11
~Darlon's POV
I walked back to my room, my chest still tight, my face burning. I couldn't believe it, me, Alpha Darlon, blushing like a boy who just got caught stealing a kiss.
I shut the door behind me and leaned against it, rubbing my face with both hands. "What the hell was that?" I muttered. My heart was still racing like I'd just run a battle.
But the way she looked at me, confused, innocent, scared, damn, it did something to me. I wasn't even sure what I was doing until I found myself leaning closer to her. I just wanted to taste her lips, to see that look in her eyes when she froze and forgot how to breathe.
But she pushed me away.
I let out a low sigh and dropped onto the edge of my bed, staring at the floor. "She must think I'm insane," I whispered. Maybe I was. Maybe I really scared her this time.
I ran a hand through my hair and laughed softly, shaking my head. "She probably thinks I was trying to force her." The thought made my chest twist uncomfortably. I hated that. I didn't want her to be afraid of me.
She's too soft. Too unsure. And I like that, way too much.
I sat there for a long time, thinking about her. About her lips. Gods, those lips. They were warm and trembling and so soft it almost drove me mad. And she didn't even know how to kiss. She was awkward, unsteady, and unsure, and that just made it worse. I wanted to teach her. Slowly. Gently.
I groaned and stood up, pacing. "Get a grip, Darlon," I muttered to myself. "You're acting like a boy."
I walked to the window, looking out at the moonlight spilling over the courtyard. It was quiet, peaceful. But I couldn't calm down. I kept picturing her face, the shock, the blush, the way her eyes widened when I leaned closer.
"Maybe I was crowding her," I said under my breath. "Maybe she just… panicked."
That thought didn't help either. I didn't want her to panic around me. I wanted her to feel safe, even when I was near. Especially when I was near.
I sighed again. I needed sleep. Maybe by morning she'd forget the whole thing. Or at least stop shaking every time I walked past.
As I lay on the bed, I stared up at the ceiling, my thoughts spinning. I couldn't shake the image of her lips, her eyes, her voice. Everything about her just stayed in my head like a spell I couldn't break.
"Tomorrow," I murmured. "Tomorrow, I'll fix it. I'll make sure she actually enjoys this honeymoon."
"Or I should just allow her to take charge of the whole honeymoon thing?"
With that thought, I finally drifted off to sleep.
Morning came too soon. The soft light crept through the curtains, painting golden lines across the room. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint sounds of footsteps and chatter outside.
I sat up slowly, running a hand through my hair. The air was cold, and the bed felt too big, too empty. "Get it together," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.
But damn, the quiet made it hard to believe that. I couldn't shake her off my mind. The image of her, hair messy, cheeks flushed, eyes wide with innocence, kept replaying like some stubborn dream I didn't want to wake from.
I sighed and stood up, grabbing the first shirt I could find. I didn't even bother with a bath; I just wanted to see her. The crisp white shirt clung neatly to my shoulders, the dark trousers fitting just right. Simple. Clean. No unnecessary details, just like me.
When I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I saw what everyone else saw: the Alpha of Alphas. Cold. Sharp. Untouchable. My expression didn't waver; my eyes gave nothing away. That's the face that kept people trembling, the face that made grown men bow before they even spoke.
But looking at it now, I hated it a little.
"I guess I should stop making that face around her," I muttered, leaning closer to the mirror. "So I don't scare her away again."
The thought made me smirk slightly. Her fear last night wasn't what I wanted.
I wanted her to look at me, without flinching.
When I opened the door, the corridor outside was already alive with soft movements, maids scurrying about, guards standing alert. The moment they saw me, they froze like statues, heads bowed immediately.
"Good morning, Sire," they chorused in trembling voices.
I gave a small nod. I didn't have to say anything. They all knew not to make eye contact. My presence alone was enough to keep them quiet.
As I entered the dining hall, the room felt strangely empty. The long table was already set, plates arranged perfectly, silver shining. But there was only one set of food, mine.
I frowned slightly, glancing around. "Where's my wife?"
The head maid froze immediately and bowed so low I thought she might faint. "My Alpha, the Luna, requested to have her meal in her quarters this morning. She has already been served."
I said nothing at first. I just stared at her. The room went completely silent. Every maid stopped breathing.
She quickly added, "She…she said she wished to dine alone, Sire. We made sure she was properly attended to."
I hummed quietly, turning my gaze away. "I see."
I walked slowly to the table and sat down. But my mind wasn't on the food.
She didn't want to eat with me.
Was she really that uncomfortable around me? Or was she still thinking about what happened last night?
I picked up my cup, took a sip of coffee, and let out a long breath. "Maybe I really did scare her," I muttered quietly.
The maids looked up for half a second, shocked that I had spoken out loud, to myself. I caught their glances and said coldly, "Out. All of you."
They scattered instantly. The room emptied within seconds.
I sat there alone, tapping my finger on the table. I didn't even feel like eating anymore.
My chest felt tight again, just like last night. I didn't want her to fear me. I didn't want her to think I didn't care.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple, trying to push away the restless thoughts running through my head. "Damn it, Elara," I whispered under my breath. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
It was almost laughable. I was sitting there, losing sleep over a woman's silence. Over her absence. Over the idea that maybe, just maybe, she was scared of me.
What a damn joke.
But the truth? I didn't care how it looked. Not when it came to her. I sighed and pushed my plate away. My appetite was gone, replaced by a hollow ache in my chest I didn't want to name. Maybe I should just let her be today. Give her space. Let her breathe.
But the thought of not seeing her face, not hearing that quiet voice, burned more than I wanted to admit.
Because the truth was, I missed her already.