CHAPTER NINETY TWO - ROSALIE

CHAPTER NINETY TWO - ROSALIE
I wake in Cain’s arms. Aeron isn’t here and, for a moment my head panics and I look around, wildly afraid that he’s never coming back. 

But then his face is there, he’s carrying a tray laden with more food than any of us can eat. His beautiful, impossible eyes meet mine and I can see it, they’re glowing. 

He puts it down on the bed as Cain slowly stirs.

“What time is it?” Cain grumbles and I bite my lip not to laugh. He’s never been much of a morning person, and I’ve realised how much I’ve missed it, his frowns, his want to stay in bed curled up as long as possible.

“Mid-morning.” Aeron replies.

My eyes widen. It doesn’t feel so late. It feels like we only just shut our eyes. I glance at the window, but the curtains are so thick it doesn’t give a hint to what the day outside is like.

“You both needed to rest.” Aeron says, sitting down with the tray between us.

Cain sits up just enough to rest against the plush headboard and I shift to get a better view of what delights Aeron has brought us. There’s fresh fruit, pancakes, muffins, bacon, my mouth is watering at the sight of it all. 

“Breakfast in bed?” I tease. He’s never done this for me before. Not once. 

He grins. “You both need food. And our pups need it too.”

I smile, my hand instinctively going to my belly where still it’s so flat. 

“You need to eat too, Aeron.” I say.

“Why do you think I brought so much?” He says. “Or did you think this was all for you, Pet?” 

I let out a laugh. He seems so relaxed right now, so calm, despite all the horrific drama of the last week. He picks up a slice of bacon. It’s glistening with something, and he reaches out offering it to me. I open my mouth as he slides it in, and I can’t help the moan as the mix of salt and sweet hits my tastebuds.

“Maple syrup?” I half gasp, once I’ve chewed it down. 

“I learnt from the best.” He says and I realise he means me. So, he’s been paying attention after all.

“Cain?” I say, turning to where he’s been sat silent beside me. He still looks pale. He still seems weak, but he’s got a crooked grin on his face that makes my heart leap.

“Are you going to feed me, Little Dove?” He murmurs.

“That depends.” I say. “Do you need me to?”

He laughs. “Need, want.” He wags his head, balancing it up, and I take a piece from the plate feeding him just as Aeron did me. He groans as he chews it down and we all hear his stomach grumble.

“Someone needs more meat.” I say and they both smirk as if I’ve made a funny joke.

Aeron repositions the tray better between the three of us and we all start digging in, too famished now for niceties.

“How’s the Pack?” Cain asks quietly.

“Everything is sorted. Hunter has stepped up.” Aeron replies.

“I can help.” Cain says, and we both shake our heads in unison.

“No, brother.” Aeron says. “We don’t need you to help right now. We just need you to heal. Both of you to heal.” 

He fixes me with a look that makes me frown. I’m not damaged, I’m not hurt. 

“I’m okay.” I say.

Aeron gives me a small smile, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I know you are, Pet, but we want to make sure. I want to make sure.”

I nod. Is it weird that I’m liking this teddy bear act of his? Suddenly it hits me, and I gasp trying not to giggle.

“What is it?” Cain asks.

“Your mum said you’d be like this.” I state.

“Like what?” Aeron says, narrowing his eyes.

“Like a teddy bear. All cuddly and protective because of our pups.”

Cain bursts out laughing and Aeron clearly can’t tell if I’m taking the piss or not.

“How am I like a teddy bear?” He half growls.

I take his hand squeezing it. “I like it, Aeron. I like you taking care of us.”

He huffs, fixing me with that fierce look he gets. “Good.” He says. “Because this is how I’m going to be from now on.”

I nod, biting my lip, looking from him to Cain. “What about you?” I ask.

“What about me?” Cain says.

“When are you going to turn all soft?”

Aeron grumbles while Cain sniggers. 

“I am not soft.” Aeron practically pouts.

“And I have always been a teddy bear.” Cain says, wrapping his arm around me. “Don’t forget you fell for my charms first.”

“And then you let the big bad Wolf eat you after.” Aeron says, smirking as I inexplicably blush so red.

“I love you both.” I say. “I love you both just as you are.”

“Good.” Cain says.

“Because neither of us are changing.” Aeron states, picking up a muffin, splitting it with his hands and feeding me a bit, like this is all perfectly normal Alpha behaviour on his part.