Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers-Chapter 172: Draven’s Love Language

Evaline:

I just stood at the entrance, completely thrown off and trying to wrap my head around the fact that I wasn’t at the Academy but standing in Draven’s secret cabin nestled in the heart of the mountain.

This wasn’t part of my plan.

I was supposed to return to my dorm, crash on my bed for a few hours, maybe drag myself to lunch with my friends and then spend the afternoon in the library trying to catch up on studies I had missed.

But Oscar - my sweet, stubborn, protective mate - had flipped that plan on its head by dropping me off here... and leaving me alone with his younger brother.

The same younger brother who hadn’t spoken more than five sentences to me since Friday.

I glanced over at Draven.

He was standing there quietly, hands in his pockets and still that same unreadable look in his eyes. I realized that the tension between us hadn’t decreased at all, not even after his visit to the hospital last night. That same invisible wall was standing firm. Stiff. Unspoken.

Still, for better or worse... we were stuck here. Together. For the entire day.

He was the first to break the silence once Oscar’s car disappeared from our view. He pushed the door open wider and said, "Come in."

I followed him inside as he locked the door behind us. The interior of his safe house was just like I remembered from my previous visit - warm, clean, and welcoming.

He led me to the living room and gestured for me to sit. I sank down into the couch, the silence stretching awkwardly between us like an invisible barrier neither of us could break through.

"I’m going to make us some breakfast," he finally said while rubbing the back of his neck and turning toward the kitchen.

I surprised myself by speaking up, "Do you... want some help?"

He paused, then turned slightly to glance at me. For a second, I thought he might refuse, but then a soft, brief smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

"You can keep me company. That’s help enough."

I stood and followed him into the kitchen, seating myself on one of the stools along the counter as he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He had taken off his hoodie, and was now in just a fitted black T-shirt that clung to his frame in all the right places.

I hated how my breath caught for a second. He was ridiculously attractive without even trying. His forearms kept flexing as he whisked eggs, and his jaw tightened in concentration as he chopped vegetables.

He was moving with such ease, like he had done this a hundred times before.

"You cook a lot?" I asked, trying to fill the silence.

"Not really," he replied, flipping the veggies in the pan. "This is the first time I have ever cooked a full breakfast for my mate."

My heart skipped a beat.

He didn’t say a girl, or someone he like, or even a friend. He said my mate.

And suddenly, memories began flashing in my head - about how he always brought me snacks. How he always made sure I was eating properly, that I was never running empty stomach.

Werewolves had their own love languages, and food was a major one of them. And it turned out to be his as well.

I stared at him, feeling my heart tightening with unexpected warmth.

By the time we finished setting the table, I was completely floored.

Pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast, sauteed vegetables, cheese omelets, fresh fruit salad, and hot chocolate with cinnamon sticks. It was looking like a spread meant for ten people, not two. I gawked at the table and then looked at him.

He caught my gaze and gave a light shrug. His eyes flickered with just the faintest bit of shyness. "Like I said, it’s my first time cooking for my mate... for you."

The words didn’t stop echoing in my mind, even as we sat down to eat. I couldn’t stop thinking about what it meant... how deeply rooted the instinct must be in him to feed and care for the one he was bound to.

And he was showing it... even while being distant. Even while struggling with things left unspoken.

"Thank you," I murmured.

He looked up from his plate, as though surprised.

"For this," I added. "For taking care of me. For cooking all of this. I know I must have disrupted your day."

He shook his head slowly. "I didn’t have plans."

That caught my attention. "What about your classes?"

His fork stilled. "I haven’t been back to the Academy since Friday night."

I blinked in surprise and it took me a second to absorb that. He hadn’t just walked away from me Friday night, he had walked away from everyone. Everything.

The rest of breakfast passed in thoughtful silence, and when we finished, I helped him clear the plates, though he quickly shooed me out before I could touch the dishes.

I returned to the living room and checked my phone, finally catching up on the messages piling in.

The first message that I opened was from Kieran: Rowan called me to inform that he will be bringing you back to the Academy today. So I’ll not be coming. Have a good rest today.

This explained why he didn’t show up this morning like he promised. I quickly typed back a response.

I’m back at the dorm and will rest today. Thank uounfor everything, Professor. See you tomorrow in Herbs and Potions.

Then I opened Rowan’s message.

Oscar told me to lie to Professor. I did it because I knew you will want to stay with Oscar rather than his older brother. Just rest today and message me if you need anything.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

I will. And thank you... for everything, I replied.

My inbox was filled with messages from Mallory, Kyros, Noah, Selene, and Ria - all concerned, all wishing me well. I replied to them quickly, thanking them all, but I saved something special for Mallory:

Let’s have a girls’ talk tonight. Okay?

By the time I set my phone down, Draven was walking back into the room, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel.

And just like that, the awkward silence was back. He stood by the armchair, while I was curled up on the couch. Both of us were trying to avoid the other’s eyes like we were scared one look would unravel everything we had been keeping tightly sealed inside.

Then, to my surprise, he tilted his head slightly and asked, "Want to play our town-building game?"

I blinked. "Now?"

His lips twitched. "Unless you have better plans."

I let out a small sigh and nodded my head, once again reaching for my phone. "Let’s do it then."

And just like that, the mood shifted.

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