Kids from One Alpha

Chapter 55: Second Date

“Serena, good afternoon,” Carson’s voice said cheerily into the phone. “Hey. Carson,” Serena said. She had just gotten in from her shift at the hospital. Dana was already making the kids dinner, and when she’d arrived, the phone was ringing. “Are you just getting in?” he asked. “You sound flustered.” Serena chuckled. “Yea, I just got back from the hospital. What’s up?” she asked. “Well, I may have heard from a little bird that you have a babysitter tonight,” he said. “So, I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me.” “You’re asking me to dinner again?” Serena asked. “My cooking didn’t scare you away.” Carson laughed.

Serena saw Olivia make a scrunched-up face. She thought it was about her own cooking, but she made it again the next time Carson spoke. “Not at all,” he said. “I will be handling the food this time, though.” Serena sighed. “I guess I could come over for a little while” she said. “Let me shower and change, then I’ll come by.” “Great!” Carson said happily. “I’ll see you soon.” He hung up. “Are you going to see Carson again?” Oliver asked moodily. Clearly, her kids hadn’t taken to him very well. “I am,” Serena said. “Dana, are you okay to stay with the kids?” “Of course,” Dana said with a nod. “Thank you,” Serena said. She showered and changed quickly, kissed the kids goodbye, and then headed out to see Carson. When she got to his house, Serena was surprised by the setup. The lighting was dim, and he had a candle lit dinner prepared. It smelled amazing, and her mouth started to water. Between her own cooking and eating hospital cafeteria food, she hadn’t had a really delicious meal in too long! “Wow.” Serena said as Carson took her sweater. “This looks amazing.” There was a pretty flower arrangement at the center of the table. “Well, you are always working so hard, as a mother and a doctor, I figured you could be spoiled for a night,” he said with a chuckle. Serena smiled, taking a seat at the table. “Did you cook?” she asked. Carson shook his head. “No, but I had a few favors to call in,” he said. Carson poured them each a glass of wine. Serena raised an eyebrow at him. “The kids aren’t here.”

true,” she said, accepting the glass and taking a sip. Not that she didn’t think she could drink wine in front of her kids, but she was a little suspicious about what Second Date Carson had in mind for their night. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try anything,” he said, sitting down across from her. “I just wanted this to be a nice, normal date.” “A date, is it?” Serena asked, smiling as she cut into the juicy steak cut on her plate. “That’s what I’d like it to be,” Carson admitted. “You’re an incredibly strong female, a great doctor, and a great mother. I can’t think of any other qualities that matter.” Serena snorted a laugh and set her wine down. “I could probably cook better,” she teased. Carson rolled his eyes and gave her a dismissive wave, sipping his own wine. They ate in silence for a while, and Serena looked around Carson’s house. It was a definitely a bachelor pad. He hadn’t done much to decorate the walls or get interesting furniture. She didn’t know how long he’d lived there, but he was a lifelong member of the Night Sky pack. As Beta, he would have access to whatever luxuries he wanted! What are you thinking about?” Carson asked her. Serena chuckled. “I was admiring your house, and the simplicity of it,” she said. Carson nodded. “I don’t need much to be happy,” he admitted. “I’m not one of those lush Betas that needs to show off my status with expensive furniture, fine art, and a big house.” Serena nodded, biting her bottom lip. “I see,” she said. “I’ve offended you,” Carson said. Serena shook her head. “No. My mother and father are Alpha and Luna. They live very comfortably,” she explained. “I always assumed it was more of a pack lifestyle than a choice.” Carson shrugged. “It could be,” he said. “I just didn’t adhere to it. Does that bother you?” “No,” Serena said, shaking her head. “I enjoy simplicity. Something I lack a good deal in my life.” Carson laughed. “I imagine so,” he said. Serena smiled at him, the candles flickering slightly. “But you still went through the trouble of getting this flower arrangement and setting up this romantic dinner,” she pointed out. “Well, why can’t romance be simple too?” he asked. Serena

own fork and taking a big bite. Serena cleansed her pallet with a sip of wine, and then took a bite of the mousse. It was the perfect amount of fluffy and sweet, practically melting in her mouth. “Oh

back into our house,” Serena said. “It is nice to have our own space again.” “You found it difficult to live with the Alpha?” Carson asked, raising an eyebrow and topping off their wine glasses. Serena shrugged. “Not in the strictest sense,” she said. “Raising kids in someone else’s household is always complicated.” “Yes, that sounds right,” Carson said. “Holly didn’t give you too much of a hard time?” “Fortunately, we weren’t around each other much,” Serena said with a sigh. Carson chuckled. “She can be difficult,” he said. “That’s not…” Serena trailed off. She didn’t want to get a reputation as a gossiper. “She’s just not very practiced with kids.” After finishing her glass of wine, Serena decided it was getting late enough for her to go home. The kids would already be asleep, but she didn’t want to stay late and give Carson the wrong idea. “I should get going,” she said. “If you must,”