Alpha's Beloved

5

Leaning on the door frame, my mate gazed at me as I stared back from the other side of the door. We've been in the same situation for nearly five minutes now and neither of us has made any effort to start the conversation. It wouldn't be wrong to say that we're about to enter a staring contest that I never want to finish.

Involuntarily, my treacherous gaze flickered over his lips. I wanted nothing more than to touch them with mine. November purrs in agreement. At least there is something we can both agree on.

Snapping out of my unholy thought, I cleared my throat before speaking. "If you need anything, feel free to call me,"

"Okay," he briefly answers with the tilt of his head.

"Okay," I replied, not really knowing what to say.

He rose at me when I didn't make any attempt to move. I mentally facepalmed myself. Way to embarrass yourself, Hazel.

"Sorry, I'll be leaving them,"

"You are still standing."

My mouth dropped open. How rude.

I glowered at him feeling offended. He looked at me in amazement, unmoved by my death glow. I know I should leave and let him rest, but I just didn't want him to leave. I am behaving so needy.

*****

"I am still bad at taking your bed," Amanda said for the 100th time, sounding uncomfortable and apologetic.

"It's okay," I said, still staring at the ceiling where I had been gawking for the past ten minutes.

"No, I mean it," She winced.

I rolled my eyes . "I mean it too."

"But-"

"I want to hear it no more," I hushed her in a serious tone.

Amanda let out a defeated breath and I grinned, celebrating my victory.

"You are no less stubborn than Liam," Her tone filled with annoyance.

I turned my head sharply in her direction before letting out a chuckle. She was right. Sometimes I can be stubborn. Her hard expression softened and she let out her own chuckle.

"I can tell you are going to be a great mate to him," she added, with the smile on her face never wavering.

"I'll try my best," I said, meaning every word.

She looked away from me, back to the ceiling.

"Your mate is lucky as well," I said.

"I haven't met him, mate, yet."

She hasn't met her mate?

She already seemed to be in her early twenties. So, mom was right. Not every wolf is blessed to meet their mate on their eighteenth birthday. Now I think about it, I wonder how old Liam must be?

"I'm sorry,"

"No, actually I am glad,". She said nonchalantly.

My eyes almost sank into my sockets, blown to pieces by her remark. She is glad she hasn't met her mate yet? She does not want a mate, but why? How can anyone not want a mate?

"W-what?" I asked, baffled.

"It's not that I don't want, mate. I just want time for myself. I don't think I'll get it once I meet him. He will want pups and then you know after that,"

It actually sounds reasonable. As much as having a family is a dream come true, it comes with a lot of responsibilities. My mind wandered to my own mate. A smile grazed my lips at the thought of him.

Meeting your mate late might give you some time for yourself, but I wouldn't trade my mate for anything in the world. For years I have been anxiously waiting for him. I still can't accept that I found him.

"Oh," was all I said.

We both fell into silence and made no effort to carry on with the conversation.

*****

The first thing I noticed right after I woke up was Amanda was nowhere to be seen. The second thing I noticed was I was late.

Last night I barely slept. Almost all night, I lay in bed with my eyes wide open. My mate's thoughts were making me restless, who happened to be in the room right next to mine. After that, I quickly freshened up and went downstairs and here I am standing with mom who was ready to prepare breakfast.

"Mom, can I cook today?"

At my words, mom turned to me. She seemed a bit surprised before chuckling knowingly. I normally don't cook. Not that I don't like cooking. Mom is just a bit possessive when it comes to the kitchen. But today I want to cook for my mate.

Her mouth opened to answer but was interrupted when Amanda saturated in. I didn't miss the discomfort that flashed on her face when she noticed mom but she quickly masked it and replaced it with a smile.

"Good morning Hazel," She greeted

"Morning," I greeted her back.

"Good morning Mrs. Brooke,"

Just like that, I could feel the tension burning in the room.

Mom let out a snort. I was piqued by mom's rudeness. Why is mom being so cruel to her? I wanted to scold mom for acting so bratty. I don't know what is wrong with mom. She never behaves like this.

"If you want to wish me, then do it properly," Mom stated coldly.

Confused, my brows frown. My head went to look at Amanda, who was already looking at me with the same expression as mine.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Brook if I did something to offend you," Amanda apologized in a timorous voice.

