Chapter 20 Heard You

Chapter 20 Heard You


I’ve lost count of the days I’ve spent in this mansion. Every day feels like another crazy toil and I can’t help but wish for the day I’ll leave here once and for all. 

I don’t know if there is an escape from Alpha Malik but I’ll find it. I must find it. 

In the garden, I was watering the beautiful flowers loving the weather. These flowers are the only things that make my stay here a lot better… well, these and Steven of course.

I haven’t spoken to Steven since the incident in the library. I need to be careful not to get caught. Dominic said he wouldn’t tell anyone, but I can’t shake the doubt. After all, even if he and Malik don’t have the best relationship, they’re still brothers, and I don’t believe he’d completely turn his back on him.

As I kept looking around the garden, my gaze landed on Steven. He was across the compound, locked in what looked like a heated conversation with another pack member. His expression was rigid, his face stripped of any trace of joy.

For a fleeting second, he turned and caught my eyes—then quickly looked away.

I exhaled heavily. Still keeping up the act. Good. I can’t afford to be caught looking at him. I’m sure Dominic has eyes on both of us and won’t hesitate to take action if he sees anything suspicious. 

After a while, the pack member walked away and Steven strolled toward me. He didn’t say a word at first, just stood there as though he were on guard. 

I couldn’t help but sense his frustration so I asked "What happened?"

He didn’t respond immediately and then, in a low voice, he spoke "I should be asking you that question."

My brows furrowed "What do you mean?"

"I heard you and Alpha Malik spent the night together."

The watering pot almost slipped from my hand as I snapped my gaze to him. "Where did you hear that?"

"Don’t bother denying it, Eli. I saw him walk into your room and this morning, he left shirtless."

"Nothing happened between us."

"I never said anything happened." His tone was sharp. 

"But I mean it, nothing did. It’s his room—of course, he’d spend the night there and for him being shirtless, that’s just how he sleeps."

Steven narrowed his eyes. "What about the noise I heard?"

"What noise?"

The look he gave me was laced with suspicion. I sighed. He must have heard the bickering.

"Well… umm… I—Steven, nothing happened, I swear." I reached for him, but he jerked back immediately.

"If you come any closer, we’ll look suspicious," He warned.

I cast a quick glance around the compound to make sure no one was looking at us, when I noticed no one were on us, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into a quiet corner where no one would see us.

"I don’t know what’s in your mind but I’m telling you, nothing happened between me and Malik. If anything I hate being around him." I said urgently 

"Really?"

I nodded "Yes really. He’s so exhausting and annoying. Last night he came to the room out of nowhere and insisted that he would stay back with me in the room. I have no idea why he decided to make that decision out of nowhere but I’m telling you, nothing happened and nothing will ever happen between him and I."

A small smile crept on his face as he agreed with me "Good because I don’t want to share you with anyone." His arms wrapped around my waist 

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You will never have to worry about that, because I’m all yours."

His smile broadened instantly, reaching his eyes, as he leaned over and kissed me. I kissed him back, but for some reason, it didn’t feel right. There was no warmth, no spark—just lips pressed against mine. 

Instead of excitement, I felt a strange hollowness curling in my chest.

When I sensed him deepening the kiss, I quickly pulled away before I could stop myself.

"What’s wrong?" He asked, confused

"Nothing," I answered quickly, forcing a smile as I tried to play it cool.

He studied me for a moment, then leaned in again. His lips found mine once more, more insistent this time, and I willed myself to respond. I let him kiss me, but my body felt stiff. 

Inside, I kept battling the unease. It has to be the mate bond with Malik. That’s all this is. That’s the reason why Steven’s touch suddenly feels different. It has to be that and nothing more.

Finally, Steven pulled back, "I can’t wait for us to get you out of here, so we can live our lives as planned."

"I would love that," I said, forcing the corners of my lips into a smile.

He cupped my face with both hands, his thumbs brushing my cheeks, he was about to lean in to kiss me when I suddenly pulled back. 

"I have to go now, before… You know who starts looking for me." I said 

"Okay," He said softly, pecking me once on the cheek.

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. "Eli."

I looked back at him expectantly.

"You still love me, right?"

Normally, I would have answered without thinking. But this time, my lips wouldn’t move. 

I hesitated, and in that brief pause, I saw his face shift—his confidence faltering. Not wanting to make him suspicious, I forced a smile and nodded. "Always and forever."

His smile returned as he blew me a kiss. I mirrored it like I always do, but inside it felt weird.

Walking away, a strange heaviness settled over me. Why didn’t I say it immediately? Why didn’t the words slip from my lips like they always do? Why does his kiss feel so strange now, so wrong?

Lost in those thoughts, I didn’t notice where I was going until I collided with someone. I looked up and froze. Malik. 

His face was set in that familiar angry expression. 

"Sorry," I said quickly, my voice almost a whisper.

He didn’t reply and just walked away, talking on the phone. From the sound of it, he was having a heated conversation, and it seemed to have something to do with Dominic.

I stood back and listened, only to realize he was doing everything he could to make sure Dominic didn’t come back. But why?