Chapter Two

Their server walked away, and Kalen just sat there, hypnotized by the sway of the man's hips. They rocked back and forth gently, causing Kalen's dick to stir in his jeans.

Damn, he's gorgeous.

"Never thought I'd see the day Kalen Frost froze in front of a cutie."

Quinton chuckled. "Did I guess correctly that the human was your mate, or should I take back my congrats?"

Did Roman just call him Delta? Kalen had been coming to Deep Dish for breakfast for years now. It was the reason why he rarely cooked at home in the mornings. This was his time to relax and enjoy the sunrise before starting his day.

But he'd never seen Delta there before. He must've been a new employee.

"Kalen."

Quinton snapped his fingers to get his attention.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I'll have the same,"

Kalen replied absentmindedly. His eyes were still locked on Delta as his mate balanced a tray filled with plates, making his way over to Dale Linx's table.

Kalen knew the wolf shifter, his mate, and their pups. Despite being somewhat rude at times, Dale was a decent guy overall.

"You've got it bad, brother,"

Quinton remarked. "Go talk to Roman and see if you can steal him for the day. We can take our ride some other time."

"Over medium,"

Kalen grunted, still unable to tear his gaze away from Delta.

His mate was undeniably stunning, with a perfect blend of feminine, boyish, and masculine features that made him incredibly good-looking.

But it was those captivating green-gray eyes that had caught Kalen's attention from the moment they landed on him.

Human.

Damn.

This complicated things in many ways, namely taking Delta around his very pregnant son, Damon.

Not to mention the fact three members of the Frost household had pointed ears and four of them had wings.

Or how two of them drank blood.

Kalen's home had become full of life and occasional mishaps. He loved his boys and, for a time, had worried about three dark fae in his home, still did to an extent, but he wouldn't change a thing about his life.

Except for finding his mate, which he just had. Now he needed to figure out how to break the news to the human that a preternatural world existed.

"I was thinking about shaving off all the hair on my body and joining a boyband. Maybe go on tour naked,"

Quinton said. "Might even have exotic animals running amok on the stage while fairies throw hex bombs at the crowds. Are there such thing as hex bombs?"

"No thanks, I don't need a refill,"

Kalen replied.

Quinton slammed his hand down on the table, causing everything on it to bounce. "Earth to Kalen."

Kalen tore his gaze away from Delta and glared at Quinton. "I just found my mate, and you're rambling on about breakfast. Who do you think I'm going to focus on? A hairy-ass bear shifter or the human I have to talk to about our world?"

Kalen grinned when he caught a glimpse of his mate peeking over at him, only to quickly turn away with a blush.

If this was Delta's first day, he probably wouldn't want to take any time off. He'd most likely want to make a good impression for his new boss.

"That's what I love about having breakfast with you,"

Quinton said. "Good coffee and stinging insults."

The bear shifter wasn't insulted. Kalen had known Quinton for over two hundred years and they'd said a hell of a lot worse to each other without taking offense.

"I'll be back in a minute."

Kalen got up from his seat and walked through the door leading into the kitchen, knocking before fully entering.

"Hey, Kalen,"

Roman greeted him, moving around quickly as he cooked.

The guy definitely needed some help, other than just hiring a new server. If Kalen wanted to talk to the snow leopard, he was going to have to pitch in and help.

He grabbed an order ticket and began filling it out then tossed the completed dishes onto the pass. "You have a new employee."

Roman added four plates alongside Kalen's and began stirring a pot of grits while pouring pancake batter onto the griddle. "Delta started this morning."

He paused for a moment. "Is something wrong?"

"Not at all."

Kalen toasted some bagels then flipped the pancakes for Roman while Roman turned multiple sausage patties and bacon.

"Good. I know Delta pretty well. I used to bring meals over to his mom's house when she was too sick to work."

Kalen was aware of Roman's charitable efforts outside of running the diner. Not only did he run the diner, but he also provided free boxed meals for elderly and disabled individuals in the community. Most preternatural beings had enough wealth to last them their entire extended lives, so giving away meals wouldn't affect Roman's profits.

"You said ‘used to,'"

Kalen noted.

Roman skillfully cracked open a dozen eggs and whipped up two perfect omelets. "Yeah, Angelina passed away about six months ago,"

he said as he worked. "From what Delta told me, she had some rare blood disorder that couldn't be cured. It's a real shame. She was such a kind woman."

Kalen helped with the cooking, his mind still dwelling on the recent loss his mate had experienced. He wished he had been there for Delta during that difficult time.

