Part 57

Silence. It’s loud and grating against my nerves, an unsettling feeling washing over me.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up, toes curling. Did I say it out loud? The question kept lingering inside, swallowing me second by second.

Why did I say it like that? I cursed inwardly, teeth gritting together at the sudden change in atmosphere. Peering through my lashes, I gazed at him, stomach swooping.

Abel stilled in the spot, his lips parting, but nothing came out of it, eyes widening. The sound of my heartbeat paired with his was the only thing echoing in my ears, nails digging into the flesh of my palm. I gulped nervously, waiting for him to respond, to say those words back, eyes desperately trying to decipher the look on his face.

He looked away, busy adjusting the medical box instead of meeting my eyes, shoulders hunched. The Alpha took a sharp breath before meeting my eyes, something akin to guilt flashing across his face. I could feel the hole in my chest only widening, lips quivering. Abel opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out of it; my cheeks turned hot.

Of course.

I should have known. How did I let his dark eyes lure me? He’s the kind of guy never to commit, not eager to be tied down. That’s why he’s also trying to get out of his engagement. That should have been a significant clue for me, knowing he’s doing it for his gain and not mine.

I stood up, knees wobbling in the process, blinking back the tears as they threatened to slip past my cheeks. No. I had no intention to further my embarrassment.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“Em…”

“Please don’t,” I whispered, turning away from him and rushing to the door. I stomped out, making sure to slam the door in the process, when I saw my brother exiting the elevator.

“Hey, you won’t…What happened?” Edward paused in the doorway, a confused look on his face, but I refused to meet his eyes. I stared at the floor, watching as he closed the gap between us. “Were you looking for me, hmm? I had to buy some things before leaving.”

“Y-Yes.” I lied, voice feeling rough.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Abel, rushing to catch up with me, his hand freezing around the latch. His eyes shifted between I and my brother, body going lax.

“Uhh…I’ll see you later.” I croaked to my brother, patting at his side before walking out of there. The moment my body hit the familiar comfort of my bed, I let out a sob. Hot tears slid down my cheeks, my face buried in the mush of pillow as I tried to muffle the sounds.

It’s over.

I couldn’t help but have the flashback of our time tighter, gripping onto the duvet.

The bed dipped with Abel’s weight as he plopped in front of me, and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I missed you in class today, and at lunch.”

Allie was not home, so it was safe for him to walk into my room as he pleased. My best friend had no idea about our secret rendezvous or whatever this was. I want to keep it that way for a long time.

An amused smile stretched around my lips, brow quirking. “Oh really?”

“Mhm.” The Alpha replied, blinking at me in a way as if he didn't truly understand what I meant.

And how can I admonish someone who looks so endearing? So I chose not to — instead, reaching my hand to wrap around his neck and pulled him closer, until our noses bumped together. I tilted my head to seal my lips against his ridiculously soft ones. That’s when Abel thought of pushing me back down onto the bed, legs on either side of my waist, trapping me in. I managed to get a hand between and push at his too-broad chest until I could have some breathing room between us. “Absolutely not.”

"What?" He made a sound, eyes wide and glassy— the telltale sign of his arousal. The Alpha ran the back of his fingers down my bare arm and had just made it to the hem of my pants when my hand quickly gripped at his wrist.

Abel groaned in frustration but relented anyway, blinking at me. “Why?”

“No, Alpha, you are not getting anywhere near me today — didn't you just say you wrecked me last night?”

He laughed at that and rolled right off me— he knows his boundaries, and he knows better than to try and push me into something I didn’t want. “Fine, let’s see how long you can resist this.” The Alpha replied smugly while pointing at his body.

Resisting the urge to scoff at him, I rolled onto my belly, draping an arm across his waist idly. My head came to rest on his shoulder, and I breathed in his scent; it was an insane combination of some expensive cologne and his natural fragrance.

The Alphas hand came to card through my strands, humming quietly under his breath. “Are you sniffing me?"

“N-No. I'm breathing you in."

“How is that different?”

“It is!”

“If you say so.” Abel burst out in a ridiculous chuckle and curled an arm around my shoulders. The Alpha’s fingers continued to toy with the loose hair on the nape of my neck, and he traced the skin where the bond mark is supposed to sit.

And for what it's worth, I tightened my hold around his waist and shifted upwards until my nose was buried into the line of his jaw, and his neck in perfect line with my mouth. I pressed open-mouthed kisses to the side of his throat, and nipped at the delicious skin there.

The Alpha made a sound and squirmed against my mouth, but he didn’t pull away; instead, adjusting himself so I could gets better access to his neck. My breath hitched as his other arm looped around my waist, pulling me close, until he filled every single one of my curves.

I couldn’t help but think about the way his body fit against my own, as if we were missing pieces of the puzzle. All my life, unbeknownst, I felt hollow, as if there's an empty space inside, a place for someone to make a home in—and as it turns out, Abel is that someone.

“So…did you change your mind yet?” He asked, the hot air tickling my ear and causing goosebumps to prickle along my skin.

“You are insufferable!” I giggled.

***

I cried until I ran out of tears, my heart in pieces at the memories flashing through my head. I laid in bed for what felt like days, but it’s only been a night, trying to put it back together and failing miserably. It was not till my best friend barging into my room made me realise a day has passed.

Getting out of bed, I somehow dragged myself into the showers and got dressed. I walked across campus to our department, slipping into the familiar hallway when I spotted him. Avon.

The Alpha was quick to approach me, wearing a guilty look on his face. He came to stand in front of me, letting out a soft breath. To put it kindly, he looked like a wreck, hair dishevelled, eyes sunken and face looking dull.

“I am so sorry, Em… it's so shitty of me to act in that manner.”

My shoulders sagged in defeat, shaking my head at him. “It’s okay.”

“I have been trying to call you all evening yesterday. Are you still upset with me?”

Oh. The constant vibrations from the phone were putting me off, so I turned it off. Besides, I was not in the mood to talk to anyone. That’s the last thing I will say to him.

“Avon, I told you to forget about it.”

“Sure?”

I nodded, nudging him to follow me to the class. He was quick to match my steps, eyes boring into my side.

“What now?”

“Did he say something?”

“Who?”

“That knot head freak you are seeing?”

I rolled my eyes, my chest aching at his slight mention. “No. Can we please stop talking about him?”

“Did something happen?” I cringed at his question, and before I could take a step further, he held my wrist. Avon turned me to face him, a determined look in his eyes. “What are you not telling me?”

The concern in his voice was comforting, a welcoming feeling. I knew he cared for me more than a friend, and I should not encourage him. But something broke inside me at the question.

“I-I confessed to him, and he didn’t say anything.”

“Come here!” The Alpha was quick to drape his arms around me, a fresh set of tears pooling in my eyes. I already knew it was going to be a long day.

***