Alaric's POV
I have never really been one to express how I feel. Emotions are not really my strong suit. So when I talked to Richard and he recommended I show how I feel, I internally cringed.
Growing up, showing how you feel, betraying your emotions to others was a sign of weakness. Weakness that could not be tolerated.
I was out through a severe series of tests by my father so as to prove myself worthy.
Even when I met and fell in love with Caira, she was always the one showering me with affection. I just did the bare necessities that proves I cared, but she was the very affectionate one.
It frustrated her at times and she would always try to get me to show some affection, but I was cold as ice.
So the first time I actually went out of my way to prepare a date and remind her how much she means to me, and how strongly I feel about her, she was shocked.
She could not contain her excitement that day, and she kept pinching herself to make sure she was not dreaming. It was funny as hell.
So now, I am staring into my bedroom mirror, looking ridiculous as ever, and practicing dialogues I am likely to have with Chelsea ahead of time, so I would not make a fool of myself when trying to sweep her off her feet.
The most annoying flaw in this plan is that Chelsea is full of surprises, unnatural surprises, and somewhere at the back of my head, I know that no amount of practice can get me ready for any conversation with her at all. So for now, I am just watching time go by whilst I wait for her to get out of school this afternoon.
I roped Torin into setting up a date with Chelsea for me. Surprisingly, he was all in for it. I am beginning to think he is not just tolerating her anymore, and she is actually rubbing off on him, which is a good thinh, as long as everything stays on a friendship level between them both. Anything further and someone might lose a limb or two. It would not end well at all.
I am still making a fool out of myself in front of the mirror when I get a knock on my door.
"Who is it?" I ask loudly.
"It is Cain, Alpha." Cain responds from the other side of the door.
"Come in." I say, walking to my couch that is positioned on the other side of g the room.
He walks in carefully and I realize that this is actually the first time he has ever walked into my room, so his nerves are actually really understandable.
"The package was sent to the coven." He says, referring to the thank you package I asked to be sent.
"Good." I say with a nod. "Any news on the vampires?" I ask.
"They have been extremely quiet lately." This piece of information makes me lean forward.
"Keep your ears open for them. Their quietness means they are planning something huge, so we have to stay ready and alert." I say.
"Yes Alpha."
"Thank you Cain. You are doing a good job." I say to encourage and appreciate him.
"Thank you Alpha." He says bowing. "Permission to speak Alpha?" He asks and I nod so he can go ahead. "I think you are doing an amazing job leading the pack. Even without you being here, you have unknowingly kept the pack together." He says and I can not help but smile.
"Thank you Cain. That means a lot to me." I say actually smiling at him. I see the shock on his face and I totally understand it. Maybe Richard was right, and the reason everyone calls me Alpha and bows a lot is because they are scared of me. I can not believe I am saying this, but I need more friends from my subjects.
They know I care, but they also know I can be ruthless and that makes them terrified of me. I will not suddenly become buddies with them or go soft on them, but I need someone who can call me out on my bullshit with little to no fear. Apart from Chelsea of course. And I think that person could be Cain. I highly doubt he would disrespect me or go against my wishes if we become friends. So I follow my guts and decide to give it a try.
"Would you like to have a drink with me?" I ask, and he looks at me with surprise. "It is not a trick or a test. I mean it." I clarify to clear his doubts and fears.
"Uhmm. Yes, Alpha." He says moving closer.
"Do me a favor?" I ask.
"Anything Alpha." He says bowing.
"Stop calling me Alpha from now on. Just call me Alaric." I say handing him his drink. He takes it and looks at me with wide eyes. "Sit. I am serious."
He quietly takes a seat and takes a sip of his drink. I notice how uncomfortable he looks and I can not help but chuckle.
"This is not a trap. I promise. You are my Beta, and it has been brought to my attention that you deserve to be closer to me and less informal around me. Even leaders need assistance, and we are also bound to make mistakes. As you know, two heads are better than one, and I need someone to call out my bullshit when needed." I say to him with a slight smile.
"I understand what you mean Alpha. I mean Alaric. It would just take me some time to get used to it." He says carefully.
"Alright. But do not take too long. I can be very impatient." I tease.
"Noted." He says with a tight smile. "But I highly doubt you of all people would need to be called out at all." He adds.
"Trust me when I say that you put too much faith in me. Even leaders mess up from time to time. That is why we need people capable of calling us out." I say to him, and we spend the next few hours debating back and forth.