Chapter 113
Deckard
For the first time, I feel Amica’s true emotions for me, And for the first time,I am totally vulnerable with her–something I never imagined for myself. I don’t recognize who I am anymore. And yet… I like it. I like how she makes me feel, and at the same time, I hate it. She makes me feel- something no one has ever done.
I am the Alpha of Alphas. I have never worried about anyone before. Yes, I protect those under me, but I have never been emotionally attached to anyone. I command, I conquer, I protect–but I have never been ruled by emotion. No one has ever made my heart race the way she does, stolen my sleep, or shaken my control. No one has ever kept me awake at night.
Who is this woman who seems to dictate the course of my life? Making me do and feel things I never thought I was capable of?
And when she tells me no–it cuts deeper than any blade. I never accept no from anyone–least of all from her. And yet, I’d rather she come to me willingly.
But today… today, when she reacted to me meeting that scar–faced man, something inside me broke. whatever defenses and walls I had left-
shattered.
No one has ever cared about me like this before. Not even Mary, not in a way that I can feel it deep within me and know that it is for real.
Everyone sees me as the unshakable Alpha–the one who needs no affection, no softness. And they were right. I never needed any of that. Until
now.
I scoff, shaking my head.
“Then I’ll wait here for you. I won’t eat, I won’t sleep… until you return…” she grumbled.
“That’s ridiculous. You will do no such thing, Amica. I’ll go and return before you even realize I’m gone. And when I do, I expect you to have made your choice–to stay.”
I watch her, waiting, but she doesn’t back down.
“I know our relationship had a rough start,” I continue, my voice steady. “But everything I’ve done since you arrived has been to protect you. I never thought you’d have a problem with that.”
Her laugh is bitter, eyes burning with frustration. “Because you’ve treated me like a child–like someone incapable of understanding. You never let me in. I was dragged here against my will by a man who rejected me the same day. And you-” she swallows hard, voice trembling with anger. “You called me your mate that very night, only to treat me like nothing. Like I was some mistake you had to endure.
“But the difference between us, Deckard? You knew what this world was. I didn’t.”
“You know the story. You know about the prophecy. How could you not? You’ve spent your whole life searching for the woman with Wildthorn blood!”
I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “That is just a story. A legend twisted over time. The only truth in it is that we are mates.”
I step closer, my gaze locked on hers. “Do you have any idea how many Wildthorn women I’ve come across before I finally found you? Yes, I am of
a special breed. And so are you. You-” my voice drops, rough with meaning, “you are the only woman to ever carry my heir.”
I run a hand through my hair, exhaling. “If you’re upset that I didn’t bore you with some myth I never believed in, then I apologize. It never made sense to me. But you-” my voice softens slightly, just for a moment-“your presence does.”
I hesitate, then press forward. “I know there’s a rift between us because of how we met. But I don’t care about that anymore. I don’t care that you cheated on your ex–he’s an asshole anyway. Just as long as you don’t do the same to me.”
“Bore me? It was my right to know! I am just as much a part of this as you! And for the last time–I never cheated on Dane,” she snaps.
I shrug. “I don’t care if you did. He deserved it.”
Her jaw clenches. “I did not cheat on him. That was just a lie–to make it easier for him to sell me off if anyone asked.”
I exhale sharply, raking a hand through my hair. “That is so messed up…”
And suddenly, it all clicks into place. This so–called Dane is an even bigger bastard than I thought. I might not fully believe Amica–but this? This is exactly the kind of thing he would do. I know it.
“Then why do you keep running back to him every chance you get?” The words slip out before I can stop them, my voice tight with frustration. “The last time, you left here and ran straight into his arms. And for what? So he could treat you like shit all over again?”
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4:13 PM
Chapter 113
It’s the one thing that eats at me–an ache I can’t name, a wound that never heals.
Every time I think about her too much, I shut it down. I remind myself that she would leave the moment she gets the chance. She would run right back to that worthless bastard. And yet–my heart still beats for her.
“Because that’s what you choose to believe!” she fires back. “You never gave me the benefit of the doubt–not once since we met. You always assume the worst of me. So tell me, what’s the point of going back and forth with someone whose mind is already made up?”
Her chest rises and falls with anger, eyes burning with frustration. “Why the hell would I go back to the man who sold me off for money? Dane found me for the same reason he got rid of me–money!”
I freeze.
Oh, wow.
Of course, I was a fool to believe his lies over hers. That bastard would do anything for money–even find his way into the Apex circle.
“I…”
“I know that wasn’t you,” I say before she can defend herself. “It’s clear now. I don’t know how he pulled it off, but I believe you.”
Her lips part slightly, as if my words catch her off guard.
I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I’ve messed up–badly. And I want to start over.” My voice lowers, more certain now. “When I return, we will go through with our wedding–the one that was interrupted. But first-” my gaze darkens-“I’ll make him pay for everything.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she says, voice tight with frustration. “You enabled him from the very beginning. You’ve always treated me like an outsider- even when Dane wasn’t in the picture. Not just with him, but with everything. With Mary. With the constant back and forth. The kidnappings” she exhales sharply, shaking her head. “I should have known what I was getting into.”
Her eyes glisten, but there’s no weakness in them–only resolve.
“And to make it worse,” she continues, “you treat me like shit and hurt me over and over again–with your mistress.”
My stomach tightens.
“A simple sorry won’t undo the damage you’ve done,” she says, her voice quieter now, but every word sinks into my skin like a blade.
She pauses, letting the weight of it settle.
Is she really going to reject me when this is all over?
How do I return to this castle at night and not find her here? The thought alone is enough to shatter me. How do I just let her go after everything she’s made me feel?
She straightens, a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze. “I truly hope you catch this man and make him pay for his crimes, my Alpha.” A small breath. “And until then, I will be wary–until I’m sure of your safe return.”
Then, without another word, she turns and walks out of the room.
Leaving me standing there–feeling like the ground beneath me has disappeared.
She leaves me there, forcing me to sit with her words, to feel every sharp edge of the emotions she’s just dragged me through.
A heartbreaker. That’s what she is.
She lured me in, made me feel things I’ve never felt before, and now–she leaves me hanging. Alone.
No. No. She’s just talking. Just letting off steam. I know she loves me. She has to. We’re destined to be together–just like that stupid mythical tale
says.
I never cared for that story–until now.
The first time I saw her, I went numb at her beauty. And the moment I sank my teeth into her, I knew I had to have her. Until Dane told me she cheated. He twisted the truth, poisoned my mind, and made me bury my attraction beneath my pride,
Because how could I–the Alpha of Alphas, the dragon–blooded werewolf, the one who has walked these lands for centuries–wait this long for a mate, only to be given a rejected one? A cheat?
It was an insult.
But it was my own damn fault. I was too slow to find her. If I had claimed her first, she never would have gone through any of this.
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4:13 PM
Chapter 113
And now, the very thing I once refused–is refusing me.
And it makes my heart bleed.
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