CHAPTER 572: +CHAPTER 572+

"Why do I have so many pink clothes?" Caspian muttered to himself, holding an armful of pink and white sweaters.

"I don’t think Lake would mind," Asher offered helpfully. Although he had specifically chosen the most obnoxious outfit he could find for Davian - he didn’t think he had ever even worn the hoodie.

Caspian settled on a white sweater with pink bows and a pair of coffee brown corduroy pants.

With the outfit in hand, he went outside to find Lake still raving about the wonderful mugs of rainwater he had drunk and Davian very close to a meltdown.

"Here you go," Caspian said, handing the outfit to him. He had gone with a very loose sweater so that Lake would be comfortable, although the coquettish design was far from what Lake would wear.

His friend didn’t bat an eye at it, taking the clothes and heading into the walk-in closet.

Asher hadn’t lingered after accompanying Caspian into the bedroom. He could see that Davian was already in a shitty mood, and he didn’t want to give the other Alpha a reason.

"Don’t worry, Katya didn’t give Lake rainwater," Caspian whispered as soon as Lake was out of earshot.

Davian knew that they wouldn’t, however, Lake had been very convincing with his descriptions. "She didn’t?"

"It’s just coconut water," Caspian waggled a finger, "Katya said you should stock up and never give him rainwater."

Davian nodded seriously. Fortunately, he did have some coconut water in the house, because he had a feeling that Lake would be asking for more when they got back home. He would have never thought of offering it as a replacement for rainwater, though.

"...I’m sure Katya will be happy to give you some..." Caspian was saying.

"Rainwater?" Lake interrupted the conversation, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Caspian shared a look with Davian, "Right," He said slowly, nodding. "Katya will be happy to give you some ’rainwater’ to take home."

Lake’s smile bloomed at that, his face appearing rounder in his new outfit. "Katya is so nice..."

-+-

Unaware of the chaos they had just missed out on, Nikolai drove through the gates of Asher’s house after they were allowed in.

Jael, who had wisely stayed completely out of all of the happenings, was at the door to receive them. He was constantly up to date with all that happened in the mansion; it wasn’t just the security reporting whatever they felt was important to him, even the kitchen staff still reported to him.

He didn’t mind, Caspian and Patty did a great job with the kitchen, so he rarely had to intervene unless the two of them came to him.

"I hope the rain didn’t get on you," Jael spoke up as they stepped into the foyer.

Angelo’s expression brightened slightly at the sight of a familiar face, reminded of how thoughtful the Beta had been at the sight of him.

"Barely, thanks." Nikolai answered.

Jael looked over a shoulder and then back at them, "It should be dinner time, but there was a little hitch with Lake."

Nikolai and Angelo wore matching frowns, Angelo speaking up for the first time. "Is he okay?"

"I’m more worried about everyone else," Jael muttered, turning around to lead the way up the stairs. "He’s fine, there’s nothing to worry about."

He guided them to the dining room to find Asher already seated, surprisingly punctual. Jael did a double-take at the sight of him, "Where are they?"

Asher leaned back in his seat, taking in the guests who accompanied Jael. "Changing out of their wet clothes." He gave a vague answer, "They should be here soon."

The confusion on Angelo’s and Nikolai’s faces was obvious to see, but they didn’t ask any questions, following Jael’s gestures to take a seat.

"How’s Silvia doing?" Asher asked to make conversation.

"You didn’t call her yourself?" Nikolai countered, his tone light.

Asher looked away, his tone gruff. "Didn’t want to bother her."

"She was dismissed this morning," Angelo spoke up, "She just had a slight fracture, she should be all better in a few weeks."

The door opened then, Jael returning with two additional people. Rosie was right behind him, in a dress and a knit cardigan; if it weren’t for her bright red hair, she would have been unrecognizable at first glance.

"Hi!" She waved to Nikolai and Angelo, walking over to them. "I didn’t think you would be able to make it this time. I’m happy you did."

Angelo didn’t quite know how to respond to that. It was strange having so many casual relationships.

Rosie didn’t mind the lack of a response, a devious light in her eyes. "Did you like lunch?"

Angelo cleared his throat, "It was nice, a little spicy though." He answered sheepishly.

"So you couldn’t finish it?" She didn’t hesitate to ask.

Nikolai stayed out of the conversation, watching Jael wander out once more, no doubt to get the rest of the guests for dinner.

Patty, their skittish accountant, had quietly taken her seat right beside Rosie, also listening to the conversation from the sidelines.

"We woke up late, so we shared one portion," Angelo explained shortly, smiling slightly when Rosie brightened up like a lightbulb.

"You’re not going to be able to fit it in after dinner." Patty chimed in.

Rosie didn’t back down, "Bold of you to assume I’ll be eating it alone. Lake is definitely going to want more than a few bites..."

"Talking about Lake, if he talks about drinking rainwater, it’s fine, it’s just coconut water." Asher remembered to caution the table.

Nikolai tilted his head, puzzled. "I have questions."

The door opened again, Jael in the lead once more with Davian bringing up the rear. Caspian and Lake had their arms interlocked, their frilly outfits matching.

"Angelo," Lake smiled, "You came!"

"I’m here too," Nikolai complained.

Lake pretended not to hear him going right over to the Omega with Caspian by his side.

"I’m so glad you could make it," Caspian smiled, "You should come sit with us."