Page 26 of The Alpha’s Forced Omega (Alaska Alpha Wolves #1)

Staring at my mate as she sleeps peacefully on my chest, I brush the baby hairs away from her forehead, then plant a chaste kiss there.

As much as I don’t want to wake her, I need to leave for the day and do my rounds on the Girdwood border.

There’s a strong part of me that wants to scoop her up and make love to her again, but duty calls, and if I want tonight to be perfect, I have to ensure that I’ve made all the necessary arrangements.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I whisper as Aurora begins to stir awake, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal the pretty, glowing pools of caramel that appear softer this time of the morning.

“Morning…” she murmurs, one corner of her lips lifting in a smile, revealing a delicate dimple on her left cheek. Feeling drawn toward the subtle dip, I press my fingertip to her dimple, becoming acquainted with the smoothness of her skin and etching the texture to mind.

“What are you doing?” she asks, her brows knitting slightly.

Chuckling, I press a little further, more deliberately. “I never noticed your dimple before. I guess you weren’t smiling as much as you are these days.”

Aurora purses her lips as a blush creeps on her cheeks, lifting her head a little as she shyly traces the fine hairs on my chest with a fingertip. “I guess I didn’t have much reason to smile before now,” she whispers.

Smirking coyly, I relish the sensations spreading through my chest from her subtle touch. Mostly, it’s pride that swells it, knowing I’m able to put a smile on her face. That’s all I want— to see my mate happy. It’s where my inner wolf finds the most satisfaction.

“I’ll give you a little more reason to smile…” I suggest meeting her curious eyes.

“How?”

I lean in and press a kiss on her lips. “I need to go out today to have a meeting with the guards, to address what happened to Donovan and arrange for tighter patrols.”

“Uh-huh…” Aurora hums as she appears slightly flustered from the lingering kiss.

“But I will be back tonight, and I want you to wear something…nice.”

“Nice?” Aurora quizzes with a frown. “What do you mean?”

“Anything you feel comfortable in,” I assure her with a warm smile.

Aurora stares at me curiously, as if she’s trying to read my thoughts and where I’m going with this.

I don’t want to give much away since it’ll only ruin the surprise I have planned if I ask her to wear something specific.

Besides, Aurora could wear anything, and she’d still be the most beautiful woman in my eyes.

“What’s going on?” she asks, but I shake my head as I begin peeling myself off the bed.

“Just be ready by eight, okay?”

“Um…okay,” she says hesitantly, and I lean over to press a kiss on her lips to quell any doubts she may have. Knowing Aurora, she’ll spend the day fussing and fretting about what I’m not telling her and end up picking a fight with me later. I want tonight to be perfect.

***

“How is Aurora doing?” Thane asks when I join him in the pack den after spending the day rallying the pack soldiers and giving them a pep talk to lift their dampened spirits.

“She’s fine,” I inform him bluntly, raising a suspicious brow as I watch him working on a device of some sort.

He’s laser-focused, tongue pressed in cheek with thick-rimmed spectacles on his face as he soldered two wires together.

“Has she been getting enough rest? Charging up her powers?” he asks as he remains focused on the task.

“Yeah. She’s getting all the rest she needs after the fire. Why?”

There’s a moment of silence as Thane completes his mission on the strange gadget, until he sighs and lifts it for me to see.

“I’m working on something that might help us defeat the demon using Aurora’s powers.”

“I thought we agreed to leave her out of this,” I grunt.

“We did,” Thane sighs. “But Aurora is adamant about helping out in whatever way she can. This is the safest way possible. She won’t have to face the demon dog directly. At least, not until we have it trapped.”

Thane goes on to explain the plan he’s worked out, and as I listen, discovering that Aurora consulted him and begged him to find the safest way that works out to defeat the demon, I realize there’s little I can do to stop Aurora from helping out, so I add in a few suggestions that I believe will be critical in taking down the dark spirit without putting Aurora in too much danger.

By the time I’m done speaking to Thane, it’s almost eight. I send a mind link to Rissa, the healer, checking that my personal plan is in place. When she confirms that everything was ready for our arrival, I enter the cabin, only for my breath to be snatched away.

Standing in front of me is the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

My heart skips a beat when I catch the twinkle of gold between her caramel brown eyes.

