Chapter 43: Part 43
It’s a miracle that somehow I made it back to my room balcony in one piece. There was an audible pop in my leg as I tried to trek across the floor, still shook from the incident. We were so close. One-click of the door and my brother would have caught us together.
Edward has been wary of Alphas around me, especially since that incident years ago. He would not have hesitated to punch Abel or, worse, break off their friendship. I knew from the start the risk this kind of relationship entailed, but I could not stay away from the Alpha. Why did I give in?
I sagged against the wall, thinking back to every moment that bought us closer. In no way did I regret any of them; a weak twitch in my lips the more I thought about it.
Shaking my head, I hurried and quietly closed the door. Once inside the comfort of my room, I let the cool gust of air hit my skin, knees buckling, and I crumbled to the tiled floor like a wet bag of sand. My head was thrown back towards the plain ceiling, body burning, like there are flames licking over the skin and penetrating it, setting my veins alight until they sizzle.
My numb toes started twitching, and I couldn’t stop it, even though I wanted to; a gust of cold, damp wind breezed past me. Wrapping my arms around the knees, I pulled them close, resting my chin. I let out a sharp exhale, trying to get the breathing under control.
It took me a few more minutes to get off the floor before I regained hold of myself, straightening. Taking a cold shower, I changed into night pyjamas before stepping into the living room.
Allie made a sound when she saw me, her eyes widening. “Did you come – what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be out all night.”
I cringed, halting in the spot, my eyes clenched shut. Of course. I almost forgot about my best friend.
“I was just,” I managed before my tongue went rigid, and I stumbled over silent syllables. Taking a calm breath in through my nose, I slowly turned around. “Do you want tea?”
“Why are you avoiding my question?”
“I am not avoiding anything,” I said, my voice lowering while rushing to the kitchen. “It’s a long story, and I don’t want to get into it right now, Al.”
Allie huffed like she wanted to call out on my lie, instead hopped on the marble counter, swinging her legs. “Make me a cup too.”
“Why are you still up?” I headed straight to the kettle, filling it with water and getting two cups out of the cupboard. All the while, I could feel her eyes following me; I smiled to myself, getting milk, yorkshire tea and sugar out, before turning around to face my friend. “So?”
She avoided my eyes, lips twisting. “I can have my secrets too, you know….”
“Are you serious?”
She bobbed her head, drawing patterns on silk shorts with the tip of her index finger. There was something bothering my friend, I could tell, but she didn’t want to open up about it.
“Do you want sugar?”
“No. It’s way past midnight.” She made a face. “I am fine without milk too.”
“Okay.”
Cradling the cup in my hands, I leaned against the counter, and we both drank tea in silence.
***
The balcony door screeched quietly on its hinges, and I automatically turned. Abel stepped out, standing right there, only a few feet away, pushing the door closed behind his back until the lock clicked. It almost knocked me back a step when my eyes zeroed on his clothes. They are such a contrast to his usual tailored, sharp, expensive suits and the way his curls were artfully pushed back made me still. They brushed across his forehead, showing off the clean line of his jaw. The white tee he was wearing was loose and crinkled, giving a view of the expanse of his chest and a jogger hanging on his narrow waist.
“Emma…” I could see the Alpha’s chest expanding with every breath he took, one hand still wrapped around the doorknob. His eyes went wide, and they were focused solely on me as if I was the only thing worth looking around. At that, a sudden wave of heat curled down my spine, and I resisted the urge to fall to my knees.
“Did I disturb you?”
“I–” I almost choked on that one word because my tongue felt like a foreign organ in my mouth. “No…I was going to bed.”
“Oh.” Abel let his other hand fall to his side, and his fingers twitch until balling them into fists.
“Did he suspect anything?” I cleared my throat, wrapping my arms around my upper body. “My brother.” I clarified later, my heart thudding painfully at the sheer possibility.
“No.” He cleared his throat. “And he’s already sleeping, so you don’t have to worry about him, Emma.”
I let out a sigh, my shoulders sagging. “What happened to him? Why did he come back so early? Bad date?”
The Alpha fell silent for several seconds before he shrugged, the light filtering through the window making his features stand out. “You could say that.”
“Oh, Allie will be delighted by this.” I made a joke to lighten the mood, feeling a twinge of guilt settle at how I reacted earlier.
“I bet.” He whispered.
My eyes narrowed at him, crossing my arms and leaning further against the railing. “Do you know something?”
“Careful.” He almost held out his arm, eyes going wide, making my cheeks red. I took a step back. “And no. I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Oh.”
He hummed, his hands slipping into the pockets, a strange look flashing across his face. The Alpha stared at the plain, dark blue sky before twisting his head in my direction. “I am sorry that things didn’t go as planned.”
“No!” I squeaked. “I should…be the one apologising for freaking out earlier.”
“It’s risky. I should have been more careful, baby.”
The name rolled off right away, and I shivered, cheeks feeling hot, avoiding his eyes. The Alpha has never called me such an endearing name while we talk so casually.
“I-It’s okay….”
“I’ll come with a good plan next time.”
So there’s next time? The question was at the tip of my tongue, but I quickly swallowed. “Sure, Abel.” I continued to feel breathless, wiping the sweaty palms on my side, especially when he had a smile curving on his lips.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then. Have a good night.”
“You too,” I said, watching as he turned on his feet and shut the door behind him. A thick, faint whiff of his cologne and natural scent hit me more intensely than I would have anticipated. “Moons get ahold of yourself,” I muttered under my breath as soon as the Alpha was out of earshot, my head rolling back against the nearest wall.
***
The following day I found Avon in the library, sitting at the table closest to the window, a laptop open in front of him and notebook by his side. Pushing past the line, I walked up to him and tapped on the table. “Hey, stranger.”
His head snapped up, allowing our gazes to collide, a bright smile making its way to his lips. I could not help but notice that he looked tired, a hint of purple below his eyes, his face minimally pale.
“Hey,” He motioned at the empty chair in front of him. “How are you?”
“Same old. How about you?”
Avon pulled a face at that. “I need to type a detailed analysis for my psychology assignment.” He said, looking slightly pained. “But I have been so distracted.”
I furrowed my brows, eyes darting around the room. There’s nothing in here but a few students, tables and chairs, and shelves. “Distracted by what exactly?”
Dragging the chair, I plopped down in front of him, watching as his eyes followed the motion. Why was he staring at me? I felt all the air escape my lungs, leaving me light-headed and heavy-hearted. Maybe I am overthinking again.
Shrugging with an odd look on his face, he closed the laptop. “What are you upto? Will you be going to the cafe today?”
I winced. “Sorry about that. I will be there today.”
“Do you have any plans after that?”
“Umm…no?”
I eyed his book, mildly interested in the positive psychology paper he was working on. Before I could snatch it, he nudged at my arm.
“Huh? Sorry?”
He let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. “I asked if you could join me for dinner today. Just the two of us.”
Awkwardly I nodded my head, “Uhh…I guess.”
“Great! I need to tell you something.”
What could the Alpha possibly want to say?
***