Chapter 23
~Alexia-
"You did not sleep?" Rae asked, lifting her brow in Alexia's direction.
"Un, yeah. I guess I'm still not used to the soft cushions of the bed," she lied.
Alexia went to the dining area with her eyes half-closed. Yes, after sharing a hot kiss with Kieran, she struggled to sleep last night. She spent two hours turning and tumbling on her bed, just thinking about how the kiss made her incredibly happy.
Kieran told her he was teaching her how to do it right in front of the people, but she felt it was more than just that. To her, the kiss was real, very real.
She did not see Kieran at breakfast. Rae told her that he and Jaxon took an early morning run to the woods, intending to observe the eastern border.
She spent the first part of the day talking to Rae about the next annual ball happening in two months.
Many social gatherings happened all year round where the alphas could meet werewolves from other packs. Once in a while, an alpha would find his mate on similar occasions. One of them was the annual ball.
Immediately, the thought of Kieran finding his mate during such an event occurred to Alexia. She silently wished, 'I hope Kieran won't find his mate.'© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Considering the possibility, Alexia was not interested in attending, but unfortunately for her, she and Kieran were expected to take part in the event, along with selected unmated warriors.
Rae gave her a checklist as they were seated in front of the small round table on the patio. She said, "The things we need to prepare for are your gown, and your shoes." She shrugged and added, "We need to decide on your hair and make-up, and then, you'll need to chitchat with other lunas - you know, so, like the last time, you need to know all about them." "I'll prepare their profiles for you," Rea said.
Alexia sucked in a breath. Then, as if reading her mind, Rae smirked, saying, "Don't worry, Alpha Kieran has attended this many times. He did not find his mate because you are probably his mate."
"I don't know about that," she remarked. 'But I certainly hope.'
After the kiss she shared with Kieran last night, Alexia feared there was no going back. She was starting to feel things that should not be there. She was scared, but at the same time, she could not help it. Alexia skipped lunch that day. She preferred a two-hour sleep more than ever.
When it was time for her training, she changed into her workout clothes and rushed to Kieran's office. She could tell he was already home, because the house smelled so much of him.
Alexia knocked on his door and heard him say, "Come, Alexia."
When she came in, she asked, "How did you know it was me?"
"I can smell you from a mile away," Kieran replied as she was seated behind his desk.
'Ah. I thought I was the only one,' Alexia reflected. Possibly, it was the kissing. They were getting more familiar with each other that they could smell each other's scent strongly, unlike the weeks before. Alexia settled in the seat in front of Kieran. Then, she asked, "So, what is it you want to change in our contract?"
"Are you forgetting something?" Kieran asked.
Unlike the last, Alexia already knew what he was asking, but it confused her. They were not in public! Why was he asking for a kiss? It added to Alexia's confidence, thinking Kieran was starting to like her too.
Alexia saw it as an opportunity to test her theory. She cautiously walked toward him. With her face burning, she pushed her hair back and leaned down for a kiss.
They kissed once and twice before Kieran reached for her arm and pulled her into his lap. He wrapped one arm around her and used his other hand to hold her chin. He instructed, "Do it properly."
Following his command, Alexia shut her eyes and indulged in the kiss. She opened her mouth wider for him, and, for the first time, their tongues met. It sent happy tingles down her abdomen that she grabbed the collar of his shirt, and her body tensed.
She wiggled slightly and suddenly felt something hard beneath her butt cheek. Alexia wanted to end the kiss now, ashamed at awakening something down there, but Kieran kept her in place.
"Alpha, here is Alexia's bank -Oh, wow!" Thank goodness for Jaxon's arrival. Alexia was saved from the humiliation of recognizing Kieran's boner!
"Sorry, I did not mean to intrude," Jaxon said, bowing. "My apologies, Alpha." He quickly placed the documents on Kieran's table and retreated to the door. Holding the doorknob, he suggested, "Please, carry on."
Alexia clearly saw the smirk on Jaxon's face as he shut the door.
"Learn how to knock, Jaxon!" Kieran growled.
After being caught in such an awkward situation, Alexia peeled off Kieran, and he let her.
They did not speak about the kiss. Instead, Kieran went straight to business. He first checked the envelope Jaxon placed on his table and then handed the same to Alexia. He said, "This is your savings account. It has two million dollars in it
Alexia's mouth fell to the floor. She leaned back, asking, "How do I have a savings account? I don't have money -"
"You do now. The money came from your father. Yes, I had to use unfriendly means, but don't you ever go soft on your father, for he
deserved much worse punishment!"
Kieran revealed. "This is his
ΛΟ
compensation for not attending to
your proper needs."
Alexia unknowingly put a hand on her chest. Her face paled at the news. Not that she was sad, she was more shocked!
Silence stretched between them for seconds, with Alexia simply staring at the card and the passbook. Soon, water welled in her eyes, and she said, "Thank - thank you, Kieran. I - I did not expect this."
A tear fell down her cheek when she remarked, "This does not erase the pain, but it soothed my heart to know that you tried to give me justice."
"I did not want money, but you are right. They should pay, one way or another. At least this money will help me feel better, knowing that I won't be solely relying on you," Alexia added.
Kieran nodded. He answered, "It is my duty as your alpha and your husband. And! There is nothing wrong with relying on me."
Without giving her a chance to react, Kieran said, "Now, about our contract."
Kieran reached into his second drawer and pulled out a new set of documents. He described, "Alexia, I had given this much thought... I realize how I was unfair to you. The king ordered me into this marriage, but so were you." "Knowing now that you or your family had not influenced the king's orders, I decided to change the contract." Kieran pushed the envelope to Alexia. "Read while I discuss the new terms."
"You will have full rights of being my luna. You are free to make your own decisions - not against your will. You can now sit with me, eat with me and share the same space with me." Kieran began. They were only at the first part of the amendment, but Alexia was already thrilled. She had two shocking news in one day! First, his father compensated, and now Kieran changed their contract!
"Lastly, as you see fit, you are free to ask - demand of me, the responsibilities of an alpha to a luna, including providing for all your needs, giving you full recognition as the luna of my pack, and of course, the usual." He added. That was not clearly stated in the contract. In what Alexia read, it simply said that she had the full rights of being his luna and that she could demand Kieran to perform his responsibilities to her. 'But what did he mean, exactly?' "What - what other usual responsibility should I expect from you? This is... more than enough," Alexia explained. A smile formed on her face as she said, "Thank you, Kieran, for the chance you have given me."
"The usual responsibility I was
referring to involved me planting
seeds. When you want, and you are
him
ready, I can... make love to you," he added. There was not a single expression on his face that gave away. Alexia could not tell how he felt about his suggestion,
'Love - make love.' Alexia never knew this man was capable of saying the word. Yet, despite her shock, it sank into her head that he was suggesting they would have sex!
Can she do it? She did not know. She had yet to decipher his feelings for her, and there was this pending matter that would remain undetermined until she turned twenty-one! Were they even true mates? "We don't want to disappoint the pack members. They are right. The Stone Blood Pack needs an heir, and being their luna and alpha, we must deliver it to them. It is our obligation," Kieran resumed.
"Of course, as stated in the prior paragraph, you are free to choose. You may or may not approve of the plan of bearing my child," Kieran closed. "As for the rest of the contract, everything else remains the same." Kieran sucked in a breath. He looked into Alexia's eyes and asked, "So, what will it be, Alexia?"