Chapter 89
My checks flushed, my mind racing. I had heard of arranged engagements, but the thought of Lirian, of all people, being mine had never crossed my mind. “So… we’re engaged,” I murmured, still processing.
Lirian nodded, his deep, steady gaze never leaving mine. But as he held my eyes, I found myself looking away. The bond felt strange, uncertain; the reality was, we were not each other’s *mates*.
The connection that a true mate bond would bring was missing. Somewhere, I knew he could sense my hesitation. Perhaps, he too could feel the lack of that special spark we all craved in a mate.
Reading the uncertainty in my expression, his voice softened, tinged with disappointment. “So… you don’t want the engagement, do you?”
“No.” I replied quickly, “it’s not that. I just… I think about the future. What if… what if we’re not each other’s true mates? I mean, wouldn’t it be unfair if you met your real mate and…” I trailed off, unsure how to voice the doubt that gnawed at me.
Before I could react, Lirian closed the distance between us in a heartbeat, scooping me into his arms and setting me gently onto the bed.
The intensity in his gaze was almost overwhelming as he leaned over me, his face just inches from mine, his eyes filled with something raw, unspoken.
“Can’t you feel it, Sophia?” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. “Can’t you feel the connection. between us? Are you really so sure I’m not… your mate?”
I froze, staring at Lirian, heart racing as his words hung in the air. Did he mean…?
Before I could even process, he was already leaning in, his kisses falling in a fervent torrent that stole my breath. His strong hands clamped around my wrists, his touch firm yet filled with a sense of urgency.
The room seemed to close around us, the outside world melting away until it was just the two of us, lost in this storm of sensation.
subtle scent wafted from him–like cedarwood and something darker, deeper, like rich amber mingling w
with a hint of wild earth. It was intoxicating, faint yet irresistible, detectable only when he was this close,
Linhaled sharply, a tremor running through me as that earthy, masculine scent filled my lungs,
The Alpha
drawing a fierce longing from within me.
hadn’t felt anything like this in either of my lifetimes, as though my soul had been craving this scent, him, all along.
Without realizing it, I found myself leaning in, inhaling him even closer. Lirian’s deep, gravelly voice resonated in my ear, low and filled with a hint of vulnerability, “Can you feel me now?”
The question shot through me like lightning, and I whispered, “Kiss me, Lirian.” The words left my lips before I could reconsider, as if my very being was begging for more, needing to confirm that this feeling was real and not some illusion.
Lirian’s body shuddered slightly, excitement flickering in his eyes as he leaned back in, his mouth capturing mine with renewed intensity.
His scent grew stronger, flooding my senses and making my head spin. Each kiss was deeper, more fervent, his passion breaking free as if he’d held it back for far too long.
I clutched his shoulders, feeling him tremble against me, his emotions pouring out in waves as he kissed me, as if I were his lifeline. Our mouths collided, and I could taste the faint coppery tang as a small drop of blood lingered between us, heightening the intensity and adding a thrill to the moment.
His hand slid down, tracing gentle patterns on my skin, and I could feel our emotions surging. overwhelming both of us. We were caught in a delicate balance between restraint and longing, and I wasn’t sure where one of us began and the other ended.
And then–just as quickly as it began–a knock sounded at the door, shattering the intimate spell we’d woven. I pulled back, breathless and flushed, reality crashing back around us.
“Miss Sophia, the young master has returned and requests that you join him for dinner,” called from the hallway.
a voice
I blinked, feeling my heart pounding as I pulled away, suddenly all too aware of Lirian’s closeness, his touch, the way his gaze lingered on me, still dark with emotion. Gently, he released my wrists, his fingers sliding away as he let out a slow, almost regretful sigh.
Sitting up, I tried to regain my composure, pushing stray locks of hair back into place, my cheeks burning as I remembered how close we’d just been. Lirian reached over, his fingers brushing lightly against my neckline, straightening it with a look of tender regret.
He seemed almost pained by his earlier intensity, as if worried I’d pull away, that I’d reject him now.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Sophia,” he murmured softly. His hand hovered near mine, hesitant, almost
though he feared I’d disappear. “I… I didn’t mean to scare you.”
The Alulu
chapter so
