22 | Stress Baking 101

"Just kiss me, baby, and tell me twice that you're the one for me."

~ Michael Jackson, The Way You Make Me Feel

Please don't forget to comment, follow, and vote!

Turns out, they told the truth. The hit and run wasn't them. Considering the car came from no where, Sophie and Cillian feared it had to do with Hoppers.

The couple learned that Cillian's family and remaining survivors of the pack had relocated over the years, of course, not too far from where Sophie lived. Now looking back at it, that must have been Hoppers plan all along. Right before Cillian met Sophie, he was transferred to a new military base here. Hoppers must have known his family was here. His plan was either to finish the destruction he started or to get more lycanthrope. However, Hoppers couldn't have guessed his mate lived so close by. That was God looking out for him, Cillian believed.

For the past few hours, Cillian has been catching his family up to date with everything that's happened in the past couple months. He still had his guard up and respectfully so. He didn't get into much detail about what happened prior to Sophie, and his family seemed to respect that. In fact, they wanted to help.

"So we have until April?" His father, Andrew, questioned.

"We?" Sophie wondered.

"No matter how long it's been, Cillian is still my boy. Now you're my daughter. We'd do anything to keep you safe." Angie said, earnestly. "You're both welcome to stay as long as you need. This is your home."

"It sounds like the safest place for you two to be is here." Andrew interjected. "We have less than four months until they return for you. We can figure this out. We can take them down."

"That's a lot to ask." Cillian mumbled, his head down as he absorbed all of this information.

A gentle laugh came from his mother, tears gathered in his eyes. "I don't think it is." She whispered. "I think it's the least we can do after letting you down."

His brows furrowed and his posture straightened. "I never blamed you." He gently corrected her.

"I did." Angie quietly admitted. "To see my little boy dragged away from me by the neck, and I couldn't do anything about it..." her breath hitched in her throat. "And then not being able to find him for decades, I just..."

Andrew draped an arm around his mate as he told his eldest son, "there will be hell to pay for what they did to you. We'll make sure of it."

Angie interjected with a hand over her husband's. "How about we have that conversation another day? As much as I want to spend the rest of the day with you to catch up, you two look exhausted. I'm sure you need to recover and rest."

Sophie thought that meant going home and coming back tomorrow, but her "in-laws," had other plans. They led the couple to their guest house and told them to stay as long as they needed or wanted. Going back to Sophie's home might not be the safest option right now anyway, so they agreed.

The home was absolutely breathtaking. It was a little log cabin in the middle of the woods, built near a stream that went through the middle of the trees in the backyard.

Rustic, cute, and maybe quaint were words that came to mind when Sophie thought of log cabins, but not this one. This one was elegant. It had high ceilings, windows that went from floor to ceiling that made you feel like you were outside in nature all while still being in the cabin. The perfect wood floors covered with the occasional lush bear or bull skin rug was anything but tacky, instead it was rather stylish.

Cillian guided her by the hand to the bedroom and didn't stop until she sat on the edge of the bed. She watched him closely, studying his movements, unsure what to say. Without a word, he got on his knees and untied her shoes.

She released an exasperated breath and affectionately ran a hand through his hair to stop him. He slowed his actions until he stopped entirely, staring at her expectantly with his pretty golden eyes.

"You don't have to take care of me all the time." She whispered, cupping his jaw, his stubble rough on her fingertips.

He leaned into her touch, tilting his head just enough to kiss her palm. "You take care of me." He reminded her.

Her nose wrinkled. "It was the blackmail." She joked, pulling him closer until his thick arms were on either side of her, his torso between her legs. "I will always take care of you."

"Then why can't I take care of you?"

"Because I don't need it right now. I'm okay, I'm all bandaged up." She persisted. "We just met your family- the family you believed to be..." her voice died off.

"Yeah," he sighed, his fingers tracing patterns on her back as he thought. "It doesn't feel real."

There was knock at the front door.

"I can get it." She said, not wanting him to be put through anymore stress today.

He pushed her back down on the bed. "If you want to take care of me, it will make me feel better knowing you're safe. In here. Away from all of them."

Her mouth opened to protest, but she stopped herself. "Okay," she whispered, relenting. "I'll stay."

