Chapter 35

-Nathan's POV-

Back at Crescent Moon Pack, the celebration was in full swing. Most of the wizards were dead drunk while the wolves are still toasting to their new Luna. Alex has been strangely affectionate, keeping me within his reach and constantly petting my hair, I whined constantly but he just smiled and continued. His pack members didn't stop him, but rather, encourage him to continue while they took photos and gushed over me from a far distance. It didn't help that my werewolf hearing was able to pick up them calling me 'cute' and 'ship-able'.

My face was red, my cheeks are hurting from trying not to smile too much. It doesn't feel bad to be treated normally but I am still cautious about being open to this much affection. Dad was grinning widely, clearly enjoying the commotion and my torture. Well, I am happy but this much affection, from my mate and a pack, was foreign to me. Truth be told, it scares me a little. Some of the mothers are rather…forceful with their affection.

"How are you feeling?" Alex asked, caressing my hair gently.

"I'm okay." I replied, relaxing on his lap. I leaned my head on his shoulder and relaxed. It's funny how I thought I needed a break from him yet I feel the most relaxed around him. But of course, at a party, it is pretty hard to relax. In just a few minutes, several moms have already 'passed by' and dropped off some barbequed meat and vegetables on my 'still empty' plate, which is basically a Jenga Tower at this point.

"Come on, it's just another chicken wing!" Luna complained, struggling in Christopher's arms, her tongs holding a death grip on the chicken wing.

"My dear, it will topple if you add any more," Christopher begged, trying to talk some sense into her wife. "And I don't think Nathan will be able to finish all that food."

"You're exaggerating," Luna denied. "Look at him, he's all skin and bones, he needs to eat more!"

"I'm not!" I insisted, pulling the plate further away from Luna. There is no way I can finish this anymore.

"Really?" Dad taunted. I scrunched up my face and looked away.

Intrigued by my proclamation, a hand slipped under my t-shirt and gave my waist a slight squeeze. I yelped in surprise and smacked Alex's hand away. He gave me a bemused smile when I shot him a glare.

"He does have some flesh though." Alex piped up. I blushed and hid my face in his chest.

"I do not!" I whined, desperately. I don't have a wolf anymore, there's was no need to run so often. But of course, the proclamation fooled no one.

Alright, I haven't been the most active wolf ever since I stayed with dad. I am already a fast runner, and I didn't want to risk being kidnapped again. Although the major reason was that dad mainly worked from home and cooks a lot. He's a great cook and he knows it.

"So that's where all the leftover meatballs went." Dad laughed. Burying my head further into the muscular chest, I let out a groan. Alex let out a laugh and I could every vibration of it. I felt happy.

To Christopher's relief, Luna huffed but conceded. She walked off with Christopher to another table so that they could have their meal. Alex gave a slight tap on my shoulder. I looked up and came face to face with a slice of beef. Alex was happily grinning in anticipation. Recalling the breakfast event, I resigned myself and let him feed me.

I gently, and awkwardly, bit into the meat, savouring its juices before pulling it off the fork. The crowd that had been watching us started cheering loudly, the ladies screamed their heads off and whipped out phones. I whined in embarrassment when I heard the clicking of cameras.

Not wanting to be disturbed, Alex immediately whisked me away, into the dining room so we could have our peace. I slowly chewed on the food as Alex fed the both of us in silence. We simply enjoyed each other's company.

We finished the food and cuddled up on the couch. Alex's strong arms were wrapped around me while I was snugly fit in his embrace. I yawned and felt my eye drifting shut.

"I love you too." Alex proclaimed suddenly.

I froze.

"I heard you say it to me last night." He continued, voice breaking at the end. A strange feeling took over me. I felt…closer to Alex, although that wasn't physically possible. It was as if a new connection between us had opened. Because I felt a foreign emotion mixed in the muddled mess of my own. Alex's emotion.

I could feel his fear, his worry, but most important of all, his love. I wiggled around in his arms, turning around so that I could face him properly. His eyes were a strange dark blue, easily mistaken for black if you weren't looking carefully. This was the first time I had seen his eyes and they are breathtaking. I wondered why I had never taken the time to look. The concern and love in his eyes were so painfully obvious. Even after seeing all my scars yesterday, he didn't push me away but took me into his embrace.

"Thank you." That was all I could muster. His emotions were so painfully obvious it was slightly overbearing for me, who is just starting to accept myself. He pressed his lips on mine softly. Just like yesterday, it wasn't a short peck, or a long hard lust filled kiss. It was a short and sweet one, one that lets me know that I'm loved but one that didn't feel intrusive. And for the second time in my life, I was not repulsed by it.

The fear I felt from Alex slowly disappeared and the side of my mouth twitched a little as I tried to hide my smile. He was actually worried that I would deny it.

"You could just smile, you know." Alex teased. I blushed and tried to shy away, forgetting that I was trapped in his embrace. He pulled me closer to him, wrapping his muscular arms tighter around me. "I wonder why, but I can feel your emotions now."

"That's because Nathan finally let you into his heart." Elder Olivia stated. Alex and I instantly shot up from the couch. Elder Olivia had a 'are you done?' look on her face. Behind her was Philip, who was smiling cheekily. Hastie was crouched down on the floor, desperately trying not to burst out laughing. Dad looked normal at first glance, but the twitch at the side of his smile did not escape me. I tried to look away in embarrassment, that was when I saw that slight red on Alex's face.

I giggled when I felt Alex's embarrassment through our connection. He immediately notices it and whined softly. He interlocked our finger and gave it a light squeeze as if begging me not to tell the rest. I returned a light squeeze reassuringly.

"Well then, can we get started? After you're done with your lovey-dovey session, that is." Elder Olivia remarked.