Chapter 23 023
Danica's POV
The atmosphere was cleared a few minutes ago and right now, I'm standing alone in the empty kitchen with Alexander standing right across from me.
That traitor, Bianca had left with her mate.
Alexander closed the distance between us by rounding up around the island that was separating us. I tried to retreat a few steps but my feet remained rooted to the same spot until he was standing right in front of me.
“I… I'm sorry—” I trailed off as he towered over me, his entire stance oozing off the authority he possessed. “It isn't like me to raid someone else's kitchen…” I added quickly, shrinking back into the edge of the kitchen island.
Deep down, I knew he wouldn't hit me. I felt a kind of safety that assured me that for as long as I'm right here with this man, I'll be safe. Yet, I couldn't help the reflex of shrinking back when he comes too close… like this.
No matter how much I pretend to be brave, not scared of death or being bullied, it doesn't change the fact that I'll probably remain the broken little shell I am right now, forever.
This time, he stilled, totally unmoving and I'd have thought he had vanished into thin air if it wasn't for his strong energy that wrapped around me like a cloak, indicating his commanding presence.
When I opened my eyes to meet his, I could swear that I saw a flicker of hurt and something else I couldn't decipher.
Without saying a word, he closed the little gap between us, wrapped his strong arm around my waist and lifted me on top of the kitchen island.
A small gasp escaped me as my butt touched the cold surface and even more when he stepped between my legs, revelling in the sensation of standing right there, with the warmth of my legs wrapping around him like a shield while my own stomach churned with a desire that threatened to consume me.
I tried to push him away, but his arm tightened around my waist, his other hand moving to pull the strands of my hair away from my neck before burying his face there.
He sniffed deeply and I squirmed softly, my teeth sinking into my lower lip to keep my hard suppressed moan from slipping out.
“What are you doing?” I choked out, but he only nuzzled his nose farther into my neck, breathing me in like I was his secret lifeline. It was at that moment I realized his body trembled ever so slightly.
“Just stay like this for a moment, Dani” he murmured, his deep rumble sensing a jolt through my neck and straight to my core, leaving my toe curling tightly.
Goddess… please!
“Did something… happen?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.
He shook his head once, pulling me even closer into his bare chest.
“Just a bad nightmare… and I couldn't sleep afterwards” he mumbled and every sinful desire coursing through my veins instantly vanished, replaced by sadness as my heart immediately went out to him.
“Was it really scary?” I asked, a bit confused and curious as well. A nightmare that could have him trembling even if it was a tiny bit?!!!
It sounded impossible. Ridiculous as well. But then he nodded once, before muttering, “It was”
At that moment when the two words left his mouth, I knew it was no joke. The nightmare… whatever it was had scared the night's sleep out of his eyes.
“I’m sorry…” I whispered softly, threading my fingers into his locks soothingly. A sigh escaped him, soothing my tense body as well.
“Do you feel better?” I asked after a while. His body did seem relaxed than it was when he first wrapped his arm around me.
“Hmm, I do. And you smell so… good” he muttered, sniffing me in again, making my stomach knot tightly.
My breath hitch in my lungs but I didn't stop stroking his hair, nor did he release his grip on me. We remained like that for long long minutes that I almost feared he fell asleep in my arms. As much as I didn't mind that, it was no surprise that I would go numb in my shoulders and fail my trial tomorrow if I kept this up throughout the night. So I pulled at his hair softly.
“Are you asleep?” I asked in a hushed tone and he hummed between the side of my neck, the impact of his deep rumble almost making me rub myself against him.
“I'm not asleep… I was wondering how long I have to stay right here, in your arms to prove that I'll never raise my hand to hit you… not unless you want me to. And that you can be at ease whenever I stand this close to you” he muttered, pulling back to gauge my expression.
I said nothing. I couldn't say anything. I wanted to tell him that it wasn't about him… I wanted to tell him that only a few hours with him was all it took to trust him with my safety… I badly wanted to tell him that this was solely about me. But I didn't know how to say it.
He caught my drooping jaw between his fingers and then tilted my face up until I was looking straight up at him.
“You see, in a long time, I haven't felt this calm. I have to worry about a lot of things at once, that I barely have any time to worry about myself, but then a beautiful little wolf recklessly saved a life in front of me without caring about the consequences of her failure. Her courage soothed me more than an hour in bed ever did. Then, just to see her a few more times, I demanded she treat my wounds even while knowing it would heal eventually on its own. And right now, I'm standing between her silky smooth legs, sniffing her out like an addiction I can't seem to get enough of, her scent soothing enough to bury my worries beneath the edges of hell for one night. Danica, do you think you would hurt that kind of person if you were in my shoes?” He asked, piercing blue eyes locked on my glassy ones as he demanded answers.
I shook my head slowly, uncertain.
I mean, I, for one, would keep that person the same way I would protect my right arm. But then again, this man was different. I'm not him. He's not me.
I am Danica Grayson, the wolfless outcast and he? He's Alexander Russell, the great Alpha of a Pack as powerful as Dark Orchids, ever since he was 15.
He could toss anyone around and find a replacement within a blink. I shouldn't be comparing his choices with mine, but how could I not when he looks this sincere, and even hurt at the thought that I keep shrinking back in fear that he might hit me once I crossed a sacred line?
He brushed off a lone tear from my cheek with his thumb, his hard expression softening a bit.
“I don't want you to ever think for a millisecond that I would hit you over a mistake, Danica. Am I clear?” He muttered and I hesitated before nodding once.
I would like to believe he was a man of his words and that I wouldn't be bullied physically by his hands. That alone made me a bit more relaxed than I've ever felt since I walked right into this carefully laid out scheme of his.