A NIGHT WITH KAIUS

Chapter 17

A Night with the Alpha

Adelaide's POV

I woke up in the middle of the night and noticed that Kaius was still sleeping.

He was sleeping at the edge of the bed, using the whole blanket to himself.

I heaved and sat up, looking at his face. The moon light reflected on his face, and then I saw him smile in his sleep.

“Are you dreaming?! Is it about me?” I whispered, leaning closer to his ear.

But, he stirred and then continued sleeping.

I stood up and saw that the candle light was still on, I walked over to it and blew it out.

Suddenly, I started feeling chills in my arms. I looked over to where Kaius was sleeping and saw that he was sleeping soundly.

“It’s cold…” I whispered into the dark.

The words came out on a shaky breath, barely louder than the wind coming through the windows.

Then, I saw Kaius stir in his sleep again. I could tell he was awake now, but maybe he wanted to still be on the bed.

I remembered how everything happened and how I ended up in his room.

Was he really sick or is there something he was hiding from me?!

This was the first time we were spending time as couples, at least under the same room and on the same bed, just that Kaius hasn't said much since we came in.

Is he shy?! I thought, stealing glances at him.

Suddenly, I heard voices from outside and I moved closer to the door, so I could hear them and tell who they were.

It was the guards, they were doing their normal rounds, but something felt off, their voices were sounding so close to the door.

When I leaned in, I heard them.

“The alpha went in with the Luna tonight..”

“Do you think they're making out already?!”

“The alpha doesn't seem to like her that much.”

Their voices cracked as they spoke and immediately, they burst out laughing, as though they knew I was there and hearing all they were saying.

I felt a sting in my chest.

I drew back quickly and looked over the bed, the cold from earlier enveloped me the more and I walked over to the window to bring down the curtains, at least it'll reduce the cold.

It looked as though closing the windows wouldn't help matters, so I climbed the bed and laid at the corner, facing the other side of the bed.

I felt a sudden pull that came with more chills and quickly, I pulled the blanket a little away from him and wrapped it tighter around myself, but it did nothing.

I didn't take the whole blanket completely, he was still covered and looked normal.

How can I be this cold and he's feeling nothing?! I thought, looking straight at him as though I'd get answers by just staring.

The cold had crept into the room like it was alive, sliding across the stone floor, climbing the walls, sinking into my bones.

The palace was never this cold.

I turned slightly on the bed again, staring at the faint outline of Kaius across the room.

He was awake. I could tell. He hadn’t moved since I got up from the bed, his body stiff, controlled, like sleep was something he refused to allow himself.

Even with the windows closed, I could feel the wind hitting it from outside.

Is it going to rain tonight?! I thought, wrapping my arms around myself.

Then, I sucked in a breath. “Kaius?”

But, I heard no response, only silence.

Then, quietly, “What is it.”

“I…” My teeth clicked together, betraying me. “The fire… it went out.”

That was true, I had almost forgotten about the heater by the corner of the room.

I heard him shift, then he paused for a while and then footsteps.

The sound of his boots on the floor made my chest tighten for reasons I didn’t want to name. He stopped a few steps away, the shadows swallowing him whole.

“The night temperature dropped suddenly,” he said. “It happens sometimes.”

That didn’t make it better.

I hugged myself, curling inward. The blanket felt like a feather, it was useless.

He lit up the candles in the room.

For a moment, it looked as though nothing had been done. Of course, it was just the candles and nothing more.

Then, reluctantly, he said. “Move closer to the fire.”

“There is no fire, just the candles…” I said, almost laughing weakly.

There was silence again.

I felt the bed dip and my breath caught.

He didn’t touch me at first. Just sat at the edge, close enough that I could feel the heat of him, subtle but real. My body reacted instantly, like it had been waiting for this without my permission.

“This is not…” he began.

“I know,” I said quickly. “We don’t have to… I mean….”

“Share the blanket,” he finished tightly. “Only for warmth.”

Only for warmth.

I nodded even though he couldn’t see it, his back turned to me.

What was I even thinking?! Thinking he'd wrap his arms around me in a cozy way or what?!

I better wake up from that dream, it was never going to happen.

Suddenly, my mind flashed back to when he came to my room once and kissed me and felt like he did something wrong.

I smiled and laughed out, making him turn.

“What's funny?!” He asked, staring straight at me.

“I.. I just had a memory, nothing more.” I said, turning away from him before he got the memo.

He didn't stop there, “what memory is that?!”

I shifted uncomfortably, “it's my childhood..” I lied, not wanting to tell him exactly what it was.

He might feel embarrassed if I said it. I thought.

He pulled the blanket back, careful and in a controlled manner.

When he lay down beside me, the space between us was small.

Our shoulders brushed, barely, but it sent a strange spark through me, sharp and sudden.

I inhaled, his scent hitting me like a wave.

It was not only the familiar scent of him, but it was something far beyond words. It felt warmer against my skin and I wished I could stay in his embrace.

The feeling wrapped around my chest, squeezing, pulling, like it knew me. Like it was calling something inside me awake.

I shivered.

“Are you shaking?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” I lied, shutting my eyes tightly.

His arm moved. Hesitated. Then settled around me, not holding, just there and it felt like a barrier against the cold.

My body betrayed me and I leaned in.

The heat between us grew intense. My mind screamed that this was wrong. That this was dangerous. That I should pull away.

But my body didn’t listen.

It moved closer, drawn by instinct, by something I couldn't dare explain. My forehead brushed his chest and his breath stuttered.

Inside him, I felt it.

Magnus.

Something low stirred in the air and it sharpened my senses. I heard the whisper, a name.

“Magnus…” I said, not knowing what it meant.

I saw the way Kaius reacted to the name and I knew he had a connection to it.

I drew closer to him, covering the space between us, but his action sent me off.

He stiffened at first.

“Don’t,” he warned softly, though he didn’t move away.

“I’m not…” I whispered, but my words failed me.

His hand slid to my back, fingers splaying like he was anchoring himself. Or restraining himself. I couldn’t tell which.

The cold no longer mattered.

The world narrowed to the sound of our breathing. To the heat. To the way my chest felt tight and full, like it might break open.

He tilted his head down slowly to face me and then, I felt his breath against my lips.

Time stopped.

I closed my eyes without meaning to and for a second, I thought he would kiss me.

I wanted him to. I want his lips on mine like the last time.

The realization hit me like thunder.

Then suddenly, he pulled away.

“No.”

The word was sharp and sounded as though he was forced.

He pushed himself off the bed, stepping back like I had burned him. His breathing was uneven now. Angry. Scared.

“This cannot happen,” he said, more to himself than to me. “Not like this.”

“Kaius…”

“Stay here.” His voice cracked. “Do not follow me.”

Then he turned and left the room.

The door shut hard behind him and I was left alone, left to myself.

The cold rushed back instantly, crueler than before. My body shook, not from the temperature, but from everything that had almost happened. From what I had felt.

I sat up slowly, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was racing, pounding like it was trying to escape.

The pull, the feeling and the connection. It all can't be a coincidence right?

I swallowed, my voice trembling as I spoke into the empty room.

“Kaius… is my fated mate.”