Chapter 4 Ma Belle

Melody "Ready?" Dorian's sweet gruff voice sounded from behind me. He hugged me from behind and kissed my nape. "Almost." I moved to arrange the rest of the cakes and cookies. Like an obedient child, Dorian was already working. He sorted the rest of the trays and cleared the tables. "Now we're good to go." He raised his hand and huffed. "Aww _ You're such a darling." I pulled his cheek and wiped his sweat with my handkerchief. "Then do you think I deserve a kiss?" He flapped his eyes and opened his arms expectantly. "Of course." I went into his arms and kissed his cheek and the side of his lips. I was out of his arms before he could catch me. "Teasing me, huh?" He complained with a pout. "Huh?" I gasped dramatically and covered it up. "I wouldn't do that." "You naughty little sheep." He moved to catch me, but I moved away and ran towards the counter. Dorian launched forward with his hand outstretched as he tried to catch me, but I slid past him and made for the door. I was caught before I could touch the knob. He grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. Perhaps because he was distracted, Dorian slipped and fell on the couch, pulling me down with him. I fell on his chest and his hand landed on my waist. He immediately tightened his hold on my waist as I moved to leave, pinning me to him. Dorian moved my hair from my face and slowly tucked it behind my ear. "You're beautiful, Mel." "Thank you." I bit on my lips and made sure I was looking everywhere else but his face. Then, my eyes settled on his chest. He stared at me with deep emotions, but I didn't dare look into his eyes, afraid of getting pulled in. I'd rather stay away than suffer another rejection. Dorian's face was slowly inching closer. I could feel his breath on my face, his index lifted my chin. Our lips were inches apart now, and he locked our gazes, but I revert mine; glancing down at his lips. "We should go." I moved, and the kiss landed on my cheek. "Yes, it's getting late." He agreed and released his hold on me. I stood up and arranged myself, but Dorian's eyes settled on me. He was looking nowhere else but at me. "Come on," I offered my hand, so he would get up, but he pulled down instead; making me fall on his lap. His neck dropped on my shoulder a d he let out a sigh. "What do I lack, Mel?" I sighed and closed my eyes. I didn't know what to say because I know that my reluctance wasn't about him. "Dorian _It's not you." I replied honestly. "Then what is it? The pups?" He flipped me around, and I was now straddling him. "You know I can talk to them, right? They'll understand." I shook my head and pursed my lips. "This isn't about the Pups too." I sighed with dejection "Then what is it? You can tell me anything, Mel. You know that right?" "It's nothing, really." I opened my mouth and closed it, then I shrugged. "Perhaps I'm just not fit for love." "Then let me change that." He said, his hands wrapped around my waist as he pulled me to hug him. "Just give me some more time." I muttered with my eyes closed. He buried his face in my nape, deeply inhaling my scent. His hands tightened around my waist as if he wanted to bury himself in me. "How much longer, Mel?" I dipped my finger in his hair and kissed his cheek. "Not much longer." Another kiss landed on my nape and I felt his canine brush my neck. He couldn't wait to mark me, but didn't want to do it without consent. He was trying to control himself and I know that hasn't been easy especially since we're so close. I didn't move until he got a hold of his emotions and was able to control his wolf. He released his grip on me and I stood up. I gave him my hand and he took it, but this time he got up too. "Let's go." We went out of the cafeteria and Dorian locked the door. He led me to his car and settled me in. Then he drove out of Ma-Belle. Dorian Flame is the Alpha of the Dark flame Pack. He is my best friend and boyfriend, and he is the best of both. When I first arrived herein the Dark flame Pack, I was pregnant and homeless. This cold Alpha gave me shelter in his home, against the protests of the council and people. I offered to do the laundry, so I wouldn't have to stay for free and Dorian agreed at first upon my Insistence, but as time went by, and I became heavy, he stopped me. He offered me his holiday home on the outskirts of the city where I lived until I delivered my pups. Dorian never left my side from the day I moved into the holiday home. He stood by me and was there with me through the entire journey. We became best friends, and after I delivered my pups, we became closer as we spent time together. He offered to help me with my business and I took it. During my stay in the holiday home, I made some sweets and several treats which Dorian offered to sell after tasting them. He thought that people would love the desserts if I sold them and he was right. I was able to gather enough money from selling those desserts, and after I delivered my pups he advised me to make a business out of it, and then boom! That was how it all started until it is what it is now, Ma-Belle keeps growing with more customers pushing in orders every day. Dorian started to court me when my pups celebrated their first birthday. I became his girlfriend after six months of courtship. We've been together for two years, and now he wants me to marry him. After his mate died, Dorian chose to remain celibate, hence everyone was stunned when he introduced me as his girlfriend and future wife. I was rejected by my mate, and his mate died. We're perfect for each other and I don't see why I shouldn't accept his proposal, but something keeps pulling me away. Perhaps what I need is to open my heart and let love in. "We're home Ma Belle." Dorian opened the door, pulling me back from my train of thought. Ma Belle that's the name Dorian calls me. He said it means beautiful and that's why I chose to name my Cafe after that. "Dorian is back!" "Mama is back!" Two energy boxes rolled out of the house as soon as we reached the door. "Hi, Aaron." Dorian picked the hyperactive pup in his arms. "Mamma!" "My sweet Gio." I picked my other pup in my arms. Aaron becomes a chatterbox once he sets his eyes on Dorian, but Giovanni always wants to stay with his mama. I don't know where my pups got their good looks from, but they always make heads turn wherever they go. I try not to think about whatever happened those years ago since that terrible incident gave me the two most beautiful gifts I could ever get. My pups are everything I could never be. Intelligent, smart, sweet, handsome, and most important of all, they have their wolves, and to my absolute surprise they were able to shift on the night they turned four. This has never happened before; at least not to my knowledge. But Dorian believes they are special. Aren't I lucky? I wasn't bestowed a wolf, but the moon goddess compensates me with two special wolves. What more could I ask for? "Did you two eat?" I asked as we got inside the house. Dorian took Gio out of my arms, and carried them both as we walked inside. He was chatting with the kids while I went to prepare dinner. "Babes, I made dinner for us all." Claire set the table and asks me to go take a bath. Claire is Dorian's sister and I live with her after Dorian asked us to come to the city. Having to travel to come see us everyday intercedes with his pack duties. I couldn't refuse, so I agreed. Dorian is a big baby and his tantrums can be bad. "Thank you, hon." I hugged Claire and flashed an appreciative smile. I was too tired any way. I went to my room to take a bath and returned to the living room. Dorian was still busy with the pups when I returned. They had a lot to tell him about their day, and he was ready to listen as always. "It's dinner time boys!" I clapped to get their attention, but Aaron growled. "Aaron," I called strongly. "How many times do I have to tell you never to growl at me?" I made sure my face wasn't smiling. He hated my frowning face, and that is what I show to him when he misbehaves. "I don't like it when you call me boy." His eyes twinkled as he spoke. The color of his eyes amazes me especially when his wolf is near. His eyes changes from blue to gold. Like the color of flames. "Oh really?" I left the table to go to him. "Then tell me what should I call you?" "Anything but boy." He grumbled. "Oh," Dorian stood up and ruffled his hair; making him purr, his eyes slowly changed to blue. "Perhaps he would like to be called a man?" "Not bad," He gave Dorian a mysterious shrug. Sometimes I wonder if he is just five years old or an old man in the body of a young pup. "Come on, wolf boy it's time to eat," I repeated with a pat on his head. He glanced at me as if he would revolt, but he smiled instead. "I like that."