Page 45 of The Alpha's Forbidden Secret Baby

Xander's eyes lit up with excitement as he imagined the meal. "That sounds amazing, Rayla. I can't wait to taste it."

Rayla smiled, her heart warmed by his enthusiasm and her son's endorsement. "I'll make sure to save you a generous portion."

"Thank you, Mademoiselle," he enthused with a glint in his dark eyes.

With their dinner plans settled and the anticipation of a delicious meal hanging in the air, Rayla felt a sense of relief wash over her, her worries momentarily forgotten.

As Xander busied himself in the kitchen, preparing the ingredients for his famous lasagna, Rayla found herself relaxing for the first time in what felt like ages. The sound of his deep voice humming a familiar tune as he worked filled her with a sense of comfort, reassuring her that everything would be alright.

Abel hovered nearby, eager to lend a hand and learn a thing or two from his father. Rayla watched with a smile as the two of them seemed to move with a telepathic understanding, their laughter echoing through the kitchen like music to her ears.

Chapter 13 - Xander

Xander pulled his sleek, black Aston Martin out of the garage to the front of the mansion as he waited for Rayla to finish her preparations. The car was a recent acquisition, a symbol of his success as a billionaire werewolf. He stepped out, smoothing his dark jacket, and walked up to the door. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

It’s just a date, but with Rayla, it’s more than that.

Rayla opened the door, her smile lighting up the evening. "Hi, Xander."

"Hi, Rayla. Ready to go?" He offered his arm, and she took it with a grin.

They drove through the town, the engine's purr filling the comfortable silence. Xander glanced at her occasionally, her familiar presence soothing his nerves. He couldn’t help but notice how time had added grace to her beauty.

Her orange hair glowed in the dim interior light of the car, and her light brown eyes sparkled with curiosity. He couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for her.

She’s just as beautiful as ever.

"Where are we going?" Rayla asked, her curiosity piqued.

"You'll see," Xander replied with a wink, keeping the surprise alive.

They arrived at the bowling alley, a charming place with neon lights and a retro vibe. Rayla laughed in delight. "Bowling? I haven't done this in years!"

Xander chuckled. "I thought it would be fun. Something different." He got out of the car and walked around to open her door, offering his hand to help her out.

She took his hand, her touch sending a familiar warmth through him. "Alright, let's see if you've still got those bowling skills, Mr. Alpha."

Inside, they rented shoes and picked out bowling balls. Xander watched as Rayla examined the balls, her fingers testing the grip. She looked up, catching him staring, and smiled.

She's still the same, yet different in all the right ways.

The bowling alley was alive with the sounds of pins crashing and laughter. Xander rented a lane and Rayla stepped up to the lane first, her form perfect as she sent the ball rolling down the lane.

The ball rolled down the lane, knocking over all but one pin. "Not bad," she said, turning to him with a triumphant smile.

Xander clapped. "Impressive. Let's see if I can beat that."

He took his turn, focusing on the pins. The ball curved perfectly, striking all ten pins with ease. "Looks like I still got it."

Rayla laughed, a sound that warmed his heart. "That must be some luck… or your powers."

They played several rounds, teasing and cheering each other. Xander loved seeing her competitive side, the way her eyes sparkled with determination.

Rayla leaned against the counter, sipping a soda. "Do you remember the first time we went bowling?"

Xander nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I was terrible at it. You laughed so hard."

She grinned. "You got better. Practice makes perfect."

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