Angel and The Alpha

Chap-5

After a much-needed nap, I took a quick shower and changed into fresh clothes. The soft hum of evening filled the house as I headed downstairs to the kitchen, where my latest distraction awaited—baking.

I gathered the bowls and ingredients, the familiar motions calming the jumble of thoughts swirling in my head. Becca's words echoed in my mind: You look like his sister.

So that's why he stood up for me the day I arrived. Yet, it still didn't explain the cold shoulder, the sharp edge in his voice when we crossed paths. Why was Cole such an ass to me?

I set the oven timer and stepped outside, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. The kids were playing—peaceful, for now. But peace with kids was as fragile as glass; it could shatter in a heartbeat.

"b***h!"

Tyler's voice cut through the calm.

I turned to see him glaring down at a little girl, whose lip quivered and eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Blair. I knew that name.

Crossing my arms, I approached them slowly, all the patience I could muster. "Tyler, that's a very bad word. You shouldn't use it.

Now—why did you call her that? You've got one minute to explain."

He blinked up at me, cheeks flushed pink, his small lips pursed like a pout. "M-Manny, s-she w-won't give my ball back."

I couldn't help but soften at the earnestness in his voice. "You could have asked nicely. Being rude won't get you far. You're a good

boy, aren't you?"

His face brightened as I ruffled his hair. "Now, go on—say sorry to Blair."

"I'm sorry, Blair. I promise I won't call you that again. Please, can I have my ball back?" His voice was almost a whisper.

Blair nodded, passing the ball to him. With that, the moment dissolved, and the children scattered back to their games.

They were wary of me, I knew that. But beneath their caution was something warmer—a hesitant affection. Their mothers seemed to trust me, and that was a victory I wasn't willing to downplay. I'd earned a place in their hearts faster than I'd expected.

Turning back inside, I checked the oven. The timer dinged, and I pulled out the tray of cupcakes carefully, their sweet aroma filling the kitchen.

Calling the kids in, I heard their eager footsteps thudding behind me. "Cupcakes!" I announced, nearly stumbling over their rush.

"First, wash your hands," I said firmly, setting the cupcakes on a tray. Vanilla and chocolate—plenty for everyone.

"Manakel, are you done?"

Lisa's voice came from behind me. I turned to find her watching the cupcakes with a gentle smile.

"Yeah, just called the kids to wash up." I handed her a cupcake.

She bit into it, eyes lighting up. "Really tasty."

"Thanks."

"Why don't you take some to Andrew? He didn't come for lunch." She pressed a plate into my hands.

I hesitated. "Do you think he'll even accept them? I'm pretty sure nobody here likes me much."

"Dear, it's nothing like that," Lisa said gently, her voice warm with reassurance. "It's just... people around here need time.

Accepting someone new into the pack doesn't happen overnight. But they'll come around. And Andrew?"

She gave me a knowing smile, then added with a wink, "He's a big softie underneath all that brooding. He just has a few walls—okay, maybe a fortress or two. But trust me, soon enough, he'll be following you around like a lost pup."

What?

Before I could question the look she gave me, Lisa nudged her chin toward the hallway. "Go on. I'll handle the kids and hand out the cupcakes. You take these to him."

I blinked, still trying to process the "lost pup" part, but nodded anyway. "Thank you."

Balancing the plate carefully, I covered it with another and headed toward the main house. When I knocked, the door creaked open to reveal Janet.

"Manakel." She smiled in greeting.

"Hey. I didn't expect to see you here. Everything okay?" I asked, brows raised.

"Oh, all is well, dear," she said kindly. "I help out—cook, clean for the Alpha. Keeps me busy."

"That's sweet of you. I actually brought him these." I lifted the covered plate. "Cupcakes."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, he'll love them. Cupcakes are his favorite—though don't expect him to admit it. He's in his office upstairs.

And would you mind letting him know I've finished and I'm heading home?"

"Of course. Bye, Janet."

She smiled and patted my arm before leaving. I stepped inside, the house quiet except for the faint creak of old wood beneath my feet.

Upstairs, I found his office and knocked.

"Come in."

I pushed open the door.

"Janet, you can go home, I—" Andrew's voice stopped abruptly when he looked up from whatever map he was analyzing. His

expression shifted when he realized it was me. His face hardened.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone clipped and distant.

He wore a crisp white shirt tucked into dark jeans, sleeves rolled up, forearms tensed against the edge of his desk. He looked annoyingly handsome, as always.

I held the plate out toward him. "I brought these for you."

His brows lifted slightly. "What is it?"

"Cupcakes," I replied flatly.

A flicker of something passed over his face before he reached for the plate and uncovered it. His lips twitched into a smile—subtle, but there.

"Cupcakes," he repeated softly, and for a moment, he didn't look like the intimidating Alpha. He looked... young.

