Chapter 9: Everything, Anything, All At Once
978 Words
Chapter 9
ELENA
What was I even thinking? I should've known my fate from the very minute I walked into that party. And if not then, the moment my mask fell should've been warning enough.
“Alpha Kade” I stand straight up, even with his fingers still curled around my zipper. “I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore.”
He's silent. Not like I care. I don't need a response. I've made my mind up already.
“I know what you're going to say, but you don't have to worry about that. I'm not returning to the White Lotus either. It all ends my exile, and I'll accept that fate without a fuss. Thank you for—”
He pulls me off the ground before I can attempt to stride off, and my heart jolts up my body.
“W… what are you doing? Let go.”
He doesn't say a word. Like I weigh nothing more than a fashion bag, he hurls me over his shoulder and struts into the manor without a care.
“K… kade! Kade that's enough, stop! Hey! Hey!!!”
He doesn't listen. He doesn't break his stride either. Just keeps walking without a care.
We walk passed a couple gammas, most of them were outside too. But not a single one of them act like they're seeing him… or me over his shoulder.
They're not even reacting… to my face. It feels nothing like it did back at the party in the city's capital.
No. I don't get caught up in that. I have to get myself off Kade.
“Can you just stop and listen to me for a second? What are you doing? Where are you even taking me?”
Not long after my bout of futile struggle, we arrive at a different section of the manor.
He walks passed the pool and heads to a different structure, like a detached part of the building.
It has its own space, it's own light, it's own existence. Warm and supple, unlike the rigidity I've grown accustomed to this entire time.
Pushing open the door, he walks in and slams it shut soon after.
“You'll stay here in the meantime” he finally speaks up, gently taking me off his shoulder and letting my feet hit the ground.
I don't allow myself become sucked into the details. I just face him.
“Stop this madness and let me out of here.”
“The decision's already been made. Get comfortable”
He turns to leave through the door, but I hold him back before he can walk.
“Can you just listen to me for a second? What on earth are you thinking right now? First you go against your mother and now this? Please stop. Just stop. I didn't even ask for your help so I don't know why you keep—”
He holds my hand, pulling it off his shirt. His grip is tight. Not exactly uncomfortable, but definitely noticeable.
“You think I'm going to allow you run off on your own again?” He turns back to me, pelting a heated stare in my direction. “You're not going anywhere. I'm pretty sure it was crystal clear when I said it.”
“So what? You’re gonna go against your mother's decision for it? And what? What then? If the entire royal court goes against it, you'll continue this stubbornness?”
“Yes. I will.”
He answers so sharp… so sudden, my eyes widen in shock.
Suddenly, I feel my strength leave me. I collapse to my knees and fingers trail off his clothing.
“Please. Please stop doing this” my forehead kisses the ground. “It was all a mistake to begin with. I was never supposed to walk into your car. I was never meant to meet you. I shouldn't have followed you to your cabin. Nothing should've happened last night. Please. I'm begging you. Just act like it was all a bad dream and put an end to this madness.”
I feel it. The culmination of every emotion since my mask fell off. The feigned resolve I gaslighted myself to believe I had, slowly crumbles, and the tears well up within me.
But before the they run down my eyes, I feel his warmth lift my head off the floor.
My eyes meet his, and for a moment, I sense a flicker of hesitation. He pulls me in, and then leans in himself. His lips don't move. Not yet. But there's a ton of paragraphs laced underneath his soothing gaze.
“I can handle myself, Kade. I was doing just fine before I met you. Just… please. What are you trying to prove by staying beside me—”
He doesn’t say anything at first.
Just stares.
Something cracks behind his eyes, something quiet but undeniable.
Then, before I can brace for it, he steps forward.
His hand brushes mine.
His presence overwhelms.
He’s close. Too close.
A breath away from touching. From crossing a line I’m not sure either of us is ready for.
Heat pulses under my skin. My thoughts scramble. Confusion, electricity, yearning, everything tangled into one chaotic beat beneath my ribs.
Unlike last time, both of us are almost in perfect states of mind.
And yet… we’re frozen in the possibility of something we shouldn’t want.
Our lips hover.
Almost.
So close I feel the promise lingering in the air between us.
Then he stops.
Pulls back.
Barely.
But just enough.
His voice is low. Steady.
“I won’t let you go, Elena.”
A pause.
A beat.
“Because... I can’t.”
His eyes lock mine, and for a second, it’s all there. The torment. The hunger. The thing he won’t name.
“Is that a good enough reason for you?”
- Writer
