Chapter 21 Chapter 21
ALINA
I was pacing in my room, my thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and frustration. Even though it was morning, I already felt exhausted. My mind kept racing through everything that had happened since I'd returned—Kai, the baby, the pack, the harem women. It was overwhelming, and I didn't know how to process it all.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "Who is it?" I called out, my voice tense. "It's me, Kai," came his reply from the other side.
I sighed heavily, the tension in my chest tightening. The last thing I wanted was to see him right now. "I don't want to talk to you, Kai," I said, trying to sound firm.
"Please, Alina," he insisted, his voice softer this time. "Just for a minute."
I hesitated, staring at the door, feeling torn. Part of me wanted to ignore him, to keep the door closed and block him out. But another part of me, a quieter part, was curious. Maybe this would be different. Maybe he'd finally say something I needed to hear.
With a reluctant sigh, I crossed the room and opened the door. I wasn't prepared for what I saw. There he stood, holding the most exotic milk chocolate from my pack-chocolate I had only tried once before, when my stepmother had begrudgingly offered me half a cube. The memory of that sweet, rich taste flooded back to me, and my mouth watered.
My eyes widened in surprise, and I felt a strange mix of emotions rise in my chest. "Where did you get that?" I asked, my voice softer now.
Kai stepped into the room, handing me the box. "From your pack," he said. "I wanted to make you feel more comfortable."
I stared at the box, my fingers brushing over the smooth surface, feeling a flicker of warmth at the gesture. For a moment, I forgot the anger and frustration, the tension between us. All I could think about was that chocolate. I carefully picked up a piece, placed it in my mouth, and let out an involuntary moan as the rich, velvety taste melted on my tongue.
I froze, embarrassed by the sound that had slipped out, and glanced at Kai. He didn't laugh or tease me, though. Instead, he smiled softly, a warm, genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat.
"I take it you like the chocolates," he said, amusement dancing in his grey eyes.
I swallowed the bite, feeling my cheeks heat. "They're incredible," I admitted, still savoring the taste. "We rarely got these back home."
Kai leaned against the wall, watching me closely. "You know, I've heard that the process of making these chocolates is really intricate. Do you know how they're made?"
A small spark of excitement flared inside me, and I found myself nodding. "Actually, yes. It's a bit of a tradition in Blackstone," I began, my voice picking up energy. "The cocoa beans are harvested by hand, and then they're fermented for about five to seven days. After that, they're dried and roasted slowly to bring out the flavor. The key is to grind the beans really finely so the chocolate is smooth. Then, they temper it to get that glossy finish."
I spoke with more passion than I'd realized, and when I glanced at Kai, he was smiling, clearly interested. "That sounds like a labor of love," he said.
"It is," I replied, nodding. "The Blackstone elite are the only ones who usually get to enjoy it."
Kai chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you can enjoy some now. You deserve it."
His words were simple, but they hit something inside me, a part of me that hadn't felt seen in a long time. I felt my guard slip slightly, the anger and bitterness loosening their hold, if only for a moment. I took another piece of chocolate, savoring it, and Kai continued to engage me in conversation.
"So," he began, "what did you like to do in your free time back in your pack?"
I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to open up to him. But there was something about the way he was asking-genuine, curious. I decided to let my guard down, just a little. "I liked to paint," I admitted quietly. "And read."
Kai's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? What kind of painting?"
"Landscapes, mostly," I said. "I loved painting the mountains behind our pack's territory. The way the light hit them at sunset... it always felt magical."
He smiled, and for a moment, I forgot about the distance between us. But then, the weight of everything came crashing back down. I stopped talking, my words dying on my lips. I didn't want to tell him more, didn't want to delve into the pain I had gone through in my pack. It would only make me vulnerable, and I didn't want him to see me like that.
Kai must have noticed the shift in my mood. His smile faltered, and he stepped closer. "Alina," he said softly, "I know things have been difficult, but... do you want to take a walk with me? Just to get some fresh air?"
I hesitated, unsure. Part of me wanted to refuse, to shut him out again. But another part of me-one I wasn't sure I trusted- wanted to go. I felt tired of fighting, tired of holding onto the anger all the time.
"Okay," I said quietly, surprising myself with the answer.
We walked out of my room together, the palace halls feeling strangely quiet. As we made our way outside, Kai reached for my hand, locking his fingers with mine. I stiffened for a moment, instinctively wanting to pull away, but something stopped me. His hand felt warm, solid, and for some reason, I didn't mind the contact. I let it be, feeling oddly at peace with his touch.
We walked in silence for a while, the cool breeze brushing against my skin, the fresh air filling my lungs. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a small sense of calm settling over me. Kai didn't say anything, just held my hand as we walked, and I found myself relaxing just a little more.
I wasn't sure what to make of it. I wasn't sure how I felt about any of this-about him, about us. But for now, in this moment, I allowed myself to just be. To walk beside him without overthinking, without letting the past weigh me down.
As we reached the edge of the palace grounds, Kai finally spoke. "Thank you for coming with me," he said softly.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I didn't know what to say, didn't know how to explain the strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. All I knew was that, for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel completely alone.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.