Chapter 51: Chapter 51

I stared at his retreating back, my mouth twisting in a frown. Did I say something wrong? That question lingered in my mind, but I brushed it off. No, I was done blaming myself. Besides, Aiden has been acting strange all day, starting in the morning. Shaking my head, I crouched down and started to clean up.

Once everything was packed and tidied, I slipped past the door, watching Aiden descend the stairs. He was dressed sharply in a dark shirt and pants. I involuntarily licked my lips at the exposed part of his arms; sleeves rolled up to the elbow. The Alpha had a large trolley bag in his left hand, the other hand busy scrolling through the phone. My cheeks flamed as I thought back to the phone in my hand. I was afraid of tearing the package and messing around with it, but he wanted me to use it.

Setting the basket on the nearest table, I rushed to him, coming to stand right at the bottom of the stairs. "Alpha, are you leaving now?"

Startled, he almost dropped the phone but quickly caught it, tucking it in his back pocket. Aiden lifted his head, opening his mouth as if to yell at me but instead folded his lips, nodding slightly. My stomach clenched at the thought, eyes automatically shifting towards the clock.

It's too early. I thought that he would be leaving after lunch.

"Liam will be driving us. He will be here soon." Aiden cleared his throat, awkwardly leaning against the wall.

"Oh"

That's all I could say. My throat suddenly clogged up at the thought that the Alpha will be leaving soon. I never stayed alone. It's always Cara and me. My mother always left me with someone when I was younger, so the thought of having the cabin all to myself scared me.

It felt a bit like everything has come to a standstill, sounds drowned out by the wind howling and pelting against the closed window, soft and fuzzy, like the edges of my mind are slowly becoming.

"There..."

"Wish..."

We spoke at the same time, to which I hid my shy smile as Aiden stopped himself. The Alpha nodded and just looked at me, waiting for me to talk. I followed his eyes which just looked out to the street behind us through the window for a while, a little unfocused, and slowly, he drew back, his eyes snapping back to focus on me.

"What did you want to say?" His raspy voice, a deep timbre that trickled down my back like warm syrup, snapped me out of what has turned into a trance in a matter of milliseconds.

Wringing my hands together, I slowly lifted my head to meet his eyes again, trying to breathe. "I wanted to wish you good luck with your trip."

"Thank you." Aiden hummed, a weak smile twitching on his lips. For a second, I almost forgot about everything else but focused on the pink of his lips. My chest expanded with every breath I took, and my arms prickled with goosebumps after trudging back from the lawn.

"Uh...there are some packages in your room." The Alpha started softly, keeping his eyes focused on me. "You can open them after I am gone."

My brows knitted together at that. What packages was he talking about? I came out from my room this morning, and it's spotless. Before I could open my mouth to question him, he beat me to it.

"Don't be alarmed. I placed them a while ago."

I relieved a sigh. "Oh"

What could they be? I was intrigued but decided to keep my mouth shut, stare at the Alpha in front of me instead. He ran a hand over the mop of his hair.

"Beth will check on you from time to time so you can rely on her. If you need help lifting something, guards will be in the training ground." The Alpha kept on rambling, and I didn't interrupt him, my chest fluttering at those words. My lips stretched in a broad smile, cheeks hurting.

"Is something funny?" He cut himself off, raising his brow at me. There was a slight twitch in his nose as he looked down.

I quickly pressed my lips together, shaking my head. "N-No, Alpha."

He cleared his throat, leaning down to grip the handle of his bag again. "Okay then follow me."

Of course, we had to keep up the appearance for the rest of the pack. Humming under my breath, I walked behind him, watching at his rigid back, shoulders straight and head held high. My feet move on their own accord, leaving the hallway and then the cabin behind us as I stepped out into the wild garden.

I was not wearing a jacket, and I should feel cold, but that warm feeling was still inside my chest and spreading. Aiden guided me across the lawn and towards the back of the property, where Liam's car was parked. The silence that had gripped the surroundings lately was replaced by a steady murmur of the Pack members bidding their mates goodbye.

Pups were clinging to their fathers as a bus stood before them to carry the guards to the battle station. My heart ached for them, familiar with the feeling of pain. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alexander, Aiden's father approaching us.

"Pack Alpha" I bowed down to him. It's been a while since I last saw my mates father, not after that disaster breakfast.

"Rose!" He cheerfully greeted me, coming to stand next to Aiden. "How are you? Is my son treating you well?"

My lips twitched at that. I still remembered the words he said to me on the wedding day. The older Alphas eyes crinkled as he stared at his son.

"Yes, Pack Alpha."

"We are family. You don't need to call me that." He shook his head. "With Aiden, you must be lonely in the cabin, so don't hesitate to visit packhouse, alright?"

"I'll keep that in mind."

I slowly stepped away, letting him talk with Aiden, who had a stern look on his face. What went down between both of them? As much as I was itching to ask, I distracted myself by looking around. Liam waved at me from the car, pushing the door and rushing towards me.

"Luna" He bowed down and greeted me.

I smiled at him. "Liam. Hi!"

"Hello, Luna." His eyes shifted towards Aiden behind my shoulder before he turned back to me.

"Did you pack everything?"

"Yes. My omega packed them for me."

"Is she here?"

He shook his head, a fond smile taking over his features. "I won't be able to leave if she cries, so I bid her goodbye in our cabin."

"Oh."

Before I could say something else, Aiden cleared his throat. He asked Liam to give us some privacy for a goodbye. I could feel the air go thick and heavy, sizzle with something I have become far too familiar with. Even though I cannot anticipate what was going to happen within the next seconds, my shoulders tensed.

"Goodbye, Rose." A warm, solid body pressed against me, arms encircling my frame and clutching me. For a second, I wondered if this was what drowning felt like – weightless and body tingling with sensation. His thick fingers dug into the side of my waist.

My eyelids fluttered, vision sharpening again and my nose pressing in the crook of his neck. Warmth surrounded me, the combined scent of musk and earth hitting my nostrils. I raised my tiptoes to throw my arms around the Alpha. He sucked a sharp breath.

"Goodbye, Alpha", I choked, taking a step back, my gaze focusing on the face in front of me and the eyes that were dark and endless. Giving me one last look he walked away towards the car.

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