As I rake my gaze from her head to toe, I’m spellbound by her striking beauty and those effortlessly flowing curves hugged tightly by the golden dress that whispers the secrets of her delicious thighs from one side, while the lace sleeves leave traces of her creamy flesh that I will devour later tonight.

Licking my lips, I become ravenous over the ravishing woman standing in front of me.

“Wow…” is all I can say in awe when I’m finally able to catch my breath again.

Aurora blushes, adding to the allure of her look tonight. “Is this what you had in mind?” she asks coyly, to which I instantly head inside and swoop her into my arms for a passionate kiss.

“You’re breathtaking, Aurora,” I growl, stifling my hunger that would only lead us to the bedroom. “It’s more than I had in mind, but it definitely suits the occasion.”

“There’s an occasion?” she asks with a fleeting frown.

“Give me five minutes to freshen up, and you’ll see for yourself.”

Five minutes feels like an eternity as I shower and dress in record time, but I still feel the pining for my mate and the need to go through with tonight. I may not be able to make up for the pain I caused her in the past, but I can try, and it starts tonight.

I’d asked Rissa to set up the local dinner, which I’d booked out from old man Jonathan for the night.

Though the place is owned by the McGruff family, Jonathan has been running the place since he was a young man, and it’s where the pack members usually hang out before leaving for a hunt or when they need to unwind after a long day of work in Hope.

“Where are we going?” Aurora asks when we near the lower part of town where the diner lies. It’s quiet in the outlying areas this time of night, but it feels nice having her arm in mine as we stroll through the streets of Girdwood without inhibitions.

“We’re right here,” I say, pointing to the diner. Aurora turns her head and gasps.

The diner isn’t surrounded by its usual, casual atmosphere.

Tonight, it’s been decorated with hanging fairy lights to greet us, the soft yellow lights already twinkling from inside when I open the door.

Aurora sees the floor adorned with candles set out in a path that leads to a designated table that’s prepared for us, and she turns to me with eyes glowing as bright as the fairy lights.

“Elias, what is this?” she whispers.

I take her hand and lead her inside, and we walk down the path made of candles until we reach the table where more candles in the polished silver candelabra glow and spread flickering light across the table.

The sweet ambiance is followed by a chivalrous gesture when I pull out Aurora’s chair and lead her into her seat.

She appreciates the act with a sweet smile, and her eyes shine with wonder.

“I thought we’d enjoy a private dinner tonight,” I say as I get into my seat and lift the wine to pour out two glasses. “We can’t travel out of town right now, so this was the closest thing to a dinner date I could arrange.”

Aurora catches my sheepish grin and giggles. “It’s perfect,” she praises as she takes her glass and clinks it to mine before taking a tiny sip while eyeing me over the rim.

Her suggestive smile tells me all I need to know—she’s pleased, and I’ve succeeded in doing what I set out to do.

Making Aurora happy brings me great joy, and as the night rolls on and we feast on the delicious food prepared by the pack’s kitchen, she tosses coy glances at me, and I know the night will end with rewards of her choosing, even if that’s not what I set out to gain.

When we’re done with dessert—a simple custard pudding to finish off the feast of meat and roasted baby potatoes—I reach over the table for her hand.

There’s a soft fondness in her eyes when she stares at me that seems to mirror how I feel right now.

Though she hasn’t voiced that I’m forgiven for the past, I have every reason to believe that I am and that it will no longer hang over us like a dark cloud.

“There’s, um—” Aurora shifts uncomfortably. “There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

I nod encouragingly. “What is it, Aurora?”

She lowered her gaze before admitting, “I spoke to Alpha Thane about—”

“Finding a way to successfully trap the demon dog using your powers?”

Aurora gasps as she looks up. “How did…never mind. Of course, you’d know,” she sighs, hanging her head once more. “You’re the leader of this pack. Nothing gets past you.”

Chuckling lightly to let her know that I’m not upset, I squeeze her hand gently. “And since nothing gets past me, I also know that you’re adamant about proving yourself to this pack.”

Aurora pursed her lips thoughtfully. “It’s not about proving myself to them, Elias.

I know there’s so much more I can do, and I want to do everything I can to keep the pack safe.

I am the luna now, and I want to lead by example.

” She lifts her head and meets my eyes with conviction. “By your example, of course.”

Accepting her determination, I know there’s little I can do to convince her otherwise.

