22

ELEANOR

Alex looked at me with a hint of mischievousness in his piercing blue eyes. Wrapping an arm around

my shoulder, he crashed my front against his chest. I instinctively placed my free hand on his rock-

hard abs, and almost immediately heat rushed throughout my body, reaching my face in

miliseconds time. My face was burning hot the moment I traveled my eyes over to Alex’ face.

Sculpted by the gods themselves, smirking at me as he took in the sight of my face in merely a few

inches apart from one another.

"Go. We'll be there in five.” Alex stated, his words carrying an echo waving across the room.

Elijah stood uo to his feet and spoke. "Yes, Alpha.” With the aid of my enhanced senses, I heard

Veronyka grunt and mumble words that sounded all muffled under her breath, reflecting her

unbearable annoyance as she glared at me. When the rest of the group got up and made their exit

towards the door, I spotted Linda glancing at me with eyes evident of intense worry and fear. But

when I turned to meet her gaze, she widened her eyes in horror and hurriedly rushed towards the

door. She was the last person to leave, making me and Alex the only people inside the room.

The look in Linda's eyes when she threw me those nervous glances caused a weird, uncomfortable

feeling to settle deep within my chest.

"You look awfully worried.” Alex's deep and husky voice abruptly pulled me out my thoughts,

forcing my eyes to look and stare into nothing but his dangerously handsome face.

I curved my lips, forming a small smile as I met his penetrating gaze.

"Quite the contrary. My blood is coursing with excitement now, Alpha.” Lifting my hand, I trailed my

fingers down from his earlobe then traveling down to his concrete jaw. He caught my fingers

instinctively, pressing it ever so slightly in his calloused hand.

"Don't. Or else I won't stop myself from marking you in that sexy dress of yours, Ellie." He warned.

"0O-okay.." I blushed, ignoring the loud thumping sound drumming in my ears when he said those

words to me.

Raising my hand lightly, I watched wide-eyed as he leaned forward and kissed the back of my hand

softly. I had felt his lips gently brushing my skin and I suspected it had been the main reason for the

butterlies constantly fluttering in my stomach right after.

Our eyes locked as soon as he looked back up at me. Feeling his cerulean blue eyes watching me

with a level of intensity I could hardly take.

"Turn around." He ordered me.

I couldn't help but stare at him with a confused look.

"Why?"

Alex chuckled and flashed me his signature smile that had taken my breath away several times.

"Just trust me."

Without a doubt I trust him, but in my mind I wondered why he was asking me this now. Nodding, I

made a full turn, my back now against Alex who suddenly moved all my hair to one side, exposing

my bare neck.

I gasped, "No!"

Is he going back at his word? Did he trick me? How could I be so stupid? I cursed myself for even

trusting him at the first place, clenching my fists the exact moment he smoothed his fingers around

my marking spot.

My heart raced and just as I was about to turn back around to slap him right across the face, I felt

something drop over my head.

My eyes fell to a golden gemstone necklace that sparkled brightly under the fluorescent light. My

breath hitched and I couldn't contain my embarrassment within for even thinking he could betray

me and stake his mark on me against my will.

"I want you to wear this tonight at the party. It's my gift for accepting the role of becoming my mate

and Luna.” He spoke softly, almost whispering to my ears as he buckled the lock on the back of my

neck.

When he was done, he turned me around to face him. I was in a state of uncertainty, taking

something as special as this from him felt utterly wrong. Knowing in the end, I'd betray him without

saying much of a goodbye.

I fiddled the necklace with my forefinger and looked up at Alex, nodding at me in satisfaction

Suddenly, I had a shortage for words.

"I...I can't accept this Alex. It's too precious.”

He shook his head, refusing to accept my rejection for the gemstone necklace.

"I won't take no for an answer Eleanor. You will wear it." His said sternly, weilding his overwhelming

aura of dominance into the air, thereafter making it impossible for me to motion a further debate.

Pursing my lips into a thin line, I nodded my head in inevitable defeat.

It was then that his strong and stern features softened. I furrowed my brows, feeling it strange to

see him suddenly put up a long face.

"Do you not like it?" Disappointment whirled in his cerulean blue eyes gazing into me deeply. A hurt

expression beginning to form on his godlike face.

I then shook my head aggressively, reaching for the gemstone on my neck before clasping the

necklace with my both hands.

"No! It's the most beautiful necklace I've ever laid my eyes on.." I admitted, firmly gripping the stone

to show my objection.

His face lit up almost instantly, nodding in mutual agreement.

"Flip the necklace, I've a surprise,” Alex had a sly grin on his face that picqued much of my curiosity.

I looked down and picked up the golden gemstone in between my thumb and forefinger, feeling

Ares pace back and forth inside me as she watched the necklace closely. Turning over necklace, I

caught sight of the emboldened, calligraphic letters written as A + E. Beautifully engraved into the

gold plate of the golden necklace Alex has given to me as a gift.

"A and E?" I glanced up at Alex in obvious pretense, wanting to test whether my assumption is

actually correct.

I just feel like it could mean anything right? It could mean anything other than--

"Our initials,” He said, confirming my thoughts. Guilt easily began to consume me deep within and I

quickly dropped my eyes to the necklace. Anywhere I could lay my eyes on except Alexander's face.

Just then, I felt his hand press against my back, pulling me in for another hug.

"This necklace will be a symbol of my love. The bond we're about to share, and my promise to

protect you from all harm, to keep you safe and sound and to make you feel loved, cherished, every

single day for the rest of your life.” The way he was rubbing small circles smoothly on my lower back

as he pressed my body against his seemed to help me relax. As though the tension in my body

never existed from the very beginning, making me want to forget all about the blood wolf's curse.