Chapter 66: Did he finally realize I did nothing wrong?

Leona

I did not have to work at the daycare today. All I wanted was to get out of the territory for a while and clear my head. So I decided to go to the city.

I needed new pillowcases and curtains and just some stuff to make our living room look nicer. It has been way too long since anyone would walk in and think a woman actually lived here.

My dad finally let me go after I had to convince him I was not trying to run away. He gave me some cash too, which I did not even need.

I still had most of the allowance money he gave me when I was in Atlanta. My uncle and his wife would not let me spend anything there except on my personal things. So all of it went into my savings.

But before Dad said yes to the city trip, he made me cook breakfast. He did not have work today and he invited the Alpha to eat with us. I wanted to ask why so bad but I kept my mouth shut.

After everything that happened yesterday, I really wanted to see Arel. Explain about Cyrus. Not that I owed him an explanation. I just did not want people judging me. Especially him. Even if we do not end up together, I still do not want him thinking I am some kind of bad person.

So there I was, working my ass off making breakfast even though the only things I know how to cook are bacon and omelets. I tried making pancakes too and they actually looked decent. At least nothing was going in the trash this time.

I opened the kitchen window to let some air out because the exhaust fan could not handle all the smoke. That is when I caught a smell of dead animal blood mixed in with everything else.

Curiosity got me so I ran to the front door and pulled it open. I frowned and looked around trying to see who did this.

A scream came out of my mouth before I could stop it. Dad was right next to me in seconds, staring at the dead animal on the ground.

My eyes were wide and my heart was pounding as I looked at him. A smile spread across his face and he crouched down to get a better look at the deer.

"Looks like someone is courting you, sweetheart." He wiggled his eyebrows at me. "Probably the same one who left that rabbit the other day."

I swallowed and shrugged. "I do not know. How do you know this is for courting and not a threat? Humans leave dead cats on porches when they want to scare people."

He stood up and messed up my hair.

"Dad!" I pulled away from his hand. The last thing I wanted was to look ugly when Arel showed up.

"Ways of the wolf, Leona. Not human. Look at this wound here." He pointed at the deer's neck. "Someone skilled hunted and killed this. It is not brutal enough to scare you."

My cheeks got hot and I bit my lip. "What am I supposed to do with that?"

"I will handle it. But it is probably time to let Rain start hunting. She should get used to dead animals. I am sure she is eager to eat them raw." He laughed and I felt guilty. Should I tell him I already went hunting with Arel?

I decided not to. He must have thought I was quiet because I did not like the idea.

"It is not bad. It will feel natural once you start. Now go back to the kitchen and let me handle this." He pulled me into a hug and pushed me gently toward the house.

"Do not burn the house down," he called after me as he bent down to pick up the dead deer.

"Whatever." I waved him off and went back inside. Thank God I did not have to deal with that dead animal myself.

I put the breakfast I made on the table and set out the plates. I could hear Dad moving around somewhere in the back of the house and I am pretty sure it had to do with the deer.

I needed to ask Arel later if he left it there.

Dad said Arel and the Beta were coming but I set out five plates. Thought Ethan might show up too. I turned off the coffee maker and then heard a knock at the front door.

Right on time.

I went to the back door first and called out to Dad that they were here. Then I went to answer the door.

I opened it and saw him. He looked like he just took a shower and shaved off all the stubble on his face. He looked nice and clean. Not that I did not like him with stubble because he definitely looked sexy with it. But this clean look made him seem younger. Like the boy next door smiling at me.

And like always, I could not look away.

"Ahhhmm..." Beta Finn cleared his throat and broke me out of whatever spell Arel had me under.

"Hey. Come in." I moved aside and let them in. I looked down at the floor because my face was so hot. I was confused too because yesterday he walked out on me without saying a word and now he was grinning at me like that.

The Beta walked right in and went to the kitchen. Arel waited by the door while I closed it.

I looked up at him but then looked back down at my feet. My cheeks were still burning as I started talking quiet enough that only he could hear.

"Arel, about yesterday..."

He tilted his head and kept smiling. Then he put a finger under my chin and made me look up at him. "It is okay. We do not need to talk about it."

"But..." I could not even get the words out.

Damn sparks.

"If it really matters that much to you, we can talk later. I am starving and I smell those omelets I have been wanting since you made me one before." He bent his head down and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. It stole my breath right out of me.

Then he turned around and walked to the kitchen. Left me standing there not knowing what to say.

I followed him, confused about why he did not seem bothered by Cyrus anymore. Did he finally realize I did nothing wrong?

"Move," I heard him say in a cold voice and it snapped me back to reality.

He was standing right next to where the Beta was sitting. The Beta gave him a confused look but then slid out of that chair and moved to the one right next to it.

I laughed under my breath. Arel kicked him out because that chair was the one next to my spot at the table.