BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha’s Little Demon
Chapter 125 – Sol – Blade – Althea
ADAN STONE…
After the event outside the packhouse, Lucy and I excused ourselves so we could freshen up before breakfast, as we promised my family that we would explain more while eating. But since it was still early, we were planning to play hooky for a while in our room, but the plan ended abruptly even before it started, even before we could reach our room.
Blade cornered me in the hallway leading to the stairs and requested to speak with me alone. From the expression on his face, I knew he would not accept a no, so I told my little bunny to go ahead and wait for me in our room instead, and I went with Blade into my office.
I heard him lock the door as I made my way to my chair, and as soon as I sat down, he threw a thick envelope on my desk.
“What’s that?” I asked as I leaned forward and grabbed it. I opened it to find stacks of cash inside. I didn’t ask again, but I raised it and waited for his reply.
“For Althea.” He answered in a cold voice.
“I’m not sure I understand,” I told him.
“I’m giving you back the money you paid me when I picked her up in the red mountains.”
“Okay, but the f*uc*k, man, I only give you a portion of this. This is ten times what I paid you.”
“Use it for her. It’s my life’s savings since I started doing mercenary work.”
I knew that when Blade left his territory, he didn’t take anything with him except his car and one duffel bag. His cards and cash were left behind, so everything in my hand right now was the money he earned in the last five years, doing what he was doing.
“I don’t understand. If you want to give her money, why does it have to come through me? Can’t you just give it to her?”
“I’m leaving.”
“You’re what? We didn’t even have time to catch up!
“We don’t need to. I know you’re happy, that’s enough for me.”
“And you? Are you happy? You know that I would never stop you from leaving, but I want to know what’s going on. This is about Althea, right? Don’t tell me you didn’t talk things out until now.”
“We did, but it’s going nowhere.” He let out a deep sigh before combing his fingers over his short hair. “Althea is not meant for me.”
“For Goddess’ sake! She’s your fated mate. She will not be given to you unless she was meant to be with you.” I told him firmly, without trying to raise my voice.
“And where does my first mate stand? She, too, was given to me and then taken away in the blink of an eye. I’m not going to stand here and wait for the same thing to happen again. I need to walk away while I still can.”
“Who said it’s going to happen again?” I asked, frustrated.
“This is not just about Althea dying. It’s everything. I don’t want to feel pain anymore. I’m done with it.”
“Don’t you love, or at least like, Althea?”
He didn’t reply, but I waited as he poured whiskey into an empty glassand drank it directly.
I was never patient, but I was trying, and his silence was pissing me off so much that I finally snapped. “Answer me, damn it! Don’t you f*uc*king love her?”
“I don’t love her! She’s too young! We will never see eye to eye!”
“Blade! At least give her a chance!”
“Do you hear yourself and how selfish you sounded?” He slammed the glasson the table before turning around to look at me. “Look at me, Stone! And look at Althea! How could a free-spirited, beautiful young female be mated to a man who had nothing more to offer? She’s young and fresh, while life was s*cked out of me years ago. I had given everything to Sol. Althea doesn’t deserve to get just a remnant of what I was. I am just a f*uc*king waste of space now, waiting for the day I will just vanish on earth.”
“Maybe I used the wrong term. Instead of saying you should give her a chance, I should be saying, give yourself a f*uc*king chance! You’re not giving yourself the credit you deserve! You’re a f*uc*king Alpha! Go take your pack back and claim your female!”
“Did you know why I work as a mercenary?”
I didn’t answer, but I knew what he wanted — to welcome death with open arms. But even if he wanted to, he would always come out victorious, wounded but alive.
“Is that what you still want after you met Althea?”
He didn’t answer and drank the remainder of his whiskey before pouring another glass.
“You’re just confused right now. Go and think about it. Maybe you’ll miss her while you’re gone. Come back when you’re ready to face her.” I added.
“I don’t want her to wait for me.”
“Who said about her waiting for you? When you walk out that door and out of my territory, my loyalty will shift from you to Althea. I will make sure this female will live her life without thinking about you.”
He didn’t answer so I continued. “So, what’s your plan after you leave?”
“Continue what I’d been doing. But what I do doesn’t matter at this point. I just want to make sure she’s provided for. Buy her a house, a car, everything she wants, and as much witchy, crazy stuff as she wants. Use it all on her. And if it’s not enough, just continue to provide for her, and I will pay you up to the last dime that you will spend on her.”
“Tell me you don’t love her.” I scoffed, mocking him.
“I do.” He paused, and I remained silent, waiting for him to continue. “I don’t even think about Sol on some days, and it makes me feel guilty.
Sometimes I wished, Althea didn’t come. I’m done with all the pain, Stone. I don’t want to experience it all again.”
“You’re causing your own pain.”
“How would you feel if the love of your life was taken away from you before you were ready? And then another one comes along, and slowly, she was ripping away all the pages and memories of my past without even trying?” He spoke in a slightly higher voice before punching the desk in front of him. “She ’s too young and has a full life ahead of her. She’s better off without me. I don’t want her to wake up every day thinking about who I liked more. She deserved a man who could love her and only her.”
“You marked her,” I growled lowly.
“I will come back when she’s ready to give herself to someone else.”
“You know you will feel the pain every time she’s intimate with someone.”
“I know… I’m prepared for it.” He answered almost immediately.
“And you will hurt her if you do the same.”
“I f*uc*ked around after Sol d*ied, but after two years I got tired of it. I haven’t touched any females for the last three years, and I don’t think I will in the coming years. I can survive. I won’t give her that pain.”
“Maybe Lucy and I can talk with Althea first. Don’t make a rushed decision.” I didn’t want to give up, but I saw in his eyes that his decision was final. “Thanks, man, but no need. I made up my mind, and nothing she can say can make me change my mind.”
“What if she doesn’t want to stay here?” I asked him.
“I don’t know. You’re my last hope, so I’m putting my whole faith in you and Lucy to look after her. She’s not a kid anymore, but… Forget it. If she doesn’t want to stay, then it’s up to her.” His mood suddenly shifted, which was nothing new. I was just used to it.
“I’ll do my best. But again, once you walk out this door, my loyalty will stay with Althea. You left her, and whatever she decides to do, I will guide her and make sure it’s best for her, not for you, or anyone else.”
“And that’s exactly what I want you to do.” He laid out his hand, and I stood up and took it. We shook hands firmly, but a part of me was still not in agreement.
“Thank you,” he said.
“If she looks for you, what will I tell her?”
“That I can’t do this with her. It’s up to her if she thinks I’m a coward or an a*s*shole. And tell her I wish her the best.”
“I want to f*uc*king punch you in the face.”
“Be my guest.” I chuckled and shook my head. “I’m serious, hit me.” He walked closer and stopped in front of my desk.
“f*uc*k you.” My face turned serious. If he asked one more time, I might give it to him.
“I’m f*uc*ked up already. I just need one good hit and then I’ll be okay.”
“Sometimes I don’t understand you.”
“Same here. Sometimes I don’t understand myself as well. Now, go and hit me.”