Why My Mate Cries
Chapter 14

ALIYAH’S POV

It was the first time that someone appreciated the food I cooked, and I was glad it was none other than my mate. I couldn’t hide my smile as I watched him eat every pancake I made. He chewed it as if it was the most delicious meal in the world.

I recalled the way my family snarled at me whenever I cooked for them. Even though I knew that the food I served them tasted good, they would always find a way to insult it and act as if I was trying to poison them. Little did they know, I only wanted their appreciation.

An individual’s mood is greatly influenced by appreciation. I believed I would have endured everything longer if only they appreciated me. However, they simply hated me for breathing and for existing in their sight.

“Aliyah, are you alright? Is something bothering you?” I heard the familiar soothing voice of Reid, which made me come back to my senses.

“I am!” I said, slightly startled because of his sudden question. “I am just glad that you liked the food I served. It’s the first time I saw that kind of appreciation in someone else’s eyes.”

Reid finished the pancake and then paid attention to me. “I like and appreciate everything you do and will do in the future, Aliyah. You don’t need to dwell on the past. Things will be different now that you are with me.”

“Thanks, Reid,” I said, and I looked him in the eye with sincerity. “You are the only werewolf that made me feel appreciated…”

“Because you deserve it, mate,” he remarked.

“I only thought that it would’ve been nicer if I felt appreciated by my own family, like the normal daughters out there who are fed with love.”

“I can do it,” he continued.

My heart skipped a beat. Hearing it from Reid made me want to run into him and engulf him in a hug.

What did I do in the past to deserve him?

“I still can’t believe that we’re bound by Selene,” I remarked as I bit my l*p.

“You should get used to it. Our relationship is only starting,” he said. His eyes radiate joy and excitement.

I offered him a smile, and in the back of my mind, I imagined the future that was ahead of us. That alone made me feel so happy, and I wished no one would take that happiness from me.

“Since you cooked, I will return the favor by washing the dishes this time,” he said and winked at me before he stood up and cleaned the table.

I giggled and nodded at him. Since I had nothing else to do, I remained on the table and watched him. He was definitely the most unique Alpha I’ve ever encountered—well, I hadn’t encountered anyone else prior aside from my father and brother.

Still, Reid was the only one who made me realize that being an Alpha didn’t mean you had to be cruel with your pack, and that anyone—may it be a stranger or the lowest among the ranks—deserved to be respected as a person.

After breakfast, we went to his room and watched TV together. I was astounded by the fact that Reid, the Alpha of the Jewel Pack, was into classic historical films.

“All this time, I thought an Alpha was only into wars and powers,” I commented.

Reid’s head was lying on my lap. He looked up at me in surprise. “Do you feel strange seeing an Alpha who’s fond of watching films?”

“Not at all. It’s actually cool…”

Cool in a way that I got a chance to get to know you with each passing day, I thought it as I couldn’t voice it out.

“It’s one of my hobbies, and I think I’m going to love it more now that I can watch movies with you from now on. We can do a lot of things together.” He grinned.

“Oh, don’t forget that you’re an Alpha. You must take care of your pack. It should be your main priority,” I reminded him with a frown.

“I’m not forgetting that, but you will always have my special treatment.”

My heart fluttered at that idea. I smiled like a teenager who had been given a rose by her crush. I never thought that meeting my mate would totally paint my black and white world colorfully.

“Speaking of the pack, do you want to meet them? I’d be happy to officially introduce you to them,” he said, still looking at me this time with his hopeful eyes.

I blinked several times and took a harsh deep breath. “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea…”

“Why?” He furrowed his brows. “They are kind. I’m sure you will have a great time with them, Aliyah.”

I winced as I ran my fingers through my hair. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I was locked up in our house for most of my life. It was traumatizing. I didn’t have any friends. I’m not good when it comes to socializing. I actually fear it. I don’t think I can get along with them…”

“You haven’t tried,” he replied, and let out a sigh. “Or are you hesitating because my pack doesn’t have a decent reputation in history? I know Silver Moon leaders speak ill of us, brainwashing their members — even the other packs. Do you think we’re not good enough?”

He shot me a sour glance, and I frowned even more at what he said. I never judged any pack based on the rumors I’ve heard from my family, let alone thought low of the Jewel Pack because my previous pack hated them.

Reid’s breathing became ragged. I could feel the worry building up in my chest when he rose and didn’t say a word after his questions. My lips were pressed into a thin line, and deep within me, my wolf was making me feel that I’d done something wrong.

He was about to go, leaving me in silence when I finally agreed. “A–Alright, I’ll meet them.”

He turned to me, agape. “Are you sure?”

“Y–Yes, I mean you’re right. What’s the harm in giving it a shot?”

And I don’t want you to be mad at me, I thought.

His lips curled into a smile. He was so happy that he crawled back to the bed and cupped my face.

“You have no idea how your decision made me happy.”

“A–Anything for my mate,” I said shyly and caressed one of his hands that was cupping my face.

He bit his lower l*p and I found it too sensual, making me swallow.

“We have to get you nice clothes for the formal introduction,” he said.

“Nice clothes?”

He nodded. “Yes, or if you want to get introduced to my pack wearing an oversized shirt of mine, that’s completely fine with me.”

My face heated in shame. Sure, I liked the feeling whenever I wore his clothes as I could smell his natural scent in them, but I didn’t think it was a good idea for the entire pack to see me wearing his clothes. I must be decent, at the very least.

“B–But I have no money.” My head throbbed at that one problem.

“It’s my treat, Aliyah.” He patted my head and gave me a smirk. “You can think of it as my welcome gift since you will be part of my pack…”

“Really?” I exclaimed.

“Yes.”

“Oh my god!” I shrieked, and out of happiness, I leaned forward and kissed his lips as I wrapped my arms around his neck. It was just a short k**s as I released him after coming back to my senses.

Oh, my! I just kissed him!

My eyes widened, and I quickly covered my mouth. “I… I am just happy. I–I didn’t mean to—”

To my surprise, Reid leaned in and claimed my lips, but this time it was a long, passionate k**s.

“I’ve never been this accepted until you came,” he whispered under his breath when he released me. “F**k, I’ll trade everything just to keep what we have… I feel so f*****g lucky right now.”

I gazed at him, completely speechless to hear those sincere words from him. All I could do was gasp and cup his face.

I feel so lucky too, Reid.