Broken Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac #4) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,2

which my heart had been aching for. I suddenly didn’t feel so adrift in the world. I had people who wanted me to be a part of their family. People who were welcoming me without so much as a question over it.

The sound of plates clattering came a moment before the male Lions released me and Reginald grasped my shoulders, pushing me towards the table where Latisha, Marie and Safira had all just placed their desserts onto a plate they’d laid out for me.

Roary crossed to his own plate too and quickly pushed a fat slice of cheesecake on top of the others, scraping the china to make sure I got every last crumb.

I looked up at Leon in confusion as he beamed at me like this was the best thing that had ever happened to him. I didn’t know what was going on, only that Lions didn’t share food. I’d seen Dante trying to steal a french fry from Leon once, but it was like trying to get blood from a stone. No way he ever offered up food from his plate once he started on it.

Reginald moved to collect his plate last, scraping his food from it too before offering me his fork.

“I don’t understand what’s happening,” I said in confusion, my eyes finding Leon’s as I hunted for an answer.

“They’re offering to share their food with you,” Leon explained.

“It means you’re a part of the pride,” Reginald said proudly, beaming at Leon as he continued to purr.

Reginald’s eyes shifted to me again and the fondness I found in the golden depths of his gaze had me chewing on my bottom lip. I smiled at him tentatively, reaching out to take the fork before turning to face the mountain of food they’d offered up.

Safira dragged a chair back for me and Leon moved close behind me, his hands landing on my shoulders as I speared a huge chunk of cheesecake onto my fork.

The whole family crowded in to watch me like this was the most interesting thing they’d ever seen and as I shoved the cheesecake into my mouth, they all started clapping and purring so loudly it sounded like a mini avalanche was taking place.

“I’ll run the bath!” Safira squealed.

“I’ll get the brushes!” Marie added excitedly.

“I’ll find the lotions!” Latisha gushed and the three of them raced from the room before I could ask what the hell that was all for.

Reginald and Roary dropped into seats either side of mine, grinning widely as they continued to watch me eat like they’d never seen anything so fascinating.

Leon’s purr was so loud that I could feel it resonating through his hands where they were still pressed to my shoulders.

He leaned forward, nuzzling against me as I tried not to laugh while shovelling cheesecake into my mouth. My stomach was already fit to burst and I’d hardly made it half way through the plate, but I didn’t know how this was supposed to go and I didn’t want to offend them by leaving any.

I speared another bite onto my fork and turned to look up at Leon questioningly. “Do you wanna help me out with this, Leo?” I asked, offering him the food and hoping he’d tell me if I wasn’t supposed to share.

The smile he gave me cast aside any doubts and he lunged forward, his mouth closing over the fork as he accepted the food and his purr deepened.

I laughed, lifting another slice in my hand and offering it to him. Leon groaned as I fed him, closing his eyes like I was doing something so much better than shoving a bit of cake into his mouth.

Roary laughed beside us, pushing a hand through his mane as he watched us together. “I’m so pleased for you, little brother,” he said. “You’re one of the best people I know and I’m so glad you’ve found happiness like this.”

“You’ve done us all proud, Leonidas,” Reginald added, clapping his son on the shoulder with a deep fondness which spoke of his love for his son. “She’s a beautiful girl and a perfect mate for you. You needed to be challenged and pushed out of your comfort zone to grow into the Lion I always knew you could be and now I can see nothing but the brightest future before you.”

“Shit guys, you’re gonna make me blush,” I teased and they all laughed fondly as they continued to watch me with the food.

Reginald and Roary had both slung their arms around the