THE ALPHA'S SECOND CHANCE MATE

UNSPOKEN TRUTH

Chapter 20

Unspoken Truth

ELENA'S POV

Sunlight peeked through the curtains, drawing me out of a fitful sleep. I shifted, feeling the weight of exhaustion heavy on me. Last night, I barely slept, tossing and turning as Liam’s question replayed in my mind—Will you accept me as your mate? Even now, the words hung in the air, making my heart flutter and ache at the same time.

With a sigh, I tossed the bedsheet off and stretched. I knew I wouldn’t find peace lying here, so I dragged myself up and headed to the shower, hoping the hot water would wash away the fog in my mind. As I let the water cascade over me, I thought about Liam—how serious he’d been, the depth in his gaze, the way he seemed to see right through me. The uncertainty twisted in my chest. He’d given me space, but I knew he wouldn’t wait forever.

Just as I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out of the shower, the faint sound of movement drifted up from downstairs. Frowning, I dressed quickly, curiosity sparking through the lingering haze of sleepiness. When I reached the kitchen, I found Beatrice standing at the stove, humming softly as she stirred something in a pot. She looked up, a warm smile lighting her face when she saw me.

“Good morning, dear,” she greeted. “I thought I’d make breakfast before everyone’s off for the day.”

I smiled, stepping closer to peer at what she was cooking. “What are you making, Beatrice? Smells amazing.”

“Oh, just a little of this and that,” she replied with a grin, waving her spoon as if she could brush off the praise. “Enough to keep everyone’s spirits up. Why don’t you join me?”

I nodded, eager to do something to distract myself from the thoughts that had been circling my mind all night. Standing beside her, I watched as she added spices, stirred, and tasted, her movements graceful and practiced. There was a comforting simplicity to it.

As we worked, a comfortable silence fell between us, broken only by the occasional clink of utensils. Finally, unable to resist, I cleared my throat. “Beatrice… would you mind telling me a little about Liam?”

Beatrice paused, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she looked at me. “Ah, curious, are we?” she teased, her eyes twinkling.

My cheeks warmed, but I managed a small nod. “I just… I think it’d help to know more about him, that’s all.”

She chuckled, turning back to her work. “Well, Liam’s one of those rare people—fierce and unbreakable on the outside, but with a heart that’s… surprisingly soft. He’s a warrior through and through, but at his core, he’s still a child in some ways.”

“A child?” I echoed, unable to hide my amusement.

She nodded. “Yes, a child. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart. He doesn’t always know how to put his feelings into words, so he acts on them. He’s stubborn, doesn’t ask for much, but when he does… well, he’s like a baby, looking at you with those big eyes, hoping for a ‘yes.’” Her voice softened, and she looked at me with an almost motherly affection. “Trust me, Elena, he loves you. Not just as his mate but as… you.”

I felt my face flush, a warmth creeping up my cheeks as I looked away, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Beatrice… please, stop.”

She laughed softly, clearly enjoying my reaction. “I’m just telling you the truth, dear. It’s rare to see him this way about anyone.”

I opened my mouth to say something—anything to brush off her words—but she interrupted, placing a steaming plate in front of me. “There you go. And,” she added, winking, “I’ll put some of this in a container for you to take to him at the battleground. He’s been there since dawn, you know.”

My heart skipped a beat, both at the idea of seeing him and at Beatrice’s sly wink. “I—thank you,” I stammered, knowing there was no point in arguing.

By the time she handed me the packed container, my heart was racing. Beatrice simply smiled, shooing me out of the kitchen with a playful nudge. “Go on now. He’ll appreciate the company.”

I headed toward the training grounds, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nerves. I could hear the sounds of training as I approached—the clanging of metal, the shouts of warriors sparring, the heavy thuds of punches landing. As I rounded the corner, I saw him standing in the center of the field, his form strong and focused as he sparred with another warrior. His movements were swift, precise, each one carrying an intensity that made it hard to look away.

When he caught sight of me, he paused, his gaze softening as he dismissed his sparring partner. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he approached, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Elena,” he greeted, a hint of surprise in his voice. “What brings you here?”

I held up the container, feeling suddenly shy. “Beatrice… she made us breakfast. Thought you might like some company.”

A smile broke across his face, and I felt my heart flutter at the sight. “I’d like that,” he murmured, gesturing for me to follow him to a quieter spot under a large oak tree. He sat down, patting the ground beside him, and I joined him, setting the container between us.

We ate in a comfortable silence at first, the morning air crisp and filled with the scent of pine. I stole a glance at him, watching the way he savored each bite, his gaze thoughtful as he looked out over the training grounds. Finally, I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Liam,” I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper. “About… what you asked me last night…”

He looked at me, his expression calm but expectant. “Take all the time you need,” he said quietly, echoing his words from the night before. “I know it’s a lot to consider.”

I nodded, grateful for his patience, even as my heart hammered in my chest. “Thank you,” I replied softly. “I just… I’ve never had anyone care for me the way you do. It’s… overwhelming.”

A flicker of understanding passed through his eyes, and he reached out, placing a gentle hand on mine. “I’ll wait as long as it takes, Elena,” he murmured, his voice filled with a warmth that sent a shiver down my spine. “Just know that, whatever you decide, I’ll be here.”

The sincerity in his gaze took my breath away, and I felt my cheeks flush. We finished the rest of our breakfast in silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that held more than words could say, filled with the quiet promise of something unspoken.

As we packed up the containers, I glanced at him, feeling a strange urge to prolong the moment. “Beatrice… she told me a little about you. Said you’re stubborn as a rock.”

He chuckled, his gaze amused. “She’s not wrong.”

“She also said…” I hesitated, my cheeks heating up. “That you’re a child at heart.”

He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Oh? Did she now?”

I laughed, feeling the tension ease as I saw his playful side surface. “Don’t worry, I promised not to tell anyone else. But… it’s nice to see a different side of you, Liam.”

He looked at me, a softness in his gaze that made my heart race. “Maybe you’re the one bringing it out,” he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper.

We sat there, the morning sun casting a warm glow around us, and I felt a strange sense of peace settle over me. Whatever doubts I’d had the night before began to fade, replaced by a growing certainty. Liam was someone I could trust, someone who saw me for who I was, flaws and all. And as I sat there beside him, the weight of his question hung in the air, unspoken yet present.

Eventually, he rose, brushing the dirt off his hands before extending one to me. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

Curious, I took his hand, allowing him to lead me through the training grounds and into the forest beyond. We walked in silence, his grip firm and steady as he guided me along the winding path. The trees grew denser, their branches intertwining overhead to form a canopy that filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.