A Winters Memory

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A few days had passed since Alec and Ara had been caught and brought back to the cabin. Things seemed to be going well. Ara had moved out from the basement and into Alec's bedroom. Alec had also managed to convince his father to allow Dahlia to wear gowns again instead of the irritating fabric her and Ara had been forced to wear when they were first brought to the cabin as slaves.

Things had seemed to be working out quite well, Ara stilled helped with the chores around the cabin even when she was told that she no longer had to worry about doing them anymore, but she continued to insist that she help out to lessen the load.

"I still don't agree with this compromise." Ara nodded her head. "I don't either but there isn't anything we can do about it right now." Dahlia looked at Ara incredulously. "Like hell, there isn't! I can put some poison in that little pixie looking heifer's food or drink and be done with it." Ara chuckled shaking her head.

"You will do no such thing, Dahlia. Besides, there isn't anything out there growing yet." Dahlia rolled her eyes and grumbled. "Plus, the Alpha will end us both if we did anything to her whether we're innocent or not." She rolled her eyes again. "Yes, yes... That little wretch should be happy that I haven't spit in any of her meals yet." Ara shook her head and chuckled again.

"You know, I won't hold it against you if you happened to add a little more spice to her meals..." She coughed causing Dahlia to laugh out loud. "Maybe I will." She mused as she stood up from her sitting position near the cooking pot and walked towards the counter as she began to chop up more veggies.

Ara wiped her brow, turning to Dahlia as she walked towards the kitchen door. "I'm going to lie down for a while, call for me before dinner is ready?" Dahlia nodded her head and waved her off.

Leaving the kitchen, Ara headed to her shared bedroom with Alec. Upon opening the door, she smiled as she spotted Alec lying on the bed. She shut the door behind her as quietly as she could manage before crawling into bed beside him. Feeling the bed shift he turned over to his back, his head turned in her direction with a smile as his eyes rested on her glowing face. He reached up a hand to cup her face.

"Hi." She whispered leaning into his touch and placing a soft kiss on the palm of his hand. "Hi." He whispered back bringing her towards him as he pressed his lips to hers softly.

"I love you, Alec." She said softly against his lips before moving away and resting her head down against his chest. "I love you too, Ara." A soft sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes listening to the strong beat of his heart; sleep soon consuming her as she lay there in his arms.

Dahlia and the women began setting the table for everyone; she then excused herself for a moment to call upon Ara. Reaching the bedroom, she raised her hand to knock only to be left with her hand raised as the door opened to reveal Alec. She jumped back in surprise. "Dahlia? What's wrong?" Alec looked at her curiously.

She shook her head with a smile. "Nothing is wrong, Ara asked me to get her before dinner was ready." Alec nodded and looked behind him at a peaceful sleeping Ara curled up on the bed. "She's sleeping, why don't we let her rest a bit longer and bring her something later when she wakes up?" Dahlia nodded. "Alright, I'll head back to the kitchen then."

Returning to the kitchen, Dahlia spotted Amelia lurking about. "Is there something I can help you with?" She asked with a hand resting at the top of her hip, her eyes locking on Amelia. "No, I'm fine." Dahlia arched a brow. "Alright then, dinner will be served shortly." Amelia nodded her head leaving the kitchen while Dahlia continued to glare daggers at the pixie-like girl's back.

"Spoiled little-..." "Dahlia!" She had been cut short by her name being called from the dinner table. Sighing she stepped out from the kitchen and made her way over. "Yes?" The older woman handed Dahlia a plate and utensils that had been in place for Ara. "I was informed that the Alpha's son's mate will not be joining us for dinner this evening. Take this back and put it where it belongs."

Dahlia took the plate along with its utensils and left the room, she placed the items in their rightful place before returning back to the kitchen to begin placing their meal in a serving dish to take out to the table.

Dinner came and went, yet Ara remained sleeping still. Alec made his way to their bedroom to make sure that she was alright. Reaching the door, he slowly opened it, poking his head through first. He smiled as he saw her still sleeping, he slipped inside quietly and walked over to the bedside and sat down beside her. He watched as she slept silently for a moment before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

After another moment he stood up from the bed and turned to walk away and go for a run instead and ask Dahlia to look in on her for him while he was out.

Later, Ara finally awoke from her slumber. Dahlia had been sitting on a chair by the window, hearing Ara stir she turned to look at her and smiled. "Well, it's about time. I thought for sure you would sleep through the night." Ara stretched out and gave a lazy chuckle. "Where is Alec?" She asked looking around the room as she wiped the sleep from her eyes with a yawn.

"He's gone out for a run. He should be back soon" Ara nodded as she sat up and tossed away her tangled mess of hair. "You slept all through dinner, are you hungry?" As if answering for her, her stomach growled loudly in response at that exact moment causing both girls to burst into a fit of laughter.

"I'm going to take that as a yes." Dahlialaughed again as she stood up and motioned for Ara to come with her. Ara stoodup with another yawn and linked her arm through Dahlia's as they left thebedroom and to the kitchen to fetch her something to eat.