Alec’s

I rinse off the final plate and hand it to him, not waiting for a reply. My chest feels tight. I walk away, back to the bedroom with heavy steps and heavier thoughts. The towel I'd left folded earlier was still on the bed. I grab it, intending to take a shower, to wash away the swirling storm inside my head.

I am nearly at the bathroom door when I hear his footsteps behind me. Then he is in front of me, cutting off my path.

"Move," I say without looking at him.

I can't even begin to look at him, not when my emotions are still raw and I feel like crying my eyes out. Not when I want to lash out and strike at him.

He doesn't.

"Alec, I'm serious."

"So am I."

My fingers curl into fists. "If you don't move willingly, I'll make you move, and you won't like it when I do."

"Do what you need to do, Sadie," he says quietly, "but I'm not moving until you let me explain."

I move to push past him, but he catches me-gently-and pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around me from behind. Caging me.

"Do you know why I never brought Lola here?" he asks softly near my ear.

Is he serious right now?

I scoff. “You didn't get the chance. Calvin ruined your perfect little plan before you could execute it."

He exhales, the breath shaky. "I had this place built the moment I found out she was my supposed mate. I should have brought her here the minute it was finished. I could have. But I didn't."

What the actual fuck?

I still. "But that was months before everything went to hell."

"I know," he whispers. "I had plenty of chances. But every time I thought about bringing her here, something stopped me. I thought maybe I wanted to wait until we were officially mated, until I marked her. But the truth is... it didn't feel right."

I turned slowly in his arms, my eyes searching his face.

"It didn't feel right?" I echoed.

He nodded. "Not once."

His answer should have comforted me, yet it did the opposite.

"It didn't feel right," I repeat. "And yet you continued parading her and playing mates with her?"

This should have been mine, but

instead he

have

gave it all to that woman. He should have been mine, but instead he was too wrapped up in Lola toeven realize that she wasn't his true mate. That pisses me off so badly. Why did things become this way? Why didn't he just dig harder? Why did he ignore his damn instincts?

His breath hitches. "I know, but I was desperate, Sadie. I was losing hope for my pack. I felt the mate sparks with her so I clung to that, ignoring every other thing that was wrong about her and about our mating."

Have you ever found out that your partner did something so idiotic that it leaves

you wanting to hit him? That is what I am currently feeling.noveldrama

I remain quiet, just seething in my anger.

"It didn't feel right bringing Lola here, But with you. I didn't even think about it. just brought you here. it.

It

felt right without question. Thare

when knew. Deep down, I think I always knew... she wasn't momate. She didn't belong here. You do."

My throat tightens as I turn and look into his eyes. He looks so sincere. So raw. His green eyes hold nothing back. No walls. No secrets. Just truth, and that? That eases something in me. That makes my anger and bitterness momentarily fade away.

"Alec..."

He cups my face with both hands. "This place has always been yours, Sadie.

Even before I knew you were mine."

He leans in slowly, giving me every chance to pull away.

Maybe it's the aftereffects of the moon heat, but I don't.

Our lips meet in a kiss that was soft, slow, and full of emotion. There is no desperation in it. No heat-fueled urgency. Just warmth and honesty.

When we finally break apart, he rests his forehead against mine. "You're not just someone passing through this place, Sadie. You're its heart."

I didn't know what to say.

So, I just stood there, holding on to him, peaceful but afraid that this could be the start of something, and that really scared me, because as much as deep down I wanted us, I wasn't sure if I was ready to let it all go and start over with him.