She walked down the stairs slowly and walked to the dining room. The men stood when she walked in. Keelan let out the breath he had been holding. Elizabeth looked to the empty seats where Meryn and Aiden usually sat. Smiling she walked to her mate. He kissed her gently before she sat down; he pushed her chair in and sat beside her. He immediately reached for her hand. The men resumed their seats.
Ryuu came from the kitchen with a huge platter of egg, bacon and cheese English muffins setting it in the middle of the table. Elizabeth guessed he chose something quick that could be reheated later as the men got hungry throughout the day while everyone pitched in to get the trainees settled. She picked up a sandwich from the platter. It was still warm when she took a large bite. The cheese was melted perfectly.
"Ryuu, these are amazing. Put this breakfast choice at the top of the list," Keelan said smacking his lips.
"Agreed. Though they are kinda small," Darian said, holding up a sandwich which in his huge hand looked tiny.
Ryuu smiled. "Don't worry about the size, I made plenty," he assured the fae.
"Good because I'm on my fifth," Colton said, reaching for another.
Elizabeth stared. Where did the man put it?
He caught her staring and winked. "Growing up my mother always said I ate as if I were feeding myself and my wolf."
"I can't blame you with this meal, I'll probably have another myself," she admitted.
She noticed that Gavriel's plate was empty but Ryuu kept cycling out glasses of blood. He was drinking even more today.
They all turned when they heard footsteps. Aiden appeared in the doorway alone. He looked around and shrugged. "She said she wasn't going to get up until she was awake. Don't ask, I don't know." He sat down and piled five sandwiches on his plate.
Elizabeth turned to the squire "Ryuu, you might want to go take her a small cup of something. If she thinks she can stay in bed until she wakes up she's wrong. She'll just go back to sleep and get overtired, which will make her even more evil. Trust me, I know."
Ryuu nodded and picked up the small mug he had placed at Meryn's seat. "I'll be back."
"Lord and Lady, please protect and guide this brave warrior as he faces certain death," Keelan murmured as he began the prayer for the Brave Warrior.
Colton snorted and kept eating.
Aiden nodded. "Go with the Gods' blessings."
Ryuu rolled his eyes and left the room.
"Well, it was nice having a squire while it lasted," Darian sighed.
"You all are just bad." Elizabeth smiled and picked up a second sandwich.
Keelan shook his head. "You don't understand. Meryn is scary in the morning."
She shook her head. "She can't be that bad." She took a bite and looked up. All five men were looking at her solemnly and nodding.
"I need my caffeine in the morning too," she countered.
"Yes, but you have yet to threaten to castrate and dismember anyone," Keelan pointed out.
"Keelan, she was just kidding." Elizabeth looked at Aiden for support. "Right?"
Aiden shrugged. "You're talking to the mate whose car she set on fire the other day."
Gavriel patted her leg. "She would regret any drastic actions later I'm sure."
Ryuu walked back in looking unscathed.
Keelan stared. "How did you do it?" he asked in wonder.
Ryuu let out a breath. "I had to promise her another small cup of coffee." Ryuu quickly walked to the kitchen.
"She'll be fine," Aiden said and bit one of the sandwiches in half.
Halfway through breakfast Ryuu went back upstairs with another cup of coffee. The men were feeling better since Meryn now had some form of caffeine in her. Elizabeth was sipping her cappuccino when the doorbell rang. The men all looked at each other.
"Well? Someone answer it," Elizabeth laughed.
Everyone stood and walked to the foyer. Aiden opened the door and a group of four tall men stood smiling at them. Behind them stood a smaller young man next to another man in a wheelchair.
"Sir! Trainees for the Alpha Unit reporting in," the man closest to the door announced. He indicated to the others. "Basil Barberry, witch. Kai Anders, tiger. Cedric Ri'Emere, fae and I'm Lennox Chevalier, vampire. Our fifth will be joining us later." The four crossed their forearms over their chests and bowed in salute. Lennox straightened and pointed to the two others that waited behind them. "I'm not sure who they are."
The young man that stood next to the wheelchair stepped forward. "My name is Noah Caraway and this is my best friend Jaxon Darrow. We were hoping to speak to Lady Meryn." He spoke very quickly. Elizabeth could tell he was nervous.
Aiden stepped forward and was about to greet them when an irate voice called out from the drive.
"Commander! Commander, I would like a word!"
Everyone turned to see Elder Evreux stalking towards them. The trainees looked surprised and quickly stepped back to let the Elder pass.
"Elder, what a surprise to see you out here." Aiden turned to the others. "Come on in, it's cold outside, might as well get you settled. Where are your things?" he asked Lennox.
"We drove two cars here, sir, our things are in those," Lennox answered.
"Get warmed up first then we'll haul your things in." Aiden opened the door wide.
Elder Evreux walked in as if he owned the place. The trainees respectfully waited and filed in behind him. The two others brought up the rear.