by Simone Elise
“No, it’s her and me. Maddie can meet her tomorrow.” Alec gave Dan a cool look. “It doesn’t matter when she gets to know her.”
“Why can’t we hang out with you two if it’s nothing special?” Dan narrowed his eyes at his brother, now not buying the whole friends thing.
“Because it’s a date.” Alec gave Dan the answer he was looking for. I would have loved to have pointed out that Alec hadn’t even told me about movie night tonight before Dan started talking to me, and that it sure wasn’t a date, because Alec had forgotten to ask me!
“So you two are dating?” Dan said, ripping his eyes from Alec to me. “You sure know how to get around.”
My mouth fell open at such a harsh comment. How could he say that after all he knew about me? I pursed my lips. My anger was going to get the better of me and I knew it before I opened my mouth.
“You know I have only been with you, Dan, and I sure as hell don’t get around!”
“Why my brother?” Dan crossed his arms. “WHY?”
“Dan, get over it before your mate walks in and hears you.” Alec stepped in between the fuming Dan and me. “She might get the impression you still have feelings for Chloe.”
“Of course I still have feelings for Chloe. She’s my best friend!” Dan snapped at Alec. I was thankful Alec was between us because the look in Dan’s eyes could kill.
“Last time I checked, friends want other friends to be happy.” Alec’s voice was calm, not a hint of rage. Alec and Dan were dangerously close to each other, and Dan didn’t look like he had his anger under control.
“You are only going to hurt her,” Dan snarled. “Don’t say you won’t.”
Dan’s words ticked Alec off. He pushed Dan with force. I hadn’t seen Alec mad before and, to be honest, it didn’t suit his nature.
“Chloe’s different. You know that. Now get the heck over it, Daniel.”
“I’m going to go.” I spoke up. This was all over me. Why do I always cause drama? “I’ll see you guys when I see you.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Dan shouldered past Alec. I would have preferred it if he hadn’t.
“Look, Dan, I’m sorry.” I started apologizing as soon as he closed the door to the house. “I don’t want to cause drama between you and Alec. You two always get on and I...” I paused when I noticed the large grin on Dan’s face. “Why are you smiling?”
“I don’t care if you see Alec, Chloe. I was just making sure Alec knew not to just mess with you.” Dan was like his old self, calm and smiling. He was no longer the fuming man from minutes ago. “Sorry about saying that too. It was mean.”
“So you did that to prove what?” I frowned, completely not understanding why my best friend would do that to me. It was beyond confusing.
“I actually think it would be cool if you two got together.” Dan grinned. “I proved he isn’t just playing with you. He doesn’t defend anything or anyone.”
“Do you have any idea how bad I was feeling?” I crossed my arms. “Honestly, Daniel, that was mean.”
“Yeah, well you can tell me off about it another day.” Dan winked. “‘Cause I’m pretty sure I am going to cop enough from drama queen in there when I go back in.”
“I’ll see you later.” I shook my head with a small smile. I was happy Dan wasn’t angry but, at the same time, I was angry Alec had said we were dating. But then I suppose the idea of dating Alec didn’t settle that badly with me.
“Yeah, I’m sure I will see you at some point tonight.” Dan grinned, both of us knowing that I would be back.
I walked to my car thinking over what Dan said. Maybe it wouldn’t be awful dating Alec. Actually, it would be pretty awesome.
Chapter 26
“It looks better down.”
I looked in the mirror and saw Alec standing behind me. I let my hair flow back down, not putting it in the ponytail like I’d intended.
“Thanks.” I smiled and spun around, leaning against the basin behind me. “I’ve met her before. I don’t know why I am nervous.”
“Because last time you met her, she wasn’t engaged to Dan.” Alec walked up to me and placed his hands either side of me, trapping me against the basin. His hair was swept off his face. He was looking dangerously hot and he knew it.
“That’s a very good point.” I gasped, losing myself to his closeness. He wasn’t my mate but my heart was pumping at an unbelievable rate.
“There’s something else too.” Alec leaned down, and my head automatically tilted back to stare into his dreamy eyes. This was the first time he had been so close to me.
“And what would that be?”
“I wasn’t your boyfriend.” He blew across my ear, sending the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
My hand clenched his shirt, and I pulled him slightly closer. His face was brushing the side of my face. The feeling was so soft and intimate. I felt his hot breath on my neck. He was doing this on purpose. I was trapped between the basin and his strong chest, unable to escape even if I wanted to.
I slowly turned my head and whispered in his ear. “And you’re still not my boyfriend.” I pushed him away slightly, with a twinkle in my eye. “If I remember, you haven’t asked me, and I don’t remember me saying yes.”
Alec shook his head and let me go free. “Hard to please, aren’t you?”
“Just reminding you of the facts.” I winked, leaving him in the bathroom, though he followed quickly behind me. “We watched movies last night. I don’t remember anything about you asking me a certain question.”
“Gay movies,” Alec scoffed. “And remember, you slept in my bed.”
“Hey, you picked them. Not me,” I pointed out, before pulling my sweater on. “And I recall you sleeping on the couch.”
Alec shrugged his shoulders like he had completely forgotten that he hadn’t slept in the bed with me.
