Page 36 of The Raven's Alpha
The waitress hurries over with our plates, and I'm surprised to find that my initial scepticism was misplaced. The eggs are cooked to perfection, with a runny yolk that oozes out when I cut into them, and the bacon is crispy and smoky, with just the right amount of saltiness.
As we finish our meal, I push my plate away and glance at Eddy, who's already checking his watch. "Ready to hit the road?" he asks, his tone practical and encouraging.
When I step out of the restaurant, I stretch my back and let the sun warm on my face, feeling the tension melt away. Eddy catches up to me a few minutes later, his wallet still in hand, and we make our way back to the truck together.
As we reach the truck, Eddy leans against the hood and wraps an arm around my shoulder, his warmth seeping into my skin. We linger there for a few moments, savouring the quiet comfort of each other's company, before reluctantly breaking apart to climb into the truck.After we settle into our seats, I glance at Eddy and ask, "How much longer?"
Eddy's voice is calm and reassuring as he replies, "If everything goes smoothly, only a couple more hours."
"Oh, right, the border issues," I say, my voice laced with a mix of concern and apprehension. I really hope we manage to pass through without any problems. To be honest, the thought of anything going wrong makes me nervous, even though I know Eddy will do everything in his power to keep me safe.
My anxiety levels spike, I can sense my alpha's awareness of my scent change. He notices the subtle shift in my pheromones and addresses it immediately. "Hey, don't worry," he says, his deep voice soothing. "Everything should be okay."
I know I've been complaining about it, but it's just frustrating that things have to be this way. It's not Eddy's fault the world is tough, and I wish things could be easier for everyone. I guess we just have to make the best of it, though.
"I propose we play twenty questions. It's a great way for us to get to know each other better while we're stuck in the truck, and it might make the time pass more enjoyably," I suggest.
Eddy starts off the questioning, inquiring about the basics. “Let's begin with the fundamentals,” he says, “So, what's your full name and age?”
I ponder the peculiarity of our situation, I realise it's strange that we've been practically glued together since we met and I still don't know his full name. “My full name is Darcy Mortlake,” I say, “and I'm twenty-eight. And you?”
Eddy's eyes flicker with amusement, but I sense a hint of wariness as he says, “Don't laugh at my first name, only my family uses it these days. My full name is Edgar Elwood, and I'm forty-one years old.”
I try to stifle a laugh, but it escapes me anyway. “Edgar?” I ask, my voice trembling with amusement. “Who would have thought you were so... buttoned-up?”
Eddy's voice is laced with a gentle rebuke as he says, “Hey, I said don't laugh.” I feel a flutter in my chest as I realise how easily words can trigger dark thoughts in my alpha, but the slight curve of his lips betrays his amusement, telling me he knows I'm not laughing at him with malice.
I ask, curiosity getting the better of me, “How did you end up going by Eddy, anyway? I mean, it's a great name, but what made you opt for something so... unconventional?”
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think when I left the family home, I wanted to reinvent myself, and 'Eddy' just felt like a fresh start. Edgar can be a bit of a mouthful, and I've always found it a bit... pretentious, to be honest."
"I get it, you'll always be my Eddy. So, what else? Got any favourite movies or music? I'm always looking for new recommendations," I ask.
"I'm a total sucker for old romance films - I just can't choose between them. I've got a soft spot for Casablanca, Pride & Prejudice, and When Harry Met Sally. As for music, I'm a bit of a nostalgic - I love anything from the 80s and 90s. Give me some Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, or Nirvana and I'm set!"
"Honestly, I'm not really a film buff, so I've missed out on some classics and I haven’t seen any of those ones. I'm more of a TV guy myself.”
"Ha! You're kidding me, right? When Harry Met Sally is a total classic!"
I chuckle, expecting Eddy to join in. But instead, he shrugs and launches into a 27-minute summary of the entire film. When he finishes his impromptu recitation, his cheeks are flushed pink and a goofy grin spreads across his face. I can’t help but chuckle at thesight – it’s the most I'd ever seen him open up. The more we spend time together, the stronger our invisible thread seems to grow, until I can’t help but imagine that one day it will thicken into a sturdy rope, binding us together in a way that feels both exhilarating and comforting.
“Tell me about the other films?” I asked, eager to hear more of Eddy's thoughts. And so, he does, launching into a passionate discussion about his favourite movies, from classic rom-coms to cult classics. I listen intently, enjoying the way his eyes light up as he speaks, and the way his voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper when talking about his favourite scenes.
I rummage through our bags and produce the packet of tangy fizzers I'd packed, pulling my feet up to get cosy and settle in to listen to my mates’ favourite stories.
We spend hours lost in conversation, our words flowing effortlessly as we delve into our shared passions. The only pauses come when we approach the neutral land borders, where we reluctantly slowed to a halt. The customs officials, courteous and efficient, waved us through with warm smiles.
As dusk descends, I gaze out the window, only to notice that Eddy is driving at a pace far slower than the speed limit. My curiosity piqued, I lean forward and ask, "What's going on?"
“We’re just about to pass through non-neutral lands,” his voice calm, but with a hint of sternness.
I settle into my seat, checking that my belt secure, and close my eyes, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing. As I do, I hear Eddy's phone ringing with an incoming call, and an unfamiliar voice answers.The unfamiliar voice speaks in a hushed tone, before Eddy says, “Yeah, we're at the border now. Just stay on the line, please.” Then he places it face-down on the console between us.
His low tone sends a shiver down my spine as he instructs me, “Wrap your jacket a bit tighter around your neck for me, Darcy.”My hands tremble as I obey, yanking my jumper and jacket snugly around my body, hiding my unmarked neck from view.
Eddy's reassurances had been constant, but despite his calm confidence, a growing sense of unease had taken root in my belly. I trust him implicitly, yet the nagging doubt lingers, refusing to be silenced by his repeated promises that we'd be fine navigating the border.
As the truck comes to a halt, I jam my hands into my pockets to hide their tremble and turn to face Eddy, who flashes me a weak smile before leaning over the console and pressing his lips to mine. His fingers brush against my skin as he drags them over my neck and face, attempting to saturate me with his alpha scent in a frantic bid to calm my nerves.