Chapter 61: Chapter 61

I blinked at the Alpha, feeling as if invisible fingers were encircling my throat, squeezing all air out of me, and it went to my head, making me momentarily dizzy. Internally I wanted to curse myself for the silence that settled over us, still unable to move or open my mouth.

"Umm...." I echoed echoes, saying nothing else. I was not quite sure what to say, if I am honest. It still felt odd, this desire to talk to my Alpha without knowing how to articulate the ruckus in my brain. Many things remained unspoken between us, and as much as I wanted to clear the air, I didn't want to start something.

"That's all you are going to say?" The Alpha sat up, resting his back against the headboard with the hint of a smile. I tried not to blush as the sheets pooled around his waist, leaving his upper body completely exposed. There were marks on his shoulders from where I gripped earlier, which made me avert my gaze.

"N-No..." I started but paused to clear my throat, worrying my lips and staring at my lap for a moment before looking up and meeting his eyes again. "I-I mean, we have to leave for the ceremony. The pack members must be waiting for us."

"Right!" His grimace turned into a warm and genuine smile that warmed me down to my slightly clammy toes. Aiden ran his hands over his face, slumping forward. "Do we have to go?"

A childish giggle bubbled out of my throat at that, bringing my right hand up to my lips to muffle the sound. “I am sorry, Alpha.”

He was staring at me, lips curving in an impish grin. At my apology, Aiden straightened his back. “That is alright. Get ready. We will talk later.”

Talk? I swallowed loudly. Was he going to dismiss me after we had sex? Maybe it's a one-time thing for the Alpha. After all, Aiden didn't want an omega to begin with. The thought sat heavily in my stomach, and I kept staring at the gap between us. My eyes burned with tears, and I picked at the edges of the duvet.

"Rose", The Alpha nudged at my calf, his large fingers closing around them, jolting me from the thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"

I abruptly looked up and awkwardly scrambled out of bed, tightening the sheets around my body. Without saying a word, I managed to slip out of the room, feeling his stare boring into me.

***

"What the –" I startled so violently that I nearly slipped on the wet tiles of my bathroom. Somehow I managed to grab the sink to steady my body, but looking at my reflection in the mirror, I thought I might collapse after all.

My shoulder, still quietly tingling away, was littered in marks, almost reddish and in abstract shapes. They slowly faded as they stretched over my collarbone and towards my heart. If someone saw me like this, they would surely assume the worst.

My cheeks felt hot as I hurriedly grabbed a turtleneck top, pairing it with one of the jackets Aiden gifted me. This way, no one would suspect a thing.

Running my hand through my hair one more time, I rushed out of my room only to find Aiden waiting outside. I sucked a sharp breath staring at his neat, clean black jacket and shirt. My knees turned weak. The Alpha had his hair slicked back, a single strand falling over his forehand, hands tucked in his pants pocket as he stared at me. His lips twitched to which he folded his lips, eyes staring a little too much at my turtleneck.

Inching closer, he ran a hand around my sides. “You look lovely, omega.”

Not trusting my voice, I bobbed my head.

***

It's late in the evening, already pitch black, lanterns glowing orange outside. The road was hardly distinguishable, and I could only guess where the curvy, rocky paths led. Beth told me that the ceremony would be organised in an open area outside the packhouse. Only guards who served in the war and their families would be dining with us.

Aiden walked by my side, the back of our hands brushing one too many times. I tried not to crumble at the heated touch, keeping a poker face. Apart from that, the walk to the packhouse was peaceful, and I found it hard to comprehend that it was just getting dark and so much had happened already. Distractedly, I wondered if I closed all the windows in the house, if the roof was holding up or if any more leaks might lead to water damage, soaking the old carpets and trickling into the wooden floorboards.

As we neared the packhouse, Aiden increased the pace of his steps, turning on his shoulder. I matched his speed, and seconds later, we stood in front of a decorated packhouse. A wood fire was blazing in the middle with tables around it and chairs to go by. My eyes took in a small centrepiece and some flowers around the seat reserved for the Pack Alpha to sit with his Luna.

Several heads turned to us, especially the unmated omegas eyeing Aiden like a piece of candy. Something unfamiliar coiled in my belly, instinctively moving towards my Alpha.

"Rose, can you wait here for me? I will go and get my father."

At that, I stared at the crowd gathering around, but there was no sight of Alexander. “Okay, Alpha.”

I nervously stood by one of the trees when some one tapped lightly on my shoulder, making me spin around on my heels. Dark eyes glimmering in the hues of fire pinned on me, a lazy smile taking over his lips.

"Do you always need to creep up on me?" I asked and breathed out, willing my pulse to slow down again.

His hands lifted mid-air in response, and I followed the movement with my gaze, not even trying to move.

"Sorry, Rose." Caden sheepishly replied, dressed in a uniform.

I rolled my eyes, knowing very well that he was only half-heartedly apologising. The past few days have bought us closer, and we were good friends. My arms crossed against my chest. "Are you?"

"Fine." Caden groaned. "I'll get you a drink to make up."

My lips twitched at that, and before I could form a reply, an arm wrapped around my waist, tugging me closer. A low gasp escaped my throat only to see Aiden standing by my side. His fingers dug under my jacket, the heat of them making me press my legs together.

His mouth was set in a tight line; jaw clenched as he gawked at Caden in front of him. "Are you incharge of serving drinks tonight, Caden?" The Alpha asked his tone heavy with sarcasm but innocently blinking at him. “Get me one as well."

"Alpha Aiden." Caden bowed to him. "No, I am not. I was only asking Rose—"

Aiden arched his brow, cutting him off. "Rose? Have you forgotten that she's the Luna of this pack? I would appreciate it if you would refer her as such."

There was tension sizzling in between them, grating on my nerves, so I decided to step in. My head tilted towards Aiden, and I smiled at him. "I don't mind, Alpha. Caden is my friend."

A frown settled on his features, mouth twisting as he flickered his eyes between both of us. He exhaled sharply before turning to the Alpha in front of us and plastering a fake smile. "Excuse us, Caden. My mate and I need to greet the guards and their family."

Before I could bid goodbye to him, the Alpha was dragging me in the other direction, his nose flaring. His grip on my waist tightened, his strides fast and long.

"Rose!" Aiden finally said once we were out of Caden's earshot, turning to me. “I don't like that you call that Alpha by his name. You are my mate. Understood?”

Oh.

***