123

123

Alexander's P.O.V.

I blinked a couple of times, trying to make sure that the lady before me was who I thought it was. It had been so long since I had met her. For a while there, I had even thought that she somehow moved away. But here she was now, in the flesh. Obviously, here for me, because I didn't see how this could be a coincidence.

"How are you?" I asked her silently as I shifted a little away from her, but she was moving closer now. Or maybe it was just my poor judgment and clouded senses due to the amount of wine that I had drunk. She was the one who gave it to me to drink. Then I went out and it felt like it was all her fault and I was being drunk. But I was the one who drank it all myself. So I didn't feel so annoyed at her presence and I didn't feel so courteous either, even though I knew more than anyone what she could do if she was given the opportunity to do anything at all.

"I'm doing well," she said, but she didn't ask me how I was. Instead, she fluttered her eyelashes and inched closer again. "You don't seem to be doing quite well yourself," she muttered. "Resorting to wine now, are you?" she asked.

I laughed a little. "Everyone needs one day or two just to drink to get his mind off worries," I replied simply.

We sat in brief silence and suddenly she spoke. "You want to get away all of a sudden?" She asked me. "Would you mind telling me what happened? You've been so strong for so long. I equally support you taking a break for a while and unwinding. But only after letting someone in on the little matters that bother your poor heart would you finally start getting relief, believe me," she said.

I frowned at her, sitting beside me already, even though I couldn't totally remember when that had happened. She put her hand on my lap and squeezed gently before patting my back. It was hurting taps that soothed me somehow, even though I knew I should be going away from her instead.

"I should go," I said, standing up. To my surprise though, she didn't follow me or say anything. Instead, she nodded softly, making me frown. Was she not here for me? Or was she here on her own for something? At the same time, I couldn't decide that by myself as I watched her, but I decided that it was not a bad idea for me to continue leaving since she was still a very dangerous person.

"I'm here if you need me," she said once again, her voice reaching out to me, whatever my true emotions were, and actually capturing me there and then in a way that she shouldn't be able to. And from that, her turning around slowly, I shouldn't listen to her. I should know better and recognize that everything was false and that she was doing it all on purpose, but somehow I didn't want to listen to my rational mind. Or maybe the rational mind was just much too clouded by thoughts at that moment and also various possibilities.

I nodded softly as I paused my departure. "On second thought, it might not be that bad an idea to talk with you about it," I told her softly.

She smiled at me, this sweet look compounding with one so interested that for a while there, I couldn't help but think that she really did have my best interest at heart and nothing more, no ulterior motive whatsoever.

"Go on, I'm listening," she said, and so I did go on.

After telling her every single thing that had happened, I had let it all out. She was the only listening ear I had at the moment, and even though I should be really trying to detach from her instead of getting more attached somewhat, I just couldn't help myself from giving in to her subtle words and also leaning in to her support, even if I should be honestly wiser than that.

She was, however, a very good listener, I had to admit. She didn't spend one second without her eyes on me, giving me the impression that she really did care. Knowing who Maryam was well, she probably did care as much since we had been involved with each other for a while there beforehand. It was because of that that I didn't feel that unappreciative about all this, and still, yeah, I was starting to relax a lot.

"Well, it seems like you're going through a lot," she said. "But I'm not quite sure if that lady deserves it," she said before she raised her eyebrows. "I know you have your own opinion. I'm not trying to turn you against her or prejudice you because I know just how strong the bond can be," she said. "However, I'm just trying to let you know that there are options here and there. You are the king, and you don't need to be hurt like this, not ever in your life, because you have everything you need if you really want to take it," she told me.

I raised my eyebrows but I wasn't sure. The last time I heard something like this, I was pretty sure that it was the kind of word that precisely destroyed things. Even I would soon go on about thinking that I could get absolutely anything that's wrong because reality was far from that. But somehow, her words cut into all those thoughts. Deep sort of reason that I should follow how it cut through them all, precisely because of the drinks I've gotten, and I nodded at her.

"Indeed, I should get whatever I want anytime I want it," I responded to her slowly.

A small part of my mind that was not drunk, would never be drunk, a small part still with the lady that my heart beat for, still trying to figure out a way to get her back to myself, to get through to her, but the second part of me, well, I'd just say that it was totally with her and it showed.

"Come," she said slowly. "I'll take you someplace where you should be, where you can forget about everything and much more quickly than wine can help," she said slowly, the tone of her voice seductive.

I frowned at her, but my eyes widened when I saw that she had moved a bra strap already. Somehow I hadn't noticed the movement when it was done, but it was already, and I couldn't help but wonder where this was leading to.

"No, no thanks," I told her. "I would rather stay here."

"It has been so long," she said. "Ever since she came, you abstained from every other person. Ever enjoyed reports and enjoyed what an alpha should always enjoy. You are supposed to be free and unbounded, but now you are tied up. And tied up by choice to just her," she said. "With me, you can be with 20 people at once and I wouldn't care," she said.

But the idea of a replacement wasn't particularly appealing to me as I shook my head. "No thanks, I'll stay here and drink. I'm just here for a temporary break. Nothing more," I told her.

There was a silence. "Suit yourself," she said. But she was still on her feet, and I wondered if she was going to try to force me to come or something. Because it just wasn't happening. And I knew there was a lot at stake.

As she lingered a little and I decided that, well, maybe she was actually about to leave after all, she leaned in closer to me. Her scent was familiar because of how used to it I was already. Without any warning beforehand, she seized my lips, claiming them for herself in a mood that I just couldn't say no to. I found that my hands were moving towards her, doing unthinkable things. I wanted to keep them on their side. The kiss lasted long, and actually I was breathing heavily, and I realized how much I needed this, and I couldn't help but think that we should be together, even though those are very destructive thoughts.

"No, I can't," I said, finally pulling away from her and restraining myself.

She didn't say anything to that. She nodded simply. "I understand. I was just trying to help," she said. "If you are still going to be with her and you will be waiting for her, then I'll respect it," she said.

I raised my eyebrows and I was pretty sure she wouldn't try to tempt me of this sort. But she smiled at me. "You really underestimate me. I'm here for you and you know it. This time around, not anything else," she said.

"We can maybe talk soon. Depending on your choice," she said. Before I could make out one thing from the other, she was already disappearing into the night.