Having gone through the pain of losing someone he loved dearly himself, over 150 years ago, Kalen knew how hard it could be.

"Why are you asking about him?"

Roman grabbed what looked like a napkin off the wheel, and he and Kalen quickly prepared the dishes. Once they were done, Roman turned to him. "He's your mate, isn't he?"

It suddenly occurred to Kalen that they'd just cooked his own and Quinton's orders. "What makes you say that?"

Roman gave him a look that said he wasn't an idiot. "We've known each other too long for you to insult my intelligence, Kalen."

He tossed his towel onto the workbench. "Just when I get more help, they're taken away."

"Now hold on."

Kalen raised his hand in defense. "I never said I wanted him to take his honeymoon period right this second."

It wouldn't do any good to ask Roman if Delta could take two weeks off with pay while Kalen hadn't even properly introduced himself yet.

Roman eyed him suspiciously. "But there's a reason you came in here and pitched in, which I appreciate."

Kalen gave a small nod. "I would have helped regardless. You know I love cooking and don't shy away from hard work."

Roman grinned. "All right, spill it, wolf."

Usually, Kalen was capable of taking care of things on his own, but he knew when to ask for help. Like when he'd called Quinton and his sons to help deal with what he thought was an imminent vampire attack. After dealing with two in a row, Kalen hadn't wanted to take any chances. But the vampires had backed down, and Kalen's oldest boy ended up killing the coven leader's son without any interference.

It was a deserved death for Akai, after what he had done to Arion, one of Jax's mates. If Akai hadn't targeted Arion, maybe he wouldn't have ended up with his heart torn out of his chest.

Then Kalen and Quinton had killed Akai's father to ensure Ozel wouldn't come after Jax, seeking revenge.

"Look,"

Kalen said, his voice low and serious, "Delta is human."

"And as far as I know, he has no idea about our world,"

Roman replied, his tone equally grave.

The snow leopard was perceptive.

"But you said you know him pretty well,"

he prodded. "Do you think he can handle this?"

It would be good to get a feel for Delta's reaction since Kalen never had to reveal the truth about his world to anyone before.

"It's hard to say for sure."

Roman leaned against the sturdy worktable, his fingers curling around the edges. "He's a pretty grounded guy. As long as you don't throw it at him all at once, I believe Delta will be able to handle the truth without panicking."

But Kalen was willing to bet the human had never been hit with the news that there was a whole world beyond what he had ever imagined.

Roman furrowed his brow. "I'm confused why you're asking me for advice on this. You've always struck me as a confident and decisive man."

Kalen was wondering the same thing. Did he honestly need anyone's help when it came to his mate?

"Ah. I get it."

Roman nodded.

"You just admitted I confused you,"

Kalen quipped with a smirk.

"Clearly, you've been single for far too long, wolf."

Roman patted him on the back in mock sympathy. "If you need the ‘sex talk,' you've come to the right guy."

Scowling, Kalen knocked Roman's arm away. "The day I need advice on what to do with my dick is the day I'm too old to remember I even have one,"

he growled. "Trust me, that's one area of my life I'm an expert in. In fact, I could probably give you some pointers."

He shook his head in disbelief. Roman must have lost his mind if he thought Kalen had forgotten what to do with his cock. He'd never had any complaints when it came to sex, because Kalen was a selfless lover, always putting his partner's pleasure before his own.

But he also knew how to satisfy his own needs. It was a skill he had honed over two centuries, and he was damn good at it.

"I was just trying to lighten the mood,"

Roman said with a mischievous grin. "Since things have slowed down, Delta can take a break, but I'll need him back for the lunch rush."

Kalen glanced at his smartwatch to check the time. "Two hours okay?"

"Take three, but don't return him addlebrained. I'll need him on his toes, not screwing up because you..."

He wiggled his brows suggestively.

A smile tugged at the corner of Kalen's mouth. "You were wise to keep that to yourself, kitty cat."

Even though they hadn't even introduced themselves, Kalen already felt possessive of Delta. He didn't want Roman talking about his mate in a sexual way, even if it was just harmless banter.

"I'm not an idiot."

Roman chuckled, amusement twinkling in his Nordic-blue eyes. "Delta is your mate. I'd be a fool to say anything..."

He wiggled his eyebrows again as his smile widened. "Besides, my own mate would kill me if I made those kinds of comments, which I won't, because Gage is the only man who interests me. I'm just giving you a hard time, wolf."

