CHAPTER 571: +CHAPTER 571+

"Why don’t you go find Asher to get you a change of clothes while I get Lake his water?" Caspian tossed out orders, leading Lake up the stairs.

Davian stalled in the foyer, a little confused. Caspian had promised Lake rainwater, but that couldn’t be safe to drink. Granted, he hadn’t had much of a plan before the Omega showed up; he had just hoped he would be able to wear Lake down.

Rosie patted his shoulder comfortingly, also considerably soaked. "Caspian wouldn’t hurt Lake," She reassured him, wringing out the water from her stretchy, long-sleeved top.

Davian knew that; the petite Omega was the first person he would trust with Lake, but he was still curious. Rosie had already started up the stairs, no doubt to change into dry clothes, so he did the same, eager to see how Caspian intended to handle things.

-+-

In the kitchen, Caspian guided a disoriented Lake right to the study, where he sent Patty off to find Rosie - figuring out that the Omega would need a change of clothes.

Katya caught sight of them from the doorway to the storeroom and magically produced a blanket, which she gave to Caspian when he stepped out of the study alone.

Caspian closed the door behind him, his brows furrowing for the first time. He had confidently taken Lake away, but he didn’t have a clue how he would get the pregnant Omega what he wanted.

"Lake wants to drink rainwater," He whispered to the cook, panic lacing his voice. "What do I do?"

Katya took his words in stride, "Don’t worry about that, Missus. Just cover him up so he doesn’t catch a cold."

Caspian didn’t doubt Katya’s words, she hadn’t become the head cook for no reason. Reassured, he stepped back into the study to find Lake waiting expectantly.

Lake looked him over, wavy brown hair dripping water down his face. "Where’s the mug of water?" He asked accusingly, eyes narrowed.

Caspian plastered a nervous smile on his face, covering Lake up with the blanket and finding a towel folded up with it. He was grateful to his thoughtful cook at the sight of it, drying Lake’s face and hair with it.

"Katya’s bringing it," He bullshitted, not sure how Katya planned to resolve this.

Rainwater wasn’t safe to drink unless it was treated, and he had a feeling that Lake wouldn’t be satisfied with treated rainwater.

While he churned around solutions to Lake’s craving, there was a knock on the door, Katya’s familiar face peeking in.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," She said with a bright smile, coming in with a tray.

There was a ceramic jug on the tray, with a mug beside it.

Caspian paused his action of drying Lake’s hair as he watched his cook pour out a suspicious liquid from the jug to the mug. It wasn’t as clear as water, and so it had him worrying if she had actually gone to procure rainwater.

Lake however ,was riveted on the mug full of ’rainwater’ that had been poured out for him. If it had been completely clear, he would have refused to drink it, knowing that it was just plain water that was being paraded as something it wasn’t.

He impatiently took the mug full of water handed to him and took a tentative sip. It was slightly sweet, cold, and refreshing, just as he had expected rainwater to taste.

Satisfied, he guzzled the entire mug down, holding the emptied mug out for more.

Caspian watched in horror as Katya filled up the mug one more time, walking forward to pick up the entire tray when she was done.

"Don’t drink too much water before dinner," He muttered nervously, pulling Katya with his free hand, while balancing the tray on a single hand.

Lake didn’t even pay attention to him, focused on his scrumptious mug of ’rainwater’.

When they they out of the study, Katya hastily took the tray from the boss’ missus, having her explanation ready.

"It’s just coconut water," She said with a smile, "Tell that sweet husband of his to have some on hand and absolutely not let him have even a taste of rainwater." Her smile disappeared, her dark eyes serious.

Caspian nodded like the message was directed at him. He sighed in relief as Katya walked off. Of course, he should have known that Katya wouldn’t be so reckless.

He opened the door to the study to offer Lake a fresh change of clothes. He had dried his friend out as much as he could, but he was still dissatisfied by the thought of him in slightly damp clothes.

Lake was right on the other side with limpid honey eyes, his empty mug cradled in both hands. "Has Katya gone with the rest of the rainwater?" He asked with a pout.

Caspian’s expression softened, but he didn’t let himself give in, prying the mug free from the Omega’s hands. "You can have more at dinner. Come, let me give you a change of clothes."

Lake glanced down at his baggy sweatshirt, noticing the damp patches on the pale blue outfit for the first time. He reluctantly gave in, looking longingly behind him at the kitchen when they stepped into the hallway.

They bumped into Davian when they got to Caspian’s bedroom. The Alpha seemed to have just gotten a change of clothes, his expression taut at the gaudy, bright red hoodie with a tacky flame design he had on.

He instantly forgot about his disapproval of the choice of wear Asher had provided him with at the sight of his mate, hurrying over.

Lake instantly went right into his arms, "I had two mugs of rainwater, it was delicious..."

Caspian flashed a grin at the horror on Davian’s face, walking past them. "I’m going to go get a change of clothes for Lake."

He met Asher at the entrance to the walk in closet, his Alpha wearing a look of concern. "Rainwater?"

"Shhh," Caspian shushed him, pulling him into the closet. "It’s coconut water but Lake doesn’t know that."

Asher didn’t have any response to that, watching his mate rifle through a dresser.