Chapter XIV

Ellean sat up with Xavier's help, frowning when she saw all the food that lay spread on the table.

"I can't eat all this. It would be wasteful."

Xavier chuckles as he fluffs the pillows behind her back.

"Eat what you can, and don't worry about the rest. I'll eat what is left over."

Ellean's forehead furrowed as she kept looking at all the food. She hadn't tasted food that was decent in so long she wasn't even sure how it tasted anymore. Looking back up at Xavier, Ellean swallows hard. She was still frightened of him. Licking her lips, Ellean clears her throat.

"Are you sure I can eat? I don't mind eating some bread. I don't need much to eat. I'm not that hungry."

Xavier holds back his anger at Ellean's question. He knew that she hadn't meant to upset him. But it did make him angry to think she didn't want to eat much. Running his hand through her hair, Xavier smiles down at Ellean.

"Yes, you can eat whatever you want. What is your favorite thing to eat?"

Ellean frowns for a moment, thinking. "I don't think I have a favorite. I like bread as long as it's not hard to chew. Bread is good."

Xavier rubs his temple. This shy, sweet mate of his was not hard to please. He would make sure to give her as much stuff to eat as possible and find out just what her favorite thing was to eat.

Xavier looked over the table, spying some mashed potatoes. Finally, he decides that it would be something easy for her to chew and swallow. Getting a scoop full, he puts it on a plate before holding the spoon to Ellean's mouth.

Ellean looks at Xavier before looking at the plate. She had always wanted to taste mashed potatoes but never got the chance to. Leaning forward, Ellean's lips close around the spoon, her eyes widening in delight at the taste. It was so good. Thick and creamy the potatoes slide down her throat, looking eagerly up at Xavier for another bite.

Xavier chuckles softly as he gives Ellean another spoon full of potatoes.

"I think we found one thing that you like. So, let's move on to something else."

Ellean watches Xavier move to the table to pick something else out. When he comes back with a bowl, she sees that it looks like ice cream. Could it be? She licks her lips waiting to see if it was what she hoped it was.

Xavier grins, scoping the spoon in the bowl before holding it to Ellean's lips. It was indeed ice cream; the chocolate melted in her mouth, making her eyes glow. Ellean had never tasted chocolate before this. She now knew why all the females of the pack loved it.

Looking up at Xavier, Ellean's eyes plead for more. But Xavier shakes his head at her.

"You can't overeat, or you will end up with a stomachache. So why don't we try some meat next? Have you had beef before?"

Ellean shakes her head, eager to try the beef. She was excited to try it all. Ellean didn't care if she did get beat afterward. She would enjoy this while it lasted.

Xavier gets her some beef with gravy, feeding it to her slowly as it was harder to chew, smiling at the emotions that flew across Ellean's face. She looked like a tiny kitten that had found something pleasurable to eat. Her eyes sparkled with delight at each bite that he fed her. Xavier wanted to keep that look of wonder in her eyes continuously.

After eating the beef and gravy, Ellean started getting sleepy. Her head drooped to the side as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

Xavier stood up to put the bowl away before heading to the bathroom to get a washcloth to wipe Ellean's face and hands. Bending over her, he smiles as he cleans her up.

"Get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

Ellean blinks sleepily at Xavier before nodding, leans her head back against the pillows, eyes sliding shut as she falls asleep.

Xavier tucks Ellean in, making sure the covers are under her chin before heading to the table to eat, his lips curving up in a smile as he remembers how eagerly she eats what he gave her.