He left the bedroom door open and Sophie was able to hear him open the front door. To his surprise, it was his parents. "We just wanted to say good night and, umm..." Sophie heard his mom drawl.

Cillian stepped outside on the porch, the door shut behind him. It was only a couple minutes until he came back in the room. With Sophie now sat up against the headboard, Cillian stared at her expectantly. Knowing what he wanted, she affectionately rolled her eyes and opened her arms. Minding her injuries, he took that as his opportunity to lay on his stomach between her legs, his head on her stomach, his arms wrapped around her hips.

She traced random patterns on his back, hoping to soothe him. "What's going on?"

He sighed, melting into her touch. "They said good night." He replied, plainly.

"Yeah?" She chuckled, knowing there was more.

"And they said they want to help us."

"Uh huh..." she drawled.

He cleared his throat and finally said, "if I prove myself, they said I'm next in line if I want it... and we can stay."

"Next in line?" She wondered. Then it clicked. "Wait, like an alpha?"

He nodded against her stomach, her hands finding his hair.

"That's kinda hot."

"What?" He exasperated through a laugh, picking his head up.

She pressed his head back down, hugging it against her. "What are you gonna do?"

His heart clenched. "I think that's something we need to decide together after we deal with Hoppers."

If all was right in the world and they were able to stop Hoppers, what would happen to them? Would Sophie want to stay? She wouldn't have to fear something happening to her family if she left him then. The only thing they'd have to figure out is the mate bond. Unbreakable as it was, he wasn't sure if there were ways around it. Especially with her being human.

"We'll take it one day at a time." She sighed, her own thoughts just as much of a tangled mess as his.

He agreed with a tired sigh. "You should get some sleep."

"So should you." She retaliated through a yawn.

With an arm hooked around her waist, he tugged her down so she was no longer against the headboard but flat on the bed, head propped up by a pillow. "They said they got you some human food too. We can help ourselves to whatever we want in the morning."

She chuckled at the term and his groggy actions. She shifted so now she was the one laying against his side. He seemed pleased by this and wrapped his arm around her, his head lolling against hers. "That was nice of them." She sighed, her breath tickling his neck.

With a gentle kiss to the top of her head, he whispered, "goodnight Sophie."

She squeezed him a little tighter. "Goodnight Cillian."

•••

They were not kidding about the human food. The pantry was fully stocked with everything she could possibly need or want. A "welcome home," and, "wedding gift," his parents called it.

His family was incredibly busy with meetings today, all surrounding Cillian: what it meant now that he was back, how to find Hoppers and stop him, how to keep Cillian and Sophie safe, and how to keep Sophie safe being the only human in the pack. There would surely be some untrusting lycanthrope.

Sophie made herself some pancakes and a few for Cillian as well. While he preferred the fully stocked fridge full of all the meat he could dream of, he enjoyed her cooking as well.

"You've been quiet today." He pointed out, hoping she'd answer the unasked question as to why.

It was after breakfast, both of their stomachs full. Out of habit, Sophie cleaned their dishes in the sink, hating the idea of a messy kitchen. "Sorry." She shook her head, stuck in her own world. "I've just been... thinking."

"Worrying." He corrected.

She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Got me there."

He was quiet for a moment before he offered, "you can tell me, you know. If you want to."

"I don't want to put that on you."

He chuckled. "Sophie, we're in this together. If anyone understands what you're going through, it's me."

He had a point, but she was scared and she felt incredibly guilty for it. She knew Cillian felt responsible for getting them into this mess. On top of some of the lycanthrope wanting to kill her, who knew what General Hoppers would do to them when April came around. Sure, they have an entire werewolf army to stop him now, but they weren't able to stop him last time. If they're not careful enough, her loved ones could lose their lives.

With a defeated sigh, she confessed, "I'm scared..." she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to collect herself. "My life has been changed forever."

He took the dish she just washed and grabbed a rag to dry it. She mumbled a "thanks," and continued her nervous rambling. "I don't know, I'm just overwhelmed. These past few weeks have been crazy and I'm terrified of what's to come, because no one knows what's to come... I don't know if I'm safe, if my family safe, or if you'll be safe... I don't- gosh, Cillian. I don't want anything to happen to you."

