Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Alpha's Secret

[Dove]

Cole wanted to stroll back to the village.

I wondered what came over him as his fingers weaved through mine, and he clasped my hand, palm to palm, keeping me close while we walked away from the waterfall.

He glanced at me and chuckled softly. "What's wrong?"

"You're unusually cheerful," I noted to him.

He answered with that sunshine smile of his that I loved and I was mesmerized.

Quickly, he looked ahead with a frown. "Stop looking at me like that." His voice was gruff again.

I blinked. Realizing what he meant, I stared ahead as my cheeks betrayed me again.

The forest felt suddenly alive with the leaves crunching under our feet and the distant chirping of birds. Winter's coming, I thought, while admiring the bald trees.

For some reason, Patrick's bowl-shaped hair came into my mind and I laughed.

Cole smiled with furrowed brows. Then, his eyes widened and he glared down at me.