Third Person's POV

Thaddeus rolls his eyes at Xander and Abigail, when he glances over and sees the two of them making lovey dovey eyes at each other, before Xander buries his face in Abigail's neck, making her giggle.

He brings his attention back to Marcus, who was trying to talk to him through the link, about the conversation he had with Alpha Michael during Abigail's little stunt, when she broke through his territory and into Thaddeus's.

Apparently the last day or two, they've been noticing an increase in scouts on the outside of their territory. This information, is quite alarming, and immediately put Thaddeus on edge.

"We have to talk about this later, I don't want to get upset in front of Aiden." Thaddeus said to Marcus, through the link.

Thaddeus looks over at Aiden, and sees he seems to be quiet, and picking at his plate. He's not really eating, just pushing things around.

Thaddeus wasn't sure why Aiden was like like this, but he can definitely tell something was bothering him.

Thaddeus reached over, placing his hand on Aiden's knee and gives it a gentle squeeze.

Aiden slightly tilts his head, and looks over at Thaddeus. Thaddeus keeps his hand on Aiden's knee, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb.

"Are you okay?" Thaddeus asked.

"Yes." Aiden said, giving Thaddeus a small smile.

Aiden looked back down at his plate for a moment, before glancing around the table. His eyes land on Xander and Abigail and remain there.

Thaddeus can see an expression on Aiden's face that he wasn't sure what it meant. Thaddeus followed Aiden's gaze which took him to Xander and Abigail.

Again watched Xander bury his face in Abigail's neck, before they nuzzled against each other.

A moment later, Xander's face was buried back in her neck, nipping at it which caused her to giggle again and slap his shoulder in a playful manner.

When Thaddeus looked back at Aiden, he saw that same expression.

What Thaddeus didn't know was Aiden was paying close attention to his sister and Xander. He watched how comfortable they seem to be with each other. How they seem to laugh, flirt, and nuzzle against each other.

He was surprised, they had just met today! Not even this morning, but just hours ago! And the way they're acting, you would have thought they've known each other for quite a while.

Aiden steals a glance at Thaddeus, then quickly looks back at his plate. He can't help but want the same thing with Thaddeus. Every time he's near him, he feels a strange sensation, a pull toward Thaddeus, that seems to get stronger each day, the longer they're together.

Aiden couldn't help but wonder if Thaddeus felt it too? He couldn't help but wonder if Thaddeus felt that desire to be near him.

Aiden wondered if it bothered Thaddeus when they're not close, the way it bothers Aiden? Or maybe Thaddeus doesn't even see him like that. Maybe Thaddeus doesn't even want him as a mate. Maybe Thaddeus is disappointed to find out he's stuck with someone like him...

Aiden never thought about having a mate. He didn't know a lot about mates, but what he did know of them, he knew no one would ever want him. His Alpha always told him no one would ever want him. His Alpha always told him he was too pathetic, no better than dirt on the floor. No one would ever want someone like him... so Aiden always assumed he would never have one, and if somehow by a miracle he did, they would reject him, wanting nothing to do with him.

Aiden plays with his fingers even more, nibbling on his lip to the point it's starting to hurt. His thoughts are starting to run wild, his heart begins to ache before he tries to settle himself.

Aiden closes his eyes, calming himself down, before opening them and slowly turning his head to look at Thaddeus.

As Aiden looks up, he sees Thaddeus wasn't looking at him. So he took this opportunity to get a good look at him. He admired his hair, the long wavy hair that reached just passed his shoulders. His eyes rake across his face, seeing the nose ring, then admiring his facial hair. It's a little longer, but not too long, it's just right!

He spots the matching hoop earring in Thaddeus's ear, before seeing the tattoo just below his ear that wraps around his neck and continues down his shoulders, back and chest.

Aiden's seen Thaddeus with his shirt off before, and he really wonders if there was spot on this man's body that doesn't have a tattoo aside from his face. The tattoos even go down his arms, and over his hands then down his fingers.

