BETA's LOVER

Chapter- Nine

ALISTAIR

I woke up early, before the sun had even started to rise. I couldn't stay asleep, no matter how hard I tried. Something deep inside me stirred, like a low hum that wouldn't quiet down. My senses were on edge, sharper than usual, and it felt as if my instincts had kicked in with a force that I couldn't ignore. They were alive, pulling me out of the warmth of the bed, urging me to move.

My thoughts drifted to the gift the Moon Goddess had given me—my mate. Mackenzie.

Her name felt foreign on my lips, yet it was the most natural thing in the world. It was like I was born to say it, destined to speak it. Her face flashed in my mind, beautiful and vivid, and my heart swelled, filling that empty void inside me.

My wolf side, always on alert, was especially restless this morning. It was like it knew what I needed to do, even before I did. The urge to provide, to nurture, kicked in harder than it ever had before. I couldn't just stay here.

With a soft exhale, I threw the covers off and slipped out of bed, my bare feet meeting the cold floor. The soft light of the early morning filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. There was no time to waste. I quickly dressed, pulling on a simple shirt and jeans, my mind already set on one thing—getting to the guest house, taking care of her, making sure she had a good start to her day.

I moved through the house with practiced ease, grabbing the jacket from draped on the chair and stepping outside into the cool morning air. The walk to the guest house wasn't long, but I took my time. I enjoyed the weather today, picked up on every little sound—the birds in the trees, the rustle of the leaves, the soft breeze in the air. By the time I reached the guest house, I could smell the faintest hint of her—Mackenzie. I felt a small smile tug at the corner of my mouth as I approached the door. The urge to be close to her, to make sure she was alright, was all-consuming.

On my way to the pack building, I was greeted by a few pack members, who were early risers and moved quietly into the kitchen, making sure not to disturb anyone. My instincts were clear now—this wasn't just about providing a meal. It was about making her feel cared for, showing her, in my own way, how much she meant to me. I started the coffee first, the rich aroma filling the space. Then I began working on breakfast. Eggs, bacon, fresh fruit—nothing too fancy, but I wanted it to be perfect. It wasn't just about feeding her; it was about making sure she felt loved, even in the little things.

I hummed quietly to myself as I flipped the omelette, the sizzling sound of bacon filling the kitchen. There was something oddly satisfying about this—about getting everything just right. The table was set—neatly, for once, instead of the usual chaotic mess I left behind.

I heard footsteps echo from the hallway, followed by the door swinging open. Jazmine and Arthur entered, and the moment they laid eyes on me flipping omelettes like I was some kind of professional chef, I could see the suspicion flicker across their faces.

"Wait a minute," Jazmine said, her eyes scanning the kitchen and the perfectly set table. "Since when do you cook for others?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between me and the scene in front of him. "Is this some kind of... special occasion?"

I shot them both a quick look, then shrugged, trying to keep it casual. "Just thought I had make breakfast." I hide my smile as I placed the done eggs into the plate.

Jazmine crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. "Right. And who's the lucky person you're making all this for?"

Before I could come up with a response, Cylon walked in, looking more awake and alive than he had earlier, offering us a small wave. "Hey, guys."

Jazmine raised an eyebrow, and Arthur's playful smirk returned as he pointed to the perfectly set table. "What is happening here?"

Cylon asked, his eyes scanning the breakfast spread like it was some sort of mystery. "This is... new."

Arthur leaned back, narrowing his eyes with a mischievous grin. "Come on. Spill. What's really going on here?"

I tried to keep my composure, but the teasing tone in their voices broke through, and I couldn't help but laugh. A blush crept onto my face, and I quickly looked down at the table, trying to hide it.

"Alright, alright," I finally said, breaking the facade. "I-uh happened to find my mate." I paused, letting the words sink in before continuing, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "It's the other girl—Mackenzie."

Jazmine blinked, clearly caught off guard, and her arms slowly unfolded as her expression shifted from suspicion to a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Wait, Mackenzie? Our human guest?"

"Yeah," I replied, feeling a bit sheepish but also incredibly proud. "That's her. I know it might have seemed sudden, but it just... happened. Yesterday was crazy, and I didn't get the chance to tell you guys."

Arthur's eyes widened in realization, but he quickly recovered, a grin spreading across his face. "So this is why you are suddenly playing chef?" He gestured at the breakfast spread again, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Guess I am full of surprises," I said, shrugging with a playful smile, still not quite sure how to explain it all.

Jazmine shook her head, half-smiling, half-shocked. "Well, I will be damned. Didn't expect you to find someone this fast. But hey, congratulations, Alistair." She flashed me a grin and put her hands on her hips, looking a bit too proud of herself. "See? My gut feeling was right." She flipped her hair dramatically, clearly enjoying the moment, which made us all chuckle.

"Congrats, man. Really happy for you," Cylon said, clapping me on the shoulder with a genuine smile.

Arthur followed suit, giving my shoulder a firm, affectionate pat. "Yeah, congrats, Alistair. I didn't see this coming, but I'm glad for you."

Cylon leaned casually against the doorway, crossing his arms with an amused raised brow. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you're cooking. That's an even bigger surprise than the whole mate thing," he said with a grin.

The rest of them burst into laughter, and Arthur added, still chuckling, "Yeah, remember that time we had to beg him to cook for us? He never did unless he needed our help with something."

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a bit embarrassed by their teasing. "Alright, alright," I muttered, trying to play it off with a sheepish grin.

Cylon let out a low whistle. "Guess we're going to need to get used to this. The new, domestic Alistair."

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I don't know about 'domestic,' but I'll admit, it feels good to be taking care of her."

Jazmine uncrossed her arms and gave me a nod of approval, though her smile was still playful. "Alright, alright. Guess we will let you have this one. But, seriously, next time, you gotta give us a heads-up. You have got us all guessing."

I nodded, feeling the weight of their curiosity. "Yeah, I will make sure to fill you guys in next time. But... for now, can we just enjoy breakfast?" I gestured to the table, and Mackenzie's presence still lingered in my mind, making me feel content.

Arthur gave a thumbs-up. "Sounds good. Though, I will admit, I am surprised. Never thought I had see the day."

"Yeah," Cylon added, grinning. "Keep surprising us, Alistair. I'm starting to like this."

I couldn't help but smile, a wave of satisfaction sweeping over me. I felt more at ease now. The teasing wasn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined. In fact, it felt like another sign that things were falling into place. The truth was out, and I was finally starting to embrace the idea of Mackenzie being my mate. Everything else? That could wait. Today was about her. About us. And I was going to make sure everything was just right, starting with breakfast.

Later, when I went to call them for breakfast, the door swung open, and there stood Mackenzie. Her hair was still messy from sleep, but she still looked breathtaking, as always. My chest tightened at the sight of her. I smiled, asking her to come downstairs for breakfast, feeling a swell of pride at the preparations I'd made for her. I couldn't wait for her to try it all.

As I watched Mackenzie step into the room, my heart skipped in a way I couldn't fully explain. She looked both shy and nervous, the soft remnants of sleep still in her eyes—yet she was perfect, in a way that took my breath away. Something inside me shifted, a pull I couldn't deny. It was like the world slowed just so I could take in the sight of her. I wanted to reach out, to pull her close and hold her, but something held me back. I didn't want to rush her, to overwhelm her. For now, though, I was content just watching her, knowing she was mine.

🌙🌙🌙