Falling in love with my Ex's Alpha Chapter 71

"It's okay," I reply and hug him back. That's the least I can do.

Of course, It's not easy for him, either.

He lets go of the hug and holds my hand, I think he did it out of habit. Then he withdraws, almost as if he's just realized the gesture, and starts heading towards the kitchen with a sad face, I follow his lead.

As I step into the kitchen, the door suddenly knocks, and I instinctively turn my gaze toward Jake, silently urging him to check the visitor. Instead, he calls out, "it's open!"

In a matter of moments, Kaiden strides into the room, now dressed in a black t-shirt, pants, and shoes. Even in the darker attire, his sculpted form is unmistakable. His shirt seems almost tailored to his torso, tracing every contour and curve, and his broad shoulders fill it out perfectly. My gaze involuntarily traces the lines of his muscular physique, from the subtle ridges of his abs to the powerful definition in his arms and chest. The play of shadows on his chiseled features only intensifies the allure of his rugged handsomeness.

He catches my lingering gaze, and a sly, almost mischievous smile graces his lips as if he's aware of the effect he has on me.

I quickly stop eating him with my eyes.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," Kaiden says with a sarcastic tone, and the naughty smile immediately evaporates as he looks away from me and looks at Chad.

I sit in one of the chairs without an ounce of patience left to deal with yet another event today.

Chad swiftly takes the seat to my left, and I can feel the bristling anger emanating from Kaiden as he claims the spot on my right.

Inwardly, I sigh. Is it too much to ask for a peaceful dinner?

The table is set for five people. Jason must have called Kaiden via mindlink since he and Jake didn't seem surprised to see him.

Everyone starts to get something to eat, the kitchen is awash with the tantalizing aroma of the delicacies that Chad brought, it's a mouthwatering sight, and my stomach rumbles in response.

"Give me the croissant," I say, happy, and Chad takes it for me with a smile, which makes Kaiden look at him with a deadly glare. "Thank you," I thank him.

"Did you guys talk?" Kaiden asks coldly, looking at Chad.

Great way to eat in peace.

*I can't help but wonder if peace is a luxury we can't afford tonight*.

"Yes," Chad says and looks at me with a smile, "she knows how much I love her, even if she is no longer my chosen mate," my lips curve up in a smile at his words.

"See? No drama." I tell Kaiden, and he rolls his eyes, still with a face that is impossible to decipher.

"Now we're all a happy family. Give me more of those donuts," Jason says, cutting the tension that hung in the air. Jake and I smile. "Katie, you like the best things in the bakery! Chad, I'm going to start accepting this as a reward for future payments."

Kaiden looks at Jason confused, then looks at the table filled with food, and then looks at me and Chad, seeming to understand the situation. Abruptly he says, "I can't guarantee I'll always give you this crap," he points out to the table, "but I promise that I will always protect you, because well, you know... for obvious reasons," he says pointing to my body reminding me that I am human.

"How selfless of you!" I respond sarcastically, but biting my lip to keep from laughing. Someone is competitive.

"We need to do this more often," Jason starts talking over and over, making a few jokes. Jake runs his hand over his face, trying to hold back his smile, but I no longer pay attention to them or Chad.

I keep eating and trying not to look at Kaiden because I feel the weight of his gaze while I eat.

Again, I notice that he doesn't eat anything, but I don't point that out.

After everyone is done, Jake goes to his room with Jason.

"Well, dinner was great," Chad says with a charming smile, "I'll be going." He says to me and looks at Kaiden for a few seconds, and then gives a small nod before leaving.

As the door clicks shut behind me, I spin around, and there is Kaiden, his gaze fixed on me like a laser beam. Without a word, he strides to the sink, grabs a dish towel, and, under the soft, amber glow of the kitchen lights, fills the dish towel with water and a few drops of liquid soap. As he approaches me, there's no hint of amusement on his handsome face.

"Why did you let him touch you? Do you have any idea how much I'm holding back from ripping his hands off?" Kaiden asks me coldly as he rubs the cloth over my face.

"Kaiden, not now. The day was hectic. Give me a break, please!" I say, defeated, and he finishes wiping the traces of Chad's hands off my face in silence.

When he puts the cloth on the table, I take his hand. "I broke up with him," I say, looking into his eyes, "now I'm yours," I barely finish speaking, and immediately his lips are on mine, kissing me fiercely.

Kaiden's kiss is addictive. It seems like it's not enough, I always want more and more.

His arms fit perfectly around me.

"Say it again," he says, breaking the kiss abruptly with his hand behind my neck.

I try to catch my breath from the kiss, "*I'm yours,*" my voice comes out breathless.

He kisses me again with so much desire that my knees feel weak, and I'm grateful that he's holding me tight.

"Who do you belong to?" he asks again, interrupting our kiss abruptly with one hand behind my neck and with a devilish smile.

"*You*. I'm yours," I say with a smile of desire on my face that seems to stretch from ear to ear, a brilliant display of joy that I couldn't take back even if I wanted to.

His lips once again passionately find mine, and that little voice in the back of my head that was begging me to stay close to Kaiden finally calms down.