Alec’s

I don't say anything. Just turned back and continued staring at nothing.

I pretended that his presence wasn't affecting me. Pretended that I was okay and that every fiber in my being wasn't vibrating. I was fighting the pull despite Nyx telling me not to. I was used to fighting it since we learned that we were mates; it was hard not to.

When I couldn't take it anymore—the pull, the desire, the silence—I turned to him. “I don't get it, Alec. What do you want? Why are you here? Why are you trying? Don't think I haven't noticed."

Before he could answer, I continued. "You already have Aspen's devotion and love, so what is all this?"

I didn't know if he got what I was referring to, but honestly, with the emotional turmoil inside me, I wasn't in the mood to explain anything if he didn't get it.

"I am grateful that I have her love and devotion, but Sadie," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion too. "Aspen is not the only one whose love I want. I want yours too."

I stay quiet, not sure what to say. I wasn't expecting him to be this open. Wasn't expecting those words to come out of his mouth.

Emotions choke the living daylights out of me and for a moment I feel like crying.

My voice broke as I whispered, "Why now? You didn't care when it mattered, Alec. So why now when I want nothing to do with you?"

I couldn't fight the tears, so I furiously wiped them away, angry at myself for crying. It didn't matter though, because I wiped them and more just fell.

My breath caught when I felt his gentle touch as he wiped away my tears. "I know how confusing this must be for you, but I can't give you the answer you want right now. I can't answer why now and not back then. I just can't because I don't know the answer to that."

That just made me angry because it wasn't the answer I was looking for. Don't ask me what I expected to hear, but it wasn't that. Feeling frustrated and hurt, I pushed his hand away and stood up.

"You know what hurts more, Alec?" I asked, my voice sounding thick to my own ears. "It's that you didn't see me then. You didn't try to get to know me; you didn't care. You just dismissed me without trying to see the real me... How then am I expected to believe that you want me now, when I wasn't your type back then? When you wouldn't even glance at me twice. How am I supposed to believe you feel something for me now when you didn't, even though I was constantly in your face?

I'm still the same Sadie. Battered and chewed up a little, but still the same. So, if you couldn't like me then, how can I believe you like me now when nothing much about me has changed?"

He was quiet, just stared at me with those green eyes, which were filled with so many emotions. Emotions I refused to name because I still couldn't believe he would feel anything for me except indifference and contempt.

"I can't explain it," he began as if he struggled to find the words. "But it's there, Sadie: I see you now, and I am sorry I was a stupid asshole who didn't see your worth back then. I was a blind idiot who didn't notice the treasure in front of him, but I do now. I see you, Sadie, all of you and you have me. You have a hold over my heart."

I huffed, still unable to believe it. "It's the bond. What you feel is because of the

bond. You don't really want me, Alec. You never have."

He stood up and took a step towards me. Before I could even react, he pulled me

into his arms. I tried to fight him, but it was futile.

He held me close, tightening his grip, almost as if he was afraid I would disappear. "I won't push you to have me or forgive me, but give me time,

Sadie and I'll prove to you that

I feel for you is more than what's being influenced by the bond- That what I feel for you is real The realest thing I've ever felt my entire life. It's only after I've proven myself will you believe me."

With that, he lands a soft kiss on my forehead before letting me go, turning around and leaving.

I am left standing there confused

and with so many emotions fighting. for dominance inside me. After e standing there for a few minutes, released a tired breath and headed inside the house. Today's fatigue

was starting to catch up with me.

I got to our room but stopped dead. Someone had left something at our bedroom door. I picked it up and unwrapped the box.

It was a single, white butterfly hair clip. The one Aspen had been admiring earlier

in the gift shop but never asked for. Tucked beneath it was a note, scribbled in Alec's unmistakable handwriting:

"Thought she might want this. I'll see you both tomorrow. Sleep well."

I clutched the clip to my chest, the ache inside me unfurling into something

warmer, something harder to ignore.noveldrama

I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, and that terrified me.