#Chapter 6 My Choice

～Grace～ My heart leapt into my throat, head spinning in confusion as I stood in the Lycan King’s arms. I noticed the warmth of Alex’s body pressed against mine, and I felt conflicted. Was he normally this forward with women, or was he treating me as someone special? He was quite attractive–in an intimidating and a powerful way. Something stirred within me, something I couldn’t name. Either way, I had to compose myself. No way was I letting him know he could fluster me. I pushed against his firm chest, but it was like pushing against a brick wall. He didn’t move even a centimeter. How impolite to hold a woman against her will! Becoming annoyed, I looked up and saw an amused look on his face as he watched me through strands of black hair that fell over his eyes. I scowled. He was playing with me! His request rang through my head as I tried to formulate a professional-sounding response. ‘Can I have you?’ He had asked. And so gently, too. Part of me wanted to just say ‘yes,’ as nothing would infuriate Liam more. His Luna, leaving him to be with his greatest enemy. But, as I push against Alex’s strong embrace, I can’t help but be wary of his intentions. “What do you mean by that?” I asked him, coolly, brushing hair away from my face. “What do you think it means,” Alex responded cheekily, and a familiar irritation that I always seem to feel when I interact with him spread through me. Couldn’t he just give me a straight answer? I had heard many rumors of the Lycan King. They had said he didn’t tolerate any form of disobedience and would bring all those guilty in front of the pack in order to publicly execute them. And if someone had managed to even accidentally insult the Lycan King, they would quickly find themselves unable to speak another word as their tongue would be removed. Rumors spread like wildfire in the political circle, and my logic told me that they were likely exaggerated. But, I couldn’t stop the instinctual, uneasy feeling that made my skin prickle whenever I was in his presence. I thought about the encounter with him on his front doorstep. How he had so quickly and unexpectedly turned against his own guard in order to grant me good grace. His behavior was unheard of in any other pack. If he truly was such a monster, I had to protect myself. I wouldn’t let him push me around so easily. “Show me some respect, I am a lady guest, after all,” I told him as firmly as I could, despite the fear that paralyzed my legs. Alex let go of me. I quickly moved my feet under me to hold myself up, and stared at him in surprise. He actually listened to me. Perhaps he wasn’t as ruthless as the rumors made him out to be? I watched him curiously as he took a step back and looked at the cuff of his sleeve that looked like it had unbuttoned during his quick motion to grab me. He snapped the cuff back together, still inspecting his sleeve as he began, “Liam, that idiot, actually managed to become Alpha King. I would be stupid not to recognize that his pack is getting stronger.” Alex paced in front of me, hand to his chin in thought. “I bet he’s so full of himself right now he’d never expect an attack made against him, especially not one made of words.” He seemed to actually be entertaining my request. Hope rushed through me. “I don’t mind embarrassing my rival to secure the throne of the strongest pack,” Alex said with a slight smile on his lips. He stopped right in front of me, folding his arms, expression becoming more serious. “I will help you.” I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Relief washed over me, warming me in this cold, dim room. “On one condition,” Alex continued. Of course. I had expected no less. But what would the Lycan King ask of me? If he chose something impossible like bringing him the moon or drying up the river– “I need you to stay here. Live with my pack and take care of Leo,” Alex said. What? I thought he was joking about me staying here. Was that really all the Lycan King wanted? I would have thought he’d pick something much more unattainable, more valuable. I frowned, feeling insulted as a thought popped into my head. He just sees me as a nanny! Of course he does! Me, a woman with nowhere to go, no responsibilities to attend to at the moment–he just thinks of me as nothing other than a maid! Fortunately, my years of strict etiquette training kicked in as I restrained my hand from rising to slap him. If he wasn’t the Lycan King, I would have. My eyes stung from the insult. “Please stay, please, please, please!” A whiny voice rang out, and I looked down at Leo in surprise. I had almost forgotten he was here. He hugged my legs tightly, and my face softened. There was nothing more that my heart truly desired than to be a mother. Liam’s betrayal hurt so much because of my difficulty to conceive. It honestly hurt more than I would ever admit to myself. Now because of my injury, if l wanted to conceive successfully, l needed to find my fated mate. But where could l find him？ Look at me, now. Cheated on and childless, ready to sell myself to the enemy. I sighed. The only way forward was to knock Liam from his throne and humiliate him–at least then, I could have my dignity back. I looked Alex in the eyes, nodding firmly, agreeing to his condition. “Great,” he said, wasting no time. “Now that we’re partners, we’ll need a way to keep in touch.” “I’ll give you my number,” I say, taking out my phone. “I don’t carry one,” Alex responded, casually. I blinked at him. How odd. Maybe he likes to be old-fashioned? But it seems so inconvenient not to use one… How does he stay on top of meetings and council notices? An idea crossed my mind, and I reached into my pocket, pulling out black eyeliner and a tube of red lipstick that I always kept on me to keep my appearance fresh. Using my phone’s camera, I reapplied my lipstick and eyeliner. Alex watched me, expression unreadable. Putting the lipstick back into my pocket, I stepped toward him and uncapped the eyeliner. “Lift up your arm for me?” I asked. He did, and without question, to my surprise. I pushed up his sleeve and carefully wrote my number on his skin with smooth strokes. Once I finished, I flashed him a smile. “There, now you can call me if you borrow someone else’s phone, or you use a payphone.” Alex chuckled, turning his arm towards him to look at the numbers. The ink, still wet, shone in the dim sunlight that passed through stained glass. I put the eyeliner back in my pocket and just as I turned to leave, I saw Alex reach in his pocket and pull out… a phone. I scowled. So he was playing a trick on me! I knew nobody in their right mind would walk around without a phone, especially someone in his position, who needed to contact countless important people. “My wolf, Thor, says you’re truly a perfect woman,” Alex said with a smile. I felt my face heat up, and I pressed my lips together. What was that supposed to mean? Already caught off-guard from his joke, and now his compliment, I shook my head in agitation. Was there no way this man couldn’t get under my skin? My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I looked at Alex, who seemed to have just sent me something. “There’s a charity event tonight,” he said. “That fool, Liam, will be there, of course.” Anger surged through me. Why hadn’t Liam informed me about this? Of course he hadn’t. When did he communicate anything important with me anymore? I’d be sure to surprise him when I show up at the event. I’ll wear the best gown I have– I look down at my leather jacket and jeans. Since I was staying here, now, I had nothing. All of my clothes were back at the Nightshade pack. And I sure wasn’t going to sneak back into my own house to grab a dress–Liam would be suspicious of that for sure. And if he caught onto my plan before I could set it into action– Going back home wasn’t an option. I pulled at the bottom of my riding jacket. I still had no solution.