Chapter 19
CHARLOTTES POV
“Why can’t this man leave me alone?” I muttered as I declined his call for the fifth time that evening
After lunch. Leslie and I went back to the hospital. I sat behind my desk and went through the pile of files waiting for me. Patient reports, lab results, treatment approvals, surgery schedules. I signed where I needed to, made a few notes, adjusted dosages, and flagged two cases that needed follow–up before night rounds. Being the head doctor meant paperwork never ended, even on days I didn’t step into the operating room.
About an hour later, I went into the mini lab inside my office.
Ace’s drugs were kept there, along with other special drugs.
I measured the liquids carefully, mixing and watching the color change. I placed a drop under the scanner, my eyes fixed on the screen as the readings came up. I adjusted the compound, added another extract, then scanned it again.
It was still not stable enough. I sighed, made notes on my tablet, and started over.
I had done so much research after seeing his body and hearing how the moon goddess cursed him. I searched old medical records, ancient pack and Alpha texts, forbidden files, even cases that were sealed. That was how I learned how to control his pain. I could only use my gift to dull his pain and heal him for a while. It wasn’t a cure.
Until he finds and makes peace with the woman he rejected, or somehow convinces the moon goddess to change her mind. the curse would keep eating him alive. And the second option was almost impossible.
It was past seven when I finally decided to go home.
I slipped a few files into my bag, research notes, and the vial formulas I had been working on. I could continue at home.
The door opened without a knock
Thinking it was my secretary, I spoke without looking up. “I’m going home, Genevieve. Pack the remaining files, shut down the lab computer, and lock the cabinets. Make sure the fridge is sealed too. I don’t want anyone touching anything in here.”
When I didn’t hear her answer, I spoke again and lifted my eyes to the door. “Are you not listening to me.”
It wasn’t my secretary. It was the Alpha who had been blowing up my phone for the past few hours.
The door was already closed and he was leaning against it. His hair was messy, like he’d been running his hands through it all day. His arms were folded across his chest, two buttons undone. His thick brows were pulled together in a frown. His sparkling white shirt seems specially made for him with the way it clung to him, making my throat dry. I swallowed before I could stop myself.
“Ace, what are you doing here?” My voice came out low, almost a whisper. I hated myself when his lips lifted in a small smile.
“I like the way my name sounds when you say it,” he said. “It makes me feel like you want me.” He lowered his voice, I barely caught the last line. “And I want you to want me.”
His long legs carried him closer, until I had no space left to move. I stepped back without thinking and my hips hit the table. Before I could straighten, his hands came down on both sides of me, palms flat on the table, trapping me in between him
I couldn’t breathe, he was too close.
“What are you doing?” I whispered. “Can you move back, please? I want to leave”
1/4
135 pm
Shaper 19
My eyes stayed ghied to his hard chest, for some reason couldn’t bring myself to look up, not when I knew those piercing forest green eyes would already be watching me.
“I called you so many times today. You didn’t pick up.”
“I was busy.” I replied. “I have a lot to do and I’m already behind schedule.”
His fingers slid under my chin, forefinger and thumb lifting my face before I could stop him.
“Do I make you uncomfortable?” he probed.
‘Yes, I mused to myself.
“No, you don’t.” My heart was racing just standing this close to him, beating too fast for no reason I wanted to admit.
“Then look at me when I’m talking to you,” he cooed. “Stop avoiding my gaze.”
His voice carried so much authority and before I realized it, I lifted my gaze to his. My breath stopped the moment our eyes
met.
My body reacted to his touch and his nearness like it knew him. Like this wasn’t new. Like it had been here before. I didn’t like him. I didn’t want to like him. Yet my skin felt warm, and so aware of him. That strange sense of familiarity scared me.
“I’ve never had to call anyone the way I called you today. You enjoy doing this to me, don’t you?” I couldn’t describe the clash of emotions I saw in his eyes. It wasn’t his usual cocky look.
“You kept calling, it was distracting, so I put my phone on silent.”
“It would’ve been easier to pick up,” he added.
“What do you want, Ace? You make me so angry I just want to beat you up so bad. I…”
The rest of my words died when his lips suddenly crashed into mine.
I hit his chest, pushing at him, but he didn’t move an inch. I beat his chest, trying to push him away but he was strong. When my lips parted to protest, he took advantage of it, deepening the kiss, pulling at my lips like he needed it to survive. I tried to resist, but my strength failed me. My body trembled at how good that felt.
I had never been kissed like this. Not in the six years after I woke from that coma. Yet my body reacted like it remembered.
He finally pulled back. His eyes were dark, burning with something raw. I sucked in a sharp breath and froze when I saw his wolf flashing through his eyes. It was huge and black, nothing like any wolf I had ever seen. It was just for a second before he disappeared.
My wolf purred in my head, howling in satisfaction. What the hell was wrong with Astra? One minute she was fire, the next she was ice.
“I didn’t want to stop.” His chest was heaving. “But I had to. If I continued, I wouldn’t be able to hold back.”
“Why did you do that?” I stepped away from him. My legs felt weak. He moved back too, giving me space.
“Do what?” His jaw tightened, like he was struggling to stay in control. “Kiss you?”
I nodded.
“I couldn’t stop myself.”
2/4
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you a wide
He opened his mouth, then closed it again. No excuse came out
I let out a dry laugh “Exactly. That’s what I though
“It’s complicated,” he said quickly. “And I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me. Our relationship at what it locks the. There married only on paper
I stared at him, disbelief washing over me “Do you hear how ridiculous you sound right now? Saying your wife kossed you and you didn’t kiss her back?” I scoffed “Married only on paper”
He ran a hand through his hair, thinking “Yeah, it sounds crazy. I know. But it’s the truth How do I make you behet me
“She’s the woman you rejected your mate for, isn’t she?
The color drained from his face. His shoulders sagged like something heavy slammed into him. He looked wounded and
“Please,” be breathed softly, his voice deep. “Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what? Talk about your Luna? Gosh, you’re unbelievable. How can you stand here and lie to my face?” I took a few deep breaths, trying to steady myself “She’s the one you rejected your mate for?” I pointed at the woman on the television
“Yes,” he replied, like I’d pressed a gun to his head.
“You rejected your whole mate for her, and you still have the nerve to tell me it’s complicated?”
I don’t love her. I haven’t loved her for years,” he said, his voice was begging for me to believe him.
“Lies”
His eyes went wide. “What?”
“The last time we talked, you said she was worth it. She was worth you rejecting your fated mate for. I know that as a medical doctor who wants her patient to live, I said you should find that woman and make amends. But as a woman..” I took a deep breath. “I really hope you don’t find her. And if you do, I hope she doesn’t forgive you”
His face froze. His chest heaved, and I could see the way his jaw clenched, like every word I said hit him straight in the gut.
“Please, get out of my office.”
3/4
4.35 pm
hapter 19
He didn’t make any move to leave and that was when I noticed the blood stain creeping above his elbow and spreading fast. It wasn’t there before. His shirt was quickly soaking through.
“What’s happening to you?” I quizzed, panic replacing all my anger.
He shut his eyes, gritting his teeth, his fists tightening at his sides. His body trembled slightly, but he fought to stay upright. every muscle tense as if trying to hold back a storm.
“I’m fine, it’s just those minor ones. It’ll stop…” His voice was strained, brittle like it could crack at any second.
I helped him out of his shirt. Seeing him like this again made my heart ache. I could feel a trace of his pain even without touching him. My wolf whimpered in my head.
How was this even possible?
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
