Chapter 54: Chapter 54

I took my bottom lip in between my teeth; hands wrung together as soon as I heard Caden talk about my powers. Looking around, I realised that we were deeper into the forest section now, where people cannot listen to us. Still, the feeling of unsettlement lingered inside me, causing me to narrow my eyes at him.

"My powers?" I echoed back, taking a rattling breath. "What about them?"

"Did you tell Aiden?"

I shook my head. "No, I didn't get a chance."

Besides, telling him about my powers would also entail confessing the truth. Fauna and I were at fault, and all these days, I hid it from him. It may also make him mad, which I didn't want to happen. Not after the Alpha took me shopping, got gifts for me and started treating me decently.

Caden exhaled loudly. "Good. I want to ask you more about your powers."

"Okay"

"The healing thing which you did can you do to others? Or does it only work on your body? What about when you are injured during your wolf form?" Caden appeared borderline hysterical, his hands in the air as his expressive eyes bore into me.

I arched my brow at the sudden questions, hands tightening around my body. As someone who found out that I had some special powers, I wasn't fazed. The thought of exploring them never came to my mind as something or the other always happened to me. Also, I was still taking in the news of Aiden leaving.

"Why are you asking all these questions?"

Caden swallowed noisily. "Why are you not?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, why are you not curious to know more about your strengths. This kind of power is amazing, Rose." The Alpha exclaimed, nearing me, a frantic look etched across his face, words almost slurring. What was going on with him?

I took a step back, inhaling sharply. "Y-You are scaring me, Caden."

That snapped him back to reality. The Alpha raised his hand in defence, taking a step back and schooling his features. His cheeks coloured, the flush spreading to his neck as he awkwardly straightened his collar. Caden bowed down to me.

"Forgive me. I was merely excited and couldn't control myself."

I nodded my head, looking around, noticing the deserted place. The thought of staying out here didn't sit right with me. Pushing my hands in the pocket of the coat, I cleared my throat. "It's okay. Can we walk back to the cabin?"

The Alpha trainer nodded, and we turned around when I heard a snap of a twig from behind. Turning around, I didn't find anyone, my mouth twisting at that. Who could that be? I was sure I heard the sound, but Caden appeared nonchalant.

"What happened?"

"I thought I heard something."

"Must be a rabbit. Let's go."

Nodding my head, I continued walking alongside him.

"I am sorry again, Rose. I only heard about omegas possessing powers in our folklore." A soft smile curved around Caden's lips. "My little omega sisters felt empowered whenever they heard those stories from our mother. So I got overexcited."

"You have sisters?"

"Yes. Two of them. They stay with my our father and occasionally visit us." Caden sagged his shoulders. "It's just my mom and I."

I soaked up all the information, bobbing my head. Internally I was curious to know why his father didn't live with him. The Alpha appeared forlorn at the mention of his family, so I didn't poke him further.

"Will I see your mom at dinner today?"

He chuckled, pocketing his hands. "Definitely. She is one of the cooks, so I am sure you will taste her food as well."

"I cannot wait then."

***

Dinner later that day was a loud affair, as I should have expected.

Contrary to what I thought, Alexander was the first to gather around the table, looking frazzled and smelling like cigarettes. I collapsed on the seat near to him before bowing down to our Pack Alpha. The pack members started trickling down, the unmated omegas and Alphas choosing opposite sides of the table. My eyes kept trying to find pups when I realised that mated families usually had dinner all on their own.

"Good evening, Pack Alpha" Caden sat on the other end, along with the Alphas giving me a curt nod.

Alexander patted his shoulder. "How are you? The lads missed you at training today."

"I had something important come up last minute. I apologise again." He bowed his head down.

It clicked to me that Caden was with me in the afternoon. Did he miss his training to walk with me? The thought caused guilt to swarm my belly because I didn't let him talk about my powers again. We spoke about his mother, and soon I told him about my life in the old pack.

"No worries!" Alexander's loud voice snapped me to reality. "A little break is good."

I watched as Caden hummed and continued to stir his portion of rice and chilli, brushing hair away from his face, tucking it behind his ear. Tearing my eyes away from him, I rested against the chair as maids tried to fill my plate.

Beth came out holding a massive tray of well-done meat that almost made few Alphas grunt in happiness. I hid my smile and focused on my plate filled with veggies.

"Luna? Do you want a piece?"

I stared at the steak, immediately thinking of my picnic with Aiden. Swallowing the lump lodged in my throat, I shook my head. The thought of eating something so heavy for dinner already made me feel funny. But the Alphas had a unique system so that they can do it with ease.

"How are you holding up, my Luna?" Someone asked from my right side.

"It must be difficult to be away from your mate at this stage."

"Especially when it's someone like Aiden."

"Right!"

More girly giggles followed at that last line. For a second, I was sure that I couldn't breathe. No air was entering my lungs. It's a mistake when I grabbed my full glass of water to take a sip, trying to drown out the thundering in my ears, because I immediately choked on my saliva, body jerking forward as I broke out into a fit of coughs, ears turning red.

"Luna, are you okay?" Beth gasped, rushing to her side.

I gestured wildly, still coughing and trying to catch my breath. "I am f-fine," I croaked, taking deep breaths and trying to will the flush on my cheeks to fade. "Just went down the wrong pipe," My throat burned, letting the housekeeper pat my back. It took me another minute to calm down before grabbing fruit from the cup and shoving it down my thrust. The sweetness bloomed in my mouth, providing a welcome distraction.

***

After dinner, I met Caden's mother, a warm older woman in her late forties. She had him very young. The Alpha very much adored her; that was clear. We talked for a while when I realised that I didn't want to go back to the empty cabin.

The Pack Alpha, as if sensing my hesitation, asked me to stay over. I immediately accepted it.

***

The next day started similarly grey, clouds hanging low and heavy. It was odd sleeping in the omega quarters, but I managed it somehow. As soon as I got up, I washed my face before walking out of the room.

I nearly cringed when I strode into the kitchen and saw Caden sitting at the dining table. Our eyes meet, even for just the briefest of moments before I mustered a smile at him.

“Good morning, Caden.”

"Morning," He looked up and pointed at the can on the counter. "There's some coffee left if you want. Randy went to bakery pretty early; he's bringing back doughnuts."

"That's nice," I said, turning to the counter and getting a cup, some sugar and cream. His eyes burned into the back of my neck when I rummaged about to get a spoon. “I haven’t had doughnuts in a while."

“Rose, are you okay? You're looking a bit under the weather," He said after a pause.

"I'm fine,” I turned around, tightening my grip around the spoon. “I didn't catch much sleep. It's okay. I’ll be going back to the cabin anyway.”

He immediately stood up. “Why? You don’t like it here?”

“No…I mean, yes, I like it, but I don’t have any spare clothes here.”

“Oh”

Before I could say something, my phone rang, almost making me jump. I looked at the number, and a wide grin stretched across my lips upon realising its Aiden. Turning to Caden, I shot him an apologetic smile, not even allowing a second time to spare. I rushed out of the door, sliding the green icon and pressing my phone against my ear.