Aurora has proven that while she’s reserved and introverted, she’s also strong and determined to do what she considers right.

I cannot stop her, and all I can offer right now is a reassuring smile when I ask her if she’d like to go home.

Our walk back to the cabin is pleasant, riding on the gentle wave of how our date went.

She has her arm linked with mine, giggling at my silly jokes and occasionally pressing her cheek on my arm.

My inner wolf feels complete, and beyond that, my heart feels whole, swollen with the warmth of making my mate happy,

“You know…” I begin thoughtfully as we both notice the moon in the navy blue sky. “The Winter Solstice celebration is next week. I would like to announce the pregnancy to the pack then.”

Aurora slows down and turns to look at me curiously. “You’re gonna announce the pregnancy to the pack?”

“I mean…it will become common knowledge eventually.” I chuckle as I step closer, placing a hand on Aurora’s lower belly. “But making the official announcement during the solstice celebration will only help lift their spirits. On its own, the pregnancy is a cause for celebration.” I smile.

Aurora returns the smile and stands up on her tiptoes to press a gentle kiss on my lips. “Thank you, Elias.”

“No,” I shake my head firmly, finding the dimple on the left side of her cheek and poking it gently as I’m about to lose myself in its warmth. “Thank you, Aurora. You make me the hap—”

Just as I’m about to profess what I’m feeling inside, I’m rudely interrupted by the sound of urgent banging against a wooden door.

Aurora hears it, too, and snaps her head in the direction of the loud knocks.

“Do you hear that?” Aurora asks, to which I nod as I step in front of her protectively.

“It could be the demon,” I murmur through gritted teeth, my heart rocking with a flash of panic. “I’m gonna send out a warning to my men.”

As I open up the pathways to the mind link that connects me to everyone in the pack—something I’d blocked out consciously for the sake of wanting some privacy during my date with Aurora tonight—I hear the panicked cry of a female werewolf.

“Alpha Elias! Thank Goddess! We’re snowed in at my gran’s house! Look! I’m waving! I can see you!”

I spot the flicker of a flashing light that signals where the house is, realizing that it’s one of the younger she-wolves’ grandmothers’ house.

It’s none other than Sandy—the notorious bully who’d cornered Aurora in the market.

If I hadn’t become jealous when I found Aurora with Brooks that day, I would have heard what the real problem was and dealt with it accordingly.

It was Brooks who cleared the air later and told me he took care of Sandy and her friend, which is why I didn’t need to intervene then.

Groaning, I turn to Aurora and roll my eyes.

“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s just one of the she-wolves snowed in at the house behind me,” I nod back. “I’ll go take care of it.”

Internally loathing that I’m about to save one of the she-wolves who’d troubled my mate with cruel words, I know that Aurora wouldn’t want me to leave them stuck in the house.

For whatever reason, they can’t just shift and crash through the house to get out—probably because she doesn’t want to damage the property—I’m forced to help someone whose head I’d rather snap.

“That house over there?” Aurora asks as she peeks to the side.

I nod and lean in to kiss her on the forehead, but before I know it, Aurora swiftly moves away and skips to the side.

“I’m gonna go help,” she smiles widely, and before I can stop her or warn her that the person in trouble is someone who bullied her, Aurora is gone.

Folding my arms, I watch as Aurora miraculously wields her magic in a more controlled way, using the amethyst fire to melt the snow that covers the door.

When the door opens up, there’s a moment of awkward, hesitant tension before Sandy flings her arms around Aurora’s neck and hugs her, probably relieved and thankful that her luna came to the rescue.

I can barely believe what I’m witnessing, but as Aurora turns and skips back toward me, a broad smile on her face and a joyful twinkle in her caramel brown eyes, I realize that she’s delighted with herself and that this is exactly what she’d been missing all along.

All Aurora ever wanted was to fit in, to belong, and to be the luna who’s developing her magic powers to help the pack is exactly what she needed to feel that belonging. As she skips into my arms and recounts the exchange between her and Sandy, her voice filled with cheer, I realize something else.

Helping others is what fulfills her the most.

And I love her for it.

The striking realization dawns upon me suddenly, prompting me to stare at Aurora with a newfound sense of appreciation.

I love Aurora.

I just have to find the perfect moment to tell her how I feel.