asking questions 34
1592 Words
Chapter 34
Alice POV
I didn't sleep. Not even a little. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those red eyes staring back at me. I could still hear the growling.
Still hear the gunshots. And worst of all, I could still remember that huge white animal standing between me and that thing that had attacked me. I pulled the blanket tighter around myself and stared at the ceiling. “What the hell are you people?”
That was the question that kept running through my head. Ice had a pack. His friends acted strangely. They were stronger than normal.
They moved faster than anyone I had ever seen. And tonight?
Tonight had been completely insane. I sat up and rubbed my face.
Maybe I should leave. That thought had crossed my mind several times. But every time I thought about leaving, I remembered Ice's face when I told him I'd be done once I found out what he was hiding.,He had looked hurt. Really hurt.,And that bothered me more than I wanted to admit. I liked him.,A lot..Maybe that was the problem.
I was starting to care about him enough that I was willing to ignore things that should have had me running in the opposite direction.
I climbed out of bed and walked toward the window.The sun was beginning to come up. Morning light slowly started creeping across the sky. I looked toward the woods. Everything looked peaceful.
Like nothing had happened. But I knew better. Something had happened out there, something that Ice didn't want me to know about. I crossed my arms. “Fine, Ice. ”I whispered to myself..“You don't want to tell me?”.A small smile crossed my face. “Then I'll figure it out myself.”
Ice POV
I sat in my office staring at the reports from last night. The rogues had been getting closer. Far too close. Someone had been pushing them toward our territory, and that meant someone was testing us.
I looked up when the door opened.
Angelo walked in. “You look like shit.”
I glared at him. “Thanks.”
He sat down across from me. “You didn't sleep, did you?”
“No.”
“Because of Alice?”
I didn't answer. Angelo sighed. “You have to tell her something.”
“I know.”
“You can't keep making excuses.”
“I know.”
He leaned forward. “She followed you into the woods last night.”
“I know!” I slammed my hand against the desk. “She could have died!”
Angelo didn't flinch.“That doesn't change the fact that she's going to keep looking for answers.”
I leaned back in my chair. He was right. I hated that he was right. “She doesn't understand what she saw.”
“Then maybe it's time she understood some of it.”
I shook my head. “Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because once she knows, there's no going back.”
Angelo stared at me. “You already know she's your mate.”,I nodded. “And you know she's different.”
I looked toward the window. “Yes.”
There was something about Alice that didn't make sense. I had never been unable to sense someone the way I couldn't sense her.
Even last night, she had gotten dangerously close before I knew she was there. That shouldn't have been possible. And yet it happened.
“What are you thinking?”
I looked at Angelo “I'm thinking I need to keep her close.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That sounds romantic.”
“I'm serious.”
“So am I.”
He stood up. “You need to protect her without making her feel like she's trapped.”
“I know.”
“And stop ordering her around.”
I sighed. “That woman is going to be the death of me.”
Angelo laughed. “She already has you wrapped around her finger.”
I shook my head. “Get out.”
He laughed again before leaving the office. I sat there alone.
Alice was dangerous. Not because she could hurt anyone. Because she made me want things I had spent centuries avoiding. A normal life. A woman beside me. A family. Something more than being Alpha. But there was no such thing as normal anymore. Not for me.
Not for her. And if the wrong people discovered who she was.. I couldn't even finish the thought.
Alice POV
By late morning, I finally left my apartment. I wasn't going anywhere special. I just needed coffee. Lots of it.I walked downstairs and headed toward the diner. As soon as I stepped inside, I noticed a few familiar faces. Mack was sitting at the counter. He looked up when he saw me. “Well, look who decided to show her face.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What's that supposed to mean?”
He grinned. “I heard you had an interesting night.”
I froze. “How did you hear about that?”
Mack's smile disappeared for half a second. Then it came back.
“Small town.”
I didn't believe him. Not even for a second. I walked over and sat down. “Coffee.”
He poured me a cup. I took a sip. “Mack?”
“Yeah?”
“What exactly does Ice do?”
Mack stopped moving. “Why?”
“Because he keeps disappearing.”
Mack shrugged. “He's busy.”
“With what?”
“Pack business.”
I nearly spit out my coffee. “There it is again.”
“What?”,“Pack.”
Mack looked at me. “What about it?”
“What does that mean?” He stared at me for a moment. Then he smiled. “It means exactly what it sounds like.”
“That doesn't tell me anything.”
“You'll have to ask Ice.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I did.”
“And?”
“He wouldn't tell me.”
Mack laughed. “Sounds like Ice.”
I leaned closer.,“Does he own this place?”
“No.”
“Does he own the hotel?”
“No.”
“Then why does everyone listen to him?”
Mack's smile faded. “Because Ice is Ice.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“I know.”
I sighed.,“You're all impossible.”
Mack laughed. “Welcome to the family.”
I stopped. “Family?”
He realized what he'd said. “Figure of speech.”
I stared at him. He grabbed a rag and started wiping the counter. I didn't believe him either. Something was definitely going on. And every time I asked a question, everyone suddenly became very interested in something else. I took another sip of coffee. Fine.
If they weren't going to tell me… I'd watch. I'd listen. I'd pay attention. Eventually someone was going to slip up.
Ice POV
I found Alice at the diner. The second I walked through the door, I saw her sitting at the counter. She looked up. Our eyes met. For a second, everything else disappeared. Then she looked away. She was still mad at me. I deserved that. I walked toward her.
“Alice.”
She ignored me. I pulled out the stool beside her. “Can we talk?”
She continued drinking her coffee. “You can talk.”
I sighed. “About last night…”
“I don't want an apology.”
I looked at her. “Then what do you want?”
“The truth.”
I knew she'd say that.,I lowered my voice. “I can't give you all of it yet.”
She finally looked at me.,“Then give me something.”
I stared into her eyes.,“You're important to me.”
She blinked. “That isn't an answer.”
“I know.”
I reached across the counter and gently took her hand. She didn't pull away. “I should never have yelled at you.”
“No, you shouldn't have.”.
“I was scared.”
Her expression softened. “Scared?”
“Yes.”
“Of what?”
“Losing you.”
She stared at me. I squeezed her hand..“I don't expect you to understand everything right now.”
“That's the problem, Ice. I don't understand anything.”
“I know.”
“Then stop keeping me in the dark.”
I wanted to tell her. Every part of me wanted to. But I couldn't. Not yet ,Instead, I lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I promise you, Alice. When the time is right, you'll know everything.”
She studied my face. “And until then?”
“Until then... trust me.”
She sighed.,“You keep saying that.”
“Because I mean it.”
She looked away. After a few seconds, she whispere,,“I don't know if I can.”
I felt something twist in my chest.,“I'll give you a reason to.”
She looked back at me.,And for the first time since last night, she smiled.,Just a little. But it was enough. I smiled back. Maybe I didn't have to tell her everything today. Maybe I could give her pieces.
Small pieces. Enough to keep her from walking away. Because whatever happened next… I wasn't ready to lose my mate Not now.
Not ever.
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