CHAPTER 9 A turmoil of thoughts

Daniel

“Beautiful lady, the bacon is on fire,” Andy’s childish voice brought me back from my trance and I released the Omega from my hold, taking a few steps back.

“Shit,” I heard her curse as she removed the frying pan from the stove. She then rushed to open the windows.

I looked around and realised that the rest of the Omegas had witnessed the scene between Aria and me. I couldn’t care less, though. My first thought was to leave the kitchen before I embarrassed myself, trying to hide my goddamn erection. I took Andy’s hand and led him upstairs to his room.

Andy followed obediently, and the moment we entered his room, he hugged me by the waist, sobbing.

“Daniel, I am sorry. I woke up early and I was hungry. Please don’t harm that beautiful lady. She was so nice to me, and I like her; please don’t punish her,” he cried.

“Hey, Andy, calm down, pal. I won’t harm her; I promise. I was upset when I saw you eating all that stuff so early in the morning. You know very well that mum doesn’t allow you to do that. You cheated, young man. What if mum saw you? What would you do then?” I tried to change the subject and avoided mentioning the Omega to my little brother.

“The beautiful lady was friendly to me, Daniel. She told me she would give me only one piece of bacon. And she has a beautiful smile. I liked her a lot,” Andy insisted on discussing Aria.

“You scared her; you know. You should apologise to her, Daniel. Mum always says that the Taylors must know how to apologise when they are wrong. And you are a Taylor, like me,” my younger brother continued and a feeling of uneasiness crept into my heart.

“Andy, let’s keep what happened a secret. Because if you tell mum what I did, I will have to tell her why I did it and you don’t want that do you?”

“Excellent! Now you are blackmailing a young pup. Great, Daniel, just great. Keep up the good work,” Cole mocked me inside my mind.

“What else can I do, Cole? My mother will come after me if she finds out what happened,” I replied to my wolf.

“Admit that you feel attracted to the girl, Daniel, and stay the hell away from her, unless you want something to happen between you two,” Cole reprimanded me.

“That girl is not simple. I can tell you that. Nor is she as submissive as the rest of the Omega females. I felt it when you held her close. She is trouble, Daniel,” my wolf warned me.

“Indeed, she isn’t simple,” I replied and the sweet scent of wild lilies filled my nostrils again. The woman smelled divine. It took everything I had not to sink my fangs into her skin when she turned her head sideways. I couldn’t get my mind off how sexy she was when she cursed and rushed to the burning frying pan, forgetting that I’d had her pinned to the wall moments ago.

Interesting, I thought.

“You are playing with fire, Daniel, and I won’t stand by and watch you get burned.” Cole blocked me, irritated with my reply.

Was I really playing with fire? Was I so attracted to that Omega that I would risk my relationship with Lea? Was that what Cole meant?

No way! I would never allow that to happen. I had made a promise to Lea and I intended to keep it.

“Okay, let’s get you ready for breakfast. I need to train today,” I told my little brother, attempting to distract myself.

“Can I go with you?” Andy had always loved watching the warriors train, even as a toddler.

“If you promise to behave, yes,” I replied, waiting for him to change his clothes.

Once he was done, we went to my room.

“You should wait outside because Lea is asleep,” I told Andy, entered my room, and changed into shorts and a skinny-gym vest. I then took my brother’s hand and led him to the dining room where breakfast would be served.

Dad and Beta Jason were already there, and I helped Andy sit beside me. The Omegas arrived carrying the food. Maria led the way and Aria followed her. After placing the food on the table, she walked towards the kitchen and I couldn’t help but notice her tempting round buttocks in her tight blue leggings.

“Hey, did you see that one?” Alex, my best friend, and future Beta poked me, nodding in Aria’s direction.

“What?” I feigned ignorance, feeling annoyed for an unknown reason.

“The new kitchen staff member, Daniel. That chick can set anyone on fire,” Alex said, poking me again, and making me look at Aria’s silhouette.

“She might have a mate, Alex. Stop fooling around and finish your breakfast. We need to practise today. Where’s Dave, by the way?” I looked around for my future Gamma and childhood friend who hadn’t shown up for breakfast.

“Ever since he mated with Tina, he hardly has breakfast at the packhouse, man. I guess he eats well at home,” Alex joked but I was in no mood to laugh. His previous comment about Aria annoyed me and I was upset with myself for reacting that way. The chick meant nothing to me. Why on earth was I annoyed?

I served Andy and myself, but I had lost my appetite. Especially when my little brother requested some more bacon. The picture of having the Omega pressed against the wall came to mind and I was hard again. Fuck, this feeling, fuck.

Aria entered the dining room again, carrying extra bacon as if I didn’t have enough on my plate.

“Beautiful lady, here,” Andy called, and Aria lifted her head at the sound of his voice. Our eyes met, and Aria’s face flustered. Her blue eyes turned a darker blue, almost violet, taking my breath away. Time stopped and all I could see was her staring at me and biting her lower lip unconsciously, hesitating to come over. My heart raced inside my chest and I looked down at my plate, trying to hide how her presence upset me.

My father and Beta Jason laughed at my brother’s expression and my father asked her to serve Andy another portion of bacon. I had to move to make some room for her. As soon as she came close to me, her intoxicating scent hit my nostrils and Daniel junior was up and ready for action.

Fuck! How could she smell so good after cooking all that bacon? I tried to keep my eyes off her and subdue the urge to spank those round buttocks near me. Unaware of my intentions, Aria served my brother and took a few steps back.

“How do you know her, Andy?” My father asked, and I caught him giving me a strange stare.

“What, Dad?” I mind-linked him.

“Nothing, son. Nothing,” he replied and turned to Andy.

“She gave me a piece of bacon in the kitchen and Daniel got mad at her. Daddy, it wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know mum forbade me to eat before breakfast. And she gave me only one piece.” The little traitor had just told my father everything.

“Did she, now?” My father tried to hide his laughter and gave me a sideways look, full of mischief.

“Yeah, daddy. I like the pretty lady. She was kind to me,” My brother continued, praising a crimson-red-faced Aria who had her head lowered, not saying a thing.

“Aria?” my father called her and she looked up, still flustered.

“Thank you for being so kind to Andy. Now that you know he is not supposed to eat anything before breakfast, don’t feel sorry for him if he comes to you, okay?” He gave her an encouraging smile.

“Yes, Alpha,” she smiled back shyly, revealing a perfect set of teeth that suited her beautiful face.

“Oh man, the woman is a living volcano. She is such a hottie,” Alex whispered next to me and I felt the need to punch him in the face. What the hell was wrong with me?

I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I overlooked Lea who stood beside me.

“Good morning babe,” she whispered in my ear and I looked up, surprised.

“Oh, you are here,” I smiled and held her hand, but from the corner of my eye, I watched Aria’s every move.

She left the dining room and Alex got up. I did the same.

“Time for training,” I kissed Lea, pulling a surprised Alex with me.

“Daniel, I …”

“Shut up and follow me,” I growled.