their hair before wrapping them in fluffy animal towels.

She got the kids ready, then got herself ready.

By the time she finished, breakfast was ready.

While Faye fed the pups, scooping small spoonfuls of eggs into their eager mouths, Princess went to get dressed. Soon, they were all eating breakfast together like one happy family.

While they ate, Princess remembered something she wanted to ask.

"Babe, are you free this Saturday?" Princess asked.

"No. I’ve got something to do with Malo on Saturday," Faye replied. She kept her tone casual, but her heart gave a sudden, guilty twitch behind her ribs as she thought about the secret fish hunting trip at the Rosie Rose Hotel.

"Okay," Princess muttered. She lowered her fork back to the plate, her face going slightly blank again.

Then Faye reconsidered her answer, wondering if something special was happening that day. She caught the slight drop in Princess’s posture and immediately felt a wave of regret hit her stomach.

"Why did you ask? Is there something you want to do with me on Saturday?" Faye asked. She leaned forward over the table, her eyes searching her girlfriend’s face.

"There is... but since you’ll be busy, maybe I should cancel it." Princess shrugged, her voice flat.

"What is it?" Faye asked quickly. "Tell me. Maybe I can cancel mine instead. Mine isn’t that important."

Even if it was important, even if it involved the legally binding blood oath contract that could get them all killed by a Lycan Prince, Faye would rather spend Saturday with her girlfriend than go fish hunting with her best friend. Malo could wait, but keeping Princess happy and vibrant was her main priority.

"Beam and Tisha are going to a play, so they’re inviting us... as a couple. You know, a double date," Princess explained. A small spark of hope lit up her eyes as she spoke the words.

"Ohhh... are double dates a thing now? Even Sasha and Haley are going on a double date this Saturday. I’d love to experience that. Yes, I’m free this Saturday, baby. Book me in," Faye said playfully, immediately canceling whatever plans she had with Malo for the chance to spend time with her girlfriend. She gave a loud, bright laugh, her chest expanding with a happy breath.

Princess smiled at her. The way Faye spoke filled her stomach with butterflies, the sudden bounce in the girl’s attitude making her own alpha heart swell with affection.

Then, as they were heading out of the house, Princess added one last thing.

"It’s actually a triple date. Kiara is coming too... with her girlfriend."

"Kiara has a girlfriend? That’s good news. Now I won’t have to worry about her shenanigans. I can’t wait for Saturday to come, baby," Faye said. She let out a sigh of pure relief, a massive weight lifting off her shoulders as she realized the annoying ex would finally be occupied with someone else.

They reached the car, buckled the pups into their car seats, and got ready to drive to school. Faye slid into the passenger seat, pulling her seatbelt across her chest as Princess turned the key in the ignition.

"Oh, and we’re also going to my grandfather’s sixtieth birthday party next month." Princess added casually...

"What the fuck!"