Chapter 40

~Grace~

I sat and stared out the window in the bedroom that Alex had let me use for my duration of staying here. He hadn’t allowed me to bring any of my personal belongings, claiming that he would provide everything for me.

And he had, but all of my stuff was back at the Nightshade pack, and I wasn’t sure I really wanted to go back there and awkwardly plead to pick up my stuff from out of Liam’s room.

And who knows if Liam had done anything to it by now? He could have gotten rid of it all, for all I knew.

Besides, the things I had here had quickly become my own belongings. It felt less like I was staying in a hotel room, and more like my own room with my own things the longer I lived here.

But now, as I looked around the room, everything packed and ready to go, I felt a sickening sadness in my chest.

The contract I had with Alex had ended. No longer bound to each other’s word, I didn’t need to stay at his place anymore.

And I couldn’t expect his generosity to last forever.

I stared out the window into the gardens, feeling lost.

It was so beautiful here, truly, and I really didn’t know where else I would go. Another pack might take me in, but did I really want to live with another pack? Move into another stranger’s home, just to… belong?

Maybe I was better off being a rogue. After all, I no longer belonged to a pack anymore. I wouldn’t go back to the Nightshade pack, and if I chose not to seek out another pack, that would make me a rogue.

The thought frightened me, and I thought of the rogues that attacked the Black Lycan clan during my welcome party.

They all looked so… dirty and rambunctious. Like there was little law among them, and they just did what they wanted.

They looked like criminals and ne'er do wells. Did I really want to become a part of that group?

I sighed, placing my head in my hands, my hair falling over my face.

I really hadn’t thought this completely through.

After a moment of collecting myself, I suddenly stood up, trying to resolve my choice.

I would really miss staying here, Especially recently, Alex and I had been spending a lot of time together, and I would miss that the most.

The castle was gorgeous as well, and I knew the clan was warming up to me–incredibly slowly, but progress was being made.

And Leo, little Leo loved me to death. I didn’t think I could see him before I left. I knew he’d be devastated at the news and only cry his heart out until I gave into his wants.

I sighed, resolving myself. I couldn’t take advantage of Alex’s hospitality anymore, and I had to seek my own path.

I would find a new goal and chase after it. It couldn’t be too hard.

No, no, it shouldn’t be hard at all. I’d always been independent. I would be fine on my own, I knew that. I had enough determination to always have a goal and something to work towards, and that gave me purpose.

I just had to find out what that was, now that I took Liam down and signed my divorce papers.

I opened the door to my bedroom and gasped, taking a step back as I saw Alex standing right there, as if waiting for me to open the door. Why didn’t he just knock?!

He scanned the interior of my room as the door was open, looking at all of the packed bags. His expression was unreadable.

I nervously shifted. I hadn’t expected him to find out that I was planning on leaving this way, I was going to him to have a conversation.

But now that the cat was out of the bag and my intentions laid clear, I wasn’t sure where to start.

Alex’s gaze flicked over to me and he studied my face. I avoided eye contact with him, feeling nervous and a little embarrassed.

Finally, he broke the silence.

“Going somewhere?”

I smiled sadly, giving him a slow nod. “Yes… I figured that since the contract had ended, I shouldn’t overstay my welcome.”

Alex continued to stare at me, and god! I wish he’d stop looking at me like that! Was he upset? I couldn’t tell!

“Where will you go?” He asked, staring me down as if I were being interrogated.

I shifted again, nervous under his piercing gaze.

“Oh, you know… There’s a place I can go,” I said vaguely, staring at the floor.

Alex did not seem amused by my answer.

“Will you join the rogues?”

I looked up at him with wide eyes. He was thinking about it too, those wild menaces that have attacked his clan countless times over the years.

I had no interest in becoming his enemy.

“No, of course not!”

“Will you join another pack?” He questioned, not giving me time to expand on my answer.

I stumbled over my words. “I-I might, if there’s one that I like and would take me in-”

“Are you dissatisfied with my place?”

Alex stared at me, and it felt accusatory. Oh, no, had I insulted him? I hadn’t meant that I was unhappy with what he gave me, not at all!

I wanted to present the opposite, in fact, by being respectful of his generosity and not expecting more!

“No, no, that’s not it!” I cried, starting to crumble.

I really didn’t want to leave, and it was becoming more difficult to keep up that lie in my mind..

“Then why are you leaving?” Alex demanded, placing one hand high on the door frame, towering over me. It seemed like I had hurt his feelings.

“I-I-” I stammered, not sure what to say.

“The contract ended-” I continued, not able to pull my words together as much as I wanted to.

Alex suddenly grabbed my hands, looking deeply into my eyes. There was a desperation there that caught me by surprise.

“Stay,” he said, gentle but firm at the same time. I could tell he really meant it.

I opened my mouth, but I wasn’t sure what to say. What would that mean for us if I stayed?

“Stay and be my Luna. Rule my pack by my side,” he continued, his face filled with sincerity.

My mind went blank. I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t expected him to come out and confess to me like that, right now-

“You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. There’s nobody else in the world I’d rather have by my side,” Alex said, squeezing my hands.

I stared at him, looking deeply into his eyes. I knew I loved this man. I had known this for a while, now, I was just too afraid to admit it.

But now, with him pouring his heart out to me…

“Okay. I will,” I accepted his offer with a smile.

Alex pulled me into a tight embrace, and I knew he was grinning. I was, too.

He spoke into my ear, his voice carrying a joy I hadn’t heard before. “The wedding will take place next week.”