Page 35 of The Raven's Alpha
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him close as I breathe in the scent of his skin, savouring the feeling of his warmth and safety. The silence is comfortable, and I let myself relax into the stillness. Eventually, I gently suggest we retire to bed, and Darcy agrees. A few minutes later, after I've extinguished the lights and secured the doors, I settle in beside him, his soft snores a soothing background hum. His body fits perfectly against mine, a comforting weight that makes me feel grounded and at peace.
Chapter Thirteen
Darcy Mortlake
Today's the day we're heading to my alpha's parents' place, and I'm practically bouncing with anticipation. The past week seemed to crawl by at a snail's pace, but my excitement grew with each passing hour. Eddy was frantically busy getting everything in order for our trip, from packing to planning activities, and I could tell he was putting in extra effort to ensure everything went smoothly. Although my alpha was quietly fretting about closing the bakery for a week, his usual confidence was tinged with a hint of unease that he didn't dare show me.
I bounce up and down in Eddy's creaky old truck, my excitement almost palpable as I watched him secure the cabin doors and make his way over to me. When he slips into the driver's seat, the worn leather creaking softly, he turns to me with a questioning gaze and asks, “You ready?”
I give my seatbelt a double-check, making sure it's securely fastened around me. I tug the blanket Eddy lent me from his sofa tighter around my legs, seeking the comfort of its worn familiarity. My bag of snacks and treats, carefully curated for our long drive, rests in the footwell, and my freshly brewed thermos of coffee occupies the cupholder. “I'm ready, alpha,” a hint of excitement edging into my voice.
Eddy's large, calloused fingers graze my cheek, his touch sending shivers down my spine as his eyes crinkle at the corners with a warm, happy smile. His gaze is tender, his lips inches from mine, before heclaims them with a gentle kiss. As our tongues dance together, I can't help but smile, my nervousness and excitement mingling in a heady mix. This is my first time meeting the family, and I'm not sure what to expect.What if they don't like me?The thought sends a shiver down my spine, but Eddy's reassurances echo in my mind -they'll love you; he's told me. I take a deep breath and let go of my doubts, trusting in his words.
He pulls away, his cheeks flushed a warm pink from the kiss. “We've got a long drive ahead of us,” he says, his voice low and rough. “Let me know whenever you need to take a break to grab some food or stretch your legs. Or if nature calls, just let me know.”
I flash him a cheeky grin and give him a mock salute, while I say, “Yes, boss!” in a playful tone.
The darkness outside only adds to the sense of adventure as we hit the road, it was Eddy's decision to leave early, as to beat any crowds of traffic. He glances at the dashboard clock and smiles, “We should make it to Grizzly-Fields by tea time, if we're lucky.”
The darkness outside seems to swallow us whole, my eyelids begin to droop, the thrill of the journey still coursing through my veins like adrenaline. But it's a gentle, soothing fog that creeps into my mind, shrouding my thoughts in a warm, comforting haze. Just as I'm drifting off, I hear Eddy's soft voice whispering in my ear, “Get some rest, my darling Darcy.”
As I slowly come to, I'm greeted by a sharp crick in my neck from resting against the window and a numbness that makes me wince. But as I open my eyes, I'm distracted by the gentle rhythmic tapping of Eddy's fingers on the steering wheel and the soft hum of him off-key singing along to the radio. The sunlight streaming in through the windshield illuminates the passing landscape, and my stomach growls in protest, reminding me that it's likely nearing lunchtime. “Hey, can we stop for some food?” I ask, my voice husky from sleep.
His humming abruptly stops, and he turns his head to glance at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. “Sure thing, darling,” his voice gentle as he refocuses on the road ahead. The pause is brief, but I can sense his concern beneath the easy-going tone.
"Ish," I mumble, my jaw cracking open as I yawn. "My neck is screaming at me, and I'm starting to think napping in the car isn't the most brilliant idea."
We pull into a diner that's decent looking. It's midday, so I'm surprised it's not packed. Maybe we've found a hidden treasure, or maybe it's just crap. Either way, my stomach's growling and I need to use the restroom.
Eddy gets out of the car and comes around to open my door, his hand wrapping around mine as he pulls me out and leads me toward the diner's entrance. The instant I step inside, a wave of stale food and burnt coffee washes over me, making my stomach turn. The diner's interior is dimly lit, and the only sound is the hum of the neon signs outside. When I glance around, I'm surprised to see that it's completely empty – not a single customer sits in any of the booths or stools. “Is this place even open?” I whisper to Eddy, my voice barely audible over the silence.
He shrugs, his shoulders rising and falling in a slow, deliberate motion. “The doors were open, so I'm guessing so.”
"How about you order us something while I go to the bathroom?" I suggest, trying to hide my unease behind a casual tone.
Eddy nods and heads to one of the empty booths, his long legs unfolding as he settles into the worn vinyl seat. He picks up the menu, his expression twisting in distaste as he begins to scan the options. His fingers drum a faltering beat on the sticky table, a restless energy radiating from him like a palpable force.
I dash into the bathroom, my bladder screaming for relief. I quickly find a stall and do my business, trying to hurry up and get out of there before I lose my nerve. But as I'm washing my handsunder the lukewarm water, I'm hit with a wave of unease. The cracked mirrors above the sinks seem to stretch and distort my reflection, making me look like a stranger. And the stench wafting from the toilets is so overwhelming that I can feel it clinging to my skin like a bad omen.
When I slide into the booth beside Eddy, I'm relieved to spot a bottle of hand sanitizer on the table. Double washing my hands hadn't done enough to banish the lingering unease from the bathroom, and the grimy atmosphere of the diner didn't exactly instil confidence. I squirt some sanitizer onto my palms and rub it in, trying to scrub away the memories of the toxic toilets.
"I wasn't sure what you were in the mood for, so I took a chance and ordered us both a coffee and a hearty English breakfast," Eddy says, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he offers me an unsure smile.
"Sounds great, thanks," I say, trying to hide my wariness behind a polite smile.