Page 50 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

"Bring it on, Vanilla Bean," Axel challenges, his grin widening.

Laughter bubbles up from my chest as I retaliate, grabbing a handful of flour and tossing it back at him. "Take that, you rascal!"

Axel ducks, but the flour still manages to dust his hair and shoulders. "Oh, it's on now!" He reaches for another handful of flour.

The kitchen erupts into a flurry of white as we engage in a playful battle, flour flying through the air like snow. I dart around the kitchen island, trying to dodge Axel's attacks while launching my own. Our laughter echoes off the walls, and I can't remember the last time I felt this carefree and happy.

"Surrender now, and I might just spare you!" Axel teases, cornering me against the counter.

"Never!" I declare, grabbing a nearby dish towel and swatting at him playfully. "I'll never surrender to the likes of you!"

Axel's deep chuckles mingle with my giggles as we dodge and weave around each other, the earlier tension melting away in the face of this carefree moment. My heart swells with affection for this man who can make me feel so alive, so connected, even in the midst of chaos.

The commotion draws the attention of the pack members, who file into the kitchen with curious expressions. Elena takes in the scene, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I see you two are having fun," she comments, her tone light and teasing.

Kate chuckles, shaking her head. "Leave it to Axel and Lila to turn cooking into a full-contact sport."

Finn bounces on his toes, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Can I join in? I want to throw flour too!"

Ethan places a hand on Finn's shoulder, holding him back gently. "I think they've got it covered, buddy. Besides, we don't want to make an even bigger mess for them to clean up later."

I brush the flour from my face, laughing. "Don't worry, Finn. We'll have plenty of other chances for kitchen adventures. Maybe next time, we can even convince Ethan to join us."

Ethan holds up his hands, backing away with a grin. "Oh no, count me out. I prefer my food fights to be strictly metaphorical."

This is what it means to be part of a family.My heart swelling with affection for these people who have welcomed me into their lives.

Axel grins, brushing flour from his hair. "Care to join us? Lila's teaching me how to make pizza, and we could use a few extra hands."

The others exchange glances, smiles spreading across their faces as they roll up their sleeves and dive in. Ethan grabs a ball of dough and starts stretching it, his strong hands working the elastic mixture. "I bet I can toss this higher than you, Axel!" he challenges with a grin.

Axel laughs, grabbing his own dough. "You're on, brother!" He begins spinning the dough on his fingertips, the round disc growing larger with each rotation.

Kate shakes her head, smiling as she efficiently chops vegetables. "Boys, this isn't a competition. We're supposed to be learning from Lila, remember?"

But their playful energy is contagious, filling the kitchen with warmth and camaraderie.I watch in amazement as the pack works together seamlessly, kneading dough, chopping toppings, and sharing stories and laughter. It's like a well-choreographed dance, each person anticipating the others' needs and moving in sync.

Kate sidles up to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, Lila, I have an idea for a unique pizza topping combination. Want to give it a try?"

Intrigued, I nod eagerly. "Absolutely! What did you have in mind?"

We huddle together, experimenting with different flavors and textures, our wolves humming with contentment at this newfound camaraderie. As we work, I can feel the last vestiges of my uncertainty about my place in the pack slipping away, replaced by a sense of belonging and unity.

The aroma of baking pizza fills the kitchen, making my mouth water and my heart swell with pride at our collaborative effort. As we gather around the table, admiring our creations, the pack members engage in good-natured ribbing, teasing Axel about his flour-coated appearance.

I lean back in my chair, savoring the warmth and laughter that surround me. It's a stark contrast to the trepidation I felt just hours ago, and I can't help but marvel at how quickly things have changed.

As the evening winds down, Axel leans in close, his breath tickling my ear. "Want to take a walk? Just the two of us?"

I nod, my heart fluttering at the prospect of some alone time with my mate. Hand in hand, we slip out into the moonlit forest, leaving the warmth and laughter of the pack behind us.

Chapter 17

No Holding Back

Axel

As I walk hand-in-hand with Lila through the moonlit forest, I can't help but marvel at the way the silvery light dances across her beautiful features. Her newly heightened senses seem to be absorbing every detail of the night, from the gentle rustling of leaves to the distant hoots of an owl. I give her hand a gentle squeeze, my heart swelling with pride and affection for my brave, resilient mate.

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