Chapter 139: Family Dinner, Hidden Signals

The dining room in Zayden’s mansion felt way more laid-back than the rest of the house.

It had cozy lighting, a long oak table that could fit twenty but was only set for six that night, and the delicious smells of roasted chicken, garlic bread, and something sweet baking in the kitchen.

Ayla was stuck between Liam and Aylin, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that her sister was living in a real-life palace with a person who looked at her like she was the only person that mattered.

Zayden was at the end of the table, with Leo next to him on one side and Reyes on the other. The staff had served their meals and quietly slipped away, leaving them alone.

"So," Zayden said, cutting into his chicken like a pro, "Ayla."

She looked up, her fork pausing on the way to her mouth. "Yeah?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

His steel-blue eyes twinkled with mischief. "Tell me, is your big sister always this stubborn, or is it just with me?"

Aylin nearly spit out her water. "Zayden—"

"No, no," Ayla jumped in, grinning playfully. "She’s always been like this. When we were kids, she once refused to eat breakfast for three days because Mom wouldn’t let her have dessert first."

Leo burst out laughing. "Three days? That’s some serious dedication."

Aylin’s face turned bright red. "I was six."

"And stubborn," Zayden added with a smirk. He leaned in a little closer, turning back to Ayla with a conspiratorial grin. "Does she still do that thing where she acts like she’s fine when she’s really not?"

"Oh my God, yes!" Ayla exclaimed. "One time in college, she had a fever of 103 and still tried to take an exam. She passed out in the hallway."

Reyes snorted into his wine. "That sounds about right."

Aylin glared at Ayla. "Whose side are you on?"

"The side of truth," Ayla replied sweetly, then looked at Zayden. "But seriously, what do you think of her? She’s impossible."

Zayden’s expression softened, and for a moment, the teasing faded. His gaze locked onto Aylin with an intensity that made the room feel smaller. "Because she’s brilliant. Fierce. And when she loves, she gives it everything," he said, his voice lowering. "Even if she won’t admit it."

The table fell quiet.

Aylin’s face went deep red, almost like a tomato. She stared at her plate, blinking fast.

Leo cleared his throat loudly. "Well, that was way too romantic. Can we get back to roasting Lunel now?"

Liam, who had mostly been quiet at dinner, finally jumped in. "To be honest, Ayla can be pretty stubborn, too. Just last week, she thought we could fit a couch through a door that was clearly two inches too narrow."

Ayla gasped, "It almost worked!"

"We had to take the door off its hinges."

"Details," she shot back.

The table erupted in laughter, even Reyes managing a rare smile.

Zayden raised his glass. "Here’s to impossible women who keep life interesting."

"Hear, hear," Leo echoed, clinking his glass against Zayden’s.

Aylin finally looked up, meeting Zayden’s gaze from across the table. Even though she was a bit embarrassed, a small, genuine smile crept onto her face. "You guys are the worst."

"We know," Zayden said with a wink.

The meal rolled on with easy banter, Leo telling increasingly ridiculous stories about Zayden’s "grumpy phase before Aylin," Reyes throwing in dry comments now and then, and Ayla peppering Aylin with questions about her life over the past two years.

"So, you actually went to Malaysia?" Ayla asked, eyes wide. "What was it like?"

Aylin’s face went distant and nostalgic. "Pretty quiet. Safe. Lonely." She glanced at Zayden. "But it was important."

"And now?" Ayla pressed.

"Now," Aylin said gently, "I’m right where I need to be."

Zayden reached for her hand under the table, their fingers intertwining.

Liam watched them, his face hard to read. Something flickered in his eyes, recognition? Concern? But it was gone before anyone noticed.

Leo was in the middle of a lively story, animatedly waving his fork about the time Zayden allegedly scared a diplomat with a stapler when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Though quiet, the sound cut through the conversation like a knife.

Zayden’s head snapped around as Leo checked his phone, looking serious all of a sudden.

Their eyes locked across the table.

Leo gave a quick nod, as if to say, "All set. Everything’s going according to plan."

Zayden nodded back.

The whole exchange took less than three seconds, but Aylin caught it. She tightened her grip on Zayden’s hand under the table.

It had to be Selina. And that meant trouble was already moving.

"Is everything good?" Ayla asked, noticing the sudden tension.

Leo tucked his phone away and flashed a relaxed smile. "Just some work stuff. Nothing we can’t deal with later."

Right on cue, the staff came out with a tray of baklava, rich and all sticky with honey.

Ayla’s face lit up. "Oh wow, I haven’t had this in ages!"

The conversation shifted back to light topics, but Aylin could feel Zayden’s thumb making little circles on the back of her hand, a silent comfort or maybe a warning.

"Later," his touch seemed to say. "We’ll sort it out later."

*****

After dinner, Aylin stood up and stretched. "Come on, let me show you your room."

Ayla and Liam followed her out of the dining hall and down a long hallway filled with artwork that probably cost more than most people’s homes.

"This place is nuts," Ayla whispered.

"I know," Aylin admitted. "I’m still getting used to it."

She stopped at a door near the end of the hall and pushed it open. The guest room was big and fancy, with a king-sized bed lined with crisp white sheets, a seating area, and French doors leading to a private balcony overlooking the gardens.

"The bathroom’s through there," Aylin said, pointing. "Towels, toiletries, and everything you need should be stocked. If you want anything else, just text me."

Ayla hugged her sister again. "Thanks. For everything."

Aylin hugged her back tightly. "I’m just glad you’re here. Safe."

When they pulled apart, Ayla’s eyes were glistening. "Me too."

Liam reached out to Aylin. "Thanks for having us," he said.

She shook his hand, taking a moment to look him over. There was something about him that felt familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Then he smiled, effortlessly and genuinely, and that feeling faded away.

"Get some rest," she replied. "We can catch up more tomorrow."

She left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

As she strolled down the hallway, her thoughts began to shift. Selina’s message. Alpha was getting suspicious. Maksim seemed to trust her.

They were running out of time.