Rejected, And Became A Heiress (Cara)
Chapter 0012

Yes, that hadn't been a drew at all! Ir WAS a memory.

But that little boy, he seemed so much like Alaric. It couldn't be

There's no way the Alpha King's son would have gotten lost in the forest, he had far too much protection.

And Alaric never would've cried like that, either.

No, that couldn't have been him. Just my silly imagination, still holding onto Alaric. Still trying to keep him in my life at any

DOL

I've got to let go of him.

I open my eyes again, slower this time. I glance at my surroundings- I'm in a hospital bed. How did I end up here?

And why is Alaric standing outside my room?

He's on a phone call, it doesn't look on like he's seen me wake yet. It's probably Lilia on the phone. Probably asking for another expensive gift from him.

I can't deal with him right now, I'm certain of that.

I turn to roll out of bed, going as slowly as I can to avoid making too much noise and alerting Alaric. Maybe if I'm quiet enough, 1 can slip out before he notices I'm going

I manage to rise from the bed, just as a nurse walks in.

"You're up! Oh, thank goodness! We were worried about you for a second there," Her smile was wide and genuine.

I blinked at her, not sure exactly what circumstances brought me here.

"Thank you," I said humbly.

She chuckled, "Well, it's the least we could do after all you've done to help us here at the hospital! All that fundraising and coordination you've done over the years, we really can't thank you enough."

The older she-wolf brought me in for a quick hug, and continued warmly. "You really are the best Beta this pack has ever had. I hope you know that"

Caught in the embrace, any plans I had of slipping out of here unnoticed were dashed. Hanging up the phone. Alaric walks into my room, right towards me.

His expression turns gloomy as we make eye contact.

I'm probably the last person he wants to be with right now, I'm sure he'd rather be with Lilia, his fiancée. His true love.

I felt uneasy at the sight of his glowering features, but my body still felt somehow attuned to him, like the sensation of an itch I couldn't quite scratch.

Seeing the sour look, the old nurse left us alone, closing the door behind her.

I feel Alaric's warm hand on my wrist for a moment before my body is forced back down onto the hospital bed. I look up at him, alarmed by his forcefulness.

"Why in such a hurry to leave?" He asks me grutily. "Eager to go find a new lover? Maybe Eamon, perhaps?"

"What are you going to talk about?!" I ask him, completely confused.

"I think you know what I'm talking about. I know you're seeing someone. Don't try to deny it," his voice has a hard edge.

2/3

Chapter 11

"You have no idea what you're talking about. I shake my head at him.

Lowering my voice. I add, "And anyway, what do you even care you're engaged to your childhood love, remember?"

He growls lowly, and something inside me snaps. I feel angry.

Π

"Look, I know you can't stand me, but we don't have to put up with each other much longer," I unload my frustration on hum. Tll be gone before you know it, and you won't ever have libee me-" Tin interrupted by the crushing force of his lips on mine.

He's kissing me roughly, maneuvering his mouth like he's savoring the taste. His lips move like he remembers exactly the way I like to kiss

Like he remembers that I like a little nibble on my bottom lip, which he just did.

It's the first time we've kissed since... since before he proposed to Lilia.

Since before everything changed.

My heart is pounding in my chest, my senses overwhelmed.

Then, just as suddenly as they arrived, his lips are gone again.

I pant, trying to catch my breath. Trying to wrap my mind around what just happened.

Alaric speaks. "Cara, I've been thinking this over. I can't do without you, I know that now,"

1 gasp, not quite sure that I'm understanding him correctly.

He continues. "Everything's gone wrong without you, and I know that's all my fault. We can go back to how things were, how you and I used to be."

My heart is racing. I can't believe what I'm hearing.

He sends a long finger out to stroke my arm slowly. "I miss you. I miss you as my Beta.. and I miss you in my own bed." His eyes darken, "You know I can't get enough of that sexy body, Cara His finger comes up to caress my shoulder. His fingers are scorching hot. It lets me recall the love and passion I once had for him.

But my heart, which had been pounding, froze over once again.