Chapter 9: My Mate
(Charlotte's POV)
Alexander's demeanor changed as quickly as the heat that had burned between us just moments before. He was cold now, detached. The warmth of his proximity earlier, the power in his voice, were gone.
“Your blouse,” he said curtly, avoiding my gaze as he reached for it where it had fallen. His tone was clinical, devoid of the intensity it once carried. “Fix yourself.”
My hands trembled as I tried to smooth my damp clothes and adjust my appearance. My fingers fumbled with the buttons, and frustration bubbled beneath the surface. I didn’t want his help, but as my hands faltered again, he stepped forward, his touch impersonal as he finished adjusting my blouse for me.
“There,” he muttered, stepping back as if touching me was a chore. His electric b
