Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Alexander came to stand by my side as we watched Liams car engine come to life, widows rolled up. The Alpha watched me keenly, noticing my hands gripping the sides of my dress, mouth pressed together. My gaze settled on the car, my breath caught in my throat as they swivelled in a different direction before disappearing.

The Senior Pack Alpha made a soft sound in then back of his throat, his eyes moist. Despite that he tried to muster a smile.

"You must come to the pack house for dinner tonight. Everyone will be attending and it's fun." He turned around. "Its something we have been doing whenever our guards go to fight."

I went quiet, eyes still trained on the road ahead. The offer was tempting. Besides I would be bored sitting all alone with nothing to do for dinner anyway. Exhaling a deep breath, I turned around and gave him a weak nod. "I will be there. Do you want me to bring anything?"

"Don't bother we already have plenty of food and wine. Just be there."

"Okay" I smiled at him. "Thank you, Alexander."

***

As soon as I closed the door of our cabin it hit me in full force that Aiden was truly gone. Locking the door, my knees nearly buckled, and the next second, I collapsed, wincing as my back pressed against the solid wooden door. I tried to swallow around the lump growing in my throat, already feeling like I was going to choke on it. Tears which I had been holding back dribbled down my eyes, a dry heave ripping from my throat.

Placing my flat palms to the ground and pushed myself up into a sitting position, vision swimming for a moment, black spots dancing in front of my eyes. With a heavy sigh, I brought my hand up to wipe tears off my cheeks.

I looked down at my body, noticing that my knees were dirty, like I rolled in mud, arms and chest tingling. Shaking my head I fully stood up, gripping on the nearby wall. Aiden was an efficient Alpha, I had the opportunity to witness him tear into the opponent. There's nothing to worry but still I couldn't tamp down the uneasiness that made home in my chest.

***

Leaning over the steaming pot I breathed in deeply, feeling the pain subside a bit almost instantly, which was such a relief. I stayed in that position for another few minutes until my face was hot and damp. I poured a cup, touching my left fingertips to my skin, wiping the perspiration across my cheeks and the bridge of nose.

Slowly realisation dawned one me that Aiden wanted me to check the bags in my room. I had half a cup of mint tea before leaving the kitchen and heading towards the guest room door, excited to look at whatever the Alpha picked out. My eyes immediately fell on the pile of bags huddled in the corner.

I managed to drag all the bags to the bed before plopping down, fingers already pulling out the boxes. A gasp slipped out of my lips as I stared at the plush coats bundled and neatly tucked underneath the wrappers. My eyes stayed on the label for a while, suddenly aware that they were from the mall we visited. Did he really get them for me?

Tears brimmed in my eyes again as I unpacked all the similar boxes, awed at the expensive trench-coats, fur jackets and blazer ones. A warm feeling settled in my belly as I folded them neatly and hung all the jackets in my wardrobe. The Alpha did say that the weather would be getting worse in coming days. Maybe that's why he went out of his way to order all these jackets for me. Whatever the reason I couldn't stop smiling.

Once everything was done, I stood at the edge of bed and roamed my eyes around.  It's missing a few key things, including but not limited to: omegas nest—A small little haven the omega wolves construct meticulously with softest blankets and throws along thickest sweaters and most comfortable pillows. We use it during heats, if spending alone, during their most anxious moments, when in need of comfort and finally during pregnancy. Alphas are only allowed in the nest after permitted by their mate as its our sacred place. In the past I avoided building a nest because I wasn't sure if Aiden was going to allow me to stay in the cabin. Not anymore.

Biting my lip, I creeped over to the bags, nearly completely empty after I unpacked earlier. Pushing them out of the room I decided to start with my nest. I saved a few things for this exact moment, however. My two favorite blankets. The new thick wool sweater I found in one of the bags today and at the bottom, folded carefully and neatly, a piece from clothing from Aiden's wardrobe. It's not enough for a full nest. I may need to borrow a few more blankets to build a proper one. However, it was something.

***

Hours later there's a sharp knock on the door which startled me. I wasn't expecting anyone today. Who could it be? Rushing towards the main door, I pulled it only to see Caden standing on the other side. His hair was pulled up and skilfully spun into a bun, I almost missed to how long it's actually gotten since we parted ways. The Alpha trainer hardly saw me after saving I and Fauna and brining us back home safe.

"Hey," I said after clearing my throat.

His head snapped up, allowing our gazes to clash. The Alpha looked tired, I thought staring at a hint of purple below his eyes, his face just minimally pale.

"Hey," He echoed softly, eyes narrowing on my clumped eyelashes and tear strained cheeks. The Alpha probably sensed the shift in my mood but he didn't address it, fortunately, just stood there.

"That's a lot of biscuits," I commented my eyes taking in the plate to cookies in his hand.

"I got for you actually."

"Oh" My cheeks turned pink as I shyly accepted them, gripping the plate tightly between my fingers. "Thank you, Caden."

"Are you free now? Can we talk?"

"Sure. Let me grab my coat."

As a rule I didn't want to let him in as it may anger my Alpha when he comes back home. Caden's scent was mild, almost earthy but that didn't change anything. The pack members would frown if they saw me letting him in while my Alpha was away.

Slipping in one of the new coats, I shut the door behind, walking down the steps, gravel crunching beneath my trainers and a heavy scarf draped around my neck.

"Ready?" He asked, a quirk to his lips.

"Mhm," I replied, my eyes shimmering excitedly, cheeks already rosy from the wind.

We walked to the village centre when it's just past noon, clouds starting to lift enough to give hope that the sun might peek past them some time later today. It's still cold, but milder than it's been for weeks, blue already starting to peek through the clouds, the air crisp and fresh around us. The pups rushed past us, waving at me as made their way to the training grounds.

The Alpha cleared his throat after a while, barely audible over the hum of the wind. "Are you okay, by the way? You looked distraught just now."

I could barely swallow the truth back down, making it sit heavily in my stomach, because his expression of open sympathy and interest was shockingly disarming, making my mouth want to run loose. Instead I nodded my head.

"I'll be fine. What is it you want to talk about?"

"Your powers."

***