Page 25 of The Raven's Alpha

We settle in for the night, the savoury aroma of slow-cooked beef and tender vegetables wafts through the air, mingling with the buttery scent of freshly baked bread. The fire crackles softly in the background, its warm glow illuminating our faces as we snuggle in together on the sofa. Our bodies curve together, our legs tangled as we share a warm blanket, our fingers intertwined as we lay spooning in perfect harmony.

As I watch the credits roll on our movie, I can feel Darcy's chest rise and fall against mine, his snores a gentle lullaby that soothes my soul. The embers glow like tiny red eyes, casting a warm, golden light over his face as we bask in the warmth. I close my eyes, feeling hiswarmth seep into my skin, and let out a contented sigh as I wrap my arms around him tighter.

The silence is comfortable, filled with the knowledge that we're exactly where we're meant to be. I hold my fated mate close to my chest, feeling a sense of peace and belonging.

Chapter Nine

Darcy Mortlake

As the dreamworld dissolves into the soft light of dawn, I'm drawn to the fleeting sensation of being suspended between wakefulness and slumber. It's a moment of tranquil promise, like the gentle warmth of my alpha's touch, I yearn to awaken each morning to that same sense of security and peace, wrapped in their loving embrace.

Reality has a way of piercing the peaceful haze of morning. When I open my eyes, I'm met with the dissonant note that my lover is no longer beside me, the spot next to me is cold, a stark reminder that my tranquil slumber has been shattered. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafts in from the kitchen, and my heart stutters as I realise my alpha hasn’t disappeared.

I disentangle myself from the bed, stretching my arms above my head and giving my shoulders a good crack. My body is still reeling from the aftermath of last night's... let's call it 'foreplay', when we got temptingly close to going all the way. The lingering effects of our enthusiastic exertions leave my limbs feeling delightfully limp and languid, like a noodle dish left out too long.

I hastily refresh myself in the bathroom, then rummage through Eddy's dresser, snagging one of his worn t-shirts. My alpha's likely to forgive me this minor misbehaviour, given the morning-after haze that’s still lingering. I pause in front of the mirror, running a hand through my hair to smooth out the tangled mess, and give myself a brief once-over. Satisfied with my appearance, I make my way to the kitchen, where Eddy is expertly plating up breakfast.

Standing in the doorway, mesmerised by the effortless way Eddy moves through the kitchen. His movements are a fluid dance as he opens the fridge to retrieve a jug of orange juice, closing the door with a gentle hip-check and a soft hum escapes his lips as he goes about his morning routine. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air, mingling with the sweet but manly smell that my alpha produces, and I'm struck by the realisation that this is what I crave – waking up surrounded by the comforting familiarity of my alpha's presence.

Eddy's voice, with a hint of amusement, cuts through the morning silence, “are you coming to eat or are you going to stand there watching me?” I feel my face heat up, embarrassed that he’s caught me lingering in the doorway. But I'm determined to play it cool.

I stroll over to Eddy, my arms wrapping around his neck like a vice as I pull him into a swooping hug. His 'oof' of surprise is music to my ears as I crash our lips together in a hungry kiss. Our tongues duel in a hot, frenzied rhythm as our hands roam over each other's bodies. Just as I'm about to surrender to the desire building between us, my stomach growls loudly, shattering the spell.

I chuckle, feeling a little embarrassed, and apologise with a sheepish grin.

Eddy smiles warmly at me as he gently takes a hold of my shoulders, guiding me towards the kitchen table. “I wasn't sure what your morning tastes would be, so I went all out and made a little something of everything,” he says, his eyes shining with a hint of amusement.

I slide into the chair, my eyes widening as I take in the spread. Plates are piled high with crispy bacon, juicy sausages, and perfectly cooked eggs, alongside a stack of toasted bread and golden hash browns. The kitchen counter is lined with neat rows of colourful cereal boxes, and a pair of milk bottles stand sentinel beside them. “Wow, this is quite the feast!” I exclaim, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “I usually keep it simple for breakfast, but I'd never turn down a hearty fry-up like this.”

When the plates are empty, we sit down on the couch together, cradling our coffee cups. The warmth seeps into my fingers, any of my lingering tension dissipates as I take a sip of the rich brew.

"So, what are your plans for today?" I ask Eddy, trying to keep my tone casual despite the flutter in my chest at potentially spending more time with him.

He looks at me thoughtfully, and for a moment I worry that he might not want to share his plans with me. But then he leans forward, his eyes sparking with a hint of mischief. "I was thinking of heading out to the lake," he says. "Want to come with me?"

I raise my coffee cup to my lips, my eyes meeting his over the rim, and I feel a grin spread on my lips. "I don't really have a life, so you're going to struggle to get rid of me now," I say, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.

"If it were up to me," he says, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'd have you with me all of the time. I'd tuck you in my pocket and carry you around with me everywhere I go."

I glance up at him, searching for any sign of hesitation, but his eyes only hold warmth and devotion. He takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. "In fact, I want you to feel comfortable coming here whenever you like," he says, his voice low and husky. "I want this cabin to be your sanctuary, your haven. I know you've got the mansion at the top of the hill, but I want you to know that what's mine is yours."

He leans in closer, his breath caressing my ear as he whispers, "I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine." The words send shivers down my spine as I feel his warm lips tracing the curve of my ear.

My chest heaves as my heart thunders in my ears, threatening to burst free from my ribcage. I can feel the sweat beading on my palmsas I grip his hands harder, my fingers digging into his skin in an effort to ground myself. Eddy's eyes lock onto mine, his gaze intense and warm, and I can feel my anxiety begin to dissipate.