Chapter 6

CALLISTA

A cabin is being built beside our bakery. Pack members who are assigned to be workers worked on building the foundation of the cabin.

"Who's cabin is it?" I asked gran, looking out the window, kneeding on doe I'll use for pastry.

"I heard it belongs to Alpha Cepheus."

"Say again Gran."

"Dear child, the Alpha asked these men to build that cabin for him. He must really love our bakery he wants to be close to it."

I paused my kneading and looked at Gran, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Alpha Cepheus was a name that carried weight and respect in our town. The idea of him living so close to our bakery was both thrilling and intimidating.

"Alpha Cepheus?" I repeated, still processing the information. "But why would he want to live here, of all places?"

Gran shrugged, her movements steady as she prepared more dough. "Who knows, dear? Maybe he enjoys the smell of fresh bread and pastries as much as the rest of us. Or perhaps he likes the tranquility of this part of town."

I returned my gaze to the window, watching the workers as they carefully laid the foundation. The cabin was already taking shape, and I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have the Alpha as our neighbor.

"Do you think we'll see more of him around here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.

Gran chuckled softly. "I wouldn't be surprised. The Alpha is known for being hands-on with his projects. If he wants that cabin built right, he'll make sure it's done to his specifications."

The idea of Alpha Cepheus visiting our bakery more often made my heart race. I had only seen him a few times during town gatherings, and he always exuded a powerful presence. The thought of him stepping through our door, maybe even trying one of my pastries, was almost too much to fathom.

As I continued to knead the dough, I tried to push the thought aside and focus on my work. The bakery was my sanctuary, a place where I could lose myself in the rhythm of baking. Yet, the curiosity about our soon-to-be neighbor lingered at the back of my mind, refusing to be ignored.

"I suppose we'll find out soon enough," Gran said, patting my shoulder. "Now, let's get these pastries ready. We have a busy day ahead, and I have a feeling we might have a few special customers in the near future."

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

I couldn't wrap my head around it. Alpha Cepheus, the most powerful and feared leader in our pack, wanted a cabin right next to our bakery? Why?

For the next few days, I tried to focus on my work at the bakery, but the construction of the cabin was a constant distraction. I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and unease. I knew the Alpha was unpredictable, and his proximity made me nervous. Alongside that, the fact that Alpha Cepheus thinks I'm his mate was a constant weight on my mind. I couldn't really confirm this—I had no wolf to complete or even validate our bond. Would the Alpha lie about me being his mate?

As human as I am, I know that I'm still a werewolf, but without my wolf, I feel empty, incomplete.

I sighed, pushing these thoughts aside as I focused on rolling out the dough for the morning pastries. The familiar motions calmed me, the scent of flour and yeast grounding me in the present.

Gran noticed my distraction and gave me a gentle nudge. "You're thinking too hard, whatever is bothering you child, let it go."

I smiled at her advice, trying to take it to heart. But as the days passed and the cabin grew closer to completion, my thoughts kept wandering back to Alpha Cepheus.

Why build his home so close to mine? Surely he didn't need to spend every night inside? And how did he plan to stay for so long? Would he be staying for an extended period of time?

What if he comes over when I'm not working?

What if... what if...what if...

My thoughts tumbled over each other. I found myself constantly reevaluating the Alpha, wondering what he was thinking, what he expected from me, and whether or not I was able to give him what he wanted. In short, I felt like I'd lost my grip on reality. I tried to keep my focus on the bakery. The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries usually brought me a sense of peace, but now, it seemed like a thin veil over the swirling storm of thoughts about Alpha Cepheus.

One morning, while I was busy with a particularly large batch of cinnamon rolls, Gran called me to the front of the bakery. Her voice had a strange note to it, a mix of excitement and something else I couldn't quite place.

I wiped my hands on my apron and walked out to see what she wanted. Standing at the counter was none other than Alpha Cepheus himself. He was even more imposing up close, his presence filling the small space. His blue eyes met mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice deep and commanding. "I hope I'm not intruding."

