Chapter 5

- Emory -

Alice looked lost—confused and hurting in ways I couldn’t fully understand. When I led her to the room, I could see she was trembling, her eyes wide with fear. I didn’t mean for her to think I was rushing her into anything—certainly not for her to believe she had to sleep with me right away, or that I expected her to accept being my mate immediately. But her fear was clear, and that made my stomach tighten.

I saw her flinch when I pressed my lips to her forehead. That small gesture was meant to comfort her, to show I cared, but her reaction cut deeper than I expected. I didn’t want her to recoil from me—she’s my mate, my world now. How could she flinch from me? Was her bond with me not as strong as I felt it? Or was she just scared, overwhelmed by everything that had happened?

My wolf, Nixon, had been quiet since she arrived. Usually he was outspoken and direct, i thought he would have been eager—hungry—to mark her, to claim her. I could feel him stirring beneath the surface, restless, waiting. I knew he sensed her, too, and wanted her as much as I did, if not more. But he knew as much as i did that we had to hold back. Patience.

I waited as I sat in the office, my mind racing, my gaze drifting to the door every few seconds, waiting for her to come in. She never did. When I finally made my way back up to our room, I pushed the door open cautiously—and there she was, sitting cross-legged by the wall-length window, staring out. Her presence was so fragile, so vulnerable.

I startled her when I entered, and she spun around, immediately starting to apologize like she’d done something wrong. My heart clenched. I rushed over, dropping to my knees, pulling her face in my hands.

“Hey,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice gentle. “You don’t need to fear me. You’re safe here.” I wanted her to know that I would do everything in my power to protect her. “I’m your mate. We’re fated by the Moon Goddess. And I swear—I will always protect you. I would never hurt you.”

Her tears came then, and I could see relief wash over her, breaking through the years of pain she’d carried. She curled up into a ball on my lap, clutching onto me as if I were her only anchor in this storm.

“I want to help you feel safe,” I whispered. “A bath might help. Come on.” I helped her to her feet, guiding her toward the bathroom.

As I started the bath with bubbles, I reached out to help her undress, but she recoiled out, pulling back and telling me no.

“Turn around,” she begged, voice trembling. “You’re a stranger.” That crushed me.

Her words cut like a knife, and I could see the regret flickering in her eyes. I looked at her, saw the shame and fear in her face. I hesitated, my heart aching. I was ready to tell her I understood—when she covered her face, bracing herself for something I hadn’t expected.

But the blow never came.

Instead, she looked at me in shock when I turned around and simply said, “I understand.” I gave her space, and she slowly undressed herself, slipping into the bath. The moment she sank into the water, her body visibly relaxed. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she let herself sink deeper, as if the water was washing away her pain.

When I reached to leave, she suddenly reached out, her fingers curling around mine. “Stay,” she whispered softly. “I don’t want to be alone.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her vulnerability. “I could get in with you,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. She seemed okay with the idea, but when I started to undress, she panicked again, quickly covering her eyes.

I chuckled softly. “In a pack, privacy isn’t really something you get,” I said, my voice gentle. Her cheeks visably red. We sat in silence, the only sounds being the quiet lapping of water and our breathing. I watched her closely, noticing her eyes flicker with something—was it recognition? Desire? Her wolf? I wasn’t sure. She looked around as if she’d heard something beyond the room, confused, as if she didn’t realize she had one.

I reached out, taking her hands in mine, feeling the warmth of her fingers. I pulled her closer, feeling her breath hitch as I sensed her desire—just as much as I wanted her. I hesitated, knowing I didn’t want to scare her off, so I gently turned her around and laid her back on my chest.

I wanted her to see—really see—that I was here for her. That I wasn’t just some alpha claiming property. I was hers, and I would protect her, love her, keep her safe. And that, above all, she could trust me.

When she was ready to get out i felt a slight sadness, as if i wanted to lay there forever. 

I got out first and wrapped the towel around my hips, bubbles still visible on my skin from the bath. I put a towel on the edge of the bath and left for the closet, in order to give her privacy. 

I was standing in the closet, completely nude, when she entered. I turned around to face her, wanting to check if she was okay. She mumbled softly, “I don’t have any clothes to get changed in.” I offered her a small smile and reached for a top of mine, along with a pair of shorts that my sister had let me borrow—things I hoped she could wear.

As I handed them to her, I caught her eyes scanning my body as if she didn’t even realize I was watching her. I saw her pupils flicker again, and I could smell her desire—sharp, tangible in the air. My heart started pounding harder. I stepped closer, extending the clothes, and when her eyes met mine, I could see the embarrassment flooding her face, like she was caught in a moment she didn’t understand.

“I’m yours,” I whispered softly, trying to ease her tension. “You can look if you want—don’t be embarrassed.” Her eyes fluttered shut, her head bowed toward the floor, and I could tell she was fighting her feelings—conflicted, overwhelmed.

Gently, I placed my hand under her chin, tilting her face up so I could look into her piercing blue eyes. They were inches from mine now—intense, bright, full of emotion. Our breath mingled, heavy and ragged, and the sexual tension thickened the room, so palpable it could cut like a knife. I felt myself hardening just from the sight of her, the raw energy pulsing between us. I could smell her desperate desire, her throbbing need.

Without thinking, she leaned up toward me, her expression a mixture of confusion and hunger. I lowered my head, closing the distance, and our lips met in a kiss that felt both inevitable and electric—like the heat and passion inside us had erupted out of control. It was right, or at least that’s what it felt like in that moment.

She pulled away suddenly, cheeks flushed and eyes wide with embarrassment. Without a word, she rushed into the bathroom, her mind clearly overwhelmed, unsure of what to do or where to look. I couldn’t help but smile—a smile that stretched from ear to ear, filled with a mixture of happiness and longing.

I approached her, still naked, and softly whispered, “I am yours, mate.” Her lips curled into a slight, uncertain smile, and I saw the flicker of acceptance in her eyes.

But then, my peace was shattered. A message from Beta Ivan flashed across my mind—something was wrong. I felt Nixon stirring, alert and tense, and my instincts flared. My eyes shifted, and I knew I had to go. The connection between us snapped like a wire, leaving her to wonder what had just happened.

I told her Ivan needed me, and she looked at me with confusion, almost as if she didn’t understand how I knew. Without waiting for her reply, I hurried out of the room, leaving her to ponder her feelings and the storm of emotions swirling inside her.