Chapter 56

~Alexander~

Grace was everything to me.

She had been the one to turn my life around. Since I first saw her, I knew nothing would be the same.

And it hadn’t.

Grace had infiltrated my life, changing me in ways I never thought was possible.

Until I met her, my primary objective had been regaining the honor of my clan by getting revenge against those who had wronged us and tarnished our name.

I had been rebuilding the clan to its former power and glory, piece by piece. We were so few in number, and with my mostly untrained leadership skills, it had taken me years to build where I was today.

Where I was at now, I had been proud to call myself King.

I thought I had improved myself, became a better man, a force to be reckoned with. I thoroughly believed that I had every right to marry Grace and bring her into a joint leadership with the clan.

But was how everyone else felt?

Did they see me as a competent and powerful King, or just a disillusioned man chasing after a dream?

Did they think I had become soft, lost my edge?

Would people respect me or listen to my authority if I did not stay the ruthless leader I made myself out to be?

Because after Grace… I didn’t want to be like that anymore.

She showed me kindness and how that could be used with other people. The wolf world respects her. They don’t think she’s weak.

So why would they think I would be?

But, I’m not a wolf. I’m a Lycan, and showing mercy had never been the Lycan way.

Fear gripped my heart as I stared down at the Lycan Elder. His eyes shone with disapproval, and I clenched my fist.

He didn’t respect me anymore, I could feel it.

Taking a look around the courtyard at all of the curious faces, I could tell there were many here who had lost their faith in me. Mostly Lycans. Many werewolves watched me with curiosity, more than anything else.

I growled loudly, my breaths coming out in short, frustrated bursts.

Being a King was about making difficult decisions. I’ve made them before, I should be able to do it now.

Hissing between clenched teeth, I stood up tall, locking my eyes forward. I didn’t want to see the look on my fellow clan members’ faces when I made this decision.

Stepping past the old man, I felt him put a hand on my shoulder, likely in an attempt to stop me, but I moved past him. I had no interest in hurting him, and I just couldn’t bear the look of disappointment I knew he was giving me.

The forest was just ahead. I had seen Grace and Christopher disappear beyond the rows of trees what felt like hours ago, and I would chase after them.

I only hoped they weren’t in the same place.

~Grace~

Wow! There was so much to do on this boat, I didn’t realize it was so big!

Although you could walk around the top deck in only a few minutes, the boat had layers upon layers on the inside, and there was no shortage of things to do.

I had already passed the time playing poker, getting my picture taken, eating at a seafood restaurant, and gotten a massage.

Christopher had been silently by my side for everything, but he mostly kept to himself, which I appreciated. I didn’t ask him why or think too much about it.

Honestly, I tried not to think about too much of anything at all.

There was enough to do on the boat to distract me for at least a couple of days. I had no idea how long I was staying on here. Oh, well. I’d just enjoy what time I had.

Oh, mini golf!

I walked by a large, open playing field of mini golf. People were lined up at holes, hitting the ball into the hole.

Being on a boat while trying to get it into the hole was an added challenge, and it seemed like most people found it funny, laughing when it started to roll backwards and put them at the beginning again.

Christopher stood beside me, sliding his hands into his tan suit pockets. I had stopped wondering where he got his designer suits, and just accepted it as the way things were.

Honestly, life was easier that way. In the few hours I had been here, I honestly felt so happy and carefree. It was easy not to think about anything else.

“Do you want to play?” Christopher asked me, motioning his head toward the golf.

I smiled, nodding. “Yes, that would be fun!”

He chuckled, and walked toward the playing field.

Even being here with Christopher didn’t bother me. He had been pleasant to be around so far, and that was all I was concerned about for now.

He hadn’t even tried to grab my hand or anything. He’d been quite gentlemanly, really. It was a little odd, but oh well. It was nice for now.

Christopher held out two golf clubs and some golf balls.

Smiling, I took my share and we made our way over to the first hole.

“Ladies first?” Christopher offered, motioning toward the small patch of fake grass.

I curtsied toward him in response, giving him a gentle smile.

If he would pretend to be a gentleman for now, I would pretend to be a lady. It all played into this dream world I put myself into.

I put my hands on the club, lining up the end with the ball. I looked down at the hole, and closed one eye, trying to measure how hard I’d need to hit it.

Bringing the club back, I prepared to hit it.

Right as I stepped forward to make contact with the ball, the boat rocked back in a sudden, jarring motion, and I lost my balance, falling backward.

Dropping the club, I put my hands up to try to find something to grab onto, but nothing was there.

Terrified, I felt the disorienting feeling of falling in what felt like slow motion, my heart stopped. What if I hit my head? Or my skirt flew over my head, and I’d embarrass myself in front of everyone?

Squeezing my eyes shut, I prepared for a hard impact, but instead found myself hitting something soft instead.

Blinking, I stared up at the blue sky.

What happened?

Then, I realized that whatever I had landed on was breathing. And groaning.

I stood up quickly, and my face reddened in embarrassment as I realized I had fallen on top of Christopher! I must have knocked him over in my fall!

“Oh my god, I am so sorry!” I spoke quickly, leaning over to help him up.

He shook his head, and although he winced with pain, he smiled, and coughed.

“No need, I’m just glad I could soften your fall.”

He got to his feet slowly, taking a moment to steady himself.

“I don’t know how you’re feeling, but I feel a little light-headed. I think I’m going to lay down in our room for a bit,” he said.

I stiffened.

Wait. Did I hear that right? Our room?