Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"I can manage to go alone, Beth" The Alpha twisted his lips, grinding his molars. Aiden was barely able to stand without support. How could he possibly go on his own? Not that I would let him leave without me, but that's beside the point. Did he despise my company so much?

The housekeeper rolled her eyes. "That's nonsense. Rose can come along. After all, you both live together. Go on now!"

Ria gave him a sympathetic smile like she could imagine his inner turmoil. The beta was starting to get on my nerves. They were only friends, but she acted nothing like that. I was aware that it shouldn't be affecting me, but I obsessed over their closeness.

"Uhh...let's go."

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed the pups filtering in, their mothers yelling after them. What was going on? My stare settled on Beth, who tried to make peace with them. She should be the Luna. Everyone admired her and talked so freely as if she's their family.

I stepped closer to her. "W-What's going on?"

The pups bowed down to me, their cheeks and the tip of their nose flushed bright red. I shyly waved at them before their mothers dragged them inside.

"It's getting cold outside" The housekeeper turned to me. "You should hurry up and take Aiden to the cabin."

"O-Okay"

***

I managed to wrap my hand around Aiden's middle and walk through the windy path across the cabin, shoes sinking in the snowy ground. His musky scent was affecting me, making my knees wobble, but still, I managed to stay calm. The Alpha made no sound, simply trudging along with his lips pursed. Did he want Ria to come along with him?

On the way to the cabin, I thought it's just another day of bad weather, but not. The wind began yowling louder before it transformed into a heavy storm. A shiver racked through my body.

Once we entered into the warmth of our cabin, Aiden pulled away as my touch burned him. He stalked closer to the chair, slumping down.

Meanwhile, I stared at the doors rattling against the wall, window glasses shaking with the intensity of the storm outside. The fireplace was not going to work, and the lights went off as well. Never in my life had I experienced something of this kind.

"I cannot believe this."

"Will you speak up a bit louder for moon's sake?!" He harshly spat from somewhere behind me. The Alpha sounded miserable, on edge like he's already feeling the biting cold from outside. Maybe it's the weakness from his allergy, which again fell on me.

"I said I couldn't believe we are stuck together."

His brows shot up, eyes digging into me. At his intense stare, goosebumps started to trickle down my arm.

"What?!" I demanded a little hysterically, fingers digging into the flesh of my palm. Regret swarmed my belly as soon as the question was out of my mouth, but he thinks he's got a valid point.

Aiden stalked towards me, maintaining an inch distance, his fingers running through those thick curly locks. "Can this day get any worse?"

I ignored the tiny, niggling voice in the back of my head. Maybe he's talking in general and not specifically addressed to me. Before I could convince myself of that, the Alpha spoke up again. "It's like you planned for this!"

I shrank at his harsh voice. The thought that we might be spending our days just yelling at each other and making snide little comments till we ran out of enough energy made me shiver. I did not want any of that to happen.

"I didn't plan for any of this," I said dully, watching what's left of the light glint of my ring, twisting it around my finger. "It's not like I wanted to be stuck here with you when all you want to do is yell at me."

He gritted his teeth, huffing something inaudible under his breath. "I'm going to go to bed. Do not wake me up." Aiden said, scratching at the swollen skin of his arm.

I noticed that skin was already prickling with the cold, and the heat's only been out for the better part of an hour. Alphas were supposed to have better control over the sudden change. What was going on with him?

Wisely, I kept my mouth shut as the Alpha stomped his way up the stairs, making as much noise as he could. He slammed things around as he rummaged for more something on the way. My eyes averted, trying not to pay attention even when he made sure to slam the door to the bedroom he's been sleeping in extra loudly. Once the sound of his footsteps faded away, a sigh escaped my lips.

***

As we were stuck together in one cabin, I had nowhere to go. Walking towards the couch, I eyed the comfortable cushions and sprawled loudly on my back. The cushion dipped under my weight, instantly making my body sink in.

Looking up, I noticed that the ceiling was lower than I would like it to be. There was hardly any space here, and already, I could feel a headache behind my left ear, temples still throbbing from the Alphas loud voice. He's also angry or annoyed with me; there's nothing new, but the octaves of his loud noise affected me.

Just then, my head tilted towards the window on the other side of the wall. I didn't know how far the pack grounds extended and did not want to risk disappointing, or angering, Aiden by going to explore deeper into the woods. Once the storm stopped. Boredom would inevitably convince me of doing irresponsible things, but that's another thing to worry about.

For now, I did not want to do anything that could ruin my arrangement with the Alpha. As tentative as it still was. It had not been made legitimate yet, and breaking one of Aiden's rules would surely make him even angrier if that's possible.

The thought sat heavy in the pit of my stomach. Somehow I managed to close my eyes and let the darkness take over.

***

I woke up shivering. It's gone dark, but other than that, my eyes couldn't tell how much time has passed. I could see my breath in the cold of the room. Thinking about it was only making me colder, so shutting my eyes again, I waited for sleep to overcome me.

Nothing happened.

At least fifteen minutes went by as I kept on trying to fall asleep. My body was not willing to admit defeat and get up, move around. Instead, I shrank on the tiny couch, curling my knees into my chest.

Just then, the thought of the Alpha crossed my mind. I couldn't help but think how angry Aiden sounded earlier. There's no world in which it's my fault. I refused to feel guilty just because we were snowed in together.

The creaking of the door didn't come as a surprise, footsteps racing towards me. I stopped shivering from the sheer force of will, keeping my body curled up as tight as possible.

I pressed my lids closed and pretended to be asleep, listening to the soft, hesitant pad of the Alphas feet against the floor.

"Rose?"

***