Chapter 40: Chapter 40

My lips parted on instinct, hands grabbing the sides of my dress as I patiently waited for Aiden to answer. Sweat perspired on my top lip, suddenly my body growing hot all over at the thought of the Alpha rejecting her idea. Fauna would be so disappointed, and from what I saw a while ago, they both got on pretty quickly. What was he waiting for?

Silence stretched in the room as his eyes flickered between us, and I was already expecting the rejection to arrive, but it never came. Instead, the Alpha cleared his throat, focusing solely on Fauna, to which I was grateful.

"That can be easily arranged. What movies do you like?"

The pup made a sound of excitement, barely managing to get a word out in the middle of her victory dance. Or whatever that could be called. My lips broke out in surprise laughter, warmth pooling in my belly, knowing that Aiden agreed for the pups sake. The Pack Alpha might not be bad after all.

I tried to get rid of those thoughts because the Alpha always flipped the very next second. As if a switch had been turned off.

"I'll make some popcorn for the movie, alright?" I stood up, smoothing a hand over my silky robe. Maybe it's time I change into something else since Aiden's eyes seemed to pinning me looks far too many times since we sat down. The Alpha must be internally scowling at the choice of my attire.

"Can you make the caramel one?" Fauna sweetly asked, showing off her pearly whites. Who could deny that face?

"Of course, pup."

My eyes shifted towards Aiden, throat bobbing as I tried to find the courage to ask him about the popcorn. His eyes were already trained on me; jaw set tight.

He relived a sigh. "I will take the same. Caramel is my favourite."

"Okay"

***

By the time I changed my clothes and made popcorn, Aiden and Fauna shifted to the den. I had no idea that we could play movies on that huge television. Or that we had a huge television that works.

Walking in, I placed the bowl on the coffee table in front of a giant couch that could easily fit a family of five. Fauna sat in one corner, browsing through a list of movies displayed on the screen, while Aiden was in the other corner.

My lips twitched at that, and I went to settle down next to Fauna. The pup immediately handed me the remote, laid down on the couch with her head on my lap. I brushed my fingers on the little girl's head, and the pup exhaled from liking the gesture.

The Alpha made a sound next to me, his eyes accusingly glaring at the pup. She must not have had given him a remote or something because the fake outrage made my lips curl around.

"She didn't even let me touch the remote", The Alpha mumbled lowly while shooting daggers at her. He could have easily used his power and voice to take the remote away but knowing he's just playing along bought a smile onto my face.

Fauna covered her mouth with giggles, burying her face deeper in my lap, her chest heaving with vibrations. I reprimanded her, lifting those tiny hands away from her face. "That is rude, pup. Apologise now."

"I am sorry, Alpha." Fauna turned her head over before slumping back in my lap.

I shook my head and handed the remote to Aiden, who looked at me for a second before accepting it. He asked the pup the movie she wanted to watch before playing it. It turned out to be some cartoon film.

Halfway through the movie, she was mouthing lines, a grin tugging on her round lips. It was typical princess story.

The Alpha stared down at her. “Is this your favourite movie, Fauna?"

"Yes! I watch it all the time with my mummy.” She sat upright, turning to Aiden, a confused furrow in between her brows as the pup gawked at us. "You both are mates, but why don't you kiss Rose like they did in the movie?"

My blood ran cold at the question, mouth slacking open. Eyes wide, I slowly tilted my head towards Aiden, clueless. I didn't know what to say. Here I thought our act was going great until now, for the whole cover to be blown away by a pup. An awkward smile crawled over my features, trying to find the appropriate words. "Uhh....W—we save our kisses for when we are alone, that's why."

"Why? My mummy and daddy kiss all the time, and that is good because they like each other." The pup tilted her head to the side with a confused look on her face.

The Alpha laughed awkwardly, the sound making my stomach twist, and his action drew the pup's attention towards him. He leaned closer to me and put an arm around my shoulder, the ghost of his fingers tickling my sides. My eyes rolled back as I immediately got a whiff of his scent, legs pressed together.

"We like to hug more," Aiden clarified, giving me a look as if I had to agree with him. Motionless in my spot, I managed to nod my head, trying to provide Fauna with a genuine smile as best as I could.

"Yes, he's right."

She stared long and hard at both of us before resuming her attention back to the television. "Okay."

Her eyes sparkled and Fauna turned towards me, hands slapping together as she nudged against me. “Oh this is my favourite part Rose!”

I cooed at the pup and hugged her, using that as an excuse to pull away from his arm, not wanting to stay there in that fake touch and embrace before I longed for more. Suddenly I missed the warmth and the spicy scent of the Alpha.

This is dangerous. My mouth twisted when my omega knew that I shouldn't be wanting any of this. With a sigh, I turned my attention to the screen.

***

After two whole movies, I began rocking the pup gently in my arms, who yawned, and blinked slowly, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was late for her. My eyes automatically shifted towards the clock, and I noticed that it was already six in the evening.

"Are you sleepy, pup?" I asked, slowly making her sit up against the arm of the couch.

"Y-Yes", She murmured, rubbing at her tired eyes. Maybe we should have stopped at the first movie instead of letting her get away with two of them. I put my hand gently on her back and rested her head on my shoulder. "You can sleep later, pup. Come on, baby, let's get you ready. Liam will be here any moment now."

Fauna made a protesting sound, lips twisting. "I'm sleepy."

The Alpha cleared his throat. "Let her sleep for a while. You can bring her bag here in the meantime."

Taken back at his suggestion, I fumbled before dumbly nodding my head. Leaving the pup, I glided across the guest room to retrieve her things. As soon as I walked back, the sound of doorbell ringing echoed around.

It must be Liam, I thought.

Aiden opened the door before I could, and he swiftly entered through. His face broke out when he saw Fauna on the couch, lazily resting on the pillow. Liam went ahead and gathered her in his arms.

"Luna, thank you so much for taking care of her." The beta responded earnestly, a smile stretching over his lips. "And Alpha." He bowed towards Aiden, his brows quirking before walking out with his niece.

With a bated breath, I realised that I was all alone with the Alpha.