The Alpha Behind The Mask-Chapter 106: Give Her Time
Oliver’s POV
I stood there for a second after she left, just staring at the empty doorway. The room suddenly felt too quiet, too big, and all those trophies around me—things that were supposed to mean something—felt useless. My hands were still clenched at my sides, and my wolf wouldn’t settle; he kept pacing, restless and irritated.
I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through my hair. I messed up. I pushed too hard. I thought I was helping, doing what I always do—fixing the problem, taking control, protecting what’s mine. But in the process, I scared her.
My jaw tightened as anger flickered through me again, but this time, it wasn’t at her. It was at the men who did this to her, the ones who put that fear and pain in her eyes. I wanted their names. I wanted to find them, torture them, and make them understand what it means to touch something that belongs to me.
But standing there, staring at that empty doorway, I realized I had messed up.
"Fuck..." I muttered. I moved then, my steps heavy but quick, following the faint trail she left behind. It led me straight to the terrace, where the door stood open, letting the cold evening air rush in and hit my skin.
I stepped outside and saw her by the railing with her back to me. Her shoulders were shaking, and though she was trying to stay quiet, I could still hear the small, broken sounds of sobs she couldn’t hold in. Something in my chest twisted. I stopped. I didn’t go to her or touch her, knowing if I pushed again, I might make it worse.
"Aurora," I said quietly, my voice barely sounding like my own. She didn’t turn. Her hands just tightened on the railing like it was the only thing holding her together. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do. I’ve faced wars, led men into battle, and stood in front of enemies who wanted me dead, but this girl standing a few steps away... I didn’t know how to reach her, and that scared me more than anything.
I took one slow step forward, careful, like I was approaching a wounded animal. "I’m sorry," I said sincerely. "I didn’t mean to push you like that. I just..." I paused, swallowing hard. "I hate that you had to go through all of that alone. I wanted to take it away from you, not make it worse."
For a second, nothing happened. Then I saw her shoulders lower just a little. It wasn’t much, but it was a relief.
I wanted to go to her, to close the distance between us, to pull her into my arms and hold her there like nothing in this world could reach her. I wanted to tell her she was safe—that I had her, that she didn’t have to be afraid anymore, that no one was ever going to touch her again. But I forced myself to stay where I was. I held myself back, even though every part of me was screaming to go to her. I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I didn’t want to pressure her into something she wasn’t ready for.
"I won’t push you," I added quietly, my chest tightening with the weight of it. "You don’t have to tell me anything. I’ll wait... as long as it takes." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
I waited for her to say something, to turn to me, but she didn’t. She just kept staring out at the city, totally ignoring me.
The silence between us became awkward and tense.
I sighed, the sound heavy with a defeat I wasn’t used to feeling. "I think you need some space," I said quietly. "I’ll be inside... if you need me."
It hurt to walk away. Every instinct I had as a man and a wolf told me to reach out, to pull her into my arms and never let go, but I forced myself to move..
I turned to leave, my boots clicking dully on the floor. I had only taken two steps when I felt her move.
Suddenly, her arms wrapped firmly around my waist from behind. She pressed her forehead against my back, holding onto me like I was the only thing keeping her from falling off the edge of the world.
My heart slammed against my ribs, a wild, quick thud that echoed through my entire chest. I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
Slowly, I turned around in her arms and cupped her face. Her cheeks were wet, her eyes still swimming with tears that broke me.
I didn’t say a single word. I couldn’t. I just pulled her into me, tucking her head under my chin and hugging her so tightly I could feel her shaking. She hugged me back just as hard, inhaling my scent.
I pulled back just an inch and began placing soft, lingering kisses all over her face—on her forehead, her damp cheeks, the tip of her nose. Then I felt her lips curve into a small, shaky smile, and the knot in my gut finally loosened. I leaned in, sealing our lips in a passionate, deep kiss. She melted into it, her hands sliding up to my neck. We kissed until we were both breathless.
When we finally pulled apart, she looked up at me, nervous, biting her bottom lip.
That small, innocent gesture nearly destroyed my self control.
"I’m ready," she whispered. "It’s time."
I looked at her, searching her expression. "Are you nervous?"
She let out a small breath and nodded. "A little. But in a good way."
I nodded back, taking her hand and lacing our fingers together. "Come. I have a surprise for you."
I led her back into the warmth of the apartment, The tension from before was gone, replaced by a quiet, nervous excitement.
I walked through the living area and up the grand staircase. I stopped in front of a door I had kept locked since she arrived. I slowly pushed it open and stepped back to let her in.
Aurora stepped inside, and I heard her breath hitch. She gasped, her eyes going wide as she looked around the room, and then she turned back to me, her face full of shock and wonder..
