Retired Alpha

“It’s as official as we are.“ Amaria laughed, holding her hand out for him to take. “Come here…“

“No, I really like whatever they’re calling this style you’re rocking.“

He fully entered the room and grabbed her hand. “And how official is that?”

@ The University

“I apologize, it’s two month into the semester and my office is still a mess. Please, have a seat.“

“So this is an official meeting then?”

“You’ll tell me in September?“ Amaria looked skeptical but didn’t push any further as she made her way to the kitchen. “I made rooibos tea earlier with fresh ingredients my siblings sent over. Would you like to try someone?“

“I would really appreciate that. My knowledge ends at purchasing things online and navigating the web when it comes to electronics. Bring the box with you to the kitchen. I can google it while we eat.“

“Yeah, maybe you won’t remember by then.” He joked as he followed to the kitchen. “Rooibos sounds great.”

  “You have to tell me the original plan! Please!” Amaria smiled. She felt younger and happier around Roy.  “Do you want anything to drink? I can make something for us if you’re feeling hungry.“

“I’ll record it if you’re not. Carter will get over it eventually. I wonder if he’ll stop using the front door.“ Looking back at Roy and the box in his hands, she shook her head no. “No but I planned on trying. I have the next two days free.“

Roy shook his head with a big grin on his face. “No way. Maybe I’ll tell you for your birthday.” He let out a long breath and nodded. “Both sound good, thanks.”

Amaria tried to hide her smile as Roy spoke but it was hopeless. She smiled sly, biting her bottom lip to keep from blushing as he continued. “I didn’t want to make the first move and when Rebecka moved here, I didn’t want to step on any toes. Is this your way of asking to start a romantic relationship?”

“Oh. Yeah! I thought it could really come in handy. I trust Carter but I honestly think he’s also over reacting.“

“Yes, it is. Although I had it planned out way more smoothly in my head. For the record.” Roy let out a breath and leaned against the door frame.

Amaria released a breathe she didn’t know she was holding and placed her new RING system on the floor by the door, beaconing Roy in. Her head tilted when he didn’t come in all the way but she stood and waited for him to explain. What came out of his mouth wasn’t what she expected. She stood there with her mouth open in shock for a second before coming to herself again. “Where is this all coming from, Roy? Is everything okay? You’re not dying or planning on moving, are you? Umm… I thought it was already clear that I feel the same.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He ducked his eyes and roughly ran a hand over the back of his neck.  “No, I’m not dying or moving. And I thought that too, but then nothing ever came of that. And I don’t know why, but I couldn’t do another 10 years of not being with you, Amaria.” His eyes finally found the doorbell that she set on the ground. “Didn’t Carter go off about that movie Smart House when he saw that doorbell?”

Amaria was dancing around her apartment because Amazon finally delivered her Ring system. She listened to Carter and Chris conspiracy theories, read all of the reviews and watched all of the videos. He had hoped that Carter would hook it up for her but how hard could it be? She had the instructions and a Youtube instructional video already pulled up on her phone. Opening the door she was surprised to see Roy there with his hands stretched out to knock. “Roy! Is everything okay? Get in here, come in.”

“Yeah, everything is fine.” Roy hesitated on the porch, unsure if he wanted to stay outside for an easy get away if this turned awkward. He took a step in, but still stood in the door way. “Amaria, I have feelings for you. Feelings that I’ve had for almost a decade now. You’re brilliant and one of the most captivating people have I ever met. And I know there may be a million reason we shouldn’t do this, but I would put those aside for you.”

Roy felt the adrenaline course through his body as he bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. He felt his cat close to the surface and had already taken a lap around the block to run off the excess nerves. He was stretching out his hands when the door opened. “Hey, I have something that I need to tell you. And hopefully no one else is here, but if they are I’ll say it anyway.”

“Free food,“ Chris replied as he stuffed his mouth with food. “You’re telling me if I showed up unannounced with your favorite dish, you wouldn’t think somethings up?“

“I’d think, ‘Wow, my best friend took time out of his day to think of me’.” He shot him a grin and shook his head. “Honestly, I’ve been roped into the theory that you seem down. Thought hibachi would cheer you up.”

“The Living Room. This is a random housewarming gift,“ she replied, showing Roy two lamps that didn’t entirely go with Amaria’s current setting. “I have no idea where to place it.“

“In the garbage.” He joked while stepping closer to her and grabbing one of the lamps. “Or the guest room? Somewhere you won’t have to look at them?”

“Paperwork,“ Amaria told him as she took a chip and scooped up a massive amount of guacamole before pour salt all over it. “Chris has a meeting coming up with some of the other animal shifters about costs and zoning. There’s no way we’re fitting a university in our territories or the Jackals.”

“Chris wouldn’t mind being in full control of the university with Ellis but I think he wants to implement our entire council so certain species of students don’t feel left out. If they want nothing to do with it then it’ll be ran much like we run Panthera.” Amaria explained before eating her guac filled chip and fixing another one. “And guess who got stuck with gathering all the paperwork?” 

He took a bite of his quesadilla and let the cheese ooze out, as he added salsa to the edge. “Who are going to be the lucky recipients of the school?” He frowned trying to imagine which part of the city it would go in. “Something more central?”

“Oh my gosh, my stomach just grumbled. Yes.“ Amaria wasn’t ashamed of the happy yowl that left her as she opened the bag and started taking out food. “Thank you, Roy!“

Roy laughed at the yowl, and pulled open the guac and chips. “You are welcome.” He broke the quesadilla in half and pulled his tacos towards him. “What have you been working on so late?”

“Are you buttering me up for something?“ Chris half joked. “Any eggrolls or potstickers?“

“Potstickers. This places egg rolls aren’t great.”

“Oh,” she didn’t do a very good job at hiding her surprise 

“Not a fan of sushi?”

“You knew I would be in today? Thanks! What are we having?“

“I was going to drop by your place, but Carter mentioned you were here.” He placed the bags on the table. “I’ve got tacos, quesadillas, and chips and guac.”

“Jesus, it smells heavenly, Roy.“

“Chinese? Japanese?“

“Hibachi.” He confirmed while taking out the various boxes. “There should be Steak, Shrimp, and Chicken.”