"Thanks. My mom used to bake them for me." The words slipped out before he seemed to realize he'd said them.

That made me pause. I nodded, keeping my expression neutral, even though that unexpected softness had stirred something strange in me.

He took a bite of one, and the sound he made was so indecently pleased, I nearly laughed—until I remembered why I was here.

I focused, letting my energy slip free from the back of my mind, curling like a tendril toward him. His body stilled mid-chew. The plate lowered from his hand and landed gently on the table.

His eyes locked on mine. Blank. Waiting.

I had him under my spell.

"The path beside the cemetery..." I began, voice low, even. "Where does it lead?"

His reply came without hesitation. "Rogues."

My breath caught slightly. I stepped closer, drawn in despite myself. The scent of him—lavender and something darker, like forest smoke—wrapped around me.

"Are there rogues beyond that borderline?" I asked again, my voice barely more than a breath.

"Yes."

I nodded, still under the influence of the strange calm that settled between us. My gaze roamed over him, noting the faint green ring around his turquoise eyes. A few strands of hair had fallen across his forehead. Before I could think better of it, I reached up and brushed them away.

Soft—softer than I imagined.

My fingers trailed gently down the side of his face, lingering along the edge of his jaw. There was something about him—dangerous, quiet, almost holy in his beauty. If he were an angel, I might have believed in heaven.

Then a cold voice snapped me back to reality.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Cole.

I blinked and immediately pulled my power back, releasing Andrew from my control. His eyes blinked rapidly as he reoriented, the spell broken.

"Nothing," I said quickly. "He asked me to look at his eye—something was bothering him. Turned out there was a little hair caught

there."

Andrew looked at me, confusion flickering across his features. "What?"

"What is she doing here?" Cole asked, his tone sharper now, his eyes pinned on me like I was some kind of threat.

"She brought me cupcakes," Andrew answered, still watching me. There was no accusation in his voice. Just a quiet kind of curiosity.

Cole didn't reply right away. He simply nodded but kept staring at me like he was trying to see through my skin. Andrew turned away and moved behind his desk, finishing the cupcake he had started.

"Cole," I said, crossing my arms, "can I ask you something?"

He grabbed a cupcake from the plate and slumped onto the sofa. "What?"

"Why do you hate me?"

"I don't hate you," he said around a mouthful of cupcake.

"Then why are you always rude to me? What did I say or do that makes you treat me like some sort of villain?" My voice was

even, but my eyes were narrowed.

He sighed, long and tired, like he'd been carrying something heavy for a while. "Look... I just... it's nothing."

"Doesn't sound like nothing—"

"Manakel."

Andrew had come to stand in front of me. His tone was calm but firm. "Thanks for the cupcake, but I think it's time you head out."

I glanced from him to Cole, who had his head tipped back, eyes closed like he didn't want to deal with this anymore. I nodded.

"You're welcome," I said quietly. "Oh—and Janet told me to let you know she's gone home."

"Alright. Close the door behind you," Andrew said, already turning back to his desk.

I rolled my eyes at the dismissive tone, stepped out, and shut the door behind me. But I didn't leave. Instead, I leaned against the wall beside it, silent, waiting.

"Don't you think she's... weird?" Cole's voice filtered through.

I knew it.

"No. Why?" Andrew asked after a beat.

"Before I came in, she was all over you. I'm pretty sure she was lying about that hair thing."

"What do you mean, 'all over me'?"

"She was standing real close. Looking right into your eyes. Her hand was on your face, Andrew." Cole's voice dropped lower,

firmer. "It was like... like she was drawn to you or something. I've seen the way you two look at each other. It's... weird. Do you

like her?"

My breath caught.

What the hell?

"It's nothing, Cole. And no—I don't like her," Andrew replied, but his tone had changed. "It's only been two weeks. She seems nice. Not what we thought. Lisa, Janet, Rebecca—they all say she's helpful, kind. The kids adore her. She's earned their trust. She's not the enemy." He paused, then added with a hint of humor, "I appreciate you looking out for me, man, but... she's not a rogue."

There was a brief silence. Then Andrew asked, "And what did she mean by you being rude to her? What did you do?"

Cole laughed nervously. "Well... I might've yelled at her. Been kind of a jerk."

"You're an i***t," Andrew said, chuckling.

"God, these cupcakes... who made them?" Cole asked through a groan of pleasure.

"Manakel."

"Damn. I need to apologize, then. If she makes these every day, I'm sold."

"You should."

Their laughter echoed faintly behind the door, and I smiled despite myself.

Thank you, cupcakes. Looks like you just won me allies.

I stepped away quietly and left the house, thoughts already spiraling back to the truth I'd uncovered. The path beside the cemetery... rogues were out there.

And now I knew it for sure.

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