Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE ALPHA KING'S TWO FACED MATE: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

Last night, Scarlett Axel thought that they had finally connected as mates. What had started out as a confrontation and another evening coping with their strained relationship had become something more than she could ever have hoped.Tenderness. Tlc. Desire.She took a chance and opened up to him, offering not only her body but part of herself.If he did not want that, did not want her, why had he hugged her so gently last night? How could he have faked kissing her like that?She sobbed as she remembered the way he'd held her when she'd come on top of him, her own pleasure engulfing them both.For one stunning moment, she thought he'd finally chosen her.She thought that's why it ached so achingly.She took a trembling breath and returned his smile. His scent on the shirt, mixed with pine, wet earth, and the unmistakable odors of their pack boundary markers, filled her senses.At least she was still on Bakin land.When she went out this morning, she wasn't paying attention to where sh

The smell of burnt toast and eggs met her when she emerged from the bathroom, a subtle hint that Landon was trying, in his own way. His cooking had been.an experience. But he was trying, and it was hard not to be hopeful about that.When she came into the kitchen, Landon was dishing scrambled eggs onto a plate, his back to her. He never cooked before, and it showed, but the last two weeks he'd been insisting on trying. Looking at him, so normal, so domestic, tugged at her heart. She almost wanted to believe things could be different. Almost."Morning," he said, turning around to her. He was holding the plate up proudly and her eyes widened when she saw that the table was set, even with fresh flowers. "You look beautiful today."His broad smile was awkwardly sincere, right up to the corners of his eyes. She tried a feeble smile in return."Morning," she said, taking a seat at the table.He set a full plate in front of her and they both fell silent for a bit. She pushed the eggs around

She has at least succeeded in her profession. During the time that she has been here, she has worked hard and attended all of her classes and training that have been offered to her. She's moved up from nursing assistant trainee to where she is now, overseeing nursing services.Sometimes, when she thinks back to the day she came here—fresh off the pack, green, and nervous. It feels like it's been forever and not five years at all. It was so hard at first. What little money she had with her wasn't nearly enough. Her father did try to help as much as he could, but she never let him know just how bad it was. Without work, she could not pay for an apartment or even buy food. She had worked two weeks sleeping during the day in her car and nights working on the clean-up team of the local cinema prior to the clinic job. She shudders remembering the flavor of the stale popcorn that she begged out of the buckets every night. She can't picture herself ever being able to have popcorn again.When

The memories rush back harder, nearly overwhelming her.She plasters a smile on her face and takes her hug."Thank you, Luna," she says respectfully."None of that, Scarlett. I've known you since you were a cub, and no matter what, I'll always think of you as a daughter."Her words tug at her heartstrings."Come, greet Alpha, and then I'll take you over to Rowa," she says matter-of-factly.Scarlett nods and leads the way as she brings her into the sitting room where Alpha Sage is seated in a faded old armchair.### His eyes soften when he sees her, but there's unmistakable sadness too. He stands as she enters and offers her his hand."Scarlett," he says, his voice tight with emotion. "It's been too long."They shake hands, a formal greeting that now feels awkward."Alpha," she says, her voice shaking a little. "Thank you for allowing me to come back to attend the Farewell Rite."He waves his hand and invites her to sit on the couch."I would never refuse you, Scarlett," he says softly

I let the silence engulf and simply sit with her. For the final time.Then, after an eternity, when the candle has burned to almost nothing, the dancing shadows playing on the wall, I stand and make my way toward the door. My foot catches a wooden box sticking out partially from under the bed. I fall forward, kneeling.The lid to the box is open and I recognize it. It's Rowa's keepsake box. She'd take this out for me when I was a child whenever I was upset, then tell me wondrous, magical stories about what was inside.I touch my finger along the rim, feeling grief ride rough over me.Her frayed tarot cards. A crumpled fern leaf. Faded photographs and trinkets of yesterday, they're all in this box.Cautiously, I restore the lid and continue to shove it back behind the bed, when I spot a pale green envelope lying on the floor. I pull it out and stand motionless.It's to me. In Rowa's tidy, refined handwriting.Slowly, I search the room. My fingers tremble as I open it.My dearest Scarle