Chosen By the Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 20: Reluctance

"Beep... Beep... Beep..."

A steady constant sound brought me back to reality, making me grumble. Obviously, I didn't die and ascend to heaven. Alpha Parker saved me, and I'm not sure if I would ever forgive him for doing me dirty like that.

To keep myself away from facing reality, I kept my eyes closed.

"I know you're awake, Aubrey." The deep melodic voice sent chills down my spine. At the sound of Alpha Parker's voice, my eyes shot open. My mate greeted my sight, and I immediately frowned in dismay. That's all the expression I could ever make because at this point, I'm having mixed emotions.

Looking around, I realized that I was in the hospital wing of his mansion. Seems like I've been out for a while.

"Yeah. You've been out for seven days." Alpha Parker's deep voice captured my attention. I was positive I didn't say that out loud. Is he some kind of mind reader too?

To my surprise, he answered again, "I can't read your thoughts. But due to the bond, I can hear some."

Damn it. This stupid mark has loads of downside!

I didn't say anything else because I didn't want to embarrass myself, but the way he looked at me was as if he had tons of questions. Sighing, I gave in. "You know, you're partly the reason why it happened."

"What?" he asks, concerned more than mad.

"When you came into my life, I'm forced to speak up about my daunting past."

I'm sorry, but please, don't do that again. We're going to get you help," he said, his voice authoritative.

Upon hearing what he has to say, my eyes fell to the floor. I pursed my lips in disappointment.

"By the way, someone wants to have a word with you," he revealed and I looked up to him with a curious gaze.

...

"Mary?" My jaw dropped upon reaching downstairs and seeing the girl who's partly to blame for what happened. Although it wasn't really her fault, it was difficult for me to look at her and not remember the details.

"Aubrey," Mary called gently. I spaced out for a while to sort my feelings out. She then walked towards me and held my shoulders. "A—Are you okay?" she asks and I shake my head to get rid of my intrusive thoughts.

"Y—Yeah. What are you doing here? It's dangerous for you to be in a pack's territory," I said.

"I know, but I heard what happened from one of your wolves. Alpha Parker has done an investigation and I made it to a point to come here to... apologize."

My breathing halted. The sincerity in her expression made me tear up. Mary is still as genuine as ever. "You know that it's not your fault, right?" I muttered bitterly and added, "What happened was unfortunate, but that's not in your hands. Mary, I'm sorry too for disappearing on our friendship—"

Mary cut me off. "No! I completely understand. And, Aubrey, don't worry, because I will do my best to make that asshole suffer. Please, be strong for me, okay?"

Puckering my mouth, I nodded, and the two of us shared a tight embrace of forgiveness.

...

After catching up with Mary in a tedious chat, she came home with the escort of our pack's strongest guards. Alpha Parker then started to cook for me, but I didn't want to give him all the burden. And so, I stood up and nestled beside him. Judging by the ingredients, he's going to cook a pasta dish.

This should be easy.

"Parker, I'll cook this time. Sit down," I said snidely, purposely giving emphasis on the way I addressed him.

I was half-expecting him to lose his cool, but as he turned his head towards me, I could see a sly smile etched on his face. "What did you just say?"

"I said I will cook."

"No. What did you address me as?"

Biting my lips to stop myself from laughing out loud, I nonchalantly said, "Parker."

He let out a soft chuckle, which oddly made me flustered. Still, I didn't make it obvious.

"Fine..." he mumbled and stepped away from the kitchen countertop, making his way to the table. "By the way, I like it when you call me that."

I turned to him with a raised brow, half-laughing at his antics. Well, I guess it would be fine if I call him that from now on. "Alright, Parker," I said, shaking my head as I turned back to the countertop.

Seeing the cutting board and ingredients not yet sliced made me a bit nervous, but I got to work right away, slicing everything sloppily. Well, at least they're sliced, right? The shape isn't what's important. It's the taste!

Pouting as I open the stovetop and did the cooking, I suddenly heard Parker say, "So, what made you think you should cook for today?"

Whilst boiling the pasta noodles, I didn't throw a glance at him and just said, "Well, I guess I kinda owe you my life now. Maybe this would suffice as payment."

He hemmed and I didn't hear him say anything else in the next seconds.

And so, I worked silently as I threw dinner together. I did the best I could to finish cooking everything on time. It was hella stressful, to be honest, but more than before, I actually enjoyed cooking right now. Maybe it's because I'm doing this for my mate.

"Finally!" I muttered as I laid the last garnish on the plate and served it on the table. "Dinner's ready!" I said, and he nodded with thanks.

Then, we sat on our chairs and began to eat with not much words exchanged. What the heck is wrong with his expression? He looks so serious! I couldn't see a single emotion as he ate the food I prepared.

Just then, his gaze shifted to me. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked with a cocky smirk.

"Nothing. I'm just wondering if it's good. Is it?" I asked as if I didn't care that much.

"It's good," Parker said with a thrifty smile. Somehow, my heartbeat fastened upon seeing his curved lips. Huh, that actually got me wondering. What if he flashes a genuine smile. One where I could see all of his teeth. Would he look better? Weird? Or murderous?

But for now, maybe I shouldn't think about that. Going back, I can't believe he said the pasta was good because as I eat it more, I feel the sticky strands knocking themselves up the roof of my teeth. Damn it. The pasta is not cooked well. It's chewy as fuck.

Parker is just trying to not make me feel bad. Damn him. Now, my heart is beating faster again.

Once we finished dinner, we walked back to my room.

Not minding that he was still inside the room, I came to the bathroom and filled the bathtub with warm water. I also put in two citrus bath bombs for a relaxing scent.. "Nice..." I mutter as I feel the soapy water on my fingers. Then, I turned to the door to call him, but I saw that Parking was standing right there, his eyes a bit malicious.

"Are you planning on letting me take a bath with you?" he asked.

"No! The bath is for you. It's a form of thank you, so get in."

He tilted his head and looked at me and the bathtub. "Okay, I will, but you have to stay here."

My eyes widened. This pervert is so out of pocket. "Are you kidding me? But you'll be—"

"Naked?" He cut me off with a raised brow as if what he was saying wasn't much of a big deal.

"Y—Yeah..." I mumbled, feeling my wolf doing the opposite.

"Who cares. Just stay and turn around first," he said nonchalantly and came inside the bathroom. He walked past me, so I turned around as he stripped naked.

"Fine..." I mumbled in defeat and made sure to face the wall.

"You can look now," his amused voice called out, and I turned to look at him. His lower half was completely submerged under the bathwater, and thanks to the bubbles, what should've been concealed was nowhere to be found. I sighed in relief and my eyes involuntarily began to trail down his torso.