Chapter 101: ONE HUNDRED AND ONE

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Eventually, The footsteps stopped, and I could feel the person now standing in front of us; we were separated by the huge leaves and coverings.

With a conventional swift, the leaves were parted and he hovered above us.

Frantically, I looked up; my defensive posture froze in an instant, and the color drained from my face as I traced his body up to his thinly scarred face.

"Ace.." my lips shook, my eyes instantly watering up, and my insides suddenly felt stuffy. He stepped back, an impulsive movement that I was certain came as a result of shock.

The next second, he was on his knees, crouched to my level. I was too stunned, and it left me glued to the seat.

I blinked, expecting the vague image in front of me to vanish into thin air so I could drift back to reality, but my vision only cleared, and I realized that I wasn't daydreaming.

Ace was here.

At once my hands moved to touch him, to feel his skin and confirm that my senses weren't playing tricks on me.

His hand immediately held me and a coldness ran down my spine at the feel of his touch, the tears falling from my eyes.

"It's me," his hands lingered on mine, his eyes holding an emotion that was similar to mine. It wasn't what I expected. His voice broke into a thick mess as he spoke.

Surely, he was aware of all that I had done, why was he hesitating? I waited for it and anticipated it. I stalled and gave him the chance to curse at me, to grab me and throw stuff at me. To bring me back to my root and natural rank, but he continuously gazed at me with an emotion that I couldn't believe.

Was he not aware of my crimes?

Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I threw my arms around him and exhaled slowly when I completely felt his body.

It was real. I was hugging Ace and- my thoughts died as I felt his arms curled up on my back. He was hugging me back! I discarded my feelings and pushed my body closer to his, grabbing his scent like it was the last thing that I was ever going to do.

It might be, but I was going to take advantage of it. He could scorn me all he wanted later.

With the same hunger, he hugged me back.

I felt a slight drop on my back, and my brows narrowed. Was he crying? I shook the thought off as soon as he came.

There was no way Ace would cry, especially over a mate who had rejected him and chosen his enemy over him.

"Ace, I-"

"Don't say a word, please," his voice became soft, and I couldn't explain the rush of excitement that filled up my belly just by hearing it. "Just a moment. Let's stay like this for a moment," his tone was laced with a lot of emotions and I feared that hatred was a part of them.

I gave him what he wanted; it was what I wanted, too. I wished for nothing more than to stay in his arms forever like we had no problem in the world, like we didn't have to give a damn about anything, like he might disappear from my sight again if I let go.

We hugged like it would be our last, our months of separation melting away, the world around us dissolving into the ground.

Tears streamed down my face as I pulled him even closer, reality hitting me over and over again. I savored every moment we spent in each other's arms, and we said nothing until we eventually disengaged.

I observed him; he had grown thin, and he looked unkempt. His clothes were tattered and there were traces of blood from the fresh injuries on his body.

I touched his face, tracing my fingers down the narrow line of his jaw to the thin scar that ran on his left cheek. His eyes had heavy bags under them and he looked worn out.

I couldn't imagine all that he must have been through, and it made me sob more. Ace leaned, kissing my fingers and slowly cupping my hands into his. His other hand moved on my face to wipe the tear but it ended up triggering more.

"It's okay, it's all okay," he muttered, carefully dabbing my cheeks. His eyes glistened with tears but no matter how much they pooled, they never dropped. He tucked my hair behind my ear, looking into my eyes while caressing my wet cheeks.

"You must have been worried sick, and terrified."

I sniffed, nodding my head. "You have no idea. I thought I was going to go insane. You don't know how happy I am right now, Ace," I ran my fingers through his body. "Thank you for being alive."

"I'm glad I found you again," he muttered with a smile.

"You always do, don't you?" I smiled back.

He nodded slowly, his marred face now etched with fine lines as he grinned. "That's correct."

And we hugged again, the memories flooding in.

He might not be my mate any longer, but I still felt the connection; it was palpable, as though it never broke. We stayed in each other's arms for longer, time ceasing, sparks flying, it was as though no time had passed at all.

This time it took the clearing of Acantha's throat to separate us.

"Oh," I mumbled, realizing myself. I gripped his palm while he intertwined our fingers. I couldn't deny that I was scared I might lose him if I let him go again, that I might wake up from this beautiful dream to my harsh reality. I felt peace in my heart, I felt a great satisfaction and comfort that I couldn't explain just by having him here with me.

"Um," I cleared my throat, "Ace, this is Acantha - my grandmother, Acantha this is Ace; Alpha of the Ocean Howls Pack and.." I hesitated and then pursed my lips.

I couldn't call him my mate any longer, I had broken that bond with Ryker.

Ace's gaze lowered, as though he could read my thoughts, and I felt a stab in my chest. I had dreaded seeing this look on his face, and while he attempted to hide the emotion, Acantha was indifferent.

Although her face was stoic, I could see the emotions she bore within. Ace was, after all, related to the man who had killed her daughter; I had expected this much from her.

I knew she must be having mixed feelings, and they must be having a great conflict within her. While a part of her disliked Ace for what his father did to her, the other part of her had to accept him as someone who meant a lot to me.

Understandably, I held her hand, showing her that she wasn't wrong for feeling that way and that I understood. She lowered her gaze and breathed out heavily.

"We should sleep; there will be no break tomorrow, so we can get this over with at once. I'll leave you two," she stood up and walked to her sleeping bag.

The only thing that ensued between her and Ace was a brief stare. His gaze trailed her until she disappeared and then he faced me.

"Your grandmother?" He arched a brow

I nodded, "it's a long story."

"Normally, I wouldn't care what anyone thinks of me but I don't think she likes me," he observed, his hand still gripping mine with a calm force.

I breathed out, "That's another long story."

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