Page 102 of Her Destined Alpha (Alpha #3)

Delsanra

T he week had gone by in a pleasant blur, and things had been great.

Luna Maria had had a word with me and apologised once again.

She knew some of what I had gone through and said she knew that even werewolves could be monsters and that she hoped I would get justice soon.

I hoped so because I wanted to bury all my skeletons from the past and start afresh.

Rayhan was perfect in every way. In the mornings, he’d wake up and head to training before returning and spending some time with me so we could have breakfast together and part ways again. I knew he was working hard on tracking the witch hunter group.

I was told to focus on my studies, and Papa Raf himself was helping me with the core subjects when he realised that I felt uncomfortable with a tutor.

I mean, I was nineteen and doing children’s work…

but Papa Raf never once treated me like a child or anything.

We’d sit together in the lounge, and sometimes he’d Google something when he couldn’t remember what the answer was, which would make me smile.

I wasn’t sure if he actually couldn’t, but either way, it was nice when he complained that studies seemed hard.

The morning was spent studying until lunch, but around ten, Maria would come by and drop us some snacks. I actually loved that part; there were always hot drinks and freshly baked goodies! And yum yums! Sometimes she’d spend a little time with us; other times, she’d go about her duties.

Raihana was at Uni some days, and she was super busy, but I also knew the stress of the upcoming ball was weighing down upon her. But in all, it was great.

“Oh, cinnamon rolls. Thank you, my dove,” Papa Raf said when Maria placed the tray down. He took her hand and kissed it gently.

“I made those and the yum yums,” she said, smiling at us.

“You are indeed the queen of baking,” Papa Raf praised as she took a seat next to him. “When you bake anyway, the days are far and few.” I smiled, a queen of making yum yums… especially my king yum yum. I suppressed a giggle at that thought. I missed him… I hadn’t seen him since the morning.

“Well, I know the chef’s bakes are a lot better,” Maria said gracefully. “The preparations for the mating ball are all done, so that’s a bonus.”

“Ah,” Papa Raf said with a small smile. “Is it evil of me that I’m hoping Raihana doesn’t find her mate yet?”

“Not at all,” Maria said, amused.

“No, but I hope she does,” I said, smiling. Please let it be Chris. “Papa Raf… does a werewolf have to choose their mates, like what if you love someone enough that you don’t want a mate?”

“That doesn’t actually happen often. However, there are many that don’t work, and rejections do happen.

But there was one man who was willing to forsake his mate for his love.

Elijah, Kiara’s dad.” I looked at him, picking up a yum yum as he told me the story of how their love had been something no one approved of, how Elijah was ready to defy all odds for his queen.

“Then there’s our story,” Maria added with a small smile. Papa Raf chuckled.

“I don’t think I did good…” he mumbled guiltily. I looked at them curiously.

“Tell me.”

“Well, my father is rather traditional, and well, he said that I could go with my mate once we had married one another,” Maria said, blushing slightly. “And I don’t think this Rossi understood that.” Papa Raf smirked.

“Well, when you tell a Rossi to stay away from their mate, it isn’t something we understand,” he said, kissing her cheek softly. She smiled.

“So, what happened?” I asked curiously, wiping my hand on a tissue.

“He forcefully snuck into my room, several times, trying to win me over or steal a few kisses. I tried to tell him that he needed to behave.” She pouted and shook her head, reminding me of Raihana.

“That’s really sweet, though. At least he knew how to charm his way in, just like Rayhan,” I said.

“Yes indeed. See? She sees it was sweet,” Papa Raf said, smiling.

“It was sweet and terrifying,” Maria said. I knew how that must have felt.

“That just added to the excitement.” He winked at her. I thought they wouldn’t mind some alone time. My phone beeped, and I knew Raihana was home. Perfect timing!

“Papa Raf, can we stop for today? I know Raihana will be back soon, and her dress is coming today too,” I said. “And I think you and Luna Maria should spend some time together.”

I froze, realising I had addressed her as Luna… I tried not to directly call her, but it was going to take me some time not to call her Luna. She told me to call her aunty, but I needed time... but even if I messed up, neither let it on.

“Okay, dear,” Papa Raf agreed, and I picked up a plate, putting some treats on it.

“Thank you for these,” I said before leaving the room, unlocking my phone. I read the message from Raihana.

Raihana: Hun, my dress! It’s perfect!’

I headed upstairs with a smile. I couldn’t wait to see it! I almost knocked into someone.

“Sorry!” I said.

“Hmm,” he grunted before he continued down the stairs.

I frowned, watching the man walk out swiftly. He seemed oddly familiar… it must have been Blake; I had seen his back a few times. I shook my head and headed toward Raihana’s room. The door was open, and she was opening a dress bag. I placed the plate down, and she turned to me, giving me a smile.

“I’m so excited!” Raihana exclaimed. Unzipping the bag, she took out such a gorgeous dress that I couldn’t stop the whistle that escaped my lips.

“Oh wow… that is… beautiful,” I said.

It was nothing like I imagined she’d go for, but looking at it, it was so Raihana. She was definitely going to stand out at the ball. The dress had an elegance to it yet remained sexy.

“Thank you, I tried it on there, and the fitting was lush, babe!” she exclaimed, pressing it against her. I smiled, glad her worries about the ball were gone, even if it was momentarily. “He is going to love it,” she whispered. I looked at her, my curiosity piquing.

“Ri... what are you planning on doing?” I asked. She turned towards me, placing the dress down gently.

“I’ll go to the ball... if my mate is there… I will reject him. I want Chris,” she said stubbornly.

“That’s the first time you admitted that, so openly,” I said, “With only two days until the Blood Moon, you must be going crazy.”

“I always wanted to go to these things, pick out a lavish dress every time… but this time… I don’t want to meet a mate I don’t want,” she sighed, picking up a yum yum and wrinkling her nose before dropping it on the plate.

“I swear you’ve ruined yum yums for me.” I giggled, taking the one she dropped and biting into it.

“Perfect for me. My plan is to take over all the yum yums in the world and eat them all,” I said, making her smile. “You know… what if Chris is your mate?”

“There’s a chance he could be…” she said wistfully, playing with a strand of her hair.

“Two days, we will find out in two days,” I said softly. She nodded, her heart racing as our eyes met.

Two days.