Zara

Asbela cleared the bowl and gave me the pills Dr. Haynes had left for me. I washed them down with a glass of water.

Luna stayed close and steered the conversation to something more amusing: Kane’s childhood. I could tell she was trying to connect.

"He once caught a scorpion and insisted on keeping it as a pet. We were glad he wasn’t stung when I found him holding it by the stinger. He was only seven years old," Luna recounted nostalgically, causing Asbela and me to burst into laughter.

"He stayed in a bad mood for three days. He was always moody, from the start, and never forgave easily." Luna told a few more stories to lighten the mood.

Despite everything, I was intrigued and listened with interest. There was so much about him I didn’t know.

While Luna was telling another story from his childhood, the door opened, and he entered the room with his usual cold demeanor. His gaze slid toward me, filled with such deep concern that it was incredibly difficult to discern.

"You’re making fun of me," Alpha added darkly, but Luna simply waved him off.

"Just telling your mate some true stories. I know she’ll love them." Luna’s attention shifted to me, and with a wink, she asked, "Really?"

I had to look away from Alpha. "Really."

"See? I made her smile after a terrible morning." Luna smiled at her son.

"Thank you, Mom. Breakfast is almost ready, and the Christmas tree is already here. We should head downstairs. After breakfast, we can decorate it."

Asbela quickly stood up and left to set the table.

Luna rubbed her hands. Her fingers were adorned with elegant, expensive rings. She had excellent taste. "Wonderful. We’ll do this together, and you’ll help me... no excuses. I want us all to be part of this joyful occasion."

"Good." Alpha came closer and stopped next to me, his gaze fixed on my face. "How are you feeling?"

"Good. Thank you for the soup. It was delicious," I thanked him sincerely, hoping he would understand that, despite all our differences, I appreciated his gesture.

"Why don’t you take Zara downstairs? We’ll have breakfast together, and then we’ll work on the wood. Zara can rest by the fireplace. Get her a chaise lounge," Luna suggested, standing up, and Alpha’s eyes lit up as if he’d hit the jackpot.

I wanted to object, but that would have sounded like I wanted to be left alone instead of joining them in their Christmas preparations.

And Luna was trying so hard that I simply couldn’t say no.

"I think that’s a great plan. I’ll take her downstairs as soon as we get the chaise lounge set up." Alpha pulled out his phone and called Olfi, and I could do nothing but watch helplessly. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Luna went downstairs, leaving me with Alpha.

"Do you need to change first? I can help," Alpha said, pointing to the closet. His expression remained passive.

Yes! As if I were undressing in front of him again.

"No, I’m fine as is." I was being lazy, but if I was going to lie down, I might as well be comfortable.

"Come on, I’ll take you downstairs." Alpha loomed over me; his imposing presence should have unnerved me, but it didn’t.

Lifting me up in his arms, he made sure my ankle didn’t hit anything. I held my breath, not wanting to be enveloped in his scent and warmth.

His body still comforted me in a way I didn’t want to accept. Part of me still craved him and loved him, even though he’d caused me the most terrible pain.

Turning my head away from him, I tried not to feel the warmth of his body penetrating me. The comfort it brought was unbearable.

"I need my phone," I said, not looking at him, and he leaned slightly to pick it up from the table.

"Got it." I snatched it from his hand as he led us out of the room.

I needed to call Dad; I had to tell him I couldn’t come yet. My heart fluttered at the thought of not being able to go to my family.

Alpha carefully descended the stairs. My left breast pressed against his flat chest, and I tried not to give in to the feelings that refused to fade in my chest.

But my ragged breath caught as I felt every contact between us... His strong arms were around my back and knees, the roughness of his chest, and the grip of his fingers on my arm and leg.

This man pulled me so tightly to him that no matter how hard I tried to harden my heart, it still reached out to him. I could only pretend to be indifferent, but in reality, that was impossible.

"Let this journey from the top floor to the bottom end soon," I prayed, constantly making the mistake of tilting my head and watching his face.

Like a self-assured man, he watched my reaction to his closeness. He knew how his closeness affected me.

And I want... I didn’t want to tell him openly.

"Here!" Luna’s voice interrupted our gaze. My gaze fell on a comfortable chaise lounge with a cushion placed by the fireplace.

Alpha carefully laid me down and adjusted my legs, being careful not to touch my ankle. Luna adjusted the pillow behind me while Asbela covered me with a soft blanket.

I was treated like a princess; if only I were a princess in his heart, too.

"Are you comfortable?" Alpha asked, still leaning over me, and I nodded slightly.

The chaise lounge hugged my body perfectly; it was neither too soft nor too hard, providing optimal cushioning. My ankle stopped hurting as the painkillers took effect.

We ate breakfast around me; Asbela placed a small portable table on the chaise lounge.

She served me strawberry yogurt, a cheese omelet, and toast, along with plenty of fresh fruit, for breakfast.

My stomach was full of soup, but I still tried to eat a little while the predator sat right across from me, watching my every bite.