The Alpha’s Little Rogue (Alessia)

Chapter 134

Raphael's POV I'm sitting at the dining table and shoving food that tastes like cardboard into my mouth.

I feel numb.

The look in Daphne's eyes when she saw me keeps playing at the back of my head like a broken record. She didn't feel the mate bond. She didn't feel a connection with me.

Giving up on dinner, I stand up with my plate and head into the kitchen where I proceed to dump the dish into the sink.

Next, I head out the door and into the woods where Caden and Alex are already waiting for me.

They stop whatever it is they're arguing about when they see me heading their way and I don't pester them to tell me what their conversation was about. A new achievement for me.

"Can we start now?" I ask, walking ahead of them to the borders to get on with our routine patrolling. The sooner we're done with it, the sooner I can head back to my room and sleep of this terrible day. Caden and Alex follow me wordlessly.

"I'm taking North," I inform and start heading in that direction when a hand closes around mine. It's Caden's.

I turn towards him with an arched brow.

"Are you ok?" He asks. "Something seems off about you."

"I'm fine," I reply through clenched teeth, annoyed at him for no apparent reason. "I'm tired because of the training. I just want to be done with patrol so I get to head back to the pack house." I drag my hand out of his hold. "Thanks again for doing that. Alessia really appreciates it." He smiles at the mention of his mate and his eyes twinkle like they always do when she appears in a conversation.

"How she's doing?" I may be in a salty mood but I still care about my Luna.

"She's doing exceptionally well. We're expecting the baby a month from now,' he replies, the smile on his face widening in size.

"I'm happy for you." I really am. I just wish that I also had a bit of luck when it came to my love life.

"Have you thought of what name to give the baby?" Alex asks, finally joining in on our conversation.

Caden shakes his head. "We're still going through some few names."

"Raphael is a very good name," I quip with a smirk on my face.

Caden gives me a playful push. "No offense but I'll never name my baby after you."

I shrug. "It was worth a try." A smile cracks on my lips as we continue our banter. The sour mood I was in a while ago lifts with the presence of my friends.

Caden gives me a side glance. "Are you sure that nothing is on your mind?" He asks again.

For some reason, I don't want to confide in them just yet. They mean well but I want to think through this by myself before asking for their advice.

I nod. "I'm sure." I'm still bothered

with thoughts of Daphne but at least my mood has lifted considerably. That's the thing about having Alex and Caden as my closest friends. They may not know the details of what exactly is plaguing my mind but they will make damn sure that they try to help out. Even if it

something as simple as trying to cheer me up.

"Let us get this over with. I don't like leaving Alessia all by herself."

Caden shudders, his eyes looking haunted. "I have this irrational fear that something is going to happen to her as soon as I step out of the house."

I have to hold in an eye roll. "Nothing is going to happen. Besides, she'll be able to take care of herself if something were to occur."

He needs to stop seeing Alessia as a fragile little pup. She's an Alpha for goodness sake. "Also, you'll be the first person that she'll mind link if she needs help."

Caden doesn't look half satisfied with my words as he walks ahead of us at a brisk pace.

Alex falls into step beside me. "He can't help it, "He throws a hand around my shoulders. "I was exactly that way when Scarlett was pregnant with our pup. I didn't want her out of my sight for even a second." He sighs with a wistful look on his face.

I have always found their endless pining and longing borderline annoying and amusing at best. Now, I feel... envious? My chest squeezes as I register the emotion I'm currently battling with; a huge green monster called Jelly.

These lucky bastards get to go back to their homes where their mate await their returns with open arms. While I get to go back to a cold empty bed in an annoyingly loud pack house. It sucks.

I hold in a growl at the thoughts that

filter through my head. I deserve to be able to hold Daphne in my arms without scaring the daylight out of her. I deserve to be able to kiss her whenever I see fit and I damn well I deserve to be able to start a family with her.

Sadly, that isn't going to be possible in the foreseeable future unless...

No, no, no! It's a terrible idea.

I shake my head to dislodge the stupid and crazy idea that has taken root in my head. It won't work out and I might just complicate the situation.

Unfortunately, once an idea has found its way into my head, it takes a lot to get it out. Most times, it's easier to just follow through with it and see where it takes me.

Dread curls up in my stomach as I think about what a bad idea this is.

How's Daphne going to react once I tell her that we're fated mate?

Most especially, how sure am I that she isn't going to run for the hills when I ask her to move in with me?