Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Bella.

"Before this exercise began. We made it clear that it will be fair from the beginning to the end. I sincerely apologize to Alpha Lorenzo for what happened to you the other day. Such behaviour will no longer be tolerated in the future." The man on the podium speaks, and I wonder if he knows what happened to the culprits.

That was a sore sight to my eyes. It's the second time to experience his cruel side and I still can't believe this is the same man I am craving.

Either way, I am extremely relieved because he is okay now. It took him three days to heal completely but I don't know about his memories. I can't ask because he is still distant from me.

He got me so worried. When Enzo told me to run, I sensed something was wrong, and I had to run all the way to the main camp to find help. The guards were there, and when we went back, we found him lying in a pool of his blood and a couple of dead bodies around him.

It's at that moment I felt as if my world had crumpled. He might be bad news but maybe I care for him a little too much. I realized I shouldn't have run, I should have fought beside him, and maybe then, he wouldn't have gotten hurt this much.

Goddess! Maybe this is why he wanted a woman with a wolf. Someone who can fight beside him independently.

"If you are strong enough to start a war, I hope you will also be in a position to complete it. I am your leader and not your babysitter. This exercise will take a two-week break, and when you come back, remind yourself what brought you here. "

The man grumbles and by his statement, I know he knows what happened to the alphas. Everyone does. News around here travels so fast.

"We are flying out," Enzo tells his guards and quickly walks to his car. "Come on," He gestures for me to follow him, and I do. We had made a little progress. Now I don't know what to do since he doesn't remember. Should I talk to him? What should I say? This man is completely unpredictable.

"We are going to Italy, do you need anything from home? Our clothes will be brought later"

"No," I shake my head, and he nods, pulling out his phone. Urgh, that phone gets so much attention that I could ever dream of.

The journey is silent and boring. Since I have nothing to do, I lean back in my chair and just sleep.

Enzo hurriedly marches to the house as soon as we reach the destination. Another huge mansion.

How rich is Lorenzo?

I follow his scent only to find him in the master bedroom, taking a shower.

Should I get in there with him? What if he kicks me out? Goddess, that will be the embarrassment of the year. But I have to try, right?

I have to know if he still wants me. Fuck, now I feel like I am back to step one again. Why do I keep doing this to myself though?

Stepping out of my clothes, I slowly approach the bathroom, and my heart has never beaten this wildly. Goddess! Another rejection is loading. I just know it.

I hesitantly wrap my arms around him from behind, and Enzo tenses for a second before easing up. Is that a sign? He doesn't say a word, and neither does he make a move. Goddess, it's like daring a wild animal.

This makes me more anxious. Now what?

Feeling brave, I gently kiss him on the back, and on the third kiss, the man finally turns around, and I feel my courage fading. I am literally shaking. This man can blow up your mind for simply messing with him. For getting into his space.

"You are quite a temptation, are you?" Enzo murmurs and gently holds my chin. "How many times have I fucked you?" he asks and my face flashes in embarrassment. Does he have to be so blunt?

"Only once," I respond and quickly look away.

"Then I must have been stupid, because this body deserves to be worshipped every day and night." Enzo instantly picks me up, and my legs go around him.

"Enzo, just like the last time" I quickly whisper when I remember how deliciously gentle he was when he took my virginity. I don't want him to fuck me hard just yet. I want to enjoy his soft side because it makes me feel special. Different from the rest.

"You were gentle," I remind him, and his brows deeply furrow as if my words confuse him.

"Was it your first time?"

"Yeah, I was in heat," I mutter, and my body visibly shudders when the memories of that night appear in my head. He was so careful. Our first time was more magical than I expected.

"Now this is interesting" Enzo murmurs as if he doesn't believe my words.

"Can we just stop talking now?"  I hold Enzo's cheeks and gently press a kiss on his forehead. I seem bold but deep down, goddess knows how nervous I am.

I just want him to remember me even though we had nothing special going on. " I want my second time to be more memorable," I hopefully whisper, and just maybe, that simple sentence was me pushing my luck too far.

Enzo.

Gentle? Memorable?

Who am I really becoming? I am not used to forehead kisses and someone looking at me like she is doing right now.

I am not used to my heart forcefully drumming in my chest just because I am holding a girl in my arms.

Is it too late to get rid of her?

The girl deeply sighs and traces her thumb on my lower lip. It's as if she is staring at a treasure. Her heart hasn't calmed ever since she interrupted my shower.

"Do you remember now?" Her words bring me back to the present, and I slowly lay her on the bed. I have never fucked anyone with care all my life. Going slow means caring. I will be pleasuring her, and I don't do that.

I take pleasure in them, and that's it.

"No. That's why I can't touch you right now" I grumble and avoid the disappointment in her eyes. That is the perfect excuse not to go ahead with this.

She is expecting too much more than I can offer, and I can't defy all my rules for her.

"But..."

"Go to sleep, okay?" I mumble and quickly untangle from her. I can't let myself get too attached no matter how tempting she is.

Keeping her close to me is risky enough.

I am not going soft for a woman. Never.