“So what’s up Remini?” Leandre was cutting the chicken breast into little pieces

Leandre and I aren’t biological cousins, the same way the alpha, Marcus isn’t my real uncle and how my dads aren’t really Justice’s uncles.

In fact, my parents, Marcus, my dad’s brother and his husband are all childhood friends. It’s how we end up with the status of cousins. It never changed anything for me, I even discovered it quite late.

“I have a dinner with Justice and his family next week, on Sunday” I respond to Justice while mixing the ingredients of the marinade in a mixing bowl.                                                                                 

“And you’re planning to go?” he asks

“Yes, it was already planned and my parents promise me no more arranged dates”

“You seem happy,” he says smiling lightly, he was distempering the pieces of meat with some homemade mayo made by someone else earlier in the day, I suppose.

“Hell yeah, I didn’t think they would agree” At least, I didn’t think they would agree so quickly and easily, but I’m happy if it means less fighting.

“Does my dad know?” Leandre seems quizzical

“Honestly I have no idea” even if Marcus was my uncle, with him being in charge he was a little more pressuring, at least through my parents.

“Was the date that terrible?” Leandre’s question was genuine, he never had to go yet to an arranged date, with being an alpha and having more time bla bla bla.

I laugh “It’s so obvious you never went to one, you would hate it! What wouldn’t be terrible in that situation?” I ask him, I was finished with the easy part, the tofu was getting soaked in the marinade and was starting to prepare the mushrooms.

He seems a little embarrassed “I don’t know, you already knew Justice from school and you didn’t hate him, plus he is good-looking and seems to have a really genuine heart. At least it wasn’t with Wayne or a jerk like that”

“Actually, I would have preferred a date with Wayne, he’s a great catch" I answer, he didn't seem like it and lots find him annoying but Wayne was a real softie. At least with me.

“if you’re looking for someone-” I carry on but got interrupted

“Oh stop it!! Take him for yourself if you like it that much…” Leandre was blushing, it never ceases to amaze me how shy he was about those things.

“It would be great, but I can’t…” I pout excessively, then couldn't stop myself from smiling.

“Why? Are you seeing someone?” Leandre was surprised, I never had a "real" lover.

 “It’s true that I’ve been seeing someone” I answer

“Is it serious?”

“Quite seriously”

“How can it be “quite” serious?” He asks, he had completely stopped cooking

“The relation is serious but I must admit I had some little kisses here and there” but nothing more.

“Does he know?” Leandre seems bothered

“Yes!” Who does he think I was? I wasn't an asshole. Leandre relaxed at that.

“I thought you were cheating on him, you frightened me. Who’s it?” he asks

“Secret” I smile at him.

“I suppose someone the pack would hate, some rogue beta hooligan” he laughs

I laugh too and say “The pack wouldn't like your crush either”

“Oh I told you it’s not my crush anymore”

“You better try something because I stopped hooking up with him for you”

“I never ask you that- !”

“But you thought it really strongly Lee” I was not stupid, he looked like a kicked puppy when he saw me with his crush back then.

Leandre was already blushing furiously, it was fun to tease him and I wasn’t going to stop “And lil’ news I can tell he’s great too”

“Shut it! I don’t wanna know! What does conversation in here always circle back to sex? I am sure you could do a whole ranking of who’s better in bed”

I didn’t respond to him and just laugh. I am sure I could.

We were finished with our given task and were cleaning and tidying everything we have used while putting in the fridge our final preparations. I didn’t go ask if there was anything else I could help with because I wasn’t planning to do anything more. I was still on holiday after all!

Suddenly a question came back to me, Phaenna's birthday was next week and I didn’t prepare anything for her yet “Lee, did you already buy Phaenna's birthday gift?”

“I wanted to last week but I finally didn’t, let’s go together, when are you free?”

We continue speaking about Phaenna birthday’s gift, then about our parents, our love’s life or rather mine, school and many diverting subjects.