“So about that question.” Alec changed the subject.
I turned around to see Alec staring at me. He wasn’t going to do what I thought he was going to do, was he? I raised an eyebrow at him. “What question?”
His charming smirk was melting the sadness that Xavier caused and flutters of emotion and lust were coursing through my body.
“Will you…” Alec paused, “help me find my cap?”
My smile dropped and I picked up a pillow from the bed and threw it in his direction. “You meanie!” Alec was chuckling, not caring that my pillow got him square in the head. I stormed to his bedroom door, throwing over my shoulder at him, “And your stupid cap is on the couch.”
“Thanks, babe,” I heard Alec shout out to me. Stupid Alec and his stupid jokes.
“Hey, Chloe.” Dan greeted me as soon as I walked into the living room. His arm was around Maddison, who no longer looked like death warmed up. She was smiling in my direction and I returned her smile.
“Dan, Maddison, what are you guys doing?”
“Not much. Thinking about heading down the street.” Dan was grinning. I had never seen him radiating with happiness like he was now. He was simply glowing with Maddison at his side.
I noticed the sparkling diamond on her finger. I would have to compliment Dan on his taste. The ring was beautiful. I didn’t know if I should sit with them or across from them, so I just remained standing.
“Would you like to join us, Chloe?” Maddison was smiling at me. I could understand her point of view. She knew no one in this world. She would need a friend. I just wasn’t sure if I would be a good choice.
“Sure, why not?” I answered, seeing Alec walk in. “We’re going down the street.”
“We are, are we?” Alec arched his eyebrows, most likely expecting me not to have forgiven him so quickly. I couldn’t face shopping by myself with the happy couple.
“Well, this will be fun.” Maddison smiled. “I haven’t been shopping since before I got sick.”
I noticed Dan’s hand curl around Maddison’s waist more tightly,
pulling her closer to his side. It was sweet to see how protective Dan was of her. She was his world now and it showed. He loved her. I would always love Dan in a non-romantic way from now on because he now had his own source of sunshine and that came from Maddison. I had no right to cast a shadow over his sunshine. Not after everything he had done for me.
“Well, then, you definitely need to hit the streets. Maybe some dress shopping too.” I sent her a small wink and she immediately blushed. Glancing at Dan, his face said it all. There was no need for words.
“So have you two set a date?” I asked Dan and Maddison, while walking through the central square. Dan had his arm around her shoulders. I could get used to seeing him so happy.
“As soon as possible.” Dan kissed the top of Maddison’s head. “But it’s up to Maddie.”
“Smart man. I’d leave everything up to Chloe too.” Alec slung his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side. I have to say it felt right. “Otherwise, there is no controlling her.”
“Right.” I smirked up at him. “Because when don’t you let me get my way?”
“Exactly.” Alec winked back at me and pulled me closer to his side. Our eyes were locked, and for moments I scanned his eyes. For the first time I saw the love in his eyes, love for me. I doubted anyone else would have noticed our intimate moment. We both stopped walking, frozen by what we had seen in each other’s eyes.
Slowly he pushed the stray hair from the side of my face, not dropping eye contact as he gently cupped each side of my face and dipped his head. His touch felt right. In those moments, I felt complete. The sadness of the heartache I’d experienced melted away.
Each touch healed me. I was craving more contact. My hand ran through the back of his hair, bringing his lips closer to mine, but he didn’t charge forward to claim them.
Reassurance flooded me more and more the longer I held his eyes with mine. The noise of the market around us dropped away. It was as if the light had come on. No longer was I in the dark. I saw the man in front of me. I believed Alec realized the same thing in the same moment.
This was meant to be.
“Be with me.” His voice was a low whisper, the sweetness of his breath washing over my face. “I don’t want you to be my girlfriend.”
I slowly traced the back of his neck with a finger while the other was still lost in his hair. I knew he had more to say. In a sense I could feel it.
“Each step I take I want you there. You have given me feelings I had thought I would never feel again.” Alec’s voice was tender, and his hands were holding my face so our eyes couldn’t lose contact.
He wanted me to see the reassurance in them. He wanted me to see he meant every word and I did.
Slowly I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his. “Promise, now and forever.” My voice was so low, below a whisper. Only he could hear my words and he was the only one meant to hear them. I couldn’t let myself fall for someone who would leave, like nearly every other man had.
“Now and forever.” Then he claimed my lips. His were so soft and moist, and as our lips moved together, a feeling of bliss exploded inside of me. The fluttering of a realization took over my body. From now on I wouldn’t be alone.
Together we would face the world. So in the city center, Alec and I made out in front of everyone, as if no one was around. Because to us, we were by ourselves. In those moments, nothing else mattered.
Chapter 27
“So you and Maddison seemed to get on alright?” Alec was holding my hand and we were walking along the beach. The moonlight was casting shadows across the ocean waves, and the stars were sparkling above. It was hard not to get lost in the beauty of the night.
“Yeah, I need to really make an effort with her. Dan loves her and she will need a friend.” I was still looking up at the beautiful night sky, remembering the rest of the afternoon.
