From the next room, Finn's voice rang out like a trumpet blast:
"I smell something sweet!"
Milo bolted immediately, practically skidding across the floorboards.
"Lyria! What are you making this time?"
Orion did not shout; he simply appeared, drifting into the kitchen with silent grace, sniffing the air like a noble guardian who had stumbled upon the scent of paradise. His gaze landed on the bowl of leftover chocolate batter Rowan had been about to wash. Milo's ears perked.
"Can I taste the batter?" he asked hopefully.
Rowan's deep, firm voice echoed through the kitchen.
"Wait until they're baked."
Milo dramatically collapsed to the floor, one hand on his forehead like a fainting noblewoman.
"But the smell is attacking me emotionally."
Lyria burst into laughter, the spoon nearly slipping from her grasp.
Once the cupcakes finished baking, she drizzled a thin stream of glossy chocolate over the tops, letting it drip in beautiful, delicate trails. The sweet aroma filled the kitchen. Behind her, the boys' tails flicked back and forth with barely contained excitement. Rowan's tail, too, betrayed him with an eager little wag.
Finally, Lyria handed Rowan the very first cupcake.
He took one bite… and went completely still.
His eyes fell shut. When he opened them again, there were tears not sadness, but something warm and shining.
"Lyria," he breathed, "this tastes like happiness."
Finn didn't wait another heartbeat. He bit into his own cupcake and groaned dramatically.
"Oh, sweet stars, this is yummy!"
Milo's reaction mirrored Finn's: wide eyes, a trembling tail, bliss practically radiating from him.
Orion simply murmured, "Good." But the faint pink blooming across his cheeks made Lyria grin.
The rest of the family tasted theirs too; every bite met with murmurs of delight. And because they had baked far more than the family could finish, Rowan handed Finn a basket.
"Distribute some to the neighbors. Tell them more will be available at our flower stall tomorrow if they wish to purchase."
Finn saluted like a soldier receiving a sacred mission and ran off.
After dinner, exhaustion wrapped around Lyria like a warm blanket. She showered, slipped into her bed, and instantly drifted into sleep.
Lyria woke with the sunrise, yawning as she walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Daddies," she said, rubbing her eyes.
Thorne's fox ears lifted. "Moonbeam, how was your night?"
"You could have slept more," Rowan added with distress in his voice. "I would have helped you mix the batter and bake the cupcakes."
"I slept well enough, Daddies," she assured him, tying on her apron.
While her fathers prepared breakfast, Lyria began baking the cupcakes for her first official business day. When the batches finished cooling, she moved them carefully to the counter. Then she pulled out the colorful wrappers she and Rowan had bought yesterday and began packing them neatly.
Cyris entered, organizing the boys' lunch packs.
"Add these cupcakes to the boys' lunches," Lyria requested.
"And this is for Mum." She handed a specially wrapped cupcake to Thorne, who was packing Selena's lunch. His tail wagged happily as he accepted it.
Once she was done wrapping the cakes, she moved on to preparing eighteen cups of coffee, one for each family member.
"Which cups will you use?" Cyris asked.
"We bought thermal disposable cups," Rowan answered. "They'll keep the drinks hot."
When Lyria finally removed her apron, she exhaled with satisfaction.
"Daddy Rowan, you all can take your coffee and give a cup each to Mum and my brothers. I'm going to bathe and get ready. And… whose turn is it to mann the shop today?"
"It's Thorne's turn," Cyris supplied.
"Yes, baby," Thorne replied warmly. "We'll be going together. And don't worry, I already informed my friends about your pastries and coffee."
"Aww, thank you for your support," Lyria said.
Thorne's tail wagged like an excited pup.
Rowan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Please. Cyris and I told our friends as well. Don't let him take all the credit."
"I'm sure all of you support me in your own ways," Lyria said with a shy smile and then darted out of the kitchen like a startled deer.
"They sure love competing with each other," she muttered amusedly as she headed toward her room.
After bathing and changing into a fresh outfit, Lyria packed her products into a bag and left with Thorne.
Petal Blossoms, her fathers' shop, sat at the edge of the neighborhood park. Lyria paused as they approached. It was bigger than she had imagined.
Inside and around the storefront, gentle floral fragrances swirled: moonlilies, softwind daisies, lupine roses. Families strolled by. Beastmen children played tag. Elderly couples walked with slow, content steps. Morning joggers passed with rhythmic strides.
Lyria and Thorne set up the stall outside the shop. Lyria unfolded the portable table she'd brought, arranging her cupcakes and coffee cups with care while Thorne placed a signboard near the path:
Moonbrew Coffee — ₤5 each
Starberry Cupcake — ₤6 each
Chocolate Cupcake — ₤7 each
Curiosity sparked almost instantly. A small crowd gathered.
"Moonbrew coffee?" someone murmured. "What do you think that is?"
"I've never heard of these," a tiger beastwoman said.
Lyria lifted her voice so everyone could hear:
"Since today is our first day, there will be a free tasting section for the cupcakes!"
A hush… then excitement rippled through the gathered beastfolk.
The first to step forward was a pregnant tiger Fecund, holding his belly with delicate hands.
"I would like to taste before buying," he said softly.
"Of course," Lyria replied warmly.
She used a disposable fork to lift a small, neatly cut piece of cupcake and offered it.
"Here, have a taste."
A/N: support this book by adding to your library and please vote. 🙃