Chapter 0097
Ella POV
I hadn’t attended the carnival in the capital in a very long time. In fact, I hadn’t even realized it was coming up until Alexander invited me to go with him.
At first, I couldn’t picture someone like him at a carnival–with children running around, people eating cotton candy, and playing silly games in an attempt to win cute plushies.
The capital held this carnival every year. It was an opportunity for all of the packs to come together and celebrate the end of summer before the cold weather set in. Each pack, even the smallest, sponsored a ride or a game, usually something related to their strengths or what they were famous for.
Our pack had a sweet pastry booth to showcase our most popular recipes and sponsored a Ferris wheel. Alexander’s pack sponsored the carousel, a shooting game and a kebab stand.
As we made our way through the carnival, I had asked if he was obligated to attend to check in on he’d only smiled at me.
his pack, but
Now, an hour later, we were strolling hand in hand along the outskirts of the carnival grounds. The excited screams of children and the mouthwatering smells of fried foods filled the air.
The sun had started to set, making the lights of the carnival rides glow even brighter. Soon, there would be a fireworks display to mark the grand finale, and after that, people would begin to head home.
We had already eaten so much delicious food that I felt almost uncomfortably full, and Alexander had even won me a cute stuffed bunny, which was tucked securely under my arm as we walked.
1 glanced up at the sky, where the first stars were just beginning to twinkle. I could sense Alexander watching me. After a moment, I turned to him and smiled.
“Do I have something on my face?” I asked, teasing.
“A little bit of cotton candy,” he teased back, poking my cheek lightly.
I stuck my tongue out at him, and he laughed.
“Do you really like the carnival that much?” I asked, curious. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy.”
“I have good memories of the carnival,” he said with a slight shrug. “My father used to bring us every year.”
The smile on his face turned a little sad, and I immediately felt guilty for asking. This was the first time Alexander had ever mentioned his father to me. I didn’t know much about the former Alpha of the Black Rock pack, only that he had passed away unexpectedly and that Alexander had taken over his duties.
It must be so stressful for someone as young as Alexander to run such a large pack, especially because he seemed to handle so much of it on his own. That was why he was such a workaholic–he couldn’t afford to take a day off because there didn’t seem to be anyone else who could step in for him. At least, that’s how it looked to me.
I knew Alexander had siblings, but the rest of his family had been quite private ever since his father’s death. They didn’t like the media attention that came with trips to the capital, so they mostly stayed in their own packlands, leaving the public relations up to Alexander.
“It’s okay,” Alexander said softly, cutting off my train of thought. “I don’t mind talking about my father. You didn’t upset me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Are you a mind reader?” I asked, hugging my stuffed bunny a little tighter. “Maybe you should go take over the fortune–telling booth.”
Chapter 0097
+25 BONUS
He laughed. “It’s not as though you’re difficult to read. You re an open book.”
“I am not!” I protested, feeling a bit offended by the accusation.
“No,” Alexander said with a sigh. “I suppose you’re really rot. Sometimes I can tell exactly what you’re thinking. but other times…” He gave me a thoughtful look. “As I’ve said before, you can be quite the pretty puzzle.”
His words made my face heat up.
“You’re blushing,” Alexander pointed out, his words only making my face heat further. I didn’t bother trying to deny it–it was obviously true.
“You don’t have to pay me so many compliments when we’re alone,” I There’s no one around to overhear.”
said, trying to regain my composure
“Not all of my compliments are for show,” he said coolly, “In fact, most of them are genuine.
“I can never tell if you’re teasing me or being serious,” I mittered, not sure how else to respond.
“If you’d like,” Alexander said, stopping and turning his full attention to me, “I think I can show you how serious I am.”
1 stopped walking and turned to face him fully, my heartbeat starting to race. “What do you mean by that?” asked, my voice suddenly quieter. “How can you show me?
Alexander placed his hand on my waist and pulled me forward My breath hitched, but I didn’t resist as he drew me close, his other hand coming up to cup my cheek.
He leaned down slowly, deliberately, giving me time to pull away. I could hear my heartbeat thundering in my ears as I realized what was about to happen–he was going to kiss me. Really kiss me.
In the back of my mind, I knew I should stop this. It was a bad idea–everything between us was business, a plan to achieve a common goal. Letting emotions get involved would only complicate things and make it harder.
But as Alexander leaned closer, I found myself closing my eyes.
We had kissed before, but that had been a test–a way for him to see if I could play my part convincingly. This felt different.
When his lips finally pressed against mine, the kiss was firm yet gentle, purposeful in a way that made my head spin. I felt my stuffed bunny fall to the ground as my arms instinctively wrapped around him, pulling him closer.
Chapter 0090
