Chapter 14
795 Words
Irene followed the Beta quietly until they reached the main sitting room. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it. The closer she got, the heavier her steps felt.
The doors were already open.
She stepped inside and immediately saw him.
Elvis stood near the center of the room, tall and solid, his presence filling the space without him needing to do anything at all. Beside him stood Marvo, his best friend, his sidekick, the one always at his right hand. Marvo’s sharp eyes flicked to Irene briefly before he looked away, giving her space.
Elvis turned the moment she entered.
Their eyes met.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Elvis bowed.
Irene panicked instantly. “N-no, please, don’t,” she said quickly, waving her hands at him.
He paused, then slowly straightened. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the large chair at the front of the room. Marvo gave Irene a small nod before following him out, closing the door behind them.
The sound echoed loudly in the quiet room.
Irene was left standing alone.
She stared at her feet, her fingers twisting together. The silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable. Her heart raced as seconds turned into minutes. She waited for him to speak. For him to say something.
Anything.
It felt like an eternity.
Then his voice came, low and calm.
“Sit.”
Her body reacted before her mind could. Irene moved instantly, lowering herself into the nearest chair. She didn’t even know why she obeyed so quickly. Her hands rested awkwardly in her lap as she kept her gaze down.
Elvis cleared his throat.
She flinched.
He shifted, turning his chair slightly so he could look straight at her. She could feel his eyes on her now, steady but not sharp. Not demanding.
“Hi,” he said.
The word came out… wrong.
Soft.
Almost like a squeak.
Irene’s head snapped up in surprise, her eyes widening.
He stiffened for half a second, then cleared his throat again.
And suddenly, she laughed.
It slipped out before she could stop it small, breathless laughter. Not mocking. Just surprised.
Why did he sound… nervous?
Shy, even?
Her laughter seemed to surprise him too. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, though his ears flushed faintly red.
“I…” he began, then paused. “I wanted to speak with you privately.”
She nodded quickly. “Yes.”
Another silence followed, but this one felt different. Softer. Less sharp.
“I know last night was… a lot,” Elvis said carefully. “For both of us.”
Irene swallowed hard.
“I won’t pretend I understand why the Moon Goddess chose this,” he continued honestly. “I was confused. I still am.”
She risked a glance at his face. He looked serious but not angry. Thoughtful. Careful.
“But I want you to know something very clearly,” he said, meeting her eyes fully now. “I am not forcing anything.”
Her breath caught.
“I won’t force you to accept the bond,” he went on. “I won’t rush you. I won’t pressure you.”
Her chest tightened. She hadn’t realized how much she had been expecting those words or how much she needed to hear them.
“You can take all the time you need,” Elvis said calmly. “Days. Weeks. Months. Even longer, if that’s what you need.”
She stared at him, stunned.
A future Alpha.
Choosing waiting… over claiming.
“I will wait,” he said simply. “Because this bond belongs to both of us. Not just me.”
Her eyes burned.
“I know you were hurt last night,” he added gently. “And I won’t pretend I don’t understand why you ran.”
She lowered her head, shame creeping in. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He shook his head slightly. “You don’t need to apologize.”
Silence settled again, but it was no longer heavy.
“I only wanted to tell you this,” Elvis said. “So you don’t feel afraid. Or cornered.”
She looked up at him fully now. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For being… thoughtful.”
Something unreadable passed through his eyes, but he nodded once.
“You’re welcome.”
She stood slowly, unsure of what else to say. Her heart felt lighter but still tangled.
“I should go,” she said.
“Yes,” he replied gently.
As she reached the door, she paused, then turned back.
“I appreciate this,” she said again, quietly.
His lips curved into the smallest smile. “Take your time, Irene.”
She nodded, then slipped out of the room.
- Writer
