The silence was awkward and tense. Kyle was undoubtedly mad at her for disobeying him. He’d been lenient, yet here she was, crossing boundaries. When the car finally stopped, Kyle waited, unspeaking, for Ashlee to get out.
“Kyle.” She tried again, but this third attempt at breaking the silence only deepened her embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, okay. I messed up, but that’s because you wouldn’t accept my request,” she said, shifting the blame onto him.
“Did I ask for an explanation?” His words struck her like arrows. The coldness in his tone was unbearable. She hadn’t yet learned how to handle someone she loved being angry with her.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered, biting her lip and staring at her hands as they fidgeted in her lap, still unable to bring herself to leave the car.
Kyle looked away, cursing himself silently. He knew he shouldn’t have been so harsh. His words mattered to her. Glancing back, he saw the regret in her eyes for going off on her own when he’d said no. She looked vulnerable, and his resolve weakened. Without thinking, his hand reached for hers.
She looked at him, her surprise softening into relief. Was he done being angry? Would he talk to her again?
“Quit acting cute,” he muttered, rolling his eyes and looking away to hide his smile. She smirked, understanding what she needed to do to win him over.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” she whispered, scooting closer and resting her chin on his shoulder. His ears reddened as she called him baby. What on earth was this girl doing to him?
“I know you like it,” she whispered into his ear, giggling. He clenched his jaw, knowing she had no idea what she was provoking.
“I’ll be a good girl, daddy.” Her last words broke his restraint. His hands shot up to her neck—not strangling her, just holding her firmly.
“Baby, you don’t know who you’re playing with.” He growled, his face close to hers. She smirked, her hands slipping into his hair.
“I know you won’t hurt me,” she murmured with a soft smile, her eyes brimming with trust. His grip softened until he let go.
“Why did you go there?” he asked, unable to ignore his curiosity.
“I…” She looked into his eyes, “I just needed to know it wasn’t my fault. If I hadn’t gone, I’d have spent my life blaming myself, and that’s too hard. I wanted to be free from it.” She lowered her head in shame.
Did she really still think her mother’s death was her fault? Despite all his reassurances? Now he understood why she’d been distant with him the night before.
How was she so pure and innocent?
“It wasn’t your fault.” He stroked her hair, his fingers tangling gently. She smiled weakly and nodded.
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“I know now. Thank you for being by my side and putting up with me.” She rested her head against his chest, feeling grateful and safe. Most people wanted something in return, but Kyle never asked for anything.
“I’ll always be by your side, princess.” He promised, patting her back. She sighed heavily, sitting up.
“Now, the main point. What’s going on with you and your father?” Her blunt question left him no escape.
“We just don’t… fit well,” he replied, trying to dodge.
“What are you, a couple? You need to fit in?” she quipped, determined to get the truth. She wanted to know all of him, even his darkest memories.
“Alright.” He sighed, gripping the steering wheel. “It started in childhood when it was decided I’d be Alpha. My dad wanted me strong and untamable. I became an object he sharpened for battle. I wasn’t his son anymore. Through stormy nights and burning heat, I trained without mercy, not even when my mom begged for a reprieve. I managed to endure, but when I was still small, he sent me to fight other packs. They mocked me, beat me like a dog, leaving me bruised. After countless defeats, I wanted it to end, so I started using my brain since my body wasn’t enough. I won my first fight and came home…”
His eyes grew dark, distant, and watery as he recalled his father’s icy reaction.
“It’s alright, I understand,” Ashlee soothed, stroking his back, giving him the confidence to continue.
“I came home, proud of my victory, but he called me dirt. Said I needed to train myself to death if I had to. From that moment on, he never smiled at me. No matter what I did, I could never reach his standard. I’ll never be the strongest Alpha in his eyes, and I don’t know why.” He sighed, rubbing his face.
Ashlee hugged him warmly, letting him hide his face in her neck. It was the first time she’d seen him cry. He was hurting inside, too, yet he protected and fought for everyone else.
“You are the best Alpha in history, Kyle,” Ashlee assured him, unwilling to let this memory weaken him.
“Ashlee.” He sighed, composing himself.
“Yeah?” She asked, hoping he’d reveal more.
“You don’t even know what an Alpha is. How do you know the history?” He chuckled, unable to stay serious with her for more than ten minutes.
It had become his daily ritual to tease her now.
She punched his chest playfully, pouting, “You’re still a jerk,” she muttered, getting out of the car.
“Where are you going?” he called after her, chuckling as she stomped away.
Both fell asleep, cuddling in each other’s arms. Kyle made it clear to the pack not to ask where Ashlee had gone. He didn’t want anyone to bring it up again and risk hurting her.
“Alpha!” A mind link snapped him awake in the middle of the night.
He looked at the clock: 2:15 AM. Who was calling him at this hour? He looked out the window to see the pack gathering, Derion barking orders.
“What’s going on, Derion?” Kyle asked through the mind link.
“It’s vampires again. We need to move quickly—they’re in our territory.” Derion’s voice sounded urgent.
Kyle groaned, rubbing his temples. He glanced back at Ashlee, sleeping peacefully, bathed in moonlight. How did he ever deserve such a beautiful mate?
“Hey, sweetie,” he whispered, brushing a lock of hair off her face. She murmured and clung to him.
“I need to leave for work,” he murmured. She made a face that nearly made him laugh.
“Why? It’s still night,” she mumbled, eyes half-shut as she noticed the dimly lit room.
“I have to lead the pack. I can’t send them off without me,” he tried to explain gently, not wanting her upset.
“Why can’t they?” She groaned, eyes still closed. She must have been exhausted from the day.
“I’ll be back soon,” he whispered, and she nodded sleepily. He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her neck before finally slipping away.
Ashlee woke suddenly, touching her neck where he’d kissed her. She looked around the room, disoriented.
“Was it a dream? Did he actually leave?” she sighed, feeling disappointed.
“I already miss him so much,” she whined, heading to the bathroom. “And he didn’t even tell me where he went! Ugh!” she groaned to herself.
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