Hungry
I found Sianna and Aunt Lily waiting at the West gate. She asked me why I took so long. I just said that I had a pleasant conversation with Doc Locke. She seemed convinced, so she didn't ask any further.
The town is over an hour away. Alvin and Aivan volunteered to drove us to town. They quickly left after dropping us off.
"Welcome to Autumnvale town, Anna." I murmured.
This is the nearest town to Brimstone Mountain. It is also the biggest town in Artea. It's not only inhabited by regular people but also hybrids and pure werewolves. Sianna mentioned earlier that there are also witches living here.
I like this town. The last time I visited here was on my seventeenth birthday. Aunt Lily and Sianna brought me here for a day out. At that time, the town was also celebrating its anniversary, so I enjoyed the festivities.
We went to Mystic St. where Aunt Lily's friend lived. I heard she lived alone. She was widowed early. She's mated to a werewolf. Her husband was one of the Scouts, but rogues killed him.
"Aurora! How are you?" Aunt Lily greeted the woman outside the house. I think she's the same age as Aunt.
"Lily?! It's you!" the woman named Aurora exclaimed. "I'm glad you and Sianna came to visit. I missed you two. " she said with a smile.
"We have a companion. " Aunt Lily said as she held my shoulder. "Aurora, this is Kianna and Anna this is my close friend, Aurora."
I smiled at her and she did the same to me. "You're so beautiful, dear. Lily, is she the one you've been talking about?" She asked in amazement.
"Yes, and she now lives in Brimstone Mountain. " Aunt Lily replied.
"Well, let's continue our conversation inside. I'll also prepare some food for you." Tita Aurora motioned us to get inside her house.
Tita Aurora is a good cook and she's also a very good host. We talked about a lot of things like how she met her husband.
It was almost noon when we decided to take a stroll in the town. Tita Aurora took us to her favorite shops, and I also met some of Sianna's friends, including Jason.
Jason owns a small bookshop. He's kind and lively, reminding me of Braden. Before we left the bookshop, Jason gave me some old books they no longer sold.
•••••
As evening approached, we decided to return to the mansion. Tita Aurora took us to Mark. He was the man with a top knot hair, the one who delivered supplies and he will be escorting us back home.
Here in Artea, we use the carriage as a means of transportation.
On our way back, I couldn't help but remember the encounter earlier with Alpha Primo. It was our closest encounter, and I couldn't forget the warmth of his hands.
Unconsciously, I touched the spot where he held me earlier. I closed my eyes, recalling the moment. Why did that happen?
But admit it, Kianna. You liked it. You liked his warmth. My inner self uttered.
"Are you okay, Anna? You seem lost in thought." Sianna's question caught my attention.
"Uh, don't mind me. I'm just a bit tired." I said, smiling at her.
"Are you sure, Anna? You seem flushed. " Aunt Lily's observation widened my eyes.
Did I really blush? It felt like I wanted to disappear. Sianna's eyes also seemed suspicious. Before she could speak, I preempted her.
"Ah, yes. It was a bit warm earlier. I'm just adjusting. It's been a while since I last visited town."
It's quite true. The mansion is not as warm due to the surrounding trees.
Aunt Lily agreed. "You're right. It's warm in town. Make sure to rest as soon as we get back to the mansion."
I nodded in agreement. I look at Sianna, it seemed like I had convinced her. I sighed and decided to focus on the surroundings outside.
When we arrived at the pack house, I headed to the kitchen to deliver the items Aunt Dahlia requested. I smiled when I saw the triplets with her.
"Diosa, you're back! How was your visit to town?" Hayden asked while sipping his coffee. "It was good. I met many people. " I said, smiling.
I glanced at Jayden, and he gave me a small smile. I was glad he was trying to be okay.
When I looked at Braden, I couldn't help but smile. Aunt had mentioned that Braden was learning how to cook.
"Aunt Dahlia, here are the items you requested."
"Thank you, Anna. Are you hungry? I've cooked something here. " she said as she opened the pot. "It's best if you eat here. There's plenty."
"Hayden, please call Lily and Sianna. " she instructed Hayden.
Hayden left to get Aunt Lily and Sianna. Jayden bid goodbye to return to their room. He gave me a tap on my head before leaving.
I almost laughed as I watched Braden sweating while working. He noticed my reaction, so he raised an eyebrow.
"Guqpa, please don't laugh at me. Do you know that I'm close to perfecting my cooking?" he asked with raised eyebrows.
"Do you have plans to become a chef, Braden?" Auntie asked him.
"Not really, Aunt. You know that food is life, knowing how to cook means more food for me. " he said proudly, making Auntie and I laugh.
Moments later, Sianna and her mother arrived.
"Where is my brother?" Braden asked.
"He said he's going to take a run in the woods. " Sianna answered.
To take a run means to shift. In my three years of staying here, I rarely see them shift. When they shift, they look glorious. They're huge and fierce. From their sharp claws, powerful eyes, and robust build. Their fur also looks thick and smooth.
But of all the werewolves, for me, Alpha Primo is the most beautiful. He have a golden-brown fur that complements his deep blue eyes, his howls are proud. And the way he carries himself is full of pride and authority. He is undoubtedly the Alpha in this wolf pack. Braden shared with us the food he cooked, and surprisingly, the food tastes good.
