Chapter
The Kiss
**Aldrich’s POV**
We sat side by side on the weathered bench, the silence between us heavy and unspoken. She gazed into the distance, her profile illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun. She looked radiant, almost otherworldly. Any other time, I would have admired her beauty unabashedly, but now, unease gnawed at me. Her quietness wasn’t serene; it was guarded, and I couldn’t help but worry that my earlier actions had unsettled her.
I cursed myself inwardly. “What were you thinking, Aldrich? Acting so impulsively–like some lovesick fool!” If only I had kept my composure, our comfortable rapport would still be intact. But no, I had overstepped, and now the air between us felt strained.
Trying to mask my turmoil, I forced a smile and asked, “Hey, would you like to watch the sunset later?” My voice came out awkwardly, my attempt at nonchalance clearly failing.
She hesitated before responding, her voice softer than usual. “Of course.”
Her tone lacked its usual enthusiasm, and I could feel the disappointment settle in my chest. I plastered on another weak smile, hoping to lighten the mood. “That’s great. Let’s go.”
Inside, I berated myself. What a mess I’d made of things. It was as if I’d forgotten how to be around her. Normally, her presence made me feel alive, but now I was drowning in my own self
-consciousness.
Even my wolf was restless. *“You’ve ruined everything! She’s upset because of you!“* he growled in the back of my mind. I wished I could silence him, but he was only echoing my own fears.
Thelma stood up, her expression uncertain as she glanced at me. I stayed rooted in place for a moment, unsure of what to do. My hesitation made me feel like a fool. When I finally caught with her, I tried to sound casual. “I found a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. You’ll love it. Do you want me to grab some snacks before we go?”
קון
Normally, when we went out together, she would take my hand without hesitation. Now, I didn’t even dare to hope for that simple gesture. I was just grateful she hadn’t decided to leave. altogether.
“No, I’m fine. bet’s just go watch the sunset,” she replied, shaking her head. Her voice polite but lacked the usual warmth, and it stung more than I cared to admit.
was
The drive to the hill was quiet. My heart felt heavy as I stole glances at her. Perhaps she had only agreed to come along because she didn’t want to hurt my feelings. Thelma was kind like that too gentle to turn someone down outright. The thought only deepened the ache in my
chest.
The hill was a place I had discovered recently, and I had been so excited to share it with her. It
was a stunning location, with wildflowers carpeting the ground in bursts of vibrant color and an unobstructed view of the horizon. I had imagined us sitting together, enjoying the beauty of the setting sun, and sharing one of those easy joyful moments that had come to define our time together. But now, as we climbed onto the roof of the carriage to take in the view, the atmosphere between us felt so different.
Thelma leaned back against the car, her long brown hair fluttering in the breeze. I took a seat beside her, careful to leave some space between us. The silence stretched on, broken only by the rustling of the wind. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her hand shift slightly in my
direction.
My heart raced. Was it an accident, or had she done it intentionally? Before I could decipher her intentions, she leaned closer.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of sincerity that eased some of my tension. “I like it here.”
I turned to her, my eyes meeting hers. In the golden light of the setting sun, her gaze held a quiet intensity. The fiery hues of the sunset reflected in her eyes, making them seem like molten amber. She was breathtaking.
I felt myself leaning closer to her, drawn in by the moment. The light wrapped around her, illuminating her as if she had been touched by heaven itself. She was a vision, and I couldn’t look away. My heart whispered fervently that this was where I was meant to be–beside her, in, this fleeting, perfect moment.
But I hesitated. Rationality fought against the overwhelming urge to close the gap between us. If I acted on my feelings now, would I ruin everything? Would she pull away:
Just as I opened my mouth to say something, she moved closer still. I froze as her face came into view, every feature etched with stunning clarity. Her lips parted slightly, and my breath caught in my throat.
Then it happened.
Her lips brushed against mine, soft and warm. It was the briefest of touches, yet it felt like the culmination of every dream I had ever dared to hope for. My mind went blank, and for a moment, all I could do was sit there, stunned by the sheer wonder of it
my arms
As her arms slipped around my neck, instinct took over. I pulled her closer, wrapping my around her waist. The kiss deepened, and it was as if the world around us disappeared. All I could feel was her her warmth, her sweetness, her presence.
Every nerve in my body was alight with sensation. The gentle fragrance of wildflowers mingled with her scent, a delicate blend of bitter orchid and soft sweetness that I had come to associate with her. She was everything I had ever wanted, and in that moment, I felt like the luckiest man alive.
Nothing else mattered. Not her mysterious past, not her connection to the Queen, not any of
the uncertainties that had once loomed over us. All that existed was this moment, and I wanted to hold onto it forever.
When the kiss finally ended, I opened my eyes to find her gazing at me, a faint smile on her lips. The setting sun bathed us in its final rays, casting a golden glow over the hill. It felt like the universe had conspired to create this perfect, unforgettable moment just for us.
I knew, without a doubt, that I would treasure this memory for the rest of my life. And as I held her close, I silently vowed to do everything in my power to make her as happy as she had just made me.
No crown, no treasure, no worldly power could compare to what I felt in that instant. For in her arms, I had found everything I had ever been searching for.
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