CHAPTER 72

Maxine's P.O.V.

I didn't know where the pounding of my heart started; it'd pounded from my head down to my toes. We kissed under the moonlight, the heat between us like nothing I'd ever experienced. And yet, every touch, every movement, was making me feel like I'm falling deep into somewhere I never knew existed within me. Alph's hands were everywhere-on my back, on my waist, at my hips-as though trying to hold me close as if space between us wasn't enough.

He drew back himself, the planes of his forehead digging into mine as we both breathed hard, our hearts pounding in the same rhythm. His eyes were dark, intense, a look I had never seen on him, as he scoured my eyes for something to say. Without a word, he took my hand and led me back through the forest towards his room.

There wasn't much thinking on my part. My brain was wildly racing around in circles, but somehow my body knew where it wanted to go.

The pale moonlight streamed into his room, casting a silverish glow, so gently ra