Chapter 7

CALLISTA

I had to calm myself a couple of times, washing my face with cold water, I guess I will cook for the Alpha and I.

I started moving in the kitchen, I will make a steak for both of us, he will probably be hungry when he return from his run. I want to do something for him. I immediately move and started cooking.

The time I'm done with the steak and some mix veggies as side dish, I place the plates on the wooden table for both of us.

This is makes it a dinner date.

Our first date.

The thought made me blush.

I waited for him patiently, hoping he'll come back so we can atleast have dinner together.

After a few moments of anxious waiting, I heard the sound of the door opening. Alpha Cepheus walked in, his hair slightly disheveled, and his eyes returned to their usual piercing blue. He took a deep breath, as if grounding himself, before his gaze met mine.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I didn't mean to leave so abruptly."

"It's okay," I replied, managing a small smile. "I understand."

He glanced at the table, his expression softening when he saw the food I'd prepared. "You cooked for us?"

"Yes," I said, feeling a bit shy. "I thought you might be hungry after your run."

He walked over to the table and pulled out a chair for me, a gesture that was both gentlemanly and unexpected. "Thank you, Callista. This looks wonderful."

We sat down together, and for a few moments, there was only the sound of us eating, The Alpha seemed to like his medium rare steak, as a werewolf I'm sure his wolf loves it. The silence was comfortable, a shared space where words weren't necessary. I found myself stealing glances at him, noticing the way his features softened when he was relaxed.

"Tell me about your day," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

I blinked, caught off guard. "My day?"

"Yes," he said, smiling. "I'd like to know more about you."

I hesitated for a moment before beginning to talk about the bakery, the customers we had, and the new recipes Gran and I were trying out. He listened intently, his focus entirely on me, and I found myself relaxing more and more as I spoke.

"My life is not as eventful, it might sound boring for you, but I'm happy to live it simply. And what about you?" I asked, curious. "What does an Alpha do all day?"

He chuckled softly. "It's not as exciting as you might think, I don't think your life is boring at all Callista, it's a peaceful living. I on the other hand, have a hectic life schedule, managing pack affairs, ensuring everyone's safety, and handling disputes. But I do enjoy the occasional run in the forest and, apparently, I found a new interest."

"Which is?"

"Being with you, of course, seeing my beautiful mate everyday is now part of my life." He stated seriously, looking at me straight in the eyes, his blue eyes filled with so much emotions I'm willing to drown in them. The Alpha is a straightforward man, he knows what he wants. My heart wants to jump out of my chest. I am sure he can hear it beating loudly, I mean how does a woman deal with a confession from a man like Cepheus?

I laughed shyly, feeling a sense of camaraderie building between us. "I...never would have guessed."

As we continued our meal, the conversation flowed more easily. We talked about our favorite foods, shared stories from our childhoods, and even touched on our hopes for the future. It was a side of Alpha Cepheus I hadn't seen before—a side that was warm, approachable, and deeply human.

When dinner was finished, he stood up and began clearing the dishes. "You cooked, so I'll clean."

"You don't have to," I protested, but he shook his head.

"I want to," he said firmly.

I watched him move around the kitchen, feeling a strange sense of contentment. It was a simple moment, but it felt significant—like a step towards something new and promising.

After the kitchen was clean, we found ourselves standing by the window, looking out at the now darkened town. The stars were bright above, casting a gentle glow over everything.

"Thank you for tonight," I said softly. "It was...nice."

He turned to me, his expression serious. "Thank you, Callista. For giving me a chance."

There was a moment of silence, and then, almost impulsively, I leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. It was a small gesture, but it felt like a monumental step.

He looked at me with surprise and then smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that made my heart flutter.

"Good night, Cepheus," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me.

"Good night, Callista," he replied, and surprised me when he pulled me into a warm embrace, inhaling my hair as if his life depended on it before letting me go.

"Go. Sweet dreams dear mate."

Now I know the feeling when someone say they feel butterflies in their stomach, because I felt millions of them from his unexpected embrace, I couldn't help but smile. The evening had been better than I could have ever imagined. When I got into my room, I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed, the events of the day replaying in my mind like a favorite song. The warmth of his hug lingered, a comforting presence that soothed my soul.

—

The next few days passed in a blur of activity. Alpha Cepheus continued to visit the bakery regularly, and each visit felt more comfortable than the last. Our conversations grew deeper, and I found myself looking forward to seeing him, his presence becoming a reassuring constant in my life.

Gran noticed the change in me and often gave me knowing smiles, but she never pried. She was content to let things unfold naturally, and for that, I was grateful. It seems like my life is finally falling into place. Of course, the pack noticed the extra attention I'm getting from the Alpha, but they know better than to meddle with our situation, it seems like they are getting the idea, knowing how my pack respects Cepheus so much, I have not heard anyone talk about us, but I can't avoid the observing eyes of the pack members, in fact if there was an impact of what's happening, the bakery seem to attract more pack members.

The days went on, the bakery indeed became a hub of activity, not just for the delicious treats but also for the chance to see Alpha Cepheus. It felt as though the whole pack was silently cheering us on, their respect for him translating into a quiet acceptance of our budding relationship.

The chimed of the bell caught my attention, signal of someone coming in, and there he was, the giant Alpha Cepheus walked in, his presence commanding attention as always, and usual, he made our space look tiny with his size. The familiar flutter of butterflies danced in my stomach, but now it was accompanied by a sense of calm. He had become a regular part of my life, and the initial nervousness had given way to a comfortable familiarity.

