Part 52

I watched as his face crumpled, lips pressed together as he blinked, the slow curl of his lashes against his under-eye mesmerising. Not the time! I sharply reminded myself, snapping out of the trance.

"What do you mean?"

There's no heat behind his words, but still, the flare of the breath took me out, shifting awkwardly on my feet. My mind went back to the conversation with Allie, a twist in the pit of my stomach. In my defence, she outright questioned me, and I couldn't lie to her face.

Not anymore.

"Allie..." I breathed, a lump forming in my throat at his eyes dimming suddenly. The Alpha exhaled loudly, taking a step forward.

"What did she say to you?!" A hand came to run over his locks, tugging on them as he muttered something under his breath.

I made a face at the sudden change but let it go to get my point across, arms falling to my sides. "She knows. About us...I mean...trust me, I didn't tell her anything, but she came to me last night and started asking all these questions out of nowhere..."

"Oh!" Abel cut me off, almost appearing relieved. "That's it?"

"Wait...what did you think?" I raised a brow in his direction.

He cleared his throat. "Nothing."

My eyes narrowed together at his stance, shoulders sagged, and face set to blank as always. He did not look the least bit taken back by the news as I assumed and kept pacing for the last few hours. What changed?

"You're not mad?"

"Hmm?"

"I thought you would be upset that Allie knows, and she may tell my brother about us..." I clasped the fingers together, clammy and itching. "What's going on with you?"

Abel looked away for a long second before shaking his head. "Nothing. I don't think she will tell Edward. You asked her to be quiet, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"There's nothing to worry about then." The Alpha cut me off, voice cracking as he pocketed his hands inside. "She's your best friend you can trust her on this."

"I guess."

Silence settled between us, border-lining on awkward when I looked up at him, noticing the rigid way he stood in the living room. Refraining from rolling my eyes, I tapped on his side.

"So, how was your dinner last night?"

He winced, the sound cutting through the room.

"That bad, huh?" I jokingly asked when his face turned sour.

"Let's not talk about it."

I tried not to click my tongue at his attempt at closing the topic again. Abel disliked talking about the pack or his family and had me guessing everything.

"Fine." I turned on my feet and marched towards the couch before slumping down, picking a random magazine from the table, and holding it in front of my face if he didn't want to talk, purely his loss.

"Are you sulking now?"

"Think whatever you want to..." I murmured while staring at the colourful words in front of me, a mesh of blur.

Before he could say anything, his phone rang loudly, almost startling us. I put the magazine down and peeked at him, watching the dread settle on his face. The Alpha shot me an apologetic look before striding out of the room and closing the door. Who was calling him?

***

I couldn't sleep for the last few days. Back when Abel was a nobody but an annoying Professor, I was a king of sleeper who could sleep through the tsunami. Something shifted from the moment he had that dinner with his pack.

The empty taunted me. While his breathing was a comfort, my rapid intake of breath felt jarring. The sheets were scratchy, and the pillows weren't firm enough to be the arms I craved. Somehow I had grown accustomed to falling asleep to his hand in my hair, just as warm and calming as the quiet melody rumbling through his chest.

Not to mention the sex. The Alpha communicated through touch, his hands and mouth gateways to his inner thoughts that spell out a language. He could never speak again, and I would never doubt him so long as he touched me.

And the kisses. I missed the kisses the most, the softness and tenderness behind them. Now that's a novelty. I never thought I would describe him as soft.

It's astonishing how quickly I had come to rely on this subtle form of communication, but lately, I found myself floundering without it. A week ago, Abel couldn't go more than a few hours without reminding me of his devotion in some form. Now, I was lucky if the Alpha looked at me for more than a passing glance

He also skipped several lectures this week, handing them to his teaching assistants. I had half a mind to storm into his apartment and demand answers, but that would be pushing it. Besides, with my brother still here, I had to act rationally.

The following day I took a long, hot shower, in vain trying to rid of the thoughts and search for some strength lingering somewhere inside. When I couldn't find much, I stepped out and began to dress. There were a pair of black leggings in my drawers that seemed casual enough, and I chose a loose shoulder sweater, tucking it in, naturally. I tamed the mess of hair, combing the strays at the top back. It was still wavy, but I felt presentable enough.

Twenty minutes past nine, I began to make my way, dreading every bit of the day.

Allie was busy applying gloss to her lips when she spotted me, avoiding my eyes. Ever since that night we talked about Abel, it’s like a switch flipped inside her. She’s been away a lot more than usual, always making lame excuses.

“I am leaving for uni,” I muttered in her direction, tightening the grip on the straps till they turned white.

“I’ll see you in the evening.”

‘Will you?’ I whispered, too low for her to catch, before nodding and dashing out the door. Taking a breath, squaring my shoulders, I was about to step towards the elevator when I stilled. All I had to do was throw a casual glance to my left to find my brother and Abel amicably chatting.

My lips parted at the sight of the Alpha. Round sunshades hooded his sharp, green eyes, hair wavy and tousled effortlessly, clad in a button-down shirt and jeans. I felt another pinch in my stomach; Abel was undeniably handsome.

“Emma!” My brother's lips broke out in a smile, waving at me. “Hold the elevator.”

I grimaced, finding Abel’s heavy eyes landing on me as I bobbed. My fingers shakily pressed on the shiny silver button, watching them from the corner of my eyes.

“Good morning.” Edward greeted me, sliding in, followed by his friend when I stepped inside. The air inside felt hot, goosebumps prickling at my skin.

“Morning,” I said to Edward before turning to Abel, who only gave me a nod. My stomach sunk.

“Are you going to uni?”

“Mhm.” I blinked, turning to my brother, back pressed against the cold metal. “Are you packed?”

Edward was set to leave in two days, and my stomach clenched. I loved having him around, drinking tea, cooking new recipes and reminiscing about the day's things were good for us.

“Almost. Abel is driving me to a friend before leaving for his pack.”

I sharply turned to the Alpha, my lips pressed in a thin line while pinning him with a look. “You are not coming to uni today?”

He faltered at that. “Umm…no. I have some stuff to deal with. Don’t worry, my classes will be covered….”

“Got it!” I cut him off, crossing my arms, unknowingly gritting my teeth not to say anything harsh. Why was he doing this? What was so important that he could not tell me?

The elevator doors opened, and I let out a breath I had been holding, rushing out when I felt my phone vibrate. I noticed Avon’s name flash on the screen, lips quirking. Somehow we slid past that awkward dinner and were back to friends.

“Hello?”

“Emma, I am waiting for you in your building parking.”

“Huh?” My eyes widened, silently watching as Edward and Abel walked in the same direction. “What? Are you here? Why?”

“To pick you. Duh. Now hurry up.”

“Avon, it’s not….”

“See you.”

He hung up before I could respond, a sigh escaping my lips. Shaking my head, I dragged my feet towards the parking.

My heart started beating erratically upon noticing a frown on Abel’s face, his body frozen in front of Avons car. I ducked under his stare, heading straight to Avon, when my brother called from behind.

“Emma, where are you going?”

“Oh.” I looked over my shoulder. “My friend is here to pick me up.”

“Your friend?”

“Yes, brother. Friend.” I tried to ignore the flare of Abel’s nostrils, hands clenched in fists.

“Do I get to meet him?”

“Not today. We are running late. I’ll see you.” I ran towards his car before Edward could say anything else, sliding inside and shutting the door. It was going to be a long day.

***

sorry for the delay in update but i was hospitalised due to my health issues and couldnt find the time to write :(( am doing better now! Thank you for your messages