Alpha's Hidden Precious Luna-Chapter 58

Kai POV

“Lily please,” I tried to reach for her but she backed away from my touch. “Let me fix this.”

My mind played the conversation I had with Lily over and over again, each time, the memory seemed more vivid than it had been. The pain in her eyes clearer each time it flits into my mind.

I paced my office, clenching and unclenching my hands by my side as I tried to calm my restless wolf. Our restless agitation made it impossible to focus on anything but Lily. It’s been days since I last saw her and the distance was gnawing at me in ways I couldn’t quite explain.

The memory of our kiss replayed in my mind – her initial shock, the way she had melted against him for just a moment before pulling away. Every time I caught a glimpse of her in my mind – her hesitant smile, the way her eyes held a guarded softness – I felt my chest tighten.

She was my mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself, but here I was, feeling like I was failing her. Hud – my wolf wasn’t helping either. It was growling with impatience, urging me to bridge the growing gap between us.

I ran my hand through my hair, feeling more frustrated than I had ever been in years. As Alpha, I wasn’t used to being the one to give in first, to show vulnerability. But the past few days of not being with Lily felt like torture.

Every fibre of my being yearned for her presence, her scent, her touch.

“I hate this,” I muttered to myself. “I can’t stand this anymore, Hud. Each hour we spend apart only makes the tension worse.”

Although Hud wanted me to chase after her, to claim her properly I knew I needed to be careful. For Lily, everything had happened so fast. One moment, I was just the intimidating Alpha she needed to report to, and the next, I was her mate.

It was a lot for anyone to process, let alone someone like her who struggled before she got her wolf.

Our kiss earlier had revealed something else. Underneath her hesitation and hurt, she had responded to me. I could feel her wolf, though still dormant recognize and respond to our bond.

“We need to go slow, Hud,” I told my wolf. “The last thing we want to do is frighten her by coming on too strong.”

Unable to stand it anymore, I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. I would just go see her and try to explain what happened the other day, hoping she would listen to me this time around.

The drive felt endless, even though it was only twenty-five minutes from where she lived. As I parked outside her dorm building, I caught a whiff of her scent on the evening breeze. Hud stirred, eager to be closer.

“Easy,” I murmured taking a deep breath to center myself. I needed to maintain control, to show her that I could be patient, that I could be what she needed.

I found her dorm number in the directory and pressed the buzzer before I could talk myself out of it. For a long moment, there was silence and I feared she wouldn’t answer. Then her voice came through the speaker.

“Yes?”

“Lily,” I said, trying to keep my voice as gentle as possible despite the way my heart was racing. “It’s Kai. Can we talk?”

Another pause, longer this time. I could almost feel her internal struggle through our bond.

Finally, the door buzzed open.

I took the stairs two at a time, Hud’s excitement making it hard to maintain a dignified pace. When I reached her floor, I found her waiting in her doorway, arms crossed protectively over her chest.

She looked beautiful, even in simple jeans and an oversized sweater. Her scent wafted up to my nostrils again and it took all the restraint I could muster to stop myself from reaching out to her, instead, I maintained a respectful distance.

“I’m sorry for coming here unannounced,” I started carefully. “I just... I needed to see you.”

She bit her lower lip, a gesture that made Hud whine with want. “You shouldn’t be here, Alpha Kai. This is the students’ dorm and someone might see you.”

“I know,” I admitted, raising my hand placatingly. “But being apart from you... it’s harder than I expected.”

Something flickered in her eyes before she sighed and stood to one side ushering me in. “Come in.”

Her dorm room was small but cosy. She had declined all my offers to get her an apartment off campus but being here in this tiny room with her, made it even harder for me to concentrate.

“About earlier,” I began quietly but she raised her hand to stand me.

“I thought we were done with that conversation. I understand why you need to be with her and...”

“It’s not fine, Lily,” I stopped her before she could say the words and tried to reach for her but she took a step backwards. My heart lurched with pain but I tried to keep my expression neutral.

“Lily, please,” I begged. “Let me explain. What you saw... it’s not what I want. It’s pack politics, nothing more. You’re my true mate. I’ve known from the moment I set my eyes on you.”

She shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. “If that was true, you wouldn’t have been kissing her. Mate or not. I won’t be second best, Kai. I won’t be the dirty little secret while you parade around with your perfect fiancée.”

“You could never be second best,” I insisted, taking a step toward her. Thankfully, she didn’t recoil. “The engagement is a sham, a political move orchestrated by my mother. I never wanted it. I only want you.”

For a moment, I saw her wavered before she sighed.

“I need time, Alpha Kai,” she said finally.

“Please... call me Kai...” I said gently. “I’m yours Lily... there’s no need for any formality between us.”

She nodded and continued. “I need time, K-Kai... I can’t process this right now. I need space to think. I just got my wolf, you, and every other thing. It’s all so overwhelming.”

I tried to hide my disappointment and nodded slowly. “I understand,” I said quietly. “Take all the time you need. But please, Lily, don’t shut me out completely. Give me a chance to make this right.”

She nodded again, watching me quietly. We stared at each other, the air between us growing heavy with unsaid words.

“Kai,” she said after a few minutes. Her tone was as if she wasn’t sure of what to expect from me. Her cheeks flushed slightly and I couldn’t help but notice her vulnerable gaze.

Slowly, carefully, I closed the distance between us and reached out and took her hand. When she didn’t pull away, I brought it to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. The simple contact sent sparks through my body.

“We’ll take it slow,” I promised. “As slow as you need and I’m here for you if you ever need my help. I can’t be completely away from you, Lily... I don’t think either of us can handle that anymore.”

Her fingers tightened around mine and for the first time since I came in, she smiled. “Slow,” she agreed. “I think I can handle that.”

Without thinking, I pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her, and pulling her closer. Hud settled as we felt her warmth against us. I expected her to tense but to my surprise, she melted into my embrace, her finger timidly clutching my shirt.

“Lily,” I murmured my voice barely breathing as I pulled back just enough to see her face. The way her eyes met mine, filled with question and a hint of shyness turned me on the more.

I reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, my thumb lingering near her cheek, I felt her shiver under my touch. Her eyes widened slightly and for a moment, I worried I was doing too much.

But then she leaned closer to me, and her breath hitched. Her gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes. The subtle movement was all I needed. Slowly, giving her time to back away if she wished, I closed the distance, pressing my lips to hers in a gentle, lingering kiss.

The kiss was soft at first. I felt her respond in small, unsure movement but in the next instant, she flung her hands around my neck, pulling me closer to her as the kiss deepened. In response, I wrapped my arms around her more protectively, hoping not to overwhelm her.

I ran my hand up and down the small of her back, loving the way she moaned with pleasure at my little touches. Just as quickly as the kiss started, she suddenly pulled back, panting, her gaze downwards.

“I just remembered; I need to be somewhere now... a study group.” She added hastily.

That was my cue to leave.

Without arguing, I nodded and started for the door.