Chapter 24 Chapter 24
ALINA
I spent the next few days in my room and the next time I came out to take a walk, I found out that the pack was in complete lockdown, and I was starting to get restless. It was the Seven freaking Isles. It was the most secure place in our entire world, and yet it was having creepy killings. They knew that this could be the work of another werewolf. There was something dark that was brimming with us that we did not know. Since Kai had told me about the killings at the border, I decided it was safer to stay inside so I went back to staying alone in my room, even if it meant I was stuck in my room with nothing to do. Days felt long, and despite the initial comfort I had found in my surroundings, the quiet was beginning to gnaw at me.
Kai had also visited me every night. At first, I was hesitant, unsure of what he wanted, but over time, I found myself looking forward to our conversations. He wasn't the same man I had thought he was. He listened. He asked about my day, about my past, and for the first time, I felt like he truly cared about what I had to say. He wasn't the arrogant alpha I had met months ago, this version of him was kind. Tonight was no different. There was a soft knock on my door, and I knew it was him.
"Come in," I called, already feeling a small smile tugging at my lips.
Kai stepped inside, holding a small box in his hands. He looked almost nervous as he approached me, and my curiosity piqued. "What's that?" I asked, sitting up on the edge of my bed as I closed the book I was reading. It was a strange book about transitioning, and I was really relating to it.
He smiled, his dark hair falling into his eyes. He pushed them back with his free hand, "I brought you something," he said, opening the box and revealing a set of perfectly frosted pink cupcakes. Each one had a letter on top, spelling out my name.
I couldn't help but grin. "No way," I said softly, feeling warmth bloom in my chest. "How did you know pink is my favoutite color?"
Kai chuckled, his smile widening. "I figured it was a safe guess. What woman doesn't like pink?"
I raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "You'd be surprised," I teased, watching as his expression shifted to playful curiosity. "Oh really? Enlighten me," he said, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, clearly intrigued.
"Well, for starters, I know a few women who can't stand pink. They prefer darker, moodier colors. Some are into greens, others into bold blues. Pink isn't always the go-to."
Kai laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. "I guess I have a lot to learn."
I smiled, feeling a sense of ease settle between us. There was something about the way he looked at me, the way he was taking the time to know me, that made me feel... seen. It was strange, and yet I couldn't deny the growing attraction I felt toward him. He wasn't just the alpha anymore. It was Kai. Mine. He was telling the truth when he said that he had not touched the harem since I left. I have heard murmurs about how I was a witch and how I bewitched him to only want to be with me.
"Want one?" he asked, gesturing to the cupcakes.
I picked one up, taking a small bite, the sweetness melting on my tongue. "These are amazing," I said after I relished on the taste, my eyes lighting up. Perhaps he knew how starved I used to be in the pack, so he knew that my love language was going to be food. He was using it to find himself a way into my heart, and I hated that it was working.
"You look beautiful," he said quietly, his voice full of sincerity as he stared at me with the same twinkle like he was gazing up at stars.
I blinked, taken aback by the sudden compliment. "What?" I laughed, feeling a flush creep up my neck. "I've got frosting on my face."
"You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he said, his grey eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the air between us shifted. There was something in his expression, something raw and intense that made my heart race.
I tried to brush it off, laughing awkwardly. "You're ridiculous, Kai," I muttered, but before I could say more, he stepped closer. My breath caught in my throat as he reached up to wipe a bit of frosting from the corner of my lips.
But instead of pulling away, he leaned in. His lips brushed against mine, soft and tentative at first. My hand shook, eyes widening as I realized what he was just doing. He stared at me, waiting for me to give him the permission to continue. The smartest thing I would have done would have been to push him away, but I was never the one to act smart. I leaned in, and the kiss was slow, careful. I felt the feeling rush up my body all the way to the tips of my limbs. It was like time stopped, and all I could feel was the warmth of his kiss, the way his hand gently cupped my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. My heart pounded in my chest, and I leaned into him, my hands instinctively finding their way to his shirt.
The kiss deepened, and for the first time in so long, I allowed myself to just feel. There was no anger, no pain, just him. Just Kai. And it felt... right. I hated that it felt this right. I was not supposed to feel so good when he kissed me. When we finally pulled away, both of us breathless, I stared at him, my mind reeling. The longing in his eyes was unmistakable, and I felt my heart twist in ways I wasn't prepared for.
My body trembled as I moved on my spot. I wanted him to kiss me again. Until I was sick of it and my lips were swollen. I couldn't want him this much. It was a literal recipe for disaster.
"Alina," he whispered, his voice soft but full of emotion. "I don't want to keep going like this. I need you to forgive me. I don't want to stay any longer without you by my side."
I blinked, his words pulling me back to reality. My heart was racing, my mind spinning with everything that had happened between us. Could I really trust him? Could I forgive him after everything? I remembered the pain, the tears, and the life I fell into when I was depressed after he had left me. I did not want to go through that, damn it.
He must have seen the doubt in my eyes because he stepped closer, his hands gently holding mine. "Please," he whispered, his voice almost pleading. "I've made mistakes, I know. But I can't stand the thought of you not being with me. You need to answer me now before I kiss you again."
My breath hitched in my throat, and before I could respond, he leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead. The gesture was so tender, so full of emotion that I felt my resolve weakening. I really tried to hold back to it, but I couldn't.
He pulled back, his eyes searching mine for any sign of an answer. But I didn't have one. Not yet. I couldn't just forgive him so easily. I wasn't ready to let go of the pain.
"I... I need time, Kai," I finally whispered, my voice shaky. "I need time to figure this out."
He nodded, his expression softening, though I could see the disappointment in his eyes. "Take all the time you need," he said quietly, stepping back. "But just know that I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here, waiting for you."
With one last lingering look, he turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. I stood there, my heart still racing, my mind swirling with a thousand thoughts. The kiss had changed everything, and I didn't know how to feel about it. I touched my lips, still feeling the warmth of his kiss, and for the first time, I realized just how much I had let my walls down around him. But was it enough? Could I really forgive him? I closed my eyes as I laid back on my pillow, and then I screamed into it until my voice was hoarse.