Chapter 27: The Alpha Is Weakening

[Cole]
Sleep didn’t come.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been staring at the faint moonlight that had seeped through his window.

Cole listened as his wife’s soft breathing relaxed into the peaceful rhythm. He closed his eyes and caressed Dove’s silky tresses. Her rhythm was getting to him and a wave of calmness overcame him. But his body was still wide awake.

He resorted to sheep counting.

“When I first saw you, you smelled of fresh mint and morning rain.”

Cole blinked. It was almost inaudible but he was sure he heard her. Is she awake?

He waited for a sign from her, taking a cautious breath and not moving a muscle, in case the slightest movement would ruin the moment. After a brief silence, her small voice continued louder and clearer.

“It was so comforting. I felt so relaxed, like I never had a worry at all.”

Cole smiled.

“Then, you swore at me.” Her arm went around his waist and pulled him closer. “I’ve been swearing a lot too lately.”

A chuckle escaped from Cole’s lips and he dipped and kissed the top of her head.

“I see the pain in your eyes and I always wondered why. Then I knew and I wanted to hold the pain with you. But you wouldn’t let me. You kept running away.”

Cole forgot about his breathing and only heard his heart thumping faster and faster. A warm ache stretched his back muscles and his shoulders tensed up.

“I thought maybe I smelled bad, that’s why you won’t mate with me.” She inhaled and exhaled. “But now I know. The problem is me.”

He pulled slightly away to look down at her. Eyes closed, face relaxed, she seemed to be in a slumber. Cole wanted to call her but changed his mind. What if she was really asleep? Gradually, he dipped and pressed his lips onto hers, then lifted from her and leaned back to observe her.

Nothing happened.

And then, she nestled her face into the crook of his neck and whispered lightly, “Cole…”

He rested his chin on her head once more and exhaled gently.

He won’t be able to get much sleep tonight.


******


[Dove]
I opened my eyes to an incredible sight.

Cole’s strikingly handsome sleeping face filled my entire view. I thought I was still dreaming.

After a sharp inhale and a few blinks, I accepted the reality, relaxed and began admiring his fine features. This is the first time - and probably the last time - I would get to observe his face at such close proximity and take my time at it.

There was a tiny scar misaligning the hairs in his left eyebrow. His nose was angled more to the left. I then noticed a freckle below his right eye. My lips curled up in a smile. Lowering my gaze, his Cupid’s bow came to my focus. I sighed softly as my heartbeat increased.

His eyes flared open.

Startled, I blinked a few times and tried to move away. It was then I felt the weight of his heavy arms. They were all over me, locking me in his cuddle. Anxiety nagged at me until I saw his eyes closed again and his beautiful lips spread into a bright smile.

It was the smile I had missed so much.

“You are not to drink without me,” he breathed.

Heat exploded at the back of my head and the wet hotness tried to squeeze through my eyes again. I inhaled deeply and carefully to subdue them.

Sensing my long silence, his eyes opened again and had a worry in them.

“We can’t do this, Cole.” My voice was raspy. I cleared my throat and said, “Let go.”

He brought my face to his chest and said, “No. This is not--.”

“You can’t keep saying ‘this is not mating’.” I struggled to get out of his hold. He finally relented and I jumped off the bed.

I looked around for the first time and shot a surprised stare at him. “Am I in your room?”

He was rubbing his eyes and yawning. Then, he smiled lazily and nodded.

“Oh my Goddess! Why am I in your room?” I scrambled to the door.

But he quickly blocked my exit. The corner of his lips lifted as his casual voice asked, “Why can't you be in my room? I'm your husband.”

“Cole!” I backed away sharply. “You’re making this very difficult.”

He stepped closer. “I don’t get it. You’re my wife, I’m your husband. What’s wrong with us being in the same room, sleeping on the same bed?”

“Have you forgotten what I can do to you?”

“No.”

“Then why are you doing this?” I heard the desperation in my voice.

He slowly straightened and then frowned. Dropping his head and ruffling his wild hair with a frustrated sigh, he said, “Forget it.

After a few deep breaths, I could think properly again.

"I’ll be fine with Megan, Cole. You don't have to follow me around." Ignoring his glare, I said in a firm tone. "We need to keep our distance.”

“I'll follow you when I want to,” he stepped towards me. "And I'll tell you how much distance we need to keep."

"But--."

A strong knocking broke our connecting gaze and we turned to the door as a familiar sunny voice came through.

"Hey Cole, I just got back. Are you ready to meet? Or shall I come back later?" A brief pause and then the same cheerfulness sounded again, "Hi Dove, sorry to interrupt."

Immediately, my cheeks blazed up. I couldn't meet Cole's eyes and focused on the wooden floor instead.

The door opened and Cole's deep voice spoke, "Change of plans. I'll see you after breakfast. Get some rest if you can."

"Nah!" Owin laughed heartily, "I'll go find my sparring partner and get some breakfast with Jude. I'm so excited to be back! See you later, Cole. See you around, Dove."

I looked up, wanting to respond to Owin, but he was already gone, and I was back to staring at Cole's rugged features. Suddenly, he looked more dangerously sexy with his morning stubble.

"Why are you blushing?" He sounded angry.

I shifted to the couch next to the door to stay focused. "N-nothing. I'll go wash up."

He didn't stop me this time and I fled his intoxicating scent.