Betrayed by the Beta, Loved by the Alpha

12. Desperate

Hunter’s pov:

From her heavenly scent, and the gentle way she seemed to care for Susie – whose happiness could lowkey be felt all over – to the shy smiles she shot me, while my little brat of a sister and I had our usual banter… everything about Eden was driving me crazy.

I had some things to attend to, but nothing that couldn’t wait.

This dinner, as simple as pasta Alfredo could get, was exactly what I needed to recharge.

“You been looking at Eden too much,” Susie let out, her lips pursed. “Please don’t bully her.”

This brat! I thought angrily.

She’s just a pup.

My wolf was as indulgent of her as ever.

“Eat,” I told her briskly, before adding in a gentler tone of voice, “I don’t intend to bully her.”

Eden looked up at me, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips.

“Thanks for helping me out this morning,” she didn’t purr, and wasn’t seductive in any way. And yet, the very straightforward way with which she expressed her gratitude was arousing in a way.

Our mate is so beautiful, my wolf did the purring for two.

She’s more than just a face though, I reminded him without delay. She’s got the brains and the compassion to make a great Luna.

Our Luna.

Yes, our Luna, I retorted.

“My pleasure,” I nodded at her, my scowl morphing into a smirk with some difficulty, thinking back to what mom said. Now was as good a time to start smiling and smirking around Eden as any. “Putting pests back in their place is not exactly new to me.”

“You talking about me? You’re such a bully!” Susie jumped out of her seat, seemingly ready for a physical brawl.

I rolled my eyes at her, ruffled her hair, and then told her in a strict tone of voice, “Finish your dinner.”

She didn’t offer a reply, but she did nod and returned to her chair.

I might have been interacting with Susie, but my eyes were on Eden the whole time.

I watched with fascination, and barely restrained desire too, how my smirk made my sweet mate blush and her eyes twinkle. I was more than observant enough to notice the subtle changes in her demeanor. I was also beyond happy that she would actually react to me – me, and not that wretched, good-for-nothing Sebastian.

Love was never meant to be easy. I had pinned after her for years, and now it finally felt like she was looking at me. She might even acknowledge me as a love interest soon.

We’re more than that.

The way my wolf growled, as if refusing to settle for such a flimsy title as a love interest, almost made me chuckle out loud.

“Alpha Hunter, I’ll be clearing the table now, if you don’t mind,” she offered with a small smile, her voice timid… Long gone was the brave woman who had stood up to her nasty enemy – I was not going to call Clarissa her friend ever again.

“Hunter,” I echoed after her.

“That’s what she called you, bully,” Susie quipped, rolling her eyes.

“The next time you give me attitude, you will be standing 15 minutes in time out,” I shot Susie a look that meant business, and she quickly shut up.

“So, should I clear the table?”

Eden’s voice was like a melody to my ears, and I eased up on the glares I was giving Susie at once.

Ooh heavens, I was in trouble! The effect she had on me should be illegal.

But then again, years of longing would make many men desperate, some crazy even…

“Call me Hunter, and I’ll be the one to do that.”

Desperate indeed! I mentally rolled my eyes at my own words.

“No need,” she shook her head negatively, her face burning. “I could never…”

“Could never what?” I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Let you clear the table.”

To make a point, I rose to my feet at once, and did exactly that, under her stunned looks.

I then turned to her with a small tentative smile, “Now be a good girl, and call me Hunter.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” was what she said instead, all wide eyes and slightly frightened vibes.

“He always says bad girls get punished, you know?” Susie let out in a hushed tone of voice. “You should really try to be a good girl.”

At that point, both Eden and I burst off laughing. Susie didn’t get the memo, but she soon laughed along.

“Thank you, A… Hunter,” Eden let out after a beat. “I really needed the laugh.”

“I’m not great at jokes, but I guess Susie has that covered,” I winked at her.

I was trying to find an excuse to stay some more. But coming up empty, I soon let out in parting, “I need to get going.”

“Oh, sure,” Eden nodded respectfully, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Be safe.”

“Always,” I nodded back. Then, looking at Susie, I went on, “And you, little pest, don’t give the little wolf any trouble, unless you don’t want a gift for your birthday.”

“Eden is making me the cake, and mom and dad will get me gifts anyway,” she stuck her tongue out.

“You really do want to stand in time out, huh?” I raised an eyebrow at her in a challenging manner.

She let out a strangled no, and I was soon walking out of the kitchen.

“I didn’t even give him attitude,” I could hear her whine to Eden.

“Chances are he has already prepared his gift for you, so let’s have a peaceful evening together, Susie. Win-win situation, eh?”

My mate was absolutely adorable, and I was beyond reasonable doubt whipped.

Exactly as you should be, my wolf quipped.

You’re not helping, I retorted.

No rogues in sight, he snorted, and I had to hold back curses.

Soon, my phone went off, and saw Peter’s name flashing across the screen.

“I’m on my way,” I told him, just as I picked up the call.

“You’re going to want to hear this,” he told me immediately. “You were right about needing that report.”