<b>Chapter </b><b>75 </b>


    E & Alexander


    E


    Golden sunlight was streaming through the bedroom windows when I woke, warming my bare skin where the sheet had slipped down.


    For a moment, I justid there, smiling like a fool, my body pleasantly sore in ces that had never ached before. A wave of something that I could only describe as an aftershock of arousal rushed through me, starting from my groin and radiating outward.


    Instinctively, I reached out, expecting Alexander to beying beside me. Thest thing I remembered was his warm body flush against mine before I had fallen into the sweetest sleep I’d had in years.


    But my hand met cool, neatly made sheets.


    I cracked my eyes open against the bright sunlight and saw that he was gone. And then the memories fromst night came rushing back. First came the pleasure of our first time together, but then came…


    My hand flew to my throat.


    Nothing was there. Just smooth, unmarked skin where his fangs should have left their im.


    The disappointment was immediate and intense. I pressed my palm against the spot where he should have bitten me, where for one heart–stopping moment I’d been certain he was going toplete our bond. I’d tilted my head back, offering myself to himpletely, and he’d…


    He’d pulled away.


    +33


    And now his side of the bed was empty and cold. He had left before I’d even woken, hadn’t even bothered to


    let me know he was leaving.


    But of course he was gone. Why had I expected anything different? He’d gotten what he wanted from me- my body, my virginity, probably myplete and utter surrender–and now he was back to hating me.


    Oh, who was I kidding? He’d never stopped hating me. Andst night had been a mistake, a moment of weakness on my part. I had been so enthralled by my hero that I had forgotten he was still my enemy. For all I knew, it was likely just a maniption to keep me satisfied for the remainder of our contract so I wouldn’t


    try to pull out early.


    What a lovesick fool I was.


    Although I had to admit, my body did feel better today… Stronger. The intimacy we’d shared had clearly made my condition improve, or <i>so </i>it seems. But whatever physical benefits I might have gained from our


    11:37 Sat, 23 Aug


    night together were overshadowed by the hollow ache of bitterness in my chest.


    If Alexander wouldn’t mark me after what we’d sharedst night, then he never would.


    60%


    Stupidly, I’d given him everything, and it still wasn’t enough. He still saw me as the mate he never wanted. One night of passion couldn’t erase five years of hatred.


    I curled into a ball under the covers, pulling the sheet over my head in shame. Goddess, how could I have been so stupid? How could I have thought that sleeping with him would change anything between us?


    Alexander had made his choice. He would rather watch me die than im me as his true mate.


    Alexander


    I was sitting in my office, trying to go over paperwork but not really able to focus on anything, when Gabriel knocked and entered. His eyes immediately zeroed in on my neck, and narrowed when he spotted the dark bruise E had left there with her mouthst night.


    The Beta folded his arms. “Did you sleep with her?”


    The question was blunt–typical Gabriel. I finally raised my eyes to meet his, keeping my expression neutral despite the fact that my wolf was practically purring with satisfaction at the mere mention of E’s perfect body beneath me.


    “Yes.” There was no point in trying to hide it, especially not from a subordinate.


    Gabriel’s face went through several expressions before settling on panic. “Please tell me you didn’t mark her.”


    The memory shed through my mind for the millionth time already since I’d woken that morning. E had tilted her head back just as we reached our peak together, exposing the elegant curve of her throat, and I had nearly lost control.


    For a moment, I’d been so close to sinking my teeth into her skin that I could taste her throat on my tongue


    even now.


    But I’d pulled back at thest second. Out of fear, perhaps, but also control. What if she was manipting me into marking her? She’d made it clear before that she didn’t want me to mark her, but maybe she changed her mind.


    Maybe her father made her change her mind. Maybe he forced his little spy to get closer to me.


    Or maybe I was just a fucking coward.


    “No,” I said tly. “I didn’t mark her.”


    11:37 Sat, 23 Aug


    Relief flooded Gabriel’s features. “Good. That’s good. For a moment there, I thought-”


    “Gabriel.” I fixed him with a hard stare. “Instead of worrying about my personal life, why don’t you go summon Sophia? I have questions about her car.”


    Gabriel frowned. “You think it was stolen?”


    60%


    That was what I wanted to believe. That Sophia’s car had been taken by some random criminal, that she had nothing to do with what happened to E. But deep in my gut, I knew better.


    “Just bring her here,” I said curtly.


    Gabriel nodded and left, although I could see the frustration in his eyes over my having slept with Est night. The moment the door closed behind him, I let out a long breath and leaned back in my chair, passing my hand over my rapidly heating face.


    E had been so perfectst night. And the way she’d looked at me when I was inside of her, like I was her whole world… My wolf had been ecstatic, practically howling with joy at finally being with our mate. Even now, hourster, I could barely keep the smile off my face.


    Suddenly, another knock interrupted my thoughts. This time it was Liam who entered, and he looked furious.


    “Where is she?” he demanded.


    “E? She’s upstairs, sleeping.”


    “Is she alright? After what happenedst night-”


    “She’s fine.” I leaned back in my chair and gestured to the chair Gabriel had vacated. “Do you want to take a seat?”


    He remained standing, arms crossed. “I’d rather not. I came here to tell you that this is your fault.”


    “Excuse me?”


    “E was kidnapped because she felt so isted, so unwanted, that she epted a drink from a stranger just to feel normal for five minutes.” Liam’s anger was palpable. “If you hadn’t spent five years pushing her away and making her feel like she meant nothing to you, she never would have been in that situation.”


    The usation hit harder than I wanted to admit because there was truth in it. E had been starved for


    affection. Of course she had been vulnerable to someone showing her attention.


    “You’re right,” I said quietly.


    Liam blinked, clearly not expecting that response. “I… what?”


    11:37 Sat, 23 Aug


    60%


    +33


    “You’re right. I pushed her away for years. I made her feel unwanted.” I stood up, walking to the window that overlooked the garden. “And if Sophia was behind what happenedst night, I’ll make sure she pays for it.”


    “Sophia?” Liam’s anger shifted to confusion. “What does she have to do with this?”


    “The kidnapper used her car. Either it was stolen, or…” I trailed off, not wanting to voice my suspicions out


    loud.


    Before Liam could answer, another knock at the door interrupted us. I rolled my eyes, wondering who else could possibly being to bother me today, but then Gabriel poked his head in. “Alpha, Sophia and her parents are already here.”


    My eyebrows shot up at that. Liam moved to leave, but I gestured for him to stay; I wanted him here for this. Composing myself, I nodded to Gabriel. A momentter, Sophia entered with a gift basket in her hands, her parents trailing behind her.


    “Alex, we heard what happened to E and wanted to bring this-”


    “Sit down,” I said, cutting her off. “We have much to discuss.”


    AD


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