Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Blinking at the Alpha hovering above me, my mouth twisted. What did he want now? Waking up, I felt my nose stuffy, and my eyes kept watering. As much as I wanted to throw a giant tantrum but held back.

"Your shivering is annoying me. Could you stop it?" Aiden huffed.

My lips parted open at that. Yeah, well, if the cold could automatically stop, then maybe I would stop shivering. Not my fault that omegas don't have freak powers and high cold tolerance. Standing up on my feet, I immediately felt the room spin but managed to blink against it. The last thing I would do was show my weakness to him.

"I am sorry I can't control my body reactions."

He looked taken back by my sudden response, not used to me talking back. The cold was getting to my head, and also, his heavy scent made matters worse. As we were trapped in together with no open windows or outlet, his scent was all I could smell.

The Alpha scoffed. I noticed that he didn't look pale anymore, the pink of his cheeks visible and that familiar scowl sitting on his face. Maybe those few hours of sleep and his Alpha powers healed him completely. I cannot say the same thing about me, sadly.

"Whatever", He huffed under his breath, eyes going over my head.

I followed his vision only to stare at the slightly crooked clock. It must be due to the harsh wind earlier. The hour hand rested on the six and the minute on three—time to make dinner.

Clearing my throat, I turned to him. "I'll get started on dinner. Do you want to have any special item in your mind?"

"Anything that won't kill me" He rolled his eyes.

My heart lurched at that. Here I was trying to be kind as possible given the situation, but he's still the same. Grouchy and annoying. Just like Ria. It made sense why they are best of friends.

"That was a honest mistake", I coughed, tilting my head as my throat burned. What was happening? I was fine hours ago.

"Or a very clever plan."

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want you dead?" I snapped at him, not caring that my voice echoed around the four walls of the cabin. The throbbing in my temples, accompanied with his constant mockery, made me do it.

His face pinched in a frown, eyes narrowing, and I was fully expecting him to start yelling at me. After all, I did do all those things he kept accusing me unintentionally, though. That didn't count for him.

Aiden rolled his eyes. "Whatever, have my meal prepared in fifteen minutes."

With a sigh, I turned around and wobbled my way to the kitchen. My breath was warm, pain bubbling in the knees as my feet grated against the harsh cold floor. I thought of going back to my room and getting extra pair of socks but thought against it. Aiden needed his food in fifteen minutes. I absolutely cannot waste my time. That will give him another reason to taunt me.

Entering the kitchen, my eyes took in the available items around. I spotted the potatoes and carrots right away, lying in the basket. Maybe a pot roast would do, but that would take too much time. There must be stock in the fridge for me to whip up some warm soup with bread.

With that, I took out the cold stock, bread and set them on the counter before chopping vegetables.

As I was about to round the corner when my body collided with someone, large hands grabbing at me around the waist seconds before I could feel the ground. I breathed out a startled sigh and looked up just in time to catch Aiden's surprised face before it morphed into one of worry.

"Omega," He twisted his lips, stepping back with his hands still on my waist, quickly dropping them when he realised where they are. "Are you alright?"

No, I thought weakly, blushing and glancing to the side. At his intense stare, I gulped and jerked my head, curling fingers into fists, trying to seek a bit more warmth. I forced myself not to think about how comfortable I felt while in his arms.

Before I could blurt out the answer, a large palm was pressed against my forehead, pushing the loose strands away. The Alphas frown deepened.

"For moon's sake, Rose, you are burning up," Aiden looked displeased, and somehow I was on the receiving line of glare, and what? Why was he mad all of a sudden? What does he want? I wondered, heaving another sigh when I noticed the distance between us.

"What are you doing here?"

"This is my cabin."

I sighed. "I meant in the kitchen."

With that said, I glanced back at him, who was already looking at me, his face unreadable. It's unsettling, but I didn't let myself read too much into it. "I thought to check if you were adding something to my food."

Rolling my eyes, I reached over to pinch his arm, which didn't do anything since Aiden was wearing a thick coat, and also because he's an Alpha, but it still got my sentiment across. "Will you stop insinuating that?"

"No", He huffed. "I can make the food today. You don't seem right in your mind. Get out"

My mouth fell open, vision blurring at his words. "Fine suit yourself"

***

Cursing under my breath, I stepped out of the kitchen and entered the living hall. My mouth dropped open at the amount of candles lit, enough to cast the room in a warm glow. I perched on the nearest stool overlooking the kitchen, watching as Aiden got to work.

He moved effortlessly, at ease as if he's been doing that for years now. Those delicious muscles moved underneath his shirt with the chopping and cutting of meat.

Minutes later, he exited the kitchen with a tray of two bowls and a basket of warm bread.

"You look pale," The Alpha stated as we sat down to eat. "Once you're done, you should lie down."

I wanted to snap and tell him to stop worrying so much, but my stomach growled in hunger. Because of his allergy, I wasn't able to enjoy my lunch, so it's stupid to let him ruin my dinner as well. Nodding my head, I focused on the delicious soup with chunks of meat, carrot and potatoes in front of me.

The moment I stood up, my knees nearly buck just then strong set of arms circle my waist. My eyes widened as Aiden held me for few seconds, guiding us to the big and comfortable couch, gently pushing me down.

"You're too weak to move," The Alpha gritted, hovering over me with a frown. "Sit down here"

I raised an eyebrow, about to ask, who does Aiden think he is? and about to tell him that I feel fantastic, but the headache that hit me rendered me speechless. Just like that, my eyes fluttered closed, and I collapsed on the couch.

***

Sunlight filtered through the window, the warmth falling on my face. I squinted my eyes, shielding them with the back of my hand before sitting up. Looking around, I slowly realised that the coffee table, the carpet, and the paintings on the walls were definitely not from my room. It took me several more seconds to figure out that the bed also seemed softer, smelling of the Alpha, duvet thick and heavy.

A groan escaped my lips as the memories of last night flood my mind.

I fainted on Aiden. The Alpha took care of me and went as far as putting me to sleep in his room of all places. My eyes roamed around. But where was he?

***