Chapter 84

~Grace~

“Close your eyes,” Alex whispered into my ear, his breath warm against my cool skin. I shivered.

He held me by my waist as we stood face-to-face in his bedroom. My eyes fluttered close.

What did he have in mind?

I felt his hands slip away from my body, and I heard him walk somewhere in the room, away from me. I listened hard, trying to figure out what he was doing, but I kept my eyes shut.

After a moment, I heard him walk back, and I felt his hand take mine.

“Grace,” he said, his voice soft. I scrunched my brows together. I wanted to know what he was up to.

“Open your eyes,” he continued, and I did.

Before me, Alex knelt on one knee. In his hand was the wedding ring I never got to put on.

What was this?

I had to laugh. I didn’t mean to, it just surprised me.

“Alex, you don’t have to propose to me again, I’m already going to marry you,” I told him, grinning.

He looked off to the side, pouting a little. “I know, but I just thought… It would be romantic. I don’t know.”

I laughed, and took the ring. I placed my hand under his chin, lifting his face towards mine, and he looked at me with desire in his eyes.

“It was. I just didn’t expect you to do something like that,” I replied, and Alex stood up, towering over me.

“What, something romantic?” He said, pushing me backwards. My back hit the wall, and he leaned on his forearm that he placed above my head.

My heart beat so fast I was sure it would explode. “I mean, name one romantic thing you’ve done for me.”

Alex moved his face close to mine. His lips curled into a smile. “I gave you that necklace. And those earrings. And I’ve bought many dresses for you. I’ve given you a room in my castle, I’ve helped you dump your ex, I-”

I placed my finger against his lips, cutting him off.

He looked surprised, but only for a moment.

“You’re stopping me because you realized you were wrong,” he said, closing the space between us. His body pressed against mine, and I felt his hands take my wrists, slowly lifting them above my head.

My face was surely red, now. My breathing quickened, and I looked off to the side. I felt Alex’s nose brush against my cheek.

I was pinned against his body, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I never responded to his taunt. I just closed my eyes when I felt his lips press against mine, and my world melted into nothing but him.

Alex consumed my every sense, and it felt like the room spun beneath my feet, Alex being the only thing to keep me in place.

It felt like it had been so long since we shared a moment like this… I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.

I kissed him back with a longing and desire I never knew I had. I pressed my body against his, and he responded with a deeper kiss.

Soon, his lips left my open and panting mouth to trail down to my neck.

The mark!

In a sudden reaction, I ripped my hands out of Alex’s grasp and I pushed him away.

He stumbled back, looking at me with confused, dilated eyes.

“Grace?” He started, as if struggling to understand what happened. “I’m sorry if-”

“Don’t,” I said, waving my hand dismissively at him. I rubbed the mark on my neck, still covered by my hair.

Why did I react like that? I couldn’t really explain it, it was just… that. A reaction.

I knew I needed to tell him, but-

I just wanted to savor this moment without breaking his heart.

“It’s nothing,” I told him quickly. “I just need a break.”

Alex scrunched his brow in confusion at me, but he just nodded slowly. “Alright. It’s been a long couple of days for you. Why don’t you get some rest? I should make sure the clan is alright, anyway.”

I nodded. “Right.”

An awkward silence passed between us, and my heart ached.

Damnit, this was my fault. I was causing a rift between us, for what? Fear?

Alex grabbed my hand, and I looked up at him with wide eyes. He looked concerned.

“Grace, I love you. Do you know that?”

I nodded. “Yes, of course. A-and I love you.”

He smiled at me, but the concern didn’t leave his eyes.

“I’ll bring you some warm tea later, for when you wake up,” Alex said, turning towards the door.

He gave me one last worried look before leaving. I took a deep breath.

Damnit, what was wrong with me? Was it really that hard to just tell him?

I climbed into Alex’s bed. I really was exhausted, though. Maybe I would feel better about things when I woke up.

Birds chirped, and a sweet smell woke me up. I opened my eyes and groggily looked around the room. I must have slept through the night. A plate of pancakes sat by the bed, warm and steaming.

Suddenly, I realized Alex stood in front of the mirror, tying his tie.

“What are you getting dressed up for?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.

“The Elder Lycan has been called into the Council to answer for his crimes,” Alex responded casually.

I sat up, surprised. “What? When did they find out about this?”

Alex looked at me through the mirror. “An hour ago. The Elder Lycan confessed to the world what he’d done, it’s all over the news.”

“He confessed already? You didn’t wake me up?!”

Alex turned around to look at me, giving me an apologetic look. “You were so tired, and you’ve already heard his confession. I didn’t think you cared to hear it again.”

I rested my back against the backboard. I guess… he wasn’t wrong about that.

“How did the clan take it?” I asked, placing the plate of pancakes on my lap as I began to eat.

Alex stood still for a moment.

“They’re a strong group. They’ll get through it.”

I guess that meant they didn’t take it well.

Well, if it was as difficult for Alex to finally come to terms with the Elder Lycan’s betrayal, I could understand why it would take some time for the clan to recover.

“I want to come with you to the Council,” I said, sitting up.

Alex walked over to me, and sat on the edge of the bed. He leaned towards me.

“You need your rest, my love.”

“I need to be your partner,” I said, giving him a firm look.

Alex smiled, and leaned forward, planting a kiss on my cheek. “You are. You took care of the clan by yourself these last few days, now it’s my turn. Rest.”

I sighed, but I didn’t argue.

I took another bite of the pancakes. They were incredibly good.

Alex brushed my hair out of my face, tucking my hair behind my ear. His hand lingered there for a moment, before he brushed my hair off of my shoulder. I could feel him tense.

I did, too.

The mark.