Part 63

My phone read two in the afternoon, and I twisted my lips, blearily blinking as I sat up, back sore, head, sore and thighs still sensitive. I flopped right back down, whacking the bed where Abel was supposed to be, but wasn't. I just let out an incoherent groan, eyes screwed shut before peeking one open, looking down and over at the door, open just a few inches. 

"Good afternoon?" His voice filtered through the crack, and I shut my eyes again, waiting. He'd come to get me eventually. So technically, I didn't need to move, until the Alpha showed up. Quite a spoiled line of thinking, but with how he had treated me lately, I believed I had every right.

"I think you killed me, last night," I mumbled, feeling a hand slide up my ankle, then my exposed knee, pushing the blanket aside as it went.

"I'm sorry baby. Are you still sore?"

I hummed in response.

"I can run you a hot bath."

"Yes please you killed me."

" I had to leave you for a week. Do you know how much that hurt?" The bed dipped as he neared me, letting out a deep sigh, and nuzzling my hair. I nodded, reaching up to cup his face, brushing over the slight stubble there. 

"I was hurt, too," I whispered, chest aching as I thought of the mornings of the past few days. My omega was feeling so aimless, so hopeless and lost. As if Abel could sense my inner turmoil, he pressed his forehead against mine and everything stilled for a few seconds. 

"I know, I wish I'd have told you sooner and put us two out of this misery..." He trailed off, hand coming up to stroke my cheek.

"It's okay. Let us not dwell on it anymore. What matters is we both are here." 

"Yes." He kissed my cheek. "What do you want for breakfast? It's way past lunch time..."

I sheepishly smiled, cheeks reddening as I leaned against the bed rest, his shirt sleeves falling in my lap. The Alpha gave me one of his button-down shirts to wear. "You should have woke me up."

"You looked so content I didn't have the heart to disturb you."

I made a face at him, shaking my head. "Look at you...you've gone soft on me now?"

"I am afraid this is included in your mate package now."

"Is it too late for me to back out?"

He pulled me by my waist, ignoring my protest and pushing me on his lap, wrapping his arms so I had no chance to escape. His face bore into mine, suddenly appearing serious. 

"Yes! You are stuck with me now."

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Good.” He nuzzled in my hair.

“Did Edward not come home last night?” I peeked at the door, worry bubbling in the pit of my stomach. My brother was more than capable of taking care of himself but after learning that he knew about I and Abel I was nervous. 

“No. He’s at your place.”

My eyes widened and I twisted my body to look at him. “Huh? He’s staying over at my place?”

“Yes with Allie.”

I froze as those words registered and the serious look on Abel’s face as he uttered it. My brother and my best friend? I parted my lips at that. When did it start? How did it start? I had so many questions and above all why did my best friend not tell me about this? Then again I kept a secret from her about Abel. 

“I don’t know how to feel about it.” 

“Baby that’s alright.” Abel stroked my hair, his voice calming. “When I first heard about it I didn’t know how to react either. Edward really loves her though, just watch him when he talks about her. He gets this look…” The Alpha made a sound at the back of his throat. “What I want to say is do not be hard on them. We are in the same position as them right now.”

I twisted my lips as I mulled over our situation. Abel was right. We all kept secrets from each other and let it get to this stage.

“Should we talk to them?” My stomach chose that moment to growl, making me hide my face in my knees. 

Abel laughed. “We can but after lunch.”

“Don’t laugh.”

“Sorry, but you are so adorable.”

“Whatever.” I blushed, still not looking at him. 

The Alpha cleared his throat. “Edward texted last night but you went to sleep. He asked me about you and when I told you were asleep he said he’ll crash at Allie’s.”

“Oh.”

“Hmm, and Allie was here this morning to borrow milk. She asked for you but then saw you sleeping and left.”

“How was I sleeping through all of it?!” I made an affronted noise, crossing my arms and staring at the wall in front of me. My omega must have been truly content for me to not care about anything else but catch on my sleep. The thought made something inside me curl.

***

Abel had already made lunch by the time I stepped out of the room, freshly showered and wearing one of his sweatshirts. The Alpha had followed several recipes from a book and made a buffet for rival hotels. Everything was neatly arranged on the table. For that short time I was devouring food, I forgot all about meeting Edward and Allie. 