He pays closer attention to the tattoo on his neck. He's never seen it up this close before. He's sat near Thaddeus before, but not so close that their arms are practically touching, allowing him to see every little intricate detail of his tattoos.

Aiden's eyes follow every little curve, every sharp corner and every line. He's not sure what the tattoo actually is, but he loves it! Aiden finds himself wanting to touch it, to run his fingers along every little line, along every edge and every detail. He wants to feel Thaddeus's skin under his fingertips.

Aiden suddenly snaps out of it, just to realize his fingertips are barely an inch away from Thaddeus's neck. He was reaching out to touch it and he didn't even realize it.

It was like his body was in some sort of trance, moving on its own and doing what it wanted to do.

Aiden quickly yanked his hand back, placing it in his lap as he looked down, and felt his face heat up as he felt embarrassed. He's quite certain his face is 10 different shades of red judging by how hot is face feels. He can even feel the tip of his ears burning.

'I can't believe I almost touched him. My fingers were so close to touching his neck but he didn't look at me or say anything. Did he not see? Maybe he didn't see. Maybe he wasn't paying attention. Or maybe he did and now he's mad, oh gosh what did I do?!' Aiden thought to himself.

Without lifting his head, Aiden glanced over to see Thaddeus's reaction. Aiden felt relief wash over him when he saw Thaddeus was taking a bite from his plate, and not even looking at him. 'Maybe he didn't notice? Oh thank Goodness!' Aiden thought to himself...

But what Aiden doesn't know, was Thaddeus did see him. Thaddeus just didn't turn to look at him. He didn't want to scare him, or embarrass him.

As Thaddeus was eating, he sensed Aiden looking at him. Without turning his head, he glanced over and could see Aiden was staring at him.

Not wanting to scare him, or embarrassed Aiden, he never turned his head, he just kept stealing side glances at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

Aiden's stare became so intense, Thaddeus could almost feel his eyes on him, which caused Thaddeus to try to look at Aiden more closely without turning his head.

Before Thaddeus could think anymore of it, he saw Aiden's hand lift out of his lap. That very hand slowly reached up toward Thaddeus, his fingers extending as they came closer to his neck, ever so slowly.

Thaddeus's breath hitched in his throat, and his heartbeat accelerated with the anticipation of Aiden touching him.

But before Aiden touched him, his eyes go wide, and he quickly yanks his hand back and looks down into his lap.

Thaddeus could hear Aiden's heart pounding in his chest letting him know how scared he was. He could also tell he was embarrassed, he could see the red on his cheeks even though he was looking down. Thaddeus continued to eat, pretending he never noticed. After a few minutes Aiden seemed to calm down and began to eat again.

Everything was fine until it came time for dessert.

Thaddeus tried not to laugh. Xander when he could see how uncomfortable he was. Shifting in his seat and adjusting himself as Abigail kept moaning each time she took a bite.

Unfortunately for Thaddeus, as soon as Aiden finally took a bite, he had the same reaction. As soon as Aiden took a bite, the creamy sweetness seemed to explode in his mouth. Aiden had never tasted anything. So sweet, so delicious that he couldn't help but closes eyes and moan.

Thaddeus instantly tensed up when he heard the beautiful sound that came for Aiden. Just as Thaddeus started to relax again, Aiden took another bite. Aiden's eyes closed again as the sweet cream touched his tongue and he moaned.

Thaddeus's body immediately tensed and a growl rose from his chest. Surprisingly, the growl didn't scare Aiden, instead he felt his face heat up as he looked down. Somehow that growl sounded different to Aiden. It wasn't threatening, it somehow held a different meaning that sent a shiver down his spine, which caused him to blush.

We were halfway through dessert when Xander's chair went flying backwards, and Abigail was suddenly tossed over his shoulder.

Aiden was horrified when he watched his sister get carried away like that. He flinched and struggled not to cry when he heard the sound of Abigail getting smacked on the ass.