Chapter 14 — Lunch

Dual POV (Regina & Aldric)

Regina

The café sat just off the main road, tucked between a small bookstore and a florist whose windows overflowed with late-season blooms. Regina had passed it countless times over the years, sometimes stopping for coffee on quiet afternoons, but today it felt different.

Everything felt different.

She paused outside the glass door for a moment, fingers curled lightly around the strap of her bag, steadying her breathing as she watched Aldric through the window.

He was already inside, seated at a small table near the back, long legs stretched slightly beneath the table, his broad shoulders relaxed in a way she hadn’t seen often. Sunlight filtered through the window beside him, catching faint silver in his eyes as he glanced toward the door — like he sensed her before she even stepped inside.

The bond warmed instantly, a soft bloom in her chest that felt almost like a welcome.

Her wolf stirred, curious and content.

Regina pushed the door open, the soft chime of the bell announcing her arrival. The café smelled like roasted coffee beans, fresh bread, and cinnamon — warm and comforting scents that eased the last of the tension in her shoulders.

Aldric stood when he saw her, a small gesture of respect that made warmth spread through her chest.

“Hi,” she said, offering a small smile.

“Hi,” he replied, his voice low and warm.

They stood there for a second longer than necessary, the bond humming quietly between them before they both sat.

“I hope this place is okay,” he said.

“It’s one of my favorites,” she admitted.

The simple exchange felt easy, natural — a relief after the swirl of emotions she’d been navigating since yesterday.

A server approached, and they ordered coffee and light lunches, the normalcy of the interaction grounding Regina further. When the server left, a comfortable silence settled between them.

She studied him for a moment, taking in the subtle changes time had brought — the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, the quiet confidence in his posture, the steadiness that radiated from him like an anchor.

“You seem… calmer,” she said softly. “Than I expected.”

Aldric huffed a faint laugh. “Inside doesn’t always match the outside.”

The honesty in his tone made her smile slightly.

“Fair,” she said.

Their coffees arrived, steam curling between them as they wrapped their hands around warm mugs.

For a moment, Regina just breathed in the scent of roasted beans, letting herself settle fully into the moment.

“You know,” she said, glancing up at him, “I used to think about that night more than I’d like to admit.”

The bond shifted subtly at the admission — not heavy, just attentive.

“The cave,” she added quietly.

Aldric’s expression softened, his gaze steady but gentle. “So did I.”

Her chest tightened slightly, but it wasn’t painful — more like an old ache acknowledged.

“I remember the moment you walked in,” she said. “It felt like… everything slowed down. Like I could finally breathe again.”

The warmth that flooded the bond in response was immediate, steady and deep.

“I remember thinking I’d never felt that protective over someone before,” he said quietly. “Not like that.”

Her pulse fluttered at the words, heat blooming softly in her chest.

They held each other’s gaze for a moment, the world around them fading into background noise.

Then Regina looked down at her cup, gathering her thoughts.

“I spent a long time trying to pretend none of it affected me,” she admitted. “But it changed everything.”

Aldric nodded slowly. “Trauma tends to do that.”

She gave a small, rueful smile. “Yeah.”

Their food arrived, giving them a moment to shift the conversation to lighter topics — favorite trails near town, books they’d read, small pieces of life over the past six years.

The conversation flowed easily, laughter slipping in naturally, the bond warming with each shared moment.

It felt… normal.

Surprisingly so.

And beneath the ease was a growing awareness — the subtle way her gaze kept drifting to the curve of his smile, the warmth in his eyes, the steady comfort of his presence.

Attraction simmered quietly beneath the surface, not overwhelming but undeniable.

At one point, their hands brushed as they both reached for the sugar jar, and a soft spark of warmth traveled up her arm. Regina’s breath caught slightly, and she saw the same flicker in his eyes.

Neither pulled away immediately.

The moment stretched, charged but gentle, before they both withdrew with soft smiles.

The bond pulsed contentedly, like it approved.

By the time they finished eating, Regina felt lighter than she had in years — the tight knot of tension she’d carried for so long loosened just a little more.

As they stepped outside, the afternoon sun warming the air, she realized she wasn’t counting exits or scanning shadows the way she usually did.

She was just… present.

And it felt good.

⸻

Aldric

He watched her as they walked slowly down the sidewalk, noting the subtle ease in her posture compared to when they first met in the lobby.

She looked lighter.

Happier.

The realization filled him with a quiet sense of satisfaction he hadn’t expected.

“I’m glad you said yes to lunch,” he said.

She glanced up at him, smiling softly. “Me too.”

The bond warmed again, steady and reassuring.

They stopped near a small park, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze filling the comfortable silence between them.

Aldric turned slightly toward her, studying her face — the way sunlight caught the red in her hair, the faint freckles across her nose he hadn’t noticed before.

“You don’t have to be afraid of this,” he said gently.

She met his gaze, thoughtful rather than defensive this time. “I know.”

Progress.

“We’ll take it at whatever pace you need,” he added.

Her expression softened further. “Thank you.”

They stood there a moment longer, the bond humming quietly between them, a shared warmth neither of them felt the need to rush.

For the first time since the bond snapped…

It felt less like something overwhelming.

And more like the beginning of something steady.

Something real.

⸻

As they parted ways outside the hotel, Aldric felt a quiet certainty settle deep in his chest.

This wasn’t just fate.

It was a choice they were both beginning to make.

And he intended to make it every day.

⸻