He carried a smile on his face all the while I was eating, chest filled with pride at the thought of proving for me, his mate. Alphas. I thought under my breath while secretly enjoying the look. 

***

Allie opened the door, her face flushed as she rushed us inside. My brother was sitting on the couch, his hair messy and shirt crumpled up. It did not take a genius to guess what they had been up to before we walked in. I still couldn’t believe it. 

There was tension in the air so heavy and thick it could be sliced. My brother stiffened as Abel followed behind me, our hands entwined. It must have been equally shocking for me to get used to the new reality. 

“D-Do you want something to drink? Coffee?” Allie broke the silence as Abel settled next to me, taking my hand in his. 

The thought of having coffee after such a heavy meal brought a sour taste to my mouth. I shook my head. So she turned to Abel who had the same answer.

Silence fell in the room again. 

Edward cleared his throat and sat up straight, grabbing our attention which only made Abel tighten his hold on me. My brother looked at us for a second too long. 

“I take it everything is resolved between you two?”

My stomach curled at his intense stare and I felt my throat getting dry. Instead of responding, I simply nodded my head. Sitting in front of him with his best friend as my mate was going way worse than I had imagined in my head. 

“Yes, we are all good now.”

My brother hummed, shifting his eyes between the two of us. “And what are your intentions with my sister?”

I spluttered at the question, turning to him with a glare. What was he doing? We had just made up and the last thing I wanted was my brother to go all Alpha on Abel and scare him away. Unlike what I expected, Abel was very calm at the question directed towards him. 

“I plan to bond with her.” My breathing stilled as he fully focused on my brother, his hand never leaving mine. “I know I was an idiot to have almost lost her but I know that I cannot live without her. She’s my mate and I will honour that till I die.”

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Allie beaming at the answer. How long has she known? Did my brother tell her? I had so many questions. She must have had difficulty getting through this alone. 

Edward snorted. “How very noble of you.”

“Edward don’t be an ass!” Allie slapped his knee and I watched in awe as his posture immediately change. He sagged in his seat. “It will be us on that side soon. Behave.”

“Yes, dear.” He said in a resigned tone.

I bit my lip to hide the smile threatening to break out. Maybe it wasn’t that bad, having Allie as my sister-in-law. I have always considered her to be family anyway. 

“How is that going to work? Pray to tell? Your family wants you to marry Allie and they have set up this match. Will you oppose them?”

I saw Allie tense in her seat at the mention of their engagement. It was clear that she had no interest in going ahead with the match and visibly appeared uncomfortable at the topic. Sensing her distress, my brother pulled her close to him. 

“I will talk to them.” Abel huffed. “I had no intention of going ahead with this match anyway. My dad will understand even if it takes time. I plan to take Emma to my packhouse and introduce her as my mate. They can deal with it.”

My heart thudded in my chest, and suddenly the reality of the situation hit me. The thought of seeing all those faces of his pack made me shift in my seat. When I was there last time I was with Avon. 

As if Abel sensed the range of emotions running through me, he squeezed my hand and made me turn to him. “I know what you are thinking but it’s fine. You will be their Luna and I want them to know you and why I fell in love with you.”

It tugged at my heartstrings, immediately dissipating some of the heavy feeling. “You always know what to say, charmer.”

My brother rolled his eyes. “Is that all you got? Talk with them?”

Allie pinched his side. “It’s better than you not coming up with anything.”

Edward grumbled. “I am working on it.”

“Since when?” She argued back. 

I cleared my throat, clapping my hand in front of them to stop their bickering. They went quiet and sheepishly smiled at each other. 

“Thanks.” I licked my lips. “Are you done interrogating my Alpha?”

My brother stared at Abel before turning to me and shrugging. “I already talked with him yesterday so we are good for now. He won’t hurt you again and if he does he knows what’s coming for him.”

I shook my head at my brother’s tone. “I am sure he does. Now that’s out of the way. It’s my turn.” I flexed my fingers, cracking my knuckles before looking at them with the most innocent look on my face. “Shall we begin?”

***