The Rebellious Alpha novel Chapter 77

"Good Morning, my love." My eyes slowly opened to Claire's beautiful face inches away from mine. I frowned while she smiled, her hand softly grazing my bearded cheek.

"This is not real." I mumbled but she inched closer, crossing her leg around my waist. Tears started to grace my eyes again and her smile gradually vanished.

"What's wrong?" She whispered but I kept on staring at her with teary eyes. This wasn't real, none of it.

"Why do you keep punishing me? You and I both know this is a dream. I don't want to see you Claire, yet you appear to me every morning." I mumbled after minutes of hesitation. She wore an endearing smile, running her fingers through my long mess hair.

"I'm not punishing you." She said. "You and I both know, a part of you wants to see me. You crave me Kevin and that's why your subconsciousness is doing this." She added. "This beautiful morning, this room, us, this is what you want. Yet you keep denying it."

"I can't have you." I stated while a tiny tear trickled to my pillow. "We both know that."

"Because my Father killed your Father?" She quoted and I instantly felt a pang of pain surge within me. "Kevin," she called softly. "Forgiveness is key."

My palms squeezed the bedsheets and my teeth gnashed against each other.

"I can't." I mumbled through gritted teeth and her smile deepened.

"Remember that night, when Jerry took me. How you had acted on instincts and how you had almost killed him?" She pursed her lips, holding my gaze.

"If you had killed him that day, Rose would never forgive you."

My lips parted to disagree but then it struck me, she was right.

"Or the day Alpha Simon came visiting. How you had almost beaten him to death just because of your instincts. But I forgave you." She paused again. "The same thing applies to the Lycan, he lost his mate, Kevin. It was only natural for him to act on instincts. I know it's hard and painful but you have to do it. Do it before your burden eats you up."

She stopped playing with my hair, this time holding my gaze so I found it impossible to waver.

"You became Alpha of Greenville not because you earned it alone but because this pack, they forgave you. They gave you a second chance."

My eyes lowered to her lips, she was right. Just like Uncle Walker, Gabriel, Rose, Flora and my mother, they all gave me second chances. Regardless of my actions.

The gentle knock on my door jolted me back to reality. My Claire was no longer there except a pillow that still retained her scent.

"You're not that beautiful, to be fair." I teased.

"And your food taste horrible, darling." She retorted.

"Wait how did you know I cooked this?"

"It tells all over your face."

"So is it truly bad?" I asked. She dropped her cutlery gently. Smiling sweetly at me while she gently caressed my cheek.

"A little peppery but it's perfect." She pursed.

"I just hope you didn't burn the kitchen."

"Maybe a little." I laughed causing her too.