The Omega's Mate?

Chapter 39: August's POV

Today was Christmas Day.

I had told Alexandre that I felt like I could go out for a run with him this morning. He was unsure about letting me go with him, but he eventually gave in to me with enough push. He explained that I needed to be up and ready this time, or he would end up leaving without me. When he came to pick me up at 5 am, I was waiting for him on the front porch ready to go, in sweats, and an extra hoodie on top of my sweatshirt. My natural body heat was warmer than that of a human, but being an omega did nothing for body heat. I was still cold in my attire, shivering like a chihuahua.

It was lightly snowing outside this morning, making the ground slippery. It was beautiful, twinkling in the light of the dawn. Alexandre made us do some stretches to warm our muscles up due to the colder weather.

When we had begun running, keeping a pace that I could keep up with. After about a mile, my lungs felt like they were on fire, and my muscles hurt from trying not to slip on the black ice under the snow.

"You look like a newborn calf." Alexandre cackled at me when I had hit another patch of black ice, shaking to keep my balance and not fall flat on my face.

"Oh, not everyone has lightning-like reflexes," I mumbled sarcastically, holding my arms out to the side wobbling on my feet.

"Mmm, no, but I bet you're regretting coming with me this morning. Imagine you could be at home, sipping on a nice hot mug full of coffee, or sleeping, and we know you love your sleep, little one. Quite honestly, I'm surprised you actually woke up this morning." He slowed his pace so I could catch up to him.

"Oh, shut up." I breathed out, small puffs of air appearing in front of me.

"Do we need to slow down? Do you need to go back home?" He sounded concerned for me. I knew I had to continue pushing, no matter how much it hurts.

"No, I'll be fine. Do you think we could at least run on the grass? So I'm not worrying about busting my ass with every step." I strain my voice, focusing on my balance.

"Alright, little one, we'll go on a hiking trail." He grabbed my hand, pulling me off to a trail that Alexandre explained that he liked trailing on when he was on his evening patrols. The further we went on the winding paths, the more I wanted to stop and take in the scenery. It looked like a winter wonderland, fir trees were covered with snow, the branches drooping from the extra weight. It was as if the world were asleep, the only sound that could be heard was Alexandre and I's breaths, and the sound of our feet crunching under the snow. I continued pushing forward, trying to keep up with Alexandre, but as time went, he had gotten ahead of me, I was still in the distance of him, but I couldn't keep up.

"Wait." I huffed out, slowing my pace down to a stop bending over in exhaustion. Alexandre stopped and turned around. He trailed back to me.

"Are you okay, babe?" He asked, rubbing my back, trying to soothe me.

"I'm fine, but I don't know if I can run anymore, it's been about an hour or so, do you think we can head back home?" I pleaded with my eyes.

"Of course, little one," He smiled, grabbing my hand, taking me back the way we had gone. "You did pretty well compared to last time, we've run about 10 miles." I nodded my head.

"Xandre, can you carry me?" I pouted my lips at him, batting my eyelashes to have a particular effect on him. 

"Xandre?" He quirked his eyebrow at me.

"Hey, you call me 'little one' and other cute nicknames, can't I give you one?" I tilt my head to the side, frowning.

"Normally, people call me Alex... I mean, I do like it though little one, we'll dedicate that name to only you." He chuckled, pulling me to a stop. He turned me, so I was facing toward him. He leaned down and rubbed his nose against mine before pecking my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him back down to kiss him again, this time, it was more than a peck on the lips. I licked his lips, silently asking for entrance, but he pulled away. I whined in protest, he only smirked before pressing his lips to my forehead. "Sorry little one, I don't quite trust myself at the moment to contain myself. Let's get home so we can shower and get ready for this long day."