My gentle giant.

"Callista," he greeted, his voice warm and gentle.

"Alpha," I replied, smiling as I wiped my hands on my apron. "What brings you here today?"

He leaned against the counter, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Do I need a reason to visit my favorite bakery?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Not at all. Gran just put a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven. They'll be ready soon."

"Perfect timing, then," he said, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he looked around the bakery. "Busy day?"

"Always," I replied, glancing at the steady stream of customers. "But I love it. It keeps me occupied."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'm glad to hear that. I wanted to ask you something, Callista."

"Of course," I said, my curiosity piqued.

He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "There's a pack gathering this weekend. It's a bit of a formal affair, and I'd like you to accompany me."

I blinked in surprise, my heart skipping a beat. "You want me to go with you?"

"Yes," he said, his voice sincere. "It would mean a lot to me."

I hesitated for a moment, considering his request. It was a significant step, one that would undoubtedly draw more attention to us. But looking into his eyes, I saw nothing but honesty and hope.

"I'd be honored, Cepheus," I said softly, using his name for the first time in a public setting.

A slow smile spread across his face, and he reached out, taking my hand in his. "Thank you, Callista. I promise you'll have a good time."

The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I found myself smiling back at him. "I'm sure I will." As long as I'm with you.

As he left the bakery not before informing me that the event will be held in the pack house around midnight, when the full moon shines brighter—promising to return later for those cinnamon rolls, I felt a surge of anticipation. The upcoming gathering was a chance to solidify our relationship in the eyes of the pack, a step towards a future. That would make everyone aware of my presence, and that reality hits me and made me even more nervous. Would he finally introduce me as his mate?

Gran came out from the back, her hands dusted with flour. "I heard everything," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're going to the gathering with Alpha Cepheus?"

I nodded, unable to contain my excitement. "Yes, I am."

She chuckled, giving me a knowing look. "It's about time, dear. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Gran," I said, feeling a rush of gratitude. "For everything."

—

That weekened came quickly than expected, I guess when you get busy working, you just don't notice the days. Just an hour before Cepheus pick me up, I found myself picking out a dress for the gathering event, something I have not prepared for in advance but it's not like I have a thousand of dress choices in my small wardrobe either—with Gran helping me choose something that was both elegant and comfortable. I choose to wear one of my few formal dresses, it's a nice black dress that hugs my body in the right places.

The dress was a timeless black, crafted from a silky fabric that shimmered subtly under the lights. It hugged my figure elegantly, the neckline a graceful scoop that framed my collarbones. It is sleeveless and it allowed my arms the freedom to move with ease, while the hemline fell just above my knees, revealing a hint of shapely legs. A thin, satin belt cinched at the waist, adding a touch of sophistication. Delicate lace trim adorned the edges, I felt bold wearing the dress, it screams confidence which is something I lack, but I know Cepheus will be by my side and I have to be strong beside a strong Alpha.

I put on a simple make up, as a woman, I know how to do my own make up, something I learned watching the videos of social media make up influencers. Not that I have a lot of them, but the very simple ones specially a red lipstick. I did my best to curl my thick hair as fast as I can, looking in the mirror one last time, I can just say that I look decent enough to be in formal events. It's not like I will stand out, something that I want to avoid. I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves.

When Alpha Cepheus arrived to pick me up, he looked every bit the regal leader he was. But his eyes softened when he saw me, and the smile he gave me melted away any lingering doubts. The Alpha lookes sharp, he looks like the man that will gain respect in every room he enters.

Including my room.

"You look breathtaking, Callista," he said, offering his arm, His eyes darkened for a moment before going back to his mesmerizing sea of blue eyes.

"Thank you," I replied in almost a whisper, feeling my cheeks heat up. "You look quite handsome yourself."

He chuckled, and together we made our way to the gathering. The event was held in a grand hall, decorated with twinkling lights and elegant decorations. As we entered, all eyes turned to us, and I felt a momentary surge of anxiety. But Cepheus squeezed my hand, a silent reassurance that we were in this together. Throughout the evening, we mingled with pack members, no one question a thing aboyt why am I with the Alpha.

Cepheus stayed by my side, his presence a constant source of comfort. As the night wore on, I realized that this was exactly where I was meant to be—by his side. He fits perfectly, no matter how much I deny that there's a bond, I can feel it with every bone in my body.

Across the crowd of the pack members, I saw the familiar face of the charming Beta Caxius. He stood tall, and he look dashing in his own way, not that I can compare him to Cepheus. He gave me a nod and smile, something I got use to seeing whenever he drops by at the bakery, nowadays he seemed to be so busy he ask pack members to get him his goods. I gave him a smile back and unconsciously wave at him. The smile on the Beta's face is something, it's that kind of smile as if he knows something I don't.

Everything was perfect. I finally feel like I belong, somehow although incomplete due to the lack of wolf, I can't help it. Tonight, I want to feel like I'm entirely one of my pack mates.

Cepheus suddenly called the attention of all the pack members, everyone turned to him. I was half way drinking the juice I got from the punch when he spoke.

"Everyone, I would like to introduce your Alpha Female, Callista. My Mate."

I almost spit my drink, making unattractive sound as the drink painfully passed down my throat. All eyes on me.

Author's Note:

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-Intimate_Ivy