Omega Bound Chapter 58

Thane

I walk with Little Wolf down to the mess hall. We both steal side eye glances at each other along the way. I look upon her in awe of her beauty. Also, with a fear she will bolt. She probably looks upon me with a fear I will break her heart again. Both of us of afraid of the same things.

Neither of us know where to go from here.

I know where I want to go but need to take a gentle approach. I will remain gentle if she doesn't attempt to drag this divide out too much longer.

I need my mate.

My Luna.

My Luna of Lunas.

I flash her my dimples every time I catch her looking to remind her of one of my parts, she loves the most.

I plan on burying the rest of my parts she loves, deep within her soon.

Hopefully.

I flash the dimples, she blushes. It is a cycle we repeat along the way there and I enjoy it.

I can't remember the last time I ate in the mess hall. Most of my time is spent having meals in my office while I work and plan. I haven't had time to sit and eat with the pack mates that live here, not outside of a celebration, in fates knows how long.

I held the door open for Ayla and led her into the dining hall. Chatter starts to go quiet as my pack mates watch us enter. I am sure they are just as shocked as I am, but I wanted to get Little Wolf out of her room and her mind off rejecting me. If I keep her busy maybe I can turn this around. I just need to keep worshipping her as my Luna until she sees reason.

With eyes following us, I lead Ayla over to an empty table and pull out a chair for her. "Thank you." she whispers, and I take the opportunity to flash the dimples again and flex my forearms a little unnecessarily while scooting her chair in. She notices.

"Why is everyone looking at us?" she asks nervously.

"I believe they are staring at you because you are stunning and myself because I cannot remember the last time I ate in here." I take a seat next to her, my back to the crowd so I can watch the door, an old habit of mine. My dad always said to never put your back to a door, and I don't intend to start.

I can sense her anxiousness, reaching my hand under the tablecloth and setting my hand over her knee, gently squeezing. I am sure rumors will abound now that we are together in the open. I am not quite sure how to handle the questions yet regarding my Luna but until she is ready, they need not know.

"Alpha Thane, what an honor to have you down here with us. What can I get for you?" Monica asks and turns to Ayla with a big smile on her face, one Little Wolf returns. sure, sure they missed each other.

"Ayla I am glad you are feeling better. Alpha said you haven't been well this past week. Will you be back in the kitchen soon?"

"Yes" she nods

"No" I say. We both answer together causing Monica's eyes to go wide and Ayla to narrow hers at me. "Sorry Monica, we haven't discussed that. Can you bring us two breakfast platters, a doughnut and some juice please?"

"Yes alpha."

"What do you mean we haven't discussed it, Thane? What is there to discuss? I like my job in the kitchen. You can't take that from me." she huffs, and I have to hold back my smile. She is adorable when she is irritated.

"Ayla, we will finish this conversation when we return to your room. The ears are all hearing here." I remind her of our shifter hearing; she probably isn't used to thinking about her heightened senses since she has gone so long without them.

She nods but looks down at her hands in her lap defeated.

"I am sorry Little Wolf. We will get this all sorted out." I squeeze her leg again, trying to offer her some calm reassurance. I have to remember that just eating in here with me is a big step for her and I don't want to overwhelm her.

"Here you go alpha. Two platters and your drinks."

"Thank you, Monica." I notice Little Wolf hasn't revealed to her only friend that she can talk. Interesting.

She must be fearful and still attempting to numb her emotions. Something I will need to rectify, thus making me a hypocrite but I didn't have a mate before, so maybe I will be different now. The thought of feeling my grief has me deciding quickly that I won't be different.

"Dig in Little Wolf. It will please me to see my ma...you..see you eat. I haven't seen it since you were in your wolf form, and she is quite the messy eater." I laughed to myself, and Ayla smacks my chest with the back of her hand. I can get used to this playful side of her.

"I was trapped in my fur bag for five days. I saw how she ate. She needs practice."

"Fur bag huh? That is much too derogatory for your wolf. She is the most beautiful, elegant wolf I have ever seen. Even when she has food flying all over the place."

My mate bond is starting to ache in my chest. I don't know if Ayla can feel it, but the bond will start calling us together more forcefully until it is either sealed or rejected. I catch her rubbing her chest out of the corner of her eye and realize she feels it too.

"Here Little Wolf, let me cut up your food. It will help ease the bond if we are taking care of each other." I whisper in her ear and watch a little shiver rack through her body.

So responsive for me.

Perfect for me.

I cut her meat and load up her fork. It takes everything out of me not to feed her myself, but that will have to wait until we are alone, or the pack knows. She reaches over and pours my juice into a cup for me and brings it closer, careful herself.

"You are right. It is helping."

"I am right Little Wolf. I usually am."

We continue to eat our breakfast in private when the smell of lemons assaults my senses. I don't even have to look up to see that Della is headed this way with her tray.

"Thane, since when do you eat down here?" She asks through gritted teeth attempting the fakest smile I have ever seen. How have I been so blind?

"Since today, Della." She walks around the table and sits her tray down directly across from Little Wolf. Della has no idea what she is doing. She has no idea Ayla is my fated mate and her Luna.

She needs to tread carefully because I don't think I can handle any disrespect from her. This bond is unsettled; we are more agitated and possessive. Hopefully it calms down after we claim each other.

"Della, I don't think sitting here is such a good idea."

"Why? We are just friends. Childhood friends. It isn't like you threw me away the second this she-wolf got her nails into you. Oh wait. You did. I remember you threatening to rip my throat out if I didn't leave your office." I can feel little wolf's teal eyes burning holes into Della. Della, however, is staring at me, completely ignoring little wolf.

"Della, it would be best if you leave. We can talk about this later in private. We don't need to discuss this here." Della smiles at me and turns towards Ayla. She smiles at her as well and gets up from the table, grabbing her tray of food. She stands next to me and places a hand down on my shoulder causing an immediate growl deep within Little Wolfs chest, Aramana close to the surface.

I have no doubt she would tear Della's arms off and beat her with them. "Go Della." I say sternly as she walks away towards the kitchen. I turned back to look at my mate, to find her glaring at me. "What is wrong little wolf?"