Chapter 8 He's beautiful

Third Person's POV 

The meeting with Alpha Michael only left Thaddeus with more questions. Michael believes the people watching his territory are scouts. But from where and why? 

The scouts weren't just watching River Pack from outside its territory. They have been caught deep within Michael's territory several times this past week. However, it seems their main focus is on the southeast corner, where Michael's territory connects to Thaddeus’s near the river—the same place Aiden was found. Could they be looking for him? If so, are these the same people who hurt him? 

The Alpha is exhausted by the time he finally makes it back to his bedroom. 

Thaddeus was disappointed to return so late and didn't get to say good night to his mate.

Thaddeus enters his bedroom as quietly as he can. He approaches the bed and smiles at what he sees. Aiden is sound asleep, cuddling his pillow. The sheets are wrapped around him, tangled around his legs, with his foot sticking out. It's an adorable sight that warms his heart to see the Omega snuggling his pillow. 

The Alpha can't wipe the smile from his face. He desperately wants to crawl into bed and snuggle up with his mate. He wants to hold his body close and wrap his arms around him… But he settles with sitting beside him and watching him sleep for a few moments.

The Alpha couldn't take his eyes off his mate, not even once he was lying on the chaise. He couldn't believe he had a second chance mate, and he was here, sleeping in his bed. 

The Alpha isn't sure when he fell asleep, but he woke up feeling more refreshed than he had in a long time. Thaddeus was shocked when he looked at the clock and saw it was 8:00 a.m. Thaddeus never wakes up this late. He's usually awake by 6:00 a.m. 

After pulling himself into his wheelchair, the Alpha moves closer to the bed. The morning sun shining through the window shines down on Aiden. The blankets are pushed down, exposing his back and allowing the rays of the sun to dance across his skin.

The Alpha fights the urge to run his fingers along his back.

He looks so peaceful, lying on his stomach so close to the edge of the bed. His face is near the edge, and the Alpha's fingers itch, wanting to touch him. 

Thaddeus's hand reaches up and brushes The Omega's hair away from his forehead. His fingers lightly rake across Aiden's skin, and the Alpha feels those amazing tingles dancing under his fingertips.

Breathtaking blue eyes slowly flutter open and land on him. The Alpha's breath was taken from him; he was absolutely beautiful!

Thaddeus runs his fingers down along the side of Aiden's face. His hand lightly rests against his cheek, and the Alpha's thumb gently caresses it. Thaddeus's heart swells, and he smiles when his mate leans into his touch. But it was brief, and the Omega's body tensed as if realizing what he was doing. 

Thaddeus pulled his hand back and smiled, hoping to put the Omega at ease. 

“Good morning!” Thaddeus said softly. 

Aiden's eyes seem to study his face for a moment. The Omega slightly lifted his head as he adjusted it. 

“Good morning,’’ his voice was so soft and so beautiful. It made the Alpha's heart skip a beat.

A loud growl interrupted the silence, and the Omega blushed, embarrassed by the sound his stomach just made. Thaddeus watched the deep blush spread across the Omega's face and the Alpha's smile spread even further. Thaddeus thought he would die of cuteness overload when the Omega turned his head and pressed his face into the pillow, trying to hide his blush. 

‘Oh Goddess, he's so cute!’ The Alpha thought as he chuckled. 

“Come on, let's get dressed and go down to get something to eat.” The Alpha said as he backed his wheelchair away from the bed and then turned towards the closet. 

The Alpha changed his pants in the closet. It was awkward, and he didn't want his mate to see it. Thaddeus placed his shirt in his lap and wheeled himself back into the bedroom. 

The Alpha paused when he saw the Omega sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked nervous, which confused Thaddeus. 

“What's wrong?”

Aiden tugged at his fingers and nibbled on his lower lip. Thaddeus's eyes narrowed in on that lip, and he found himself wanting to nibble on it himself. He had the strongest desire to reach up and pull that lip free from his teeth and suck on it. 

The Alpha cleared his throat when he felt himself getting aroused. He shook his head, trying to get control of himself. 

The Omega lifted his head and looked at him before looking down again.

“M-May I use your b-bathroom?”

The Alpha's eyebrows knit together when he realized Aiden was nervous about asking such a simple request. ‘Why was he even asking? Why would he not let him use the bathroom? Did they not allow him to use the bathroom?’ The Alpha found himself wondering. 

Thaddeus moved closer and had to restrain himself from reaching out and touching him. 

“Of course you can. You don't have to ask permission to use the bathroom. You can use it whenever you want.” Thaddeus said as softly as he could. 

The Omega sat there for a moment before standing and then attempting to go to the bathroom. The Alpha saw his legs were wobbly and held his breath as he watched the Omega take one step and then another before he stumbled and fell on Thaddeus. The Alpha caught Aiden and pulled him into his lap. The Alpha's left arm wrapped around the Omega, holding him flush against his chest. 

It was like an explosion of tingles and sparks dancing across their chests everywhere their unclothed bodies touched. Omega's breath hitched, and his eyes widened.

Their faces were inches from each other. Aiden's eyes were locked on the Alpha's eyes, unable to pull his eyes away. It was like he was in a trance, unable to move. His breaths were shallow; each exhale fanned the Alpha's face. 

Thaddeus slowly reached up with his right hand and gently cupped Aiden's cheek. The Omega's eyes closed, and he leaned into his touch. 

Thaddeus's heart soared. Thaddeus has wanted to experience this for a long time. He had dreamt many times of holding his mate and seeing him react to his touch like this instead of looking at him with disgust and repulsion. The Alpha longed for this but thought he would never have it.

Thaddeus's thumb caressed the Omega's cheek. His eyes raked over Aiden's delicate skin, taking in every feature, wanting to touch every inch of his face. 

The moment didn't last very long. It was like the Omega thought he was doing something he shouldn't and quickly tried to scramble out of his lap. Thaddeus held him, afraid he would fall. 

“Hey, calm down. It's okay, I'm sorry. I…I just don't want you to fall.” Aiden stopped fighting against him almost immediately. His body relaxed as he looked at the Alpha.

Thaddeus gave a soft smile and then carefully placed him on his feet. Thaddeus watched Aiden walk unsteadily into the bathroom. Once the door closed, Thaddeus let out a breath and ran his hand down his face. The Alpha pushed his hair back as he stared at the bathroom door. 

Letting out of breath, Thaddeus went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. After setting everything on the bed, the Alpha made his way to the door. He looked back at the bathroom door one last time before leaving the bedroom and heading downstairs.