Gran smiled warmly. "Not at all, Alpha. What can we do for you today?"

He glanced at me, his gaze intense. "I came to see the progress on the cabin and thought I'd stop by for some of those famous cinnamon rolls."

I managed a nod, feeling my heart pound in my chest. "I'll get those for you right away."

As I moved back into the kitchen, I heard Gran chatting with him, her tone light and friendly. I couldn't make out their words over the rush of blood in my ears. I quickly plated a few of the best rolls and brought them out, my hands trembling slightly.

"Here you go," I said, placing the plate on the counter. "I hope you enjoy them."

He picked one up, taking a slow, deliberate bite. I watched his face for any reaction, my nerves on edge. After what felt like an eternity, he smiled.

"These are excellent," he said, nodding in approval. "Just as I remembered."

Relief washed over me, and I felt a small smile tug at my lips. "I'm glad you like them."

He set the roll down and looked at me more closely. "How have you been, since...the last time we spoke?"

The last time we spoke had been during a tense meeting where he had declared me his mate. The memory of it still made my stomach churn with uncertainty.

"I'm...managing," I replied carefully. "The bakery keeps me busy."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. I'm glad to hear that."

Gran, ever the perceptive one, cleared her throat. "Alpha, would you like some tea or Callista to go with those rolls?" My grandma asked jokingly.

"Oh, Callista and the rolls. That would be wonderful, thank you," he replied, his eyes still on me, seemingly amused.

"Gran!"

"What? The Alpha looks interested in you." She stated nonchalantly as kept herself busy, ignoring me flustered as if she didn’t offer to give me to the Alpha. I never told Gran how the Alpha is claiming I'm his mate, sooner or later, I need to tell her why the Alpha has been lurking around all of a sudden.

Cepheus low chuckle did not help, he's obviously amused. He leaned a little closer, "I know this is all very sudden and probably overwhelming," he said quietly. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you. I believe in our bond, even if you can't feel it the same way."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I wanted to believe him, to trust in the bond he spoke of. But without my wolf, it felt like grasping at shadows.

"I understand," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "But it's a lot to take in."

He nodded again, his gaze softening slightly. "I don't expect you to accept everything right away. Just know that I'm here, and I want to make this work." Alpha Cepheus straightened up, his commanding presence reasserting itself.

"Thank you for the rolls," he said, inclining his head slightly. "I'll be seeing you around."

With that, he left the bakery, leaving me with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Gran placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"He's quite something, isn't he?" she said with a twinkle in her eye, giving me a knowing look.

I nodded. Gathering the courage, I spoke loud and clear for my grandmother to hear me well.

"Gran, Alpha Cepheus told me I'm his mate." She looked at me for a second, before breaking into a smile, Gran didn't look surprised at all.

"I know, the man looks at you as if he wants to eat you more than the cinnamon rolls."

"Gran! Please." Embarrassed by her choice of words, I blushed furiously. It was impossible to hide the heat creeping up my neck, and I quickly turned back to the dough I had been working on, trying to focus on anything but the Alpha's piercing blue eyes and his deep, resonant voice.

For the next few days, Alpha Cepheus became a regular at our bakery. Each visit brought with it a new wave of tension and curiosity. He was always polite and charming, something I did not expect from the feared Alpha, but his presence alone was enough to set my nerves on edge. Gran seemed to enjoy his visits, chatting with him as if he were an old friend, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, of every movement being scrutinized

The Alpha's cabin construction was finally finished and I found myself stealing glances out the bakery window more often than I'd care to admit. The workers moved with efficiency, the structure done quickly, a testament to the Alpha's determination.

One evening, just as the sun was setting and casting a golden hue over the town, I decided to take a walk. I needed to clear my mind and sort through the tangle of emotions Alpha Cepheus had stirred within me. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying the scent of pine and freshly turned earth from the nearby woods.

