Chapter 201
+25 BONUS
Sarah’s POV
I felt something cool against my face in my sleep, a gentle pressure that was both soothing and slightly painful.
The sensation gradually pulled me from my dreams, making me slowly lift my heavy eyelids.
Half–asleep, my vision remained unfocused, unable to clearly make out the face before me. Yet I knew it was Alexander.
His silhouette was too familiar–the sharp jawline, broad shoulders.
A faint smile curved my lips as I murmured his name, trying to sit up. “Alexander…”
“Don’t move.” His hand pressed firmly against my shoulder, stopping me. “I’m applying medicine to your bruises.”
As he spoke, he spread more ointment across my tender skin.
“Ouch,” I winced, drawing in a sharp breath. “That hurts…”
“Bear with it.” His voice was characteristically cold, as if he’d been born without the capacity for warmth. Yet contradicting his tone, his touch became noticeably gentler, creating a stark contrast that made my heart flutter strangely.
“Who told you to interfere in matters that don’t concern you? You can barely protect yourself, yet you want to play savior to others?”
“Oh,” I breathed. “You know about that already?”
“Of course I do.” His tone was unmistakably disapproving. “That slap you received today? You deserved it. Consider it a lesson.”
“Next time before doing something stupid, you might want to consider your own capabilities first.”
I nodded meekly. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. It won’t happen again.”
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Seemingly satisfied with my admission, he refrained from further criticism. Then, almost casually, he asked, ‘ Earlier… why didn’t you explain yourself?”
“You didn’t exactly give me the chance,” I replied, unable to keep the hurt from my voice. “I was about to explain when you started berating me.”
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“Alexander, when will you stop assuming the worst about me?” My wolf would have whimpered if she were still with me. “Could you possibly be a little gentler with me sometime?”
“Hmph.” He made a dismissive sound, ignoring my question.
Seeing him pull back slightly as if preparing to leave, I reached for an excuse to keep him here. “Hey, can you put some on my forehead too?”
“I already did.”
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Chapter 201
+25 BONUS
“When?”
“While you were still asleep,” he replied matter–of–factly.
“Oh.” I wasn’t ready to let him go. Not yet. “Could you apply a little more? It’ll heal faster…”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly seeing through my weak ploy.
But I held his gaze, shameless and persistent. “Come on, Alexander. Be a good mate and finish what you started.
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Then, with a soft accusation, I added, “My forehead got hurt when you slammed the door earlier.”
“It hurts. Really hurts. That’s on you.”
After staring at me for two long seconds, he squeezed more ointment onto his fingers and leaned down again, carefully spreading it across my forehead.
The distance between us shortened considerably. I could feel his warm breath caressing my cheeks.
From this angle, I could see every detail of his face–those intense eyes, his slightly parted lips, and the prominent Adam’s apple that moved with each breath.
The sight was devastatingly attractive.
I swallowed involuntarily.
And then, to my absolute horror, my stomach growled loudly. “Grrrrrrrl…”
The sound echoed through the quiet room like a betrayal.
His hand froze. Slowly, his gaze slid to my face.
I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself alive.
“I… um…“I let out an awkward laugh. “I guess I’m just… a little nervous.”
“Nervous about what?” His voice dipped into a husky register that made my spine shiver. I looked up instinctively.
His eyes–so dark, so deep–were locked onto mine, like black oceans that could pull me under. I looked away quickly, only to land on his lips instead.
We were too close. One tilt of his head, one lift of mine… and we’d kiss.
“Speak,” he commanded, his lips moving so near I could feel the vibrations of the word.
It was almost too much.I couldn’t hold back any longer. Grabbing his collar, I pulled him down hard.
Our lips were about to touch when, at the critical moment, Alexander turned his head.
My lips landed on the side of his neck instead.
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Chapter 201
+25 BONUS
I was completely unprepared for this rejection. Despite the perfect setting–the middle of the night, just the two of us, the mood so right–his instinct was still to resist me, reacting quickly enough to evade my advance.
My mind went blank until I felt him gently pat my head, signaling for me to let go.
Even though Alexander had been relatively kind–he hadn’t pushed me away forcefully or thrown me out of the room–I still felt the sting of rejection deep in my chest.
My throat felt constricted, as if stuffed with wet cotton. Reluctantly, I released my grip on his collar.
Freed from my grasp, Alexander rose unhurriedly, standing at the edge of the bed. He opened a bottle of mineral water and took several gulps, not once making eye contact with me.
It was as if what had just happened never occurred–or rather, he didn’t care enough to acknowledge it, dismissing my action as a momentary lapse of judgment not worth dwelling on.
“Alexander…” I called, my voice hoarse.
He tossed the half–finished water bottle into the trash can and finally looked down at me.
His gaze was deep and dark, his emotions unreadable. “What is it?”
“Is it not allowed?” I bit my lower lip, my eyes reflecting hurt. “Not even one kiss?”
“No, it’s not.” His voice remained cool and detached, his refusal unmistakable.
“Why not?” I asked plaintively. Before, he had been the one initiating kisses, holding me close. Now he wouldn’t even allow me to touch him.
He stared at me in silence for a moment. Then he said it: “Because I have a fiancée.”
The words hit me like a blow to the chest.
My throat tightened.
Just moments ago, the warmth in his voice, the hesitant brush of his fingers,and the way he looked at me–like I was something fragile and precious–made me forget.
Forget that he was no longer mine.
“I understand,” I murmured, barely managing to keep my voice steady. I looked away, blinking hard. “It won’t happen again.”
He didn’t respond right away. For a moment, he just stood there, unmoving. Then his jaw flexed slightly, and he stepped back.
“You should get some sleep,” he said quietly. “I’ll take the couch.”
My heart twisted. It was such a simple sentence, and yet it felt like a wall being built brick by brick between us.
I gave a small nod and turned toward the bed without another word.
Behind me, I heard his footsteps retreat, then the soft click of the door as it closed behind him.
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Chapter 201
And I was alone again. This time, with the truth.
+25 BONUS
