Page 339 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Alex looked back at the map for a long moment. Sebastian was right. And he needed to go to her. He nodded and headed to the library.

Anna was curled up in the big brown leather chair near the window, reading, as she often was when she was home in the afternoon.

He stood in the doorway, watching her for a few minutes. He was pleased to see she still used the Kindle he’d bought for her. It wasn’t the one he’d given to her in San Francisco. That one had been left behind when she’d escaped.

“Anna?” he said softly, not wanting to frighten her. At least not more than he would just being there.

She looked up at him, eyes wide with fright. She put the e-reader on the table next to her and stood, her hands clasped in front of her. “Yes, Master?”

Alex sighed as he walked across the room. “Please stop calling me Master.”

Anna dropped her gaze. “Yes, Alex.”

He sat in the chair next to hers and motioned to where she’d just been sitting. “Sit, please.” After she’d sat back down, he leaned back and studied her face. “Why did you run to Hugo after... last week?”

She stared at her hands for a long time before answering. “I was angry... I was hurt.” She twisted her fingers together. “I wanted to talk to someone. I don’t know. I was sitting in the park and just... called him.”

“You were in the park?”

Anna nodded. “I wandered around the park for a long time, thinking about stuff, and then I just called. I was angry at you for interfering in my life.”

Alex kept his face impassive. He didn’t want her to stop talking because she thought he was getting angry. He’d thought she’d gone straight to Hugo, but apparently she hadn’t. That made him feel a little better. And a lot more guilty. He chewed his lip. “What upset you before you left?”

She glanced up at him and shook her head. “It shouldn’t have upset me.”

“But it did. What was it?”

“Irina... I met Irina at Vitaly’s Funeral Gathering. It was obvious that I was very different from the other Elder-Mistresses. Painfully obvious. Irina had made a comment about sleeping with you once before, and then she was chosen for the ritual. She thought me silly for loving you. The other Mistresses were perfect. I... I had no idea what was going on that day.” Tears filled her eyes. “I was so confused, so lost. Devin got so angry at me for embarrassing him, but he hadn’t told me what would happen. Your dad had to punish me for doing something stupid... I didn’t know what he was doing when he got me pregnant. That whole day was horrible.” She sniffed. “When I found out that you’d slept with her again... it... just... reminded me of how much I don’t fit in anywhere. Not with my own kind... Even Hugo was appalled at some of the stuff I told him...” A tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t fit anywhere. I’m not a normal girl. I’m not a normal Elder-Mistress. They were all disgusted with me.”

Alex took her hand and pulled her into his lap. He held her against his chest and she cried as he rocked her gently. After a few minutes, she put her arms around his neck and hugged him like he was a lifeline in the middle of a raging river. “I’m sorry, Alex. I’m so sorry. Please don’t get rid of me. You’re the only one who really understands me.”

“Shh. Shh, Schatzi. I would never get rid of you.” He stroked her hair and held her tightly against him. “I love you. I love you so much. I’m sorry for how I’ve been treating you. I misunderstood and treated you unfairly. I’m so sorry.”

Anna clung to Alex, terrified that he’d decide that she wasn’t worth the trouble.

“I love you, Schatzi,” he repeated.

She leaned back and looked at him through tear-filled eyes. “I’m sorry I ran to Hugo. I... I was jealous of Irina. She’s... a perfect Elder-Mistress. I’m not.”

“Schatzi,” Alex said gently, smoothing her hair. “The Elder-Mistresses are beautiful, ja, but I would much rather be with you than any of them. They are cold, you are warm and loving and beautiful.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I’m sorry I hurt you. My pride and anger got in the way of giving you the chance to explain. And then I couldn’t stop pushing you away, because I thought you didn’t want me, not really, and that made me sad, and it was easier to be angry... ...”

She put her finger to his lips and searched his eyes. He was sincere. He loved her. “I don’t want to be with Hugo, Alex. I mean, it’s not that I don’t care for him. I do. A lot. But you... with you is where I belong.”

He smiled down at her and kissed her again. “Ja. You belong with me.” He stood and carried her into their bedroom.

Chapter 168

After a long lovemaking session, Anna rested her head on Alex’s bare chest, tracing the ridge of his pectoral muscles. “I missed kissing you... being with you.”

“I missed being with you, too.”

“Who were those women the other night?”

“The other guys picked them up. Even though I was angry at you, I have no desire for any woman except you.” He turned on his side and grinned. “You are very, very good at sex.”

Anna smiled. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you leaving me because I don’t satisfy you in bed.”

He chuckled. “Definitely not.” He leaned down and nibbled along the outside of her breast.

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