Part 29. Caring Alphas

Janet stayed around for a while, accompanied Ava for a bland breakfast from the cafeteria. They talked about the flowers for a while, which the omega had several questions to ask. Why would Zach give her those beautiful daffodils? Maybe he does feel guilty about challenging her. If the Pack Alpha wanted to apologise for that, he should have come to see her.




It's been more than one day, and there was no sign of him which pissed her off. At first, the omega was unaffected, thinking that Zachs fight with his brothers must have taken a toll on him. Why didn't he come the following day? He could have personally handed in the flowers instead of asking someone else to do the job.





Janet had to be in school after an hour or so which was why the omega left hurriedly. The teenager promised her that she would try to come back soon and bring some books along with her. Ava desperately needed that, something to
pass her time instead of staring at the walls in exasperation.




After Janet left, a nurse came back to change the bandage and bought her fresh clothes from the packhouse. She was super friendly as last time Rayly introduced them. Ava put on the floral sundress, which the nurse got her.





Lost in her thought, she didn't even notice the door being pushed open. Her eyes immediately fell on Dante walking in, freshly showered and easy smile. The Alpha halted in his spot when he noticed that she was not on the bed. Ava overlooked a small package he was carrying in his left hand.




"Why are you out of bed?" He questioned her, removing a delicate bowl and spoon from the package and setting them down on the table.




The omega curiously peeked at the bowl covered with foil. What could that be? She raised her head, blinking at him, totally ignoring the question he posed for her. "What is this?"




Dante leaned forward and opened the foil revealing the bowl filled with chicken soup. The young woman could see small portions of carrots, beans, celery floating in the liquid and small square chunks of meat. It had a distinct smell as well, pleasant and herby. Her mouth instantly watered at sight, stomach growling.




"Chicken soup", She breathed. "Mhm, looks tasty."




His lips broke out in a smile. "It's a traditional recipe. My grandmother used to make it for us when we fell ill. I think it's because of the holy basil she puts fresh from the garden."




"You made this for me?" She gaped, mouth slacking a little. The omegas heart thumped in her chest at the thought of her Alpha cooking for her. It was one of the most romantic gestures while courting in her tribe. Ava had no idea if this pack considered it or not.




Dante nodded his head, eyes averting all of a sudden. "I followed the recipe. It's easy to make."



"T-Thank you so much." The omega managed to stutter, licking her dry lips. Her stomach fluttered with the butterflies threatening to escape. The Alpha went through all that trouble and quickly brushed it off as nothing. As the silence settled over the room, blanketing both of them, Dante cleared his throat.




"So you didn't answer my question earlier. Why are you sitting here?"




"I wanted to sit by the window for a change," She spoke as the Alpha settled in the empty seat in front of her. "It's precaution before I go mad and start yelling at someone."





Ava heard a deep chuckle escape from him, eyes crinkling by the corner. "You did well. Doctor Frank cannot handle loud noises for an Alpha. I think he would have quit if you yelled."




It felt weird to hear the Alpha joke with her like they were long time friends. She was taught that Alphas were not a thing to mess with; they were dangerous people with no sense of humour—just a bunch of cold and careless characters. Meeting the Bruno brothers changed her perspective on a lot of things.




Dante was different. He had laughed and joked with her like they were not contrasted personalities.




"How is your leg then?"




"Almost healed. I think I am ready to fight another psycho Alpha," The young woman responded with a crooked smile, her shoulders shrugging as she placed her hands in her lap.




"Good. I'll take that challenge once you are healed."



"Prepare to lose then."



"In your hands? Gladly"



Was he flirting? They stared at each other, the crimson tint to her cheeks growing apparent as his eyes bored into her. His jaw was clenched and eyes low. When no one said a word and no muscle was moved, Ava broke the eye contact as she looked down at the patterns on her dress.





He motioned Ava to sit back against the armrest, and she obeyed. Her mind was more focused on trying to erase their conversation rather than the soft fingertips that brushed her side.




"Your soup must be cold..."




His phone rang loudly, interrupting whatever he had to say. Dante excused himself to attend the call. His back was tensed as he murmured along to whatever the person spoke on the other side.




"I need to go." The Alpha sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's urgent."




She shook her head in understanding, watching the Alpha press his lips into a line. The omega looked to watch Dante turn around and open the door before stepping out and closing it behind him. Once it was just the omega left in the room, Ava slumped over the side of the couch and let out a defeated groan.





There was no possible way she was going to stay in this room all alone. There was nothing to do but sleep, and sleeping wasn't on her to-do list. Ava pulled herself up and leaned forward against her lap to grab the bowl of soup from the table, its contents now cold as she set it to balance between her legs.
***
Ava stuffed her hands under the blanket, the stained skin of her boney hands becoming a bit too sensitive to the chill in the night air. The moon was out, shining bright, lighting the dirt road that could be seen through the window. It was the only thing calming the omega, the beauty of its glow lulling her to take deep breaths.



There's a sharp knock on the door.




"Can I come in?" The Alpha asked, voice low as if he's afraid of breaking the silence in the room. Ares. What was he doing here? She nodded her head.




A disgruntled Alpha pushed his way into the room moments later, hair wild and tangled, deep, dark circles hanging under his dim grey eyes. His eyebrows were furrowed, confused; he's wringing his hands, nervous. There was something different about his pheromones as well.





They stayed silent for some time, letting their breaths echo in the room along with the light whooshing of the night breeze.




Ava couldn't help but think back to their last meeting, his nose pressing into her scent gland. Her legs pushed together under the blanket, breath hitching in her throat, arousal spiking in her stomach as she thought of the heat emitting from his body, blending into hers.




"Hi"


"Hi"



Both of them began at the same time, a weak smile tugging on her lips. She scooted in her bed, motioning for the Alpha to take a seat. Ava tried not to think how her parents would react to an unmated omega allowing an unmated Alpha to sit together while all alone. They would pretty much suffer a stroke.




"You were saying?"



Ares forwarded a pink envelope in her direction, their eyes clashing for a second. "This is a sorry card. I should not have...misbehaved with you. That was out of line, and trust me when I say this; I won't question your identity anymore. It's my promise."



Ava stared without blinking, her stomach twisting at the intensity behind those words. He was not lying, she could see the sincerity in those eyes, and besides, he did apologise last time. Albeit that didn't end well for her, Ares also carried her to the clinic and got help. If not for him, she would have suffered in there with Reeves.




Maybe not all Alphas were terrible.



She accepted the card, fingers tingling as their hands brushed for a moment. "Alpha Ares—"



"Ares is fine."




"Ares, thank you for the card." The omega peered at him through her lashes. "You saved my life, and I never got to express my gratitude—"




"You don't have to." He cut her off.




"You are right. I don't want to talk about that incident. Not now. Let's call it a truce then."




He bobbed his head. "Okay." The Alpha suddenly composed himself, chewing on his lips. "Umm...Ava...there's something else you should know."



"What?"



"Reeves is dead."
***
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