As I wandered back to the bakery, I found myself drawn to the completed cabin, it's a big cabin. It stood solid and imposing, much like the man it was being built for. The workers are gone, leaving the site quiet and still. I approached cautiously, curious but hesitant.

I still can't believe how the Alpha wanted his cabin to be built next to my home. I hope he don't regret it.

"Taking a tour of my new home?" a deep voice called from behind me.

I turned sharply to see Alpha Cepheus standing there looking so good with a plain black tight shirt and Army pants, he looked like he has been in training, a faint smile playing on his lips. His presence, as always,was overwhelming, a blend of power and calm that set my nerves on edge.

"I didn't mean to intrude," I said quickly, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. "I was just... curious."

He walked closer, his steps measured and confident. "Curiosity is natural. Besides, I was hoping to see you."

"Oh?" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Yes," he said, stopping a few feet away from me. "I wanted to talk to you about somethings, and get to know my mate."

I sighed, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me, I decided I'll give it a chance, I will get to know my Alpha.

"I...would like to get to know you too." My voice filled with uncertainty.

He nodded, his expression serious. "I won't force anything on you, I want you to know that I'm here to support you, no matter what, and I'm willing to take things slow with you."

His words were sincere, and I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to navigate this strange new reality.

"Thank you," I said softly. "I appreciate that."

He smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Shall we take a look inside?"

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. Together, we walked into the cabin. The interior was spacious and inviting, with large windows that let in plenty of light. It felt oddly comforting, despite its newness.

"I wanted this place to be a sanctuary," he said, looking around. "A place where we can both find peace."

I glanced at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. "It’s beautiful," I admitted.

As we explored the cabin, I began to feel a strange sense of connection, not just to the place but to Alpha Cepheus as well. Maybe there was something to this bond after all.

"Would you like to stay for a while?" he asked, his tone hopeful.

I considered his offer, the idea of spending more time with him both thrilling and intimidating. "I think I'd like that," I replied.

For the first time, I felt a genuine smile spread across my face.

Cepheus went to the kitchen and I followed him.

"I'll make us dinner." He stated.

"You can cook?" I asked surprised.

"Of course, dear mate."

"Uh..that's unexpected."

"Tell me why?"

"Because you're the Alpha, and you're always busy, and I can't just imagine how you have time to do things like...cooking"

"Indeed, but I'm making time for you because you are my mate. Now sit down and let me do my thing." I immediately took a sit on one of the wooden stools, watching him grabbed the ingredients he needed for our dinner, he didn't specifically tell me what he'll make, but looking at the meat he pulled out of the fridge, it seems like he's going for a steak.

I can't help but notice and admire how his ripped muscles moved against his tight black shirt as he make our dinner. He looks so awkward in his own kitchen, he's too big for it and he looks out of place. Who would have thought that my giant Alpha would look so...hot while cooking?

He's so attractive...

A warm feeling spread in my body, an unfamiliar tingling sensation I have never felt before, it goes straight to my core, there's that fluttering feeling in my stomach.

I can feel something down there, and it gives me the urge to jump my alpha on his back and kiss him senseless and ask him to do all the sinful things to me, it makes me want him even more, I don't understand it. I have never felt this so much want for a man before, there's a sudden shift in the air, my hormones are all over the place and I knew it's not a good thing.

The Alpha froze, sniffing the air as if something was burning.

He then turned to face me, his ones blue eyes are now dark.

"Callista..."He growled, not in a threatening way but it almost sounded like a warning.

"Y-yes...Cepheus."

"I can smell your desire."

"I—"

"I don't want to do something you won't like Callista, I need a run to calm down, it takes all the power in me not to take you here, right now."

The Alpha gave me a look before he storming out of the cabin, leaving the ingredients behind, not only that, he also left my core aching for him, wanting more. He almost made a run for it, the door slamming behind made me flinch.

In just a minute, I heard the Alpha's howl in the forest.

Author's Note:

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-Intimate_Ivy