Chapter 53
Even though I made a commitment to myself that I wouldn’t fall for him easily, I discovered that I was unable to keep myself from falling apart internally in response to his words, his gaze, and his pitiful face.
I took off running to close the gap between us before encircling him with my arms.
“Screw you, Bash,” I muttered to him. “I missed you, too.”
He began to put his arms around me and I knew deep down that I had made the correct decision. Perhaps Ava’s judgment was accurate, that my behavior was overly stubborn.
Strangely, even though I was conscious of how much I had grown since I last encountered Bash, when we hugged, I found myself becoming more aware of how much taller he seemed than me. I was very little next to him. Additionally, his scent… was more intense and almost had a hint of sweetness hidden behind the more earthy notes. If I weren’t standing so close to him at the moment, I wouldn’t be able to identify the changes. Has he ever smelled that good?
The melody for the following song, which was slower, started to play behind me.
Bash backed away and turned to face me. “Dance along with me.”
It wasn’t a query or a proposal.
I could only give a feeble nod as he quickly drew me into a
slow move, our bodies moving in sync with each other. As we walked, I noticed his hand warming my waist, which gave me an odd feeling. Something unfamiliar… but lovely.
“You and Benjamin appear to be getting along better,” he stated after a while of dancing. “I still recall how just saying his name used to render you appear on the verge of passing
out.”
“I may be wrong about him after all,” I shrugged a little, hoping he wouldn’t ask too many questions. “All I had to do was give him a chance. He even helped save my life a few months ago.”
“Really?” he responded with astonishment.
“I was stunned as well.”
I grinned at him briefly. Within the two years since being brought back to life, I had conquered numerous obstacles and undergone significant changes. Although Benjamin himself wasn’t aware of it, it appeared that he had as well.
“Anyway…” I added, “I didn’t know whether you had heard, but I had recently been appointed the Beta heir, at least. As soon as I become eighteen, I will have to do a final evaluation.”
“I see,” he replied. “I’ve heard fascinating stories about Beta heir Saintess of Lock Hearts, along the way to the Black Alder pack. Is it accurate to say, you threatened to strike them if they rejected the bargain you were offering to the whole Golden Blade council?”
In shame, I noticed my cheeks getting hot. “It’s actually not my best moment.”
He chuckled. “So, is it accurate? Winona, why did you start being such a badass? You have made such progress. It appears that your training was worthwhile, even without my extraordinary direction. Just take a look at those little muscles.”
He took one of my hands that rested on his chest, then shook it gently.
“Ah, excuse you,” I answered, in a pretend offended tone and retreated from his touch. To my astonishment, he proceeded to hold on and followed my stride, somehow blending it into the dance as I spoke. “Do you want me to remind you, who fought beside you the time we rescued Ava? I was still fourteen, when I used my own bare hands to finish off an adult wolf! How can that not be badass?”
“Okay, okay,” he chuckled. “You always had it in you, I’ll admit that. However, I wish I had been able to witness the expression on the council members’ faces, when you told them that. But, is it even something you can actually do? Sounds a little overpowering.”
I chuckled a little before putting my palm over my lips. Although, I would not say that the day I spent in their council chamber was one of my finest memories, Bash bringing it up in this manner, somehow helped me to view it in an amusing
way.
“No, no! Obviously not,” I stated, still attempting to control my laughter. “I was just tired of them not listening to me, after I gave them such a fantastic deal in the hopes that it would motivate them to do so. Tell me you wouldn’t threaten to smash a brick wall after hours of trying to negotiate with it.”
“Hey, I’m not looking down on you,” he replied. “So that, you wouldn’t smite me, Saintess.”
I softly punched his shoulder. “Sebastian Williams, I wouldn’t even need the might of God to smack you in the nuts. I’m more than capable of doing things on my own.”
“Should I make a bet, Winona?” he remarked, with a teasing tug on his lips. “The loser has to buy lunch?”
I stared at him intently, a smile appeared on my face. “I’ll take your bet, sir.”
After that, he turned me around in his arms, so I shrieked in joy at the surprise. I wasn’t expecting Bash to be such a natural dancer. However, I was certain that this was simply another maneuver he would use to win over the women at home. I was unable to imagine the level of fame he must have attained since turning legal age. Did he ever figure out how to stop playing around? I guess there wasn’t really a need. Being the Alpha heir without a mate would let him live his finest single life.
However, it seemed normal to be in his presence once more. There was always something to talk about, so you would feel comfortable around him. As if there was a binding magnetic
energy.
“I’m so happy we got to catch up once more,” he stated, after we had been silent for the previous few moments, just savoring each other’s presence. “I had been struggling to deal with it, then I was starting to worry that maybe I was losing my mind. Nonetheless, to see you here once more, I can’t help but feel foolish for waiting so long to return.”
I,,scowled as I gazed up into his glowing eyes. “Struggling with
“A lot of things,” he continued, losing the earlier sense of humor in his voice. “Struggling with how one person had made me eager to do better every day, made me thrilled to get up… struggling with the truth that I had been so content around her, even if she had always been so dang obstinate… and struggling with the possibility that perhaps…”
He abruptly paused dancing and came in, placing his mouth next to my ear.
“That perhaps I had affection for you, Winona.”
