The Alpha’s Little Rogue

Chapter 134

Raphael's POV I'm sitting at the dining table and shoving food that tastes like cardboard into my mouth.

I feel numb.

The look in Daphne's eyes when she saw me keeps playing at the back of my head like a broken record. She didn't feel the mate bond. She didn't feel a connection with me.

Giving up on dinner, I stand up with my plate and head into the kitchen where I proceed to dump the dish into the sink.

Next, I head out the door and into the woods where Caden and Alex are already waiting for me.

They stop whatever it is they're arguing about when they see me heading their way and I don't pester them to tell me what their conversation was about. A new achievement for me.

"Can we start now?" I ask, walking ahead of them to the borders to get on with our routine patrolling. The sooner we're done with it, the sooner I can head back to my room and sleep of this terrible day. Caden and Alex follow me wordlessly.

"I'm taking North," I inform and start heading in that direction when a hand closes around mine. It's Caden's.

I turn towards him with an arched brow.

"Are you ok?" He asks. "Something seems off about you."

"I'm fine," I reply through clenched teeth, annoyed at him for no apparent reason. "I'm tired because of the training. I just want to be done with patrol so I get to head back to the pack house." I drag my hand out of his hold. "Thanks again for doing that. Alessia really appreciates it." He smiles at the mention of his mate and his eyes twinkle like they always do when she appears in a conversation.

a salty mood

from now,' he replies,

I really am. I just wish that I also had a bit of luck when it

thought of what name to give the baby?" Alex asks, finally joining in

still

a very good name," I quip with

playful push. "No offense but

try." A smile cracks on my lips as we continue our banter. The sour mood I

side glance. "Are you sure that nothing is on your mind?" He

in them just yet. They mean well

nod. "I'm sure." I'm

That's the thing about having Alex and Caden as my closest friends. They may not know the details of what exactly is plaguing my mind but they will make damn sure that they try

as simple as trying

with. I don't like leaving Alessia all by

fear that something is going to happen to her as soon as I

to hold in an eye roll. "Nothing is going to happen. Besides, she'll be able to take care

She's an Alpha for goodness sake. "Also, you'll be the first person that she'll mind

as he walks ahead of us

exactly that way when Scarlett was pregnant with our pup. I didn't want her out of my sight for even a second." He sighs with a wistful look on his

at best. Now, I feel... envious? My chest squeezes as I register the emotion I'm currently battling with;