Chapter 17: Chapter 17
Ashley
I woke up early the next to prepare to return to the pack, Jessica was already up and ready.
The fact that she stayed up all night to watch guard melted my heart a bit.
“Good morning” Jessica greeted me with a smile as soon as she saw me open my eyes.
“Good morning” I replied stretching and yawning at the same time.
I had slept peacefully like a child even though I wanted to be awake most of the night to ensure that I don't get killed in my sleep.
As much as I want to believe that Jessica was back for good, I couldn't help the not-so-comfortable feeling I had around her even though I am more than willing to give her a second chance.
We soon began our journey back home as she continually made attempts to engage me in conversions.
I attempted answering of her questions and laugh at some of her jokes at one point or the other.
The journey was almost completely flawless, but that was until we met an old woman who wanted us to give her the plant I was carrying in exchange for whatever we wanted. The old woman, whose mission was to taste us and see if we could give out the plant kept persuading us.
But when she saw that we were not ready to give in to her demands, she left us feeling sad.
The way Jessica stood and defended me showed me a different version of her.
Maybe she could make a good friend I said to myself after we were left alone.
Later in the evening, we arrived at the pack to meet a large crowd of people waiting for our arrival.
There was jubilation as we entered the pack.
As usual, Jessica got the most attention, as they felt she must have gone through a whole lot of deals to protect me. Even Alexander couldn't hide his gratitude toward her.
He only said a hi to me, before he was distracted by the many people who wanted to congratulate him.
Jessica on the other hand was beaming from ear to ear as many serenaded her with praises.
I was hurt a bit because I could have died at the hand of the same person that everyone seem to be praised for my safe return.
But I was quick to remind myself that none of this was real and that it was just a deal between Alexander and I
After one year, all these will no longer be important to me, even though it hurts so much, it is what it is.
I presented the evidence of our trip to the elders who very well looked satisfied as they exchanged smiles and laughter among themselves.
We were told that a party was been organized and that we should go and freshen up to join the party.
I was sad and I didn't know why, but I could tell that it had something to do with the hostility I got from Alexander.
He wasn't exactly hostile, but he was not what I expected. I mean I know that this is just a deal but does the fact that I almost died for him to be called king matter to him?
Honestly, I was not looking forward to joining the party, and if I had my way I would just sleep throughout the night.
After waiting for what seemed like forever for him to finish his exchange of pleasantries I walked back to our apartment alone and depressed.
Another thing that was pissing me off was the fact that Grace was not there, I wonder what could have been so important that she couldn't even come to congratulate me on my safe return.
As soon as I got to the room I noticed the door was locked, in my anger I had forgotten to pick up the keys from him.
Thank goodness I didn't have to wait long for him as I soon saw him walking through the door. I noticed how he dismissed those with him and walked towards me to open the door.
After which I went in and was headed straight to my room when I noticed that the room was locked too.
“Sorry, I had a few changes while you were away, you will be living here with me now, I have arranged your things on one side of the wardrobe,” he said casually.
It was difficult staying away from him while we were both in separate rooms, how is it going to be now that we might be sharing the same bed.
I noticed he had his eyes on me all through while he was speaking but I was so engrossed in my anger to even look at him.
“Are you alright,” he asked gently, after noticing that I was deliberately trying to avoid him.
“Yeah, I'm fine,” I said not daring to look him in the eyes.
“How was your trip?”
It was fine, Jessica made sure I was fine,” I said, not sure why I added the jessica bit.
Maybe because everyone made me feel I would have been dead without her in the first place.
“I'm glad to hear that,” he said calmly.
Why don't you go and make her your luna since she is all strong, a tiny voice in my head raged?
But I was quick to shut the voice up as I reminded myself that I was standing next to an alpha.
“I missed you,” he said quietly and that made me look him in the eye to ensure that he was the one speaking.
And that he was speaking to me.
How can he say he missed me when it seemed like I was invincible to him out there.
What sort of game was he trying to play? And perhaps he can't be missing me, I am a nobody to him.
“What about Grace,” I didn't see her when I arrive, I said attempting to change the topic as my emotions were already getting mixed up.
“I don't know why but we can go check on her in the morning if that is okay with you,” he said.
I just nodded and tried unpacking the bag that I came with but he walked closer to me, making me feel very nervous.
“I said I missed you,” he said in a voice that makes me want to wrap my hand around him.
I was confused about how to reply to him, I can't tell him I missed him too, is it right? What is he even missing me for?
I guess he had tons of girls screaming his name out loud at night on this very same bed while I was out there fighting to survive.
That's jealousy, I know.
“Thanks,” I murmured as I kept unpacking,
“You didn't miss me?” He questioned and at that point, I was getting confused about how to express myself to him.
How do I tell him that I missed him way more than he thinks he missed me, how do I tell him that I thought about him every step of the way.
How do I tell him that I think I might be in love with him?
While I was still lost in my thought I felt his hand around my waist as he pulls me closer, with his free hand he lifted my chin till my eyes were staring at him.
And he slowly kissed me softly as I felt my entire body spark back to life. I kissed him back with my eyes close as I allowed myself to savor the moment of pure bliss.
Imagine my disappointment when he stops to look at me, I was wondering why he stopped as my lips were still aching for more.
“We need to get ready to join the others, we will continue this as soon as we get back,” he said pressing a gentle kiss on my lips.
*****
Alexander
To say I was fucking nervous all the while she was away would be an understatement.
I was so scared of so many things and most importantly was her safety. I had to remind myself countless times why I shouldn't go and join them in the forest.
My joy knew no bounds when I finally saw her return, it was hard controlling myself in the presence of everyone out there.
I had only said hi to her when all I wanted to do is sweep her off the floor and hold her in my hands.
I still don't get the tons of emotions I feel when I am with her, she drives me nuts, and she is like my addiction. I got tired of going into her room just to smell her and decided to move all her things to my room.
I had left her earlier in the room so she can dress up quickly because I know if I stayed there, It would be fucking impossible to get anything done.
I opened the door to see that she was looking beautiful in a short red dress that she had worn.
She looked amazing in her very simple makeup and hair that she let down freely. I was having this sudden feeling of wanting to claim her so everyone else can back down.
“You look amazing,” I said to her as I walked towards the wardrobe to pick a light brown fur coat to drape over her bare shoulders.
“Thanks,” she said blushing
As we were about to step out I pulled her closer to whisper some vital words to her.
“get one thing straight Ashley, if I see any man come too close to you, I am going to kill him,” I said unable to hide the intensity of jealousy in my voice.