DON'T YOU FEEL ANYTHING FOR ME?

CHAPTER 7: DON'T YOU FEEL ANYTHING FOR ME?

KAELAN:

The days that followed were hectic for me but I made sure I spared some time to check on Everly. She was a cautious person and as much as I tried to build a relationship with her, her walls remained firmly in place. I didn't give up and I knew her walls would eventually crack little by little.

One afternoon, as I returned from one of my engagements, I found her sitting on a small stool by the edge of the castle, doing laundry. I moved closer to her and was shocked to see the clothes she was washing belonged to Rose, my Beta's mate and her children..

“What are you doing?” I asked.

She glanced at me, “I'm doing laundry. Welcome Alpha.”

“Who told you to do this?” I was livid. “Where is Rose? And Maria?”

Even though Everly has not acknowledged me as her mate, the bond is there and no one has the right to disrespect her. I mind linked Duncan. I need you in the library, I ordered through the mind link.

I took Everly's wet hand and pulled her up to her feet. With the strength of a Lycan, I kicked the laundry bowl and it toppled, leaving a heap of wet clothes on the floor.

“Come with me,” I ordered as I pulled her along with me.

“Please Alpha, don't be angry. I did this of my own accord.”

“Don't lie to me.” I knew she was trying to cover up for those who are obviously bullying her.”How long have you been doing this?”

Everly remained silent.

“Go take a quick shower and meet me in the library.” I said as I released her hand and headed to the library.

As soon as I sat on the armchair, Duncan entered. The look on my face made him nervous. Apart from being my Beta, Duncan was also my childhood friend but he knew that when I'm angry, I can be ruthless. The look on my face right now was fierce.

“Alpha!” He greeted me with a bow.

I went straight to the point. “Duncan, Everly is my mate and any disrespect to her is a direct insult to me. Call your mate to order. Next time anyone disrespects her again, there will be consequences.”

Duncan knew better than asking me questions. “I'm sorry, Alpha. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.”

I dismissed him with a wave of my hands. Within a few minutes, Everly walked into the library, wearing a pair of tight jeans and a fitted top that revealed her sexy curves.

“Come.” I beckoned, ravaging her body with my eyes. After seeing her naked, I've been unable to get her out of my mind.

I made her sit on my lap, and we both remained silent while I buried my hand in her lush blond hair. She was tense when my cock hardened under her butt.

“Your library is beautiful,” she said after a while, trying to distract herself.

“It is,” I agreed. “But it looks more beautiful with you here.”

She turned to me, her eyes searching mine. “Why do you keep saying things like that?”

“Because they’re true,” I said simply. “Look, Everly, I'm usually not one to flatter people but I see something in you that I think is very special. And I want you to know that.”

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought she might let her guard down.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“For what?”

“For giving me a chance,” she replied.

I reached out, grazing her cheeks with my thumb. “You don’t need to thank me for anything. I'm equally grateful to have you.” She turned to look at me as if she didn't believe a thing I said.

“Let me ask you something, Everly.”

“What?”

“Don't you feel anything for me?”

She turned and locked eyes with mine for a minute. “I don't know,” she said as she turned away.

The connection between us was undeniable, and as she looked at me, I felt my wolf stir.

Mate.

This was the second time. I certainly can't be mistaken.

She might not be ready to accept it yet, but I would wait. For her, I’d wait forever.

--

EVERLY:

Kaelan’s words lingered in my mind, as I wrapped my arms around me in a warm embrace. I wanted to let him know how I felt about him but I was afraid. I wasn't ready to give my heart to a man and have it shattered again, the way Viktor did.

Still, his presence was comforting. He didn’t push or demand anything from me, and that was more than I’d ever expected from anyone.

So I used this opportunity to narrate my past to him; the ill treatment I suffered in the hands of my father after the death of my mother, and the shame and disgrace my former mate, Viktor put me through.

“I’m sorry but I don't know if my heart can ever feel anything other than the fear of rejection.”

Kaelan made me sit on a desk in front of him and his gaze didn’t waver as he watched me. “I understand and I'm sorry about what you've been through. You’re a strong woman, Everly. Strength isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up every time you do.”

His words gave me a sense of comfort which I actually needed. And I felt the smallest crack in the walls I’d built around my heart.

“You barely know me,” I said, shaking my head. “How can you be so confident about me?”

“I know enough,” he replied. “I know that you’ve survived things that would break most people. And I know that you’re here now, standing your ground even when it feels impossible. That’s enough for me.”

The sincerity in his voice made my throat tighten. I looked away, staring at the large portrait of Kaelan's that hung on the wall. “As much as I appreciate how much faith you have in me, I'm still afraid that I might never fit in here?”

I've been bullied on several occasions by Rose and some young shifters here but I chose to ignore it all. I had experienced the worst in my former pack.

Kaelan reached out, and as his fingers brushed against mine, the touch sent a spack through me. I found myself looking back at him.

“Certainly, you can feel it, can't you?,” he said firmly. “You’re not alone anymore, Everly.”

Those words broke something on my inside. It was as if a dam had been broken, a dam that held back a flood of emotions. Tears welled in my eyes, but I didn’t try to stop them. I just let the tears flow. This was my way of venting the agony and pains I had bottled up for so many years.

Kaelan didn't try to stop me, rather he gave me a handkerchief and told me to let it all out.

“Thank you,” I whispered as my chest heaved, my voice thick with emotion.

Kaelan’s thumb gently wiped away tears as they slipped down my cheek. “You don’t have to thank me. Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Promise me you’ll try,” he said. “Try to let yourself heal. Try to let yourself be happy.”

I nodded slowly, as the weight of his words sank in. “I’ll try.”

He smiled briefly. “That’s all I ask.”

I felt hopeful now as I thought about his reassuring words. Maybe Kaelan was right. Maybe this was my chance to start over.

His phone buzzed and after reading the message, he turned to me and said apologetically. “I'm sorry, I have to go. There's an emergency on our eastern border. I'll be back in a moment.”