Dan and Maddison hadn’t missed my and Alec’s moment, though they didn’t focus on it. I had to admit talking to Maddison was easy. We actually had a lot in common and that would help our future friendship.
“So, about us.” Alec pulled on my hand, stopping me from walking, and I turned around to face him.
“What about us?”
“I need you to tell you about someone.”
“Should I be worried?” I kept calm, but to say I had come to expect another woman to take the man I was with away from me was an understatement. “Who is she?”
“Gabby. She is my mate.”
“And let me guess. You want to be with her?” I didn’t hide the bitterness. “Why did you string me along?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Chloe.” Alec held my hand tighter as I tried to pull away from his grasp. How could he do this to me? I can’t take any more! Surely he could see this?
“Chloe, I’m not stringing you along. Gabby and I aren’t together for a reason. But I thought you had a right to know I have a mate. But we aren’t together. To say she didn’t want me would be an understatement.”
“Why wouldn’t she want you?” I frowned, no longer tugging my hand from his grasp.
“Not all humans take to us as well as Maddison did.” Alec’s grim smile said it all, and his simple answer answered all my questions. There was nothing more to ask, and nothing more to know.
“So she didn’t want to be with you because of what you are.” I said out loud, understanding, and once I understood, I felt guilty. “I’m sorry for yelling at you. It’s just—”
“Chloe, I know. It’s ok. You don’t have to tell me,” Alec cut in, most likely knowing what I was going to say.
I lightly bit the bottom of my lip, before stepping closer into Alec, placing my other hand over his. “So this is for real then? We are actually going to be together?” I couldn’t come to terms with it, but could I blame myself? After everything I had been through it was natural. Well, I thought it was.
I had come to believe I wouldn’t get a happy ending. The calm waves washed up the beach. It was the perfect setting.
“We are most definitely for real.” Alec smiled softly, his eyes gleaming with happiness like mine were. “But you still have to talk with Xavier.”
“The last person I want to talk about is him.” I stood on my tippy toes and brushed my lips against his. “I don’t want this moment ruined.”
Alec let go of my hands, and they naturally found their way around his back. I linked my fingers together behind his head, and softly we kissed. Alec was right. Everything happened for a reason. And because of that, we were now together and I was happy, finally finding a man who wanted to be with me.
Chapter 28
“Alec, what’s wrong? You have had that serious look on your face all morning.” I frowned at him. He signaled to enter my street. He wasn’t one to keep things to himself. I thought over the last few days and it seemed our new relationship was going well.
Sure we hadn’t taken the next step, but when I told him firmly I wouldn’t be ready for that for a while, he seemed to have taken it fine. I stole a quick glance in his direction. He looked seriously worried.
“Alec, what’s wrong?” I asked again, since he was suddenly deaf. Last night he went for a run, and he came back like this, serious. I let it go last night, but then he woke up the same this morning.
I was wracking my brain trying to think of something that I had done wrong, but there was nothing. Everything was fine, well, until he went for that run.
“We’re here.” Alec pulled to a stop outside my house and undid his seat belt. I reached over placing my hand on his, stopping from getting out of the car.
“So you aren’t going to tell me what’s wrong then?”
“Just leave it, Chloe. I’m fine.” He pushed my hand off his and got out of the car quickly. I was left stunned for a few moments.
What the heck was going on with my boyfriend?
I slammed his car door and eyed him up and down as he stood with his hands in his pockets,
waiting for me at the front door.
“Really, you waited for me? Wasn’t expecting that,” I scoffed, opening the front door. I had barely made it inside before my mom came running at me from the living room.
“Darling! I was beginning to think I would never see you again!” She pulled me in for a tight embrace, squeezing the air from my lungs.
“Mom, it’s been a few days,” I choked.
“Your dad wants to see you.” She let go of me, and I had to recover my breathing.
“Yeah, he called. That’s why I’m here.”
Mom had a dreamy look on her face as she looked at Alec and me. I knew our parents were thrilled with the match, and I could imagine the daydreams that would be flashing through my mom’s mind in this moment. I think most would involve me with a swollen stomach.
“Oh, Alec, I am so happy for you two.” She grinned, still not able to stop looking between us. Clearly, she hadn’t picked up on the fact we were standing apart from each other and Alec was mirroring a lawyer’s expression.
“Um, Dad wanted to see me?” I quickly walked around Mom and headed to the living room. With Alec’s weird mood it was hard to know what was going on with him and it was feeling more awkward by the second. Had he changed his mind?
“Dad.” I shot a quick smile in his direction before slumping onto the couch. “You wanted to chat with me?”
Alec walked in behind me, and I was half expecting him to stay standing, but he didn’t. He sat next to me, and it gave me hope that his current mood was disappearing.
“Nice to see you too, Chloe.” Dad chuckled. “Alec.” He nodded his head acknowledging Alec.
“So what’s up?” I said, bringing up the matter at hand. I wanted to get out of here so I could find what was wrong with Alec and then fix it. I hated him like this. It wasn’t my Alec. Seriousness didn’t suit him.
“There is a pack meeting tonight.” Dad clearly picked up on the fact I wanted to get whatever it was out of the way.
