**Tiana’s POV**
"I'd like to have dinner with you later. Privately. What do you think?" Theo's words echoed in my mind, leaving me momentarily speechless. His voice was so rich and deep that I could almost feel it in my insides.
I sucked in a sharp breath and looked around, just to be sure he was actually talking to me and not someone else.
"Oh, a private dinner," I stammered, trying to process the invitation while maintaining my composure.
Theo's eyes held a warmth and intensity that made it hard to think straight. They were the kind of eyes that seemed to see right through you, leaving you exposed yet captivated. "Yes, Tiana. What do you think?" he repeated, his gaze never wavering.
When I looked away because of how awkward it was, his hands went up to my face gently and turned to face him. I could not stop the blush from creeping up my face. My cheeks felt so heated.
My mind raced with thoughts and emotions. There was no way I could see into the Alpha's intentions. At the same time, skepticism gnawed at me. Why would he, the Alpha, want to have dinner with someone like me? The whole situation felt both thrilling and bewildering.
Theo was giving me the kind of attention a man would give to his lover, so I just felt so overwhelmed and burdened by the whole thing. For someone who was an intruder in their pack, wasn't I meant to be working as either a servant or something?
Yet, here I was being treated like I was the most loved child of a family. I was literally living better than some of the other pack members.
They had even taken it upon themselves to make sure I did some training. Some members of their pack did not even have the privilege of training with a normal soldier, yet I was training with the beta and the alpha watches.
I had nothing to say, so I just nodded. "Oh, okay. Sure, Alpha Theo," I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled, a playful glint in his eyes that made my pulse quicken. "Just Theo," he corrected gently.
"Sorry," I quickly said, feeling a bit flustered by his insistence on informality. "Just Theo, yeah."
His smile widened, and I noticed how his whole face lit up with that simple gesture. "By the way, I haven't been crowned Alpha yet. My father, who is traveling, is still the Alpha."
I blinked in surprise, the revelation catching me off guard. "I didn't know that."
"Not many new members of the pack do. Now, get some rest, and I'll see you later," he said. He raised my hands to his lips and kissed the back of it.
I watched him walk away, his tall frame and confident stride were impressive to watch. I smiled, feeling my stomach flutter with butterflies. What was getting into me?
As I made my way back to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling of being in a fix. What was I supposed to wear to a private dinner with the future Alpha? My heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
I needed to look good, and at the same time not do too much. The problem, however, is that I do not have so many clothes yet.
The next day, I woke up early, the memory of Theo's invitation still fresh in my mind, playing over and over like a favourite song. I decided to distract myself by organizing my things and tidying up my room, hoping to calm my racing thoughts. As I was finishing up, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," I called out.
To my surprise, it was Amara. She entered with a bright smile. "Good morning, Tiana!" she greeted cheerfully. "I see you have been busy," she said, looking around.
"Good morning, Amara," I replied, returning her infectious smile. "As I don't have training today, I decided to keep myself busy."
"That's nice," she smiled.
"How are you?" I asked.
"I'm doing well. Just thought I'd check on you and see how you're holding up after your first day of training," she said, sitting down on the edge of my bed with a familiar ease.
"It was intense, but I think I'm getting the hang of it," I admitted.
"That's great to hear. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you. The baby has been kicking more than usual," Amara said, her eyes lighting up with excitement, her hand instinctively moving to her growing belly.
I leaned forward, intrigued and delighted by her news. "Really? How far along are you now?"
"Almost six months. It's been quite a journey," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of wonder and exhaustion. "The physician says it's a good sign. The baby is healthy and active."
"I'm so happy for you, Amara," I said sincerely, my heart swelling with happiness for her. "It must be such an amazing feeling."
"It is," she agreed, her face glowing. "I can't wait till I can hold him. But enough about me. How are you feeling?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should share my dilemma. But Amara had always been kind and understanding, so I decided to confide in her. "Actually, I have a bit of a problem."
"Oh? What's that?" Amara asked, her expression turning serious, her concern evident.
"Well, Alpha Theo—um, I mean, Theo—invited me to a private dinner tonight, and I have no idea what to wear," I confessed, feeling a bit embarrassed by my predicament.
Amara's face broke into a wide grin, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Oh, that's wonderful, Tiana! Don't worry about anything. I'll help you get ready."
"You will?" I asked, relief washing over me like a cool breeze on a hot day.
"Of course," she said, standing up with a happy smile like a child who has been given candy. "I've got plenty of experience with these things. We'll find you the perfect outfit."
I smiled, "Thank you, Amara. I really appreciate it."
"No problem at all," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "That's what friends are for, right?"
My heart warmed. Amara considered me a friend.