Alec’s

How did she even know he was outside the door? She's still young and her wolf senses aren't that developed. Maybe it's their bond? But that would mean that it's getting stronger.

"Hey, Princess," Alec murmurs, that deep, rugged voice curling around me like warm smoke.

"Hi!" Aspen waves her little hand in his face, giggling. "You came.”

"I did," he says.

She hugs him tightly. "I didn't want to sleep before you came."

"I'm here, my little Pixie." He plants a soft kiss on her cheek.

Only then does he seem to register that Raven and I are in the room. He covers his surprise quickly and steps in with his usual confidence.

"Uh, I think I'm going to leave you guys and get some sleep," Raven says, rising from the bed.

I reach out to catch her hand, silently pleading, but she dodges me.

"Goodnight," she grins, blowing a kiss to Aspen.

Aspen catches it in the air like it's made of magic. Raven ignores my glare entirely and disappears.

I'm left shifting on the bed, not really sure what to do or how to act. It's funny how sometimes things between Alec and Ime feelso effortless and then there are times like now when they feel completely awkward.

"Will you read me a story?" Aspen beams at him.

"Anything for you, Pixie. Which one do you want?"

Goddess! The way he speaks and holds her so gently. Like she's this breakable China doll, leaves me weak and my walls shattered.

"Princess"

"A princess story it is." He kisses her again. "But first-did you brush your teeth?"

"No"

He grins. "That won't do. How about you take care of that first, and then I'll read to you. Deal?"noveldrama

Aspen nods so enthusiastically that I wince.

Alec sets her down, and she scampers off to the bathroom. When she's gone, he turns to me, slowly approaching until he's standing beside the bed.

My breath catches as the bond pulses between us.

"You still owe me a training session," he says with a smirk.

I laugh nervously. It's not the reminder that gets to me-it's how much want things I shouldn't want. Like the way I'm wishing he'd lean in and kiss me.

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog.

This is what I feared. The ruthless alpha I knew? That part of him e could handle. I could resist. But this gentle, soft, flirty side of him? have no defense against it and slowly that version is breaking down my walls.

"I want to ask you something," he says quietly, suddenly serious.

He inhales deeply, as if bracing himself for battle, while I wait, holding my breath. "Will you go out with me?"

I blink at him, stunned. That... was not what I expected.

"W-what?" I stammer, my eyes wide.

"Will you go out with me?" he repeats, eyes hopeful. "Like... on a date."

"You're asking me out?" I whisper. "Like a real date?"

"Yes," he chuckles. "A real one. Just us."

I let go of the pillow I am holding and lean forward.

I've been asked on dates multiple times. I agreed to some and rejected others, but this one feels different Maybe because it's my mate asking me. Maybe it's because it's ALEC asking me. I don't know, but it just feels different.

"I want to court you properly, Sadie," he says, his voice soft. "But I also

understand if you're not ready. I don't want to pressure you-"

"Yes." The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.

Alec stares at me, stunned. "Did you just say yes?"

"I did." I smile. "I'll go on a date with you."

Before I can blink, he picks me up and spins me around.

"Thank you," he breathes. "I swear I won't waste this chance."

And just like that... I said yes. I can't believe I gave him a chance.

My heart clenches with nervousness, afraid of what I could lose if he hurts me again. But underneath the fear and anxiety, there's a quiet, trembling hope.

Maybe this is the beginning of something beautiful.