Chapter 27 All that matters
Alyssa's POV
I didn't wait to hear the rest of their conversation before running straight to my room, slamming the door behind me. I heard loud footsteps behind me but I didn't care. My chest felt tight, my breath uneven as I pressed my back against the wood. The sting of her words still echoed in my ears…sharp, cruel, and impossible to forget.
An omega.
I knew this was going to happen, and I should be ready for it but somehow it still caught me by surprise
I blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall. I’d dealt with worse before. I’d survived rejection, humiliation, pain… I could survive this too. But this time, it wasn’t just about me, it was about Zayne…I wanted her to like me.
A loud knock hit the door. “Red,” his voice came through, low but urgent.
I turned away, wiping at my face. “Go away, Zayne.”
“Open the door.”
I shook my head, though he couldn’t see it. “Just leave me alone, please.”
There was a moment of silence, then a soft curse under his breath. The next sound was the click of the door handle turning. Of course, he had a key.
“Red,” he said again as the door opened, his tone softer now.
I didn’t turn to look at him. “You shouldn’t be here,” I muttered, my voice breaking despite my best effort to remain strong.
He sighed, and I felt the warmth of him behind me before I saw him. “You heard, didn’t you?” He asked, caressing my face softly.
I looked away, but he cupped my face, his gaze meeting mine. “I wanted her to like me.” I told him truthfully.
“I know, baby.” he said, “she will, once she gets to know you.” He assured me, but I wasn't convinced.
He could see that but he didn't say that, instead, he pulled me into his arms and his smell engulfed me, providing me with a comfort I desperately needed. I didn't realize I was crying until he pulled away and used his thumb to wipe away the tears streaming down my face.
“I'm sorry.” I apologised.
He shook his head, “it's okay, Red.” he muttered quietly.
I remained in his arms for a few minutes, trying not to care about anything else, but it was hard. Nira assured me that everything would be fine and I hoped she was right.
“What if she still doesn't like me? what if she doesn't come around even after getting to know me?” The actual question I wanted to ask was at the tip of my tongue, but I changed my mind not knowing if I'd like the answer, even though he'd not given me a reason to not trust him.
His jaw tightened, eyes darkening with frustration. “She’ll have to get used to it,” he said firmly. “Because I’m not changing my mind. You’re mine, Red. No one, not even my mother, is going to change that.”
That brought a small smile to my face as my hand tightened around him.
“I love you…so fucking much, Red.” He said, kissing my hair.
"I love you." I told him before I realised what I said. Zayne's body froze against mine, and he pulled away to look at me.
“What?"
My breath caught in my throat as his eyes searched mine, like he needed to be sure he’d heard me right. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I tried to look away, but he caught my chin gently, forcing me to meet his gaze.
“I said I love you,” I murmured, barely louder than a whisper. “I didn’t mean to just blurt it out like that, but…it’s true.”
For a few seconds, he didn’t say anything. Then his lips curved into the softest, most dangerous smile I’d ever seen. “Say it again,” he whispered.
“Zayne—”
“Red,” he cut in, his voice low and rough now, “say it again.”
My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. “I love you,” I said, firmer this time.
And before I could blink, his mouth was on mine, urgent, desperate, like he’d been holding back for too long. His hand cupped the side of my neck, the other wrapping around my waist to pull me closer until I could barely think…not that I wanted to anyway.
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, his breathing uneven.
“You have no idea what that does to me,” he said, voice hoarse.
I smiled through the rush of emotions. I could say the same thing about what he does to me. “Guess you’ll have to get used to it.”
He let out a low chuckle, brushing his thumb across my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. “I could hear it every day and still never get used to it.”
“Then I'll tell you everyday."
“That's my girl," he said, kissing my lips one more time and I definitely wasn't complaining.
Nira rolled her eyes, "Of course you're not," she murmured, “it makes me wonder who the horny one is.” And as usual, I ignored her.
For that moment, nothing else mattered, not his mom, not the apology from Lori that I still had no idea what to think about. It was just us.
Zayne’s fingers brushed against my jaw, tilting my head slightly so he could look at me properly. There was a softness in his eyes that didn’t match the ruthless Alpha everyone else saw. This was my Zayne—the one who kissed my forehead before meetings, the one who chose me despite the situation that brought us together, the one who loved me even when I was sure no one loved me.
He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur against my skin. “You’re thinking too much again.”
“I can’t help it,” I whispered.
“I know,” he said, pressing his lips to the corner of my mouth. “But right now, all I want you thinking about is me.”
A small laugh escaped me, my fingers tracing the edge of his shirt. “Cocky much?”
He smirked, leaning in until his breath fanned over my lips. “Confident,” he corrected softly.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile tugging at my lips. Somehow, he always made the chaos fade. Even when everything else felt uncertain, this, him…always felt right.