Kalen rolled his eyes. "You're as bad as my sons."

"I highly doubt that,"

Roman retorted. "I don't think anyone can outdo Damon in terms of being a horndog. Well, at least before he mated that fairy warrior and got pregnant."

Kalen had only shared this information with a select few. Once the baby was born, his son and Casimir would claim they'd adopted the child so no one would know about their unique situation.

But people like Roman, Ajax, who owned the Bluebird Café, Mason, who owned Wild Tiger Barbeque, Jake, who owned Fearless Fox, and even the sheriff and deputies of Midnight Falls were all in on the secret. Okay, so maybe it wasn't just a select few. As a first-time grandpa, Kalen couldn't help but brag a little bit. He even bragged about Jax giving him a grandchild too.

Kalen's attention shifted to Delta as he watched his mate grab the plates intended for his and Quinton's table. He wanted to get out there, unsure of what the bear shifter might say to his mate.

"I've gotta go. Thanks for letting me spend time with my mate while he's on the clock,"

he said as he made his way out of the kitchen. Even though he was old enough to be Roman's father, Kalen had been taught to show appreciation for those who did him a solid.

"Thanks for helping out. You're always welcome in my kitchen,"

Roman replied.

The guy didn't allow just anyone in his kitchen. The snow leopard was a perfectionist when it came to cooking. That was probably why he didn't have any help in there.

Kalen strolled leisurely back to his table, his eyes locked on Delta's slender body as he made his way toward their booth, expertly balancing multiple steaming plates on a serving tray.

Most of those were for Quinton's big ass. Bear shifters had hearty appetites. Kalen was glad he didn't have to foot the grocery bill for the shifter and his sons. They would bankrupt him.

"I'll be damned."

Quinton chuckled. "You nailed it, hu— My humble apologies for doubting your skills."

The bear shifter had almost slipped up and said human.

Even though Delta looked around five-eight, he was still a hell of a lot shorter than Kalen's six-five height. With a slight bend at the waist, Kalen brought his lips closer to Delta's ear. "The food looks incredible,"

he murmured huskily.

"Maybe because you cooked it,"

Delta responded with a sultry smile, causing Kalen's heart to race even faster. "I see you know Roman."

Their bodies were practically touching now, and Kalen was hard as fuck. He wanted nothing more than to toss aside the dirty dishes on the neighboring table and spread Delta across it, ravaging him like a decadent breakfast.

"I see you were watching me,"

Kalen countered with a low, throaty growl. "Good to know, beautiful."

As Delta turned to face him, Kalen took a small step back, but he stayed close enough that he could feel the heat radiating off of his mate's body.

Unfortunately, the serving tray was a barrier between them.

"I've had plenty of men hit on me this morning,"

Delta stated matter-of-factly as he put plates on the table.

A fierce growl threatened to escape Kalen's throat at the thought of anyone flirting with his mate. But could he really blame them?

Delta was simply stunning. His mate had striking platinum-blond hair with a deep side part. The dark brown sides were kept shorter, gradually lengthening toward the top where the hair was swept back in a wave. The guy had to use styling products to get his hair to look that great.

His thick, dark eyebrows contrasted sharply with his hair, drawing attention to his expressive, green-gray eyes.

Kalen had never seen such high cheekbones or a complexion that smooth. Even from where he stood, he could see a subtle scattering of freckles across Delta's nose and cheeks, hinting at time spent outdoors. Delta was his mate, and Kalen was attracted to the human on a level he couldn't deny.

"What makes you so different that I should give you the time of day?"

Delta asked with an arched eyebrow.

With a mischievous grin, Kalen leaned closer again, his mate's scent drugging his lungs. "Because none of those pups could ever satisfy you the way a true alpha can, gorgeous."

He heard Delta's quick intake of breath and felt his blush without even looking. Roman could shove his sex talk. Kalen still had it.

"But for now, I'd be satisfied with a simple conversation,"

Kalen said, backing off to give his mate room to breathe. "I was told you could take a break. Care to join me outside so we can talk without all the prying eyes and noise around us?"

Delta's breath came out in uneven pants. Over his mate's shoulder, Kalen saw Quinton smirk as he devoured his breakfast. More than once he and the bear shifter had gone out to bars looking for hookups when the two were in the same town.

He knew Kalen's moves, and Kalen knew Quinton's. There were a handful of times they'd even shared the same guy. A lot of men loved Quinton's sheer size, most calling him a bear. If they only knew the gay term applied literally for him.