His heart swelled at her concern for him, but ached with all her worries. "I'm sorry I got you into all this."

She handed him the final dish, and he took it. "I don't blame you for any of it." She said, earnestly, a small smile on her lips. "I'm glad I have you."

He returned the grin. "At least we have back up now." He mentioned, referring to his family.

She chuckled and nodded in agreement. She hopped up on the counter top and let her legs swing as she watched him put away the final dish.

Remembering her adorable apron at home, he asked, "do you feel like stress baking?"

A laugh bubbled out of her at the random question. "Do I what?"

"Feel like stress baking." He repeated and leaned on the counter that she was sitting on. He boxed her between his muscular arms and ducked his head to be closer to hers.

She opened her mouth to reply, but stopped and narrowed her eyes. "Do you want me to feel like stress baking so you get more of my cookies?"

A sheepish grin stretched across his lips. "No, but I will certainly eat them." He reasoned. "I remember your apron... I thought it might help."

"And you get some cookies out of it."

"And I get some cookies out of it." He agreed with a nod, making her laugh. His hands drifted from the counter to her hips. "I'll even help."

She hummed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "I'm good. You can just stand there and look pretty."

He playfully scoffed at her as she wiggled out of his grip and ransacked the pantry for all the ingredients. "Are you saying that's all I'm good for?" He asked, trailing behind her.

"No," she sighed, absentmindedly, gathering the right materials into her arms. "Your muscles help too. And your height. Can you reach the flour for me?"

Without breaking his halfhearted glare, he grabbed the flour off the top shelf and handed it to her.

"See?" She cooed, squeezing his cheeks together between her hands, making him roll his eyes. "You're so much more than a pretty face. So tall, so strong, so helpful."

She splayed all the ingredients, the mixer, and measuring cups on the counter. With the recipe memorized, she got to work.

He watched her expertly mix the ingredients and couldn't help but admire the way she worked, moving as if it was muscle memory. To get a better look, he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. She stiffened for a moment at the unexpected contact, her face flushing.

His head nuzzled her neck, dangerously close to her mark as he quietly teased, "is there a reason you're blushing like that?"

She bumped her head with his, her once cocky demeanor melting away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The breath from his chuckle tickled her neck, making her tense and attempt to break free. He was having none of it and only tightened his grip.

"Do you want your cookies or not?" She playfully sassed, cracking an egg into the bowl.

"I could do that." He pouted, pathetically.

"Could you though?" She poked fun, cracking another egg into her wet ingredients.

Exasperated, he persisted. "I want to do something to help you."

"So you don't feel guilty for guilting me into making you cookies?" She wondered with a playful grin.

He retaliated by taking a playful nip at her neck.

Getting far too distracted by his antics, she wiggled out of his grip and turned in his arms. That left her boxed in between his arms on either side of her against the countertop. "Here." She said and handed him her bowl of dry ingredients. "Mix this."

Now that he got what he wanted, he wasn't sure if that was what he wanted anymore- but took the bowl nonetheless. He mixed it together and presented the finished protect to her, though it didn't look any different. "Was that helpful?"

"Very. You mixed salt and flour together."

He frowned. "That didn't sound very helpful."

"No, no, you're very helpful, babe." She teased, taking the bowl and mixing it into the wet ingredients.

Babe. That was new. It was so casual and absentminded, he thought she didn't even realize she said it.

Taking out two spoons, she turned off the mixer and scooped out two big chunks- one for Cillian and one for herself. "You ever had raw cookie dough?"

"I haven't." He replied, taking the spoon.

"Well I'm about to change your life." She told him, eating her own dough.

He ate his, his eyes lightening at the taste. "Can we just eat it like this?"

She laughed and took out some cookie sheets. "I wish. It's not safe to eat that much raw egg."

While she was distracted, he took another scoop.

"I saw that!"

With an arrogant grin on his lips, he mimicked her phrase from earlier. "I don't know what you're talking about."

•••

Please don't forget to comment, follow, and vote!!

Thank you SO much for 10,000 reads!!

Question of the chapter: I have no idea what sort of pet names Cillian would use for Sophie lol. Suggestions?

Clues for next chapter: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🥩🤮💅🏻