Chapter 75

Celia

As soon as I sit down beside Soren, I pull my knees up to my chest. I rest my chin on the top of my knee and look out at the dark waves. The sun begins to set and the vibrant hues of oranges and pinks and purples reflect on the distant sea.

It brings me so much peace. I feel so calm in this moment, too, and can feel my walls start to lower themselves just by staring at the calming scenery.

Soren moves from beside me. Our bodies graze and touch against each other, goosebumps raising against my skin. I look away, needing to fight off the warmth that blooms in my cheeks. I clear my throat and tilt my head up to look at the birds that fly by.

We sit in a comfortable silence. At least to me it is comfortable.

There are no expectations for me to live up to nor are there any soldiers trying to protect us. Bianca does not hide in the shadows and her threats do not loom over us.

It is just Soren and I. It is us and the waves, the soft melody of water crashing in on itself just to repeat the process all over again.

It’s symbolic, really. Symbolic of the relationship that we have with one another. The constant push and pull that happens between the two of us.

One day, our thoughts and actions collide with one another, while other days we work in unison with one another, working as a cohesive team before that temporary bond breaks between us once again.

I let out a quiet sigh, finally turning my head to the side to look at Soren. His side profile is handsome. I can see how I fell in love with him so easily as his substitute lover.

He finally turns to look at me, our gazes meeting. My heart skips a beat.

What am I going to say to him? What is there to even say? I hope that my actions are enough to show that I am here with him, that I am willing to try and fight for us, for the relationship that should have began long ago.

“I appreciate what you said to me at Donna’s house,” I begin, hoping that the starting point in which I chose will be enough to keep things calm. “I do have one concern, though.”

“Tell me,” Soren immediately responds. He inches closer to me, our hips now touching.

It is a touch that I am very familiar with. We have spent countless nights in bed with each other, woken up in each other’s arms before I left his home so he can resume his duties as the Alpha King and for me to return to my less than ideal life of paying bills and making do with what I can.

“Tell me, Celia, and I will promise to you right here and right now that I will do everything in my power to alleviate your concern,” his words are strong and definitive. It actually soothes my aching soul, helping me get the words out of my mouth.

“I am open to rekindling our relationship,” I begin.

Relief floods his face. His once clenched jaw relaxes and his fists release themselves from the balls that they were formed in. Our eyes never leave each other’s and I dig my feet into the sand, allowing the tiny grains to push into my flesh.

“However,” I breathe out, noticing the way his face twitches ever so slightly, “it will take time for me to fully come to trust you again, Soren.”

Soren begins to nod. He reaches out and takes my hands into his own, his eyes now focused on the way his fingers lace into mine, locking us together.

“All I ask for is one more chance to prove to you that I am serious about you,” the Alpha King speaks, his voice quiet with all of his defenses lowered. This is a side of Soren, a much softer side, that I have never been before. It takes me aback.

“One mistake, Sore,” I say. My words cause him to turn and look at me with slightly widened eyes. “One mistake and I am gone. I will not put myself through more disappointment and heartbreak.”

My voice cracks and my eyes well from tears. Soren reaches out and cups my cheek. His thumb grazes my cheekbone and I have to fight the urge to lean into his touch.

“I-I don’t think I can handle another heartbreak…especially not with you,” the words tremble from sadness as they fall from my mouth. “One more mistake and I am gone, Soren. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Celia,” Soren nods, his voice just above a whisper just like mine, “I understand.”

I nod and let out a breath that I did not even know that I was holding in. I look away and turn my attention back towards the waves. The sun hangs low in the sky, dipping beneath the clouds.

I glance at him from my peripheral vision, loving how soft his face looks with the gentle touch of the sunlight on his skin. I gently squeeze his hands and bite the inside of my cheek.

“We should probably leave soon,” I break the newfound silence that formed between us.

“Why? Is everything okay?” Soren asks.

I turn to look at him and shake my head. All of the anxiety that I have felt before suddenly comes rushing back into the back of my mind, pushing through the barriers I put up. A tear rolls down my cheek.

I do not know why I am crying. Okay, maybe I do know why. Life has just been so stressful lately and I haven’t had the chance to take a break and breathe without feeling the need to be constantly looking over my shoulder.

“I saw another figure in black here,” I swallow the lump that formed in my throat. “He followed me through town but disappeared. I-I don’t know where he went.”

“Hey, hey,” Soren gently speaks, wiping away my tears as soon as they fall, “it’s okay. I’m here now. I’ll protect you from him.”

I nod and bite my lip, looking in the opposite direction, embarrassed that he has seen me like this. I feel him stand up from beside me. I look up at him then turn my attention to the hand that he offers to me.

“Come on,” he nods his head in the direction of his car, “let’s go. I have a place for us to go to.”

I stare at his hand. A flurry of emotions and hypothetical situations hits my consciousness and soul.

Will this be it? Will this be the final chapter in my life? Will taking his hand lead me to my sudden end? Or will this be the start of a new chapter in my life — our life — that will bring me even more pain than I have ever felt in my life?

I take a deep breath and slip my hand into his. His fingers curl around my hand and he pulls me up to my feet with ease. His touch makes me feel secure and safe. With Soren, I know that this is the beginning of the end of the pain and angst that we have had to endure.