Chapter 4

"No, you cannot stay. You have to go," I said firmly, grasping the doorknob. I struggled with it as if I somehow  forgot how a doorknob worked all together. 

"I won't leave this room unless you leave with me," he declared.

"You have to go," I insisted, gazing into his mesmerizing eyes.

He kissed me once more, this time with a greater intensity. My body couldn't resist and responded eagerly to his kiss. Our lips moved in perfect harmony, as his tongue playfully traced my lower lip and delved into my mouth. Our tongues intertwined in a passionate dance, creating the most exquisite kiss I have ever experienced in my entire existence. I melted into his embrace as he held me in his arms.

I found myself at a loss for words as he picked me up and carried me to the couch in the room. At that moment, I became acutely aware of the situation and pushed myself away from him, standing up. "I can't. I simply can't go through with this." I bolted for the door and ran out as fast as I possibly could. He called out after me, but I didn't stop. I could feel my heart racing as I dashed down the hallway, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. 

I entered the girls dressing room, bumping into Katherine.

“Woah, are you okay?” She asked me, seemingly genuinely concerned. “Oh, your lipstick is smeared. Did he touch you?” Her voice sounded angry.

“Yes, but it’s okay. I just need a moment please. I am fine. Struggling inside, but I am fine.” I told her, looking up at her in the reflection of the mirror. 

“Okay. If you need anything, let me know.” She told me and I watched her turn around, leaving the room. 

Seated in my chair, I wrapped the robe tightly around me, attempting to make sense of what had transpired. I have never been the kind of woman to casually kiss strangers. Yes, I am a dancer, and I do use my appearance to earn a living, but the pay is quite substantial. While the public might perceive me as promiscuous, I am anything but that. As I pondered over my actions, a rush of guilt washed over me, along with a wave of confusion. How did I let myself succumb to such impulsiveness, breaking the very principles I held dear?

He was a wolf, the Alpha at that. He was the leader from the pack that murdered my mother and my father. I suddenly felt so dirty and just completely disgusted with myself. I picked up my clothes and changed into them. I made my way to Philips office with my bags in my hand.

I took a breath and knocked on the door. Philip's commanding voice resonated, "Enter."

I peeked through the door, but never crossed the threshold of his office. “I am not feeling well, I may have what Kai had after all.” 

“We got it covered. Good job tonight. Alpha Maximus would like to speak with you before you leave though. He is in the champagne room. "Emberleigh, take the time to recover and start feeling better."

With a heart full of gratitude, I bid farewell to the gentleman, my smile radiant as I departed the room, my bags in tow. Upon entering the Champagne room, I purposely left the door slightly ajar, creating an unspoken invitation. As our gaze met in the softly lit space, I confidently inquired, "You wished to speak with me?"

Intrigued, he questioned, "Why do you resist this?"

Taking a deep breath, I responded, "Because you are not just any ordinary wolf, but the Alpha of the most distinguished and formidable pack in our region. I, on the other hand, am a mere human. It seems like an impossible connection to establish." I stood there, allowing the weight of my words to hang in the air, the anticipation growing. 

His silence spoke volumes as he remained silent. I decisively pivoted away from him and calmly asserted, "I genuinely desire the best for you. Nevertheless, I must insist that you maintain your distance from me. "Goodnight, Maximus." 

"Goodnight, Crystal." His voice was flat, almost sad sounding and I would never admit to anyone but it broke my heart. 

I paused for a moment, turning to look at him. I wanted to tell him that was just my stage name. I wanted to tell him that I wanted him to follow me. I wanted to tell him that a part of me truly wanted to be by his side. I wanted to tell him my reasons why I was resisting him. Instead, I just gave a small smile and walked out the door.

I walked over to my BMW and when I opened the door I surprised to see  two huge duffle bags that were full. I opened one of them and found that it was full of money. Not just any type of money, but large bills. My mouth dropped open at the amount of money inside. On top of the other duffle bag was a handwritten note. 

“Crystal,

I understand that you may have reservations about revealing your true name to me, and I completely respect that. However, I want you to know that I remain open to the idea, and I'm patient. No matter the distance between us, I want to emphasize that I am always here for you whenever you feel ready to disclose your real name. As your mate, my dedication is unwavering, and I am fully devoted to supporting you. Please accept this financial assistance as a testament to my sincerity. I assure you that my commitment is genuine. I will be here for you and I will protect you.

Alpha Maximus.”

I clutched the note in my hands, reading it over and over. I couldn't wrap my head around it. I couldn't come to terms with it. When I stepped out of my vehicle, there he stood. I peered up at him, my brows furrowed. “Maximus,” I muttered under my breath, trying to make sense of the situation. He looked at me with a determined expression, and I could feel the weight of his promise in his eyes. Without uttering a single word, Maximus extended his hand towards me. Curiosity mingled with apprehension as I wanted to reach out, and accept his unspoken invitation.

Apart of me wanted to take his hand and go with him. The other part of me screamed to get away from him, torn between desire and caution. 

With conflicted emotions swirling within me, I hesitated for a moment, uncertain of the consequences that lay on either path. But the magnetic pull of Maximus' presence was undeniable, overpowering my doubts and tempting me to embrace the unknown. And so, with trembling hands and a racing heart, I made my decision, intertwining my fingers with his, ready to embark on a journey that would challenge every fiber of my being.  But before I could accept him, we needed to address the lingering questions from our shared past. The mystery surrounding my parents' fate so many years ago demanded resolution.

“We need to discuss some important matters first. If you truly possess the intellect you claim, you will figure out how to locate me.” I told him. Leaving him standing there, I got into my car, pushed the start button, and drove away from the parking lot. The sound of the engine drowned out any lingering doubt in my mind. As I navigated through the city streets, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.