Chapter 63: Chapter 63

I was hurting all over, every inch of my body prickling with it. There’s a headache pounding at the base of my skull, limbs aching, my stomach queasy. Something prickled behind my closed eyelids, toes curling around something soft. Sweat clung to my forehead, feeling hot all over.

My body was practically glued onto the sheets under me, and it took me a while to realise that the smell of alcohol was coming from me. I tried to open my eyes, lids moving as harsh rays of the sun fell over my body. Sucking in a deep breath, I managed to crack a single eye open this time, blinking against the light, my mouth feeling dry and throat parched.

Why did I drink? I thought to myself, fluttering my eyes shut, a sigh escaping my throat. The desire to go back to sleep was intensifying. Before I could manage, nausea came back with a vengeance, my feet tangling under the sheets. Somehow I managed to stumble out of bed, bolting to the washroom, skidding across the cold floor, making it in time.

My nose wrinkled as I threw up, resting my forehead against the cool tile of the wall, breathing shallowly with my eyes closed, concentrating on not hurling again. It took me a while before I was able to stand up again, dragging a towel down off the rack and wiping my mouth.

It was a brief silence, only lasting a few seconds before I was standing in the middle of the washroom with my arms crossed over my turtleneck, hair tangled, and my pants were riding low on my hips. My jacket was no longer over my frame when I realised that Aiden bought me back to my room. Suddenly everything that went down the night before flashed in front of my eyes like a film.

My cheeks flushed as I recalled throwing myself in Aiden’s arms and making a scene. A gasp slipped past my lips, internally cringing as I remembered Aiden helping me to my room, taking off my jacket and tucking me under the sheets. How could I act in that manner? Why did I even consume alcohol? Then it dawned on me that the guards' wives had personally escorted me to the bar; they were all drinking. One of them offered to me, and I politely declined, but they kept on insisting. Then again, I easily crumbled under peer pressure, so one too many drinks got to my head.

I felt overwhelmed, and my head still hurt, and on top of everything, I suddenly realised that there was a silence in the cabin– unusually so. Washing my face, I changed into more comfortable clothes before walking out of the room.

Aiden was nowhere in my sight. There was a large box of mint leaves sitting in the kitchen; I could quickly boil them up with some lemon and honey to loosen the tension in my body. A note stuck was stuck on the dish nearby, which had a lot of almonds.

Eat this. It will help with your hangover

-A

Smile curved around my lips, and I walked with the dish to the dining area. There was another plate on the table with a note stuck on top. I leaned down to read it.

Having breakfast also helps.

-A

I couldn’t stop grinning, my cheeks hurting as I revealed a plate full of crepes and a side of chocolate sauce. When did Aiden do all of this? Also, where was he? I thought that the Alpha would make it a mission to reprimand me for drinking.

Plopping on the chair, I pulled the plate towards me and started eating with a smile.

***

Liam knocked on the door while I was cooking for the Alpha. It was twelve-thirty in the afternoon. My brows knitted together, eyes widening at his surprise visit. I leaned by the door.

“Alpha Aiden wants me to tell you that he will be having lunch with the rest of the pack members in the training centre. You don’t have to cook for him.” The beta said.

My eyes dimmed at that, lips curling down because I had been making lunch for him. Then again, I understood that he must also please the other pack members. I managed to plaster a weak twitch of lips.

“Oh, it’s alright. Maybe I can send something for him.”

“No!” Liam suddenly shrieked, schooling his features immediately. “I mean, you don’t have to make or bring anything. He already asked Beth to cook for us.”

“B-But I made….”

Liam abruptly cleared his throat. “I am sorry, Luna. You have to forgive me as I am in a bit of a hurry today.”

Before I could reply, he bowed down to me and turned on his heels, walking away.

***

Something was off. I could feel it. The Alpha did not even pick my phone or reply to any of my messages. It was odd. Was he avoiding me? The afternoon passed with me heating the leftovers from breakfast, reading a novel and taking a nap.

At precisely five in the evening, I dressed in casual clothes for my training with Ellen. The young woman still didn’t warm up to me, but I still wanted to try. Sucking a sharp breath, I gave one last look to the cabin before locking up.

“Good evening, Luna!” Ellen mumbled a little too cheerfully, a smile lighting up her eyes which took me back. “I heard that Alpha Aiden is back.”

“Uhh…yes. He is.”

Is that why Ellen was in a sour mood? My brows knitted together, lips rolled in between my teeth. Am I missing something?

“You must be thrilled having your mate then! I am sure you are excited to spend most of your day with him.”

Then it clicked me. Ellen was relieved to have Aiden back for her sake as Caden won’t be around me anymore. Not that I had any interest, to begin with.

“Yes, I am.” I cleared my throat, hiding my blush. “Can we start with the practice?”

***

The training lasted for two solid hours where Ellen was still going over the basics. It was reassuring to know that she knew about my power but still didn’t treat me different. The omega trainer behaved like I was just another one of her students, which made me like her even more.

She promised to keep it a secret from others, also assuring me that we would start experimenting with powers once I fully train myself without them. For some reason, I was looking forward to that.

Instead of going to the cabin, my feet dragged me to the packhouse, where I saw Aiden in the living room. My eyes immediately brightened at the sight of him by the fireplace. He was lounging by the couch, lazily sprawled with his feet spread and nursing a drink in his hand.

My lips twisted at that. Why was he drinking all alone? Quelling the uneasy feeling in my gut, I breathed loudly and started walking towards him.

“Aiden!” I tapped on his shoulder, lips folded to hide a smile from breaking out.

The Alpha flinched, moving his arm away and tilting his head. His face remained blank as he met my eyes. The grip on his glass tightened, knuckles turning white. Aiden rolled his eyes, his nose flaring. “What do you want?”

I almost recoiled at the cold tone, my arms dropping by my side. My chest tightened at his cold tone, toes curling around. What happened to him? I thought we were getting along.

“Uhh…I…”

“Will you speak up?!” He huffed.

I clenched my eyes shut and just then heard the sound of heels clicking on the floor. Slowly turning my head, I saw Ria walking towards us with a glass in her hand. Her face broke out in a smirk.

“Hi, Rose.”

***