"It's delicious, Braden. " Auntie Dahlia said.
"Not bad, Braden. I think you are ready for marriage." Sianna joked.
Braden rolled his eyes and playfully pinched Sianna's cheek.
Aunt Dahlia and Lily left early after we ate. While Braden went out to take a run in the woods as well.
Sianna and I stayed behind to clean the kitchen. We were talking about random things until our conversation shifted to love.
Sianna is hopelessly romantic. She believes in true love and happy endings.
"How about you, Anna, have you ever experienced love?" Sianna asked me while wiping the table.
I honestly don't know how to answer her. I've never been involved in an intimate relationship.
I had male friends in Wyverlight, but I wasn't very close to them. I usually stayed at home. Upon reflection, the triplets and the twins were the only males who were close to me. I'll also include Caiden.
"Not yet, how about you?"
"Not yet, also. I had a fair share of crushes but that's as far as it went. No one had courted me." she said with a shrug.
"Moreover, love is a very deep emotion. You can't define love by reading books or by listening to someone else's experience. " she added.
"I guess we all have our definition of love. " I remarked.
"Well, you're right... how about you? Do you have someone you like right now, sis?" Sianna asked while batting her eyelashes.
I was surprised by her question. But one person came to mind... Alpha Primo.
I may not have experienced an intimate relationship with someone, but I know what I feel for Alpha Primo.
For three years, I have been assessing my feelings for him. It's beautiful but dangerous. I know that I am way out of his league. He's too much for me and he already has someone he loves.
I wanted to prevent my feelings for him and I have been trying to stop them. But who am I fooling, the more I stop it, the more it grows. I don't know where these feelings will take me so I will keep them to myself.
"You know what, just throw away this trash. I'll finish up here. " I said, trying to dismiss her.
"Fine." she said while frowning. "But next time, I'll make sure I'll make you talk." she pouted before leaving.
I just grinned at her. I'm not ready to share this secret with her yet.
I'm almost done in the kitchen, but Sianna's not back yet, so I decided to follow her. I was ready to leave the kitchen but I was stunned to see the person standing at the kitchen door.
"You're still here. " Alpha Lucien said while crossing his arms on his chest.
"Alpha P-primo, you're here... uh, are you hungry?" I asked. "I'll prepare the food."
"Yes, please."
I thought he was going to sit, but I was stunned when I saw him slowly walking towards me. He's so close and I can hear his breathing. I can also smell him and he smells manly. It's not overwhelming.
"What's that?" I almost dropped the bowl because of his proximity.
Get a grip, Anna! "It's salmon soup. Cooked by Aunt Dahlia... There are vegetables here too, if you'd like. " I added.
Thanked God I didn't stutter in front of him again.
Then he leaned closer to me. I held the bowl tightly because I felt it might slip.
"Looks good... I want it." His voice sounded raspy yet soothing. Could that be possible? When I looked at him, I was surprised to see that he is looking at me. I couldn't avoid his gaze. His eyes were like magnets.
"Y-You should e-eat, it will get cold. " I said nervously.
Alpha Primo looked amused while raising an eyebrow.
"Alright, whatever you want..." he whispered.
"Sis, sorry for taking a while. I went to--"
Sianna couldn't finish her sentence due to shock when she saw Primo.
"Uh, Alpha Primo. You're here. Good evening. " Sianna put on an awkward smile. Primo only nodded in acknowledgment. Few seconds later, Theo arrived and went straight to the seat.
"You both can leave it from here." Alpha Primo sighed, then he took the food from me. I noticed how Theo smirked at Alpha Primo and the latter glared at him.
Sianna and I bid goodbye. On our way to the quarters, Sianna kept asking me questions about Alpha Primo. Like, why was the Alpha in the kitchen?
"He's probably hungry, that's why. " I said with a shrug.
"That's weird. " she frowned. "I heard Theo asking the Alpha if he was hungry, but the Alpha said he's not hungry and he wants to rest. Then they saw me in the hallway, Theo asked me if I was alone. I told him I was with you, and then Alpha Primo asked me where you were, and I said you were waiting for me in the kitchen. " Sianna longly explained, still looking puzzled.
"Why did it take you so long?" I inquired.
"Well, I left shortly after that because I still needed to throw the trash. On my way back, I saw Theo again. He told me that he needed help because the Alpha needed something from the greenhouse. We couldn't find what the Alpha was looking for, so it took us a while. I got so many mosquito bites!" she said while frowning. "It seems like Theo took pity on me, so he said he'll be the one to search tomorrow. " she added.
What Sianna said bothered me the whole night. I know I can't stop what I feel for him and avoiding him seems to be the only solution.
I have been contemplating it. I have feelings for him, yes. But I don't want to put myself in a complicated situation. I will acknowledge these feelings but I won't let myself be enslaved by my emotions. I will try to save myself from torment. I don't have to be close to him; I can watch him from afar. And maybe, just maybe, my feelings for him will finally subside.
So the next day, I made every effort to avoid Alpha Primo. But fate had its way of bringing us close.
"Sis, Theo said the Alpha is requesting for you in his art room."