Mom turned completely to her. Her hands rest on her hips. "Yes you did. You were supposed to say good morning mom, not Mrs. Brook,"

I rapidly blinked my lashes in astonishment at what had just happened. Just a few seconds before, mom was hostile towards her.

"I'm sorry sweetie I was being unfair and rude to you yesterday. You didn't deserve it," she expressed.

"It's okay Mrs. Brook" She paused. "I mean mom. I didn't mind," She added, correcting herself.

Unknowingly, I took a breath of relief. I am glad mom was able to overcome the bad feeling she had for Amanda. Amanda is a nice girl. She doesn't deserve hate.

Mom was about to say something but she stopped. Someone must have mind linked her as she let out a series of curses before turning to face me.

"I have to go. Something came up. You'll manage breakfast?"

"Yes mom. I was going to cook it anyway," I said.

She kissed my cheek, then she surprised Amanda by kissing hers too, before leaving the room in a hurry. I giggle when I say Amanda is all flushed. Shaking my head, I walked up to the fridge. Opening it, I grabbed all the necessary ingredients needed, which included fresh fruits, veggies, cheese, eggs, bread, milk, and butter.

"You want some help?" Amanda ordered, leaning against the counter.

"I'm good," I politely denied with a slight shake of head.

Amanda grabbed one of the apples which I had taken out and took a huge bit of it.

"We are leaving," She announced in between her bites.

My hand stopped and I turned to her. "What are you leaving me?"

I wish she could stay a little longer. I really like her. Even though I love my family, it's nice to have a friend sometimes.

"No Hazel, we are going" She corrected me, emphasizing we.

My chest tightened as I realized what she meant. "So soon," My tone dropped, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.

"He's an Alpha. He has duties he can't avoid", she said softly, sensing the drop of my mood.

I desperately wanted to protest but I knew where she was coming from. I agreed with a nod of the head even though I wasn't ready to move out from here, but I couldn't deny it. Someday I have to leave anyway and the separations gonna hurt that time too.

"What time are we leaving?" I inquired, breaking the egg into the hot pan.

"At evening around 6: 30," I barely managed to hear, between the sizzling sound of the pan.

Flipping the omelet to the other side, I replied, "Okay,"

Silence fell upon us but it didn't last long.

"It's going to be okay," She said, placing her hand on my left shoulder and giving it a squeeze in reassurance. I swung my orbs in her direction. Her lips stretched into a small smile. I smiled back anyway.

******

I observed that all the chairs were already occupied, expecting the one left from my mate and I was more than happy to sit beside him. November was also giddy, pacing back and forth, delicate to sit next to her mate.

"Breakfast today was prepared by Hazel," Mom announced proudly.

Adam interlocked his fingers and began murmuring something which I quite couldn't make out. What is this idot doing now?

"What are you doing Adam?" Dad asked.

"I'm praying. I don't want to end up in the hospital after eating this food," he replied, smudging.

Amanda chuckled. My head whipped towards her and gave her stinky eyes. She dropped her head, acting oblivious.

When I looked back at my stupid brother, he was wiggling his brows, proud of himself.

"Mom" I winced.

"Adam. Stop teasing your sister," She calmly said.

"You can't scold me for worrying about my health," he said innocently.

"Mom," Another wince came from me.

"Mom" Adam protests in a sickly girly tone, obviously imitating me.

I wanted nothing more than to poke his eyes with the fork in my hand, but I knew provoking his eyes wouldn't stop him from running his mouth. The sudden bang on the table made me jump a little. I look to see mom throwing a dragger towards a scared Adam now.

"Adam... You'll wash the dishes for the week."

Serve him right. I mentally celebrated the victory.

"This is not fair," It was now Adam's turn to wince.

" Keep with your attitude and it will be two weeks," Mom declared, which shut Adam.

"Can we eat now? If everyone's done fighting?" Dad interjected.

No one replied to him and they started eating their food. Throughout breakfast I was waiting for Liam to say something. After all, my reason for cooking was him, but he just ate the breakfast without making any comment. I was a bit disheartened but decided not to make it a big deal.

"It's really good Hazel," Amanda praised.

I gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you,"