“Summer…”
When Alexander reached out to touch me again, I instinctively took a step back. But his scent–cedarwood and lavender, laced with that unmistakable Alpha aura–lingered in the air, tugging at something deep inside me, drawing me toward him.
Still, I stood my ground, fists clenched tightly at my sides, resisting the pull.
He stepped closer, but respectfully kept his distance. “You felt it, didn’t you?” he asked, his voice low and certain. “Whatever’s between us–it’s always been there, Summer.”
I couldn’t deny it, but I couldn’t admit it either.
The wounds Alpha Foster left on me were still raw, still bleeding beneath the surface. Every time Alexander tried to get close, my instinct was to flinch, to retreat. My past trauma had built an invisible wall around my heart—one meant to keep pain out, even if it also kept healing away.
“No, I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, drawing in a shaky breath, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Alpha Alexander… I’m sorry, but I need time to heal. I’m not ready to belong to anyone.”
He ran a hand through his hair–that same old gesture I’d seen a hundred times before, whenever he was irritated or deep in thought. My chest tightened at the familiarity.
“That’s okay,” he said gently, his voice softening, though his gaze still burned with intensity. “I can wait. You forget–that’s what I’m best at.”
Those words hit me like a wave of memories.
Ten years ago, the week before our graduation dance, he said something similar. A promise that never got to bloom–cut short by fate and the diverging paths we were forced to take.
“Don’t call me Alpha Alexander,” he said suddenly, taking a small step forward. “Let’s go back–to before. To who we were. To who we still are. To you, I’ll always be just Alex.”
Something in me softened at that.
“Okay… Alex.“His name felt strange on my tongue–strange, but familiar. Like coming home after a long, weary journey.
“But there’s one condition,” I said quickly, regaining my composure. “You don’t get to touch me without permission.”
“Of course,” he replied, stepping closer but keeping his hands to himself. A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was truly capable of keeping that promise. Why did he look like he was lying? Why did it seem so hard for him not to reach for me?
Still, his restraint meant everything.
Most Alphas don’t wait. If they find their Luna, they claim her–whether she’s ready or not. But Alexander was ditterent, and that was what I admired about him.
“Thank you…” I whispered, warmth blooming slowly in my chest.
When we returned to the hospital, the last rays of sunset were spilling through the window blinds, bathing the white–walled room in a soft, amber glow.
Felix was lying in bed, looking slightly stronger than before, though still far too pale. He had a picture book in his hands, but the moment we walked in, his gaze lifted, sharp and curious. His eyes flicked from me to Alexander and back again.
1/2
Chapter 20
“Where’d you go?” he asked, nose twitching slightly as if sniffing the scent in the air.
+15 BONUS
“Took your mom out for some fresh air,” Alexander replied casually, though the slight upward twitch of his lips betrayed his
amusement.
Felix raised one eyebrow but didn’t press further.
His eyes lingered on mine, and I could feel heat rushing up my cheeks. Then suddenly, he started coughing–harsh, dry, and painful.
My heart clenched in panic. I rushed to his side, taking his hand in mine.
“Hey, sleepy wolf,” I said softly, trying to sound cheerful, “How are you feeling?”
He smiled–weak, but still full of that mischievous spark. “If this is a dream, I really hope I never wake up.”
Guilt crashed over me like a wave.
Only hours ago, I had been kissing Alexander beneath the waterfall–while my son lay here, enduring pain I couldn’t take away.