Two months ago, when Kalen had called them for backup, Quinton and his sons had decided to stay in Midnight Falls afterward, buying a house not too far from Kalen's.

Admittedly, it felt good to have the Everharts in the same town as Kalen and his family. He liked having someone his own age to hang out with.

"Roman said I could take a break?"

Delta asked, disbelief in his pretty eyes.

"Honey, I wouldn't lie to you about something that could impact your livelihood,"

Kalen responded, and then realized he still hadn't introduced himself. "By the way, I'm Kalen Frost."

Those seductive green-gray eyes were ingenuous looking up at him, lips parted as if prepared for a kiss. I wish.

"Delta Riveria."

His gaze turned hard. "I don't want to hear any jokes about my name."

Delta Riveria, similar to delta river. "I would never make fun of someone's name, pup. I have a son named Jax Frost,"

Kalen said in an attempt to unruffle Delta's feathers and get him to smile again.

"Seriously?"

He gaped at Kalen. "Did you hate him when he was born?"

The story of Jack Frost had been around when Jax was born, but it hadn't been popularized until much later. Honestly, Jax had been around sixty, still a juvenile, by the time Kalen had learned about the fictional character.

If he'd known about that damn character prior to Jax's birth, Kalen and his wife would have definitely given him a different name.

"No, my late wife gave it to him. He was named after his grandfathers."

Chelsea's father's name had been Jackson. Kalen's had been Maximus. They'd just combined the two into a shorter blend.

"Oh, I'm-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

Delta's hand fluttered to the neckline of his shirt as he glanced around, as if he felt too guilty to look Kalen in the eye.

"No harm done."

Kalen chuckled softly, adoring his mate's innocent expression. "So, do you want to take a break with me? We could simply hang outside or take a walk. It's a nice morning, and I would love your company."

Stretching up on his toes, Delta whispered to Kalen, his warm breath drifting across Kalen's skin, causing his dick to grow even harder. "My feet are killing me. Could we just chill on a park bench or something? I'd love to rest these puppies."

Kalen knew exactly where Delta could rest them. In his bed while he claimed the human. "We can do whatever you want, darling."

Quinton pointed at Kalen's plate and gave it a thumbs-up. He appreciated Quinton looking out for him and offering to have Kalen's food placed in a to-go container.

Behind Delta's back, Kalen returned the gesture. Quinton's dark gray eyes lit up. The bastard wasn't offering to help. He was going to devour Kalen's French toast and sausage. It was a wonder how Quinton was nothing but pure muscle instead of three hundred pounds of food.

"I'm not calling you a liar,"

Delta said, lowering back down. "But I'm going to check with Roman. He might be a family friend, but he gave me a job I desperately needed, and I just want to make sure he's okay with this."

Kalen waved toward the kitchen. "By all means. I'll just wait right here."

As soon as Delta hurried away—those sexy hips rocking back and forth as he walked, driving Kalen insane with need—Kalen scowled at Quinton. "Don't you dare eat my breakfast."

"But you just gave me the green light,"

the bear shifter argued. "I figured it was compensation for ditching me on our ride this morning."

He turned his fork over and used the tines to slowly drag Kalen's plate toward him. "Speak now or your food is demolished."

Kalen chuckled. "It's all yours. Just remind me to order something for Damon and Elvine before I leave. The two will try to gnaw off my arm if I don't bring them back some of Roman's cooking."

"You're a lucky man, Kalen. I wish one of my boys would give me grandchildren, but we both know that isn't going to happen."

"You never know,"

Kalen said. "One of them might end up with a female mate or an ancient vampire might place one of them in a deep sleep and then the Ultionem will have to convert them in order to bring them out of it."

"No offense to Damon, but I'll take a hard pass."

Quinton stabbed the four pieces of French toast from Kalen's plate and dropped them onto his, which was covered in syrup and sausage grease.

Quinton should consider himself lucky he couldn't suffer from clogged arteries or high cholesterol or any other ailment that resulted from eating what he had in front of him.

Or had in front of him since most of his own breakfast was already gone.

Delta returned. "I think I saw a park bench a block over,"

he said. "Any further and you just might have to carry me."

His mate was joking, but Kalen would gladly carry the guy anywhere he wanted to go. Delta might be of average height, but he was slim, weighing no more than around 130 pounds.

Delta walked toward the door first. Just as Kalen was about to follow, Quinton held up his fist. "Congrats."

Kalen pounded it before he walked out the door.