Page 30 of My Possessive Alpha

I relaxed my shoulders and scrubbed a hand down my face. “I know that, and I’m sorry for even letting the thought cross my mind.”

While she had the right to be annoyed with me for even bringing up that momentary insecurity, she seemed everything but. Instead, that gentle gaze of hers took me in completely. “Is this why you’ve been a bit tense lately?”

Something about that question struck a chord with me. Knowing that despite my efforts, she was able to pick up on my slight pulling back while I gauged the situation made me feel even guiltier. That she was sensing a change in me and was allowed to feel even a moment of doubt.

While it wasn’t the entire truth, it was a suitable place to start. I nodded. “I know how intense your parents had been about the whole thing, and I was worried you might…decide that this wasn’t for you after all.”

There was a brief moment of silence as I averted my gaze, feeling that unusual embarrassment about sounding insecure. It was unlike me, and I didn’t want Lydia to think anything different of me because of it.

The warm presence of her hand reaching for mine came as a slight surprise, pulling me out of my thoughts. Meeting her eyes, I found only understanding.

“As much as I didn’t want to admit it straight away, you saved me from a terrible situation. I’m grateful for yourkindness that night and for seeing something in me that was worth saving,” Lydia said with ease, allowing me to feel the slight tightening of our bond. “I’ve never wanted Jack, and honestly, for as long as I can remember, I’ve only ever seen you that way.”

My entire being felt lighter, and without needing to think about it, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze as I smiled faintly for her. “Then I won’t have any more doubts. This is all so new to both of us and I don’t want to rush you in any way, especially given what you came from.”

While I could see the spark of attraction in her eyes, Lydia nodded her understanding and allowed her hand to remain in my grasp. “We don’t need to force anything, but just promise me one thing?”

“What’s that?”

She cracked a small smile. “Don’t be afraid to give in. Especially with our bond, I feel the same things you do, and I’m not afraid to explore it.”

Catching on to her suggestion, I mirrored her expression and leaned forward slightly, bringing a hand up to gently caress her cheek.

At the light contact, Lydia immediately eased into it as her whole body relaxed. Her eyes closed for a moment as she soaked it in, almost like an affectionate cat would.

“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t hold back then?”

With a happy look on her face, she nodded.

Allowing my fingers to move deliberately down her jaw until I reached her chin, I carefully directed her eyes up so that she could not meet mine as they opened again. The sight of those innocent green eyes made my chest stir, and after hearing her loyalty to me, I felt a new sense of security around us.

“Then you won’t mind me doing this,” I hummed, leaning in so that our lips were a breadth apart, stopping to hear the faint catch of her breath. Lifting a brow, I waited for her confirmation with a teasing smile.

Lydia swallowed hard as she met my gaze, suddenly entranced by the proximity and contact. Blinking back at me, she gave me the slightest nod as I caught the noticeable jump in her heart rate.

The visible eagerness in her features stoked my longing.

Finally giving in, I pressed my lips to hers and felt her body immediately melt as she leaned into the table and returned the kiss with ease.

Everything in me came to life at the contact, and I allowed myself to soak it in. The connection was still young yet powerful, and every touch was enough to wrap my heart in that comfort only Lydia could give me. It was sacred to her, and no part of me was willing to take it for granted.

Even more so, I wasn’t prepared to give it up. Jack would be sorely mistaken if he ever tried.

Chapter 18 - Lydia

With the sun beaming overhead and the warm sand beneath my feet, my heart and mind were at ease. The gentle current of the lake moving in and out against the shore offered us a beautiful ambiance as Zoe, and I laid out on our towels, wearing only bikinis while we tanned.

It was a lazy, yet fulfilling afternoon, and I was more than happy to be there with her, taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

“This lake is beautiful,” I hummed, taking in a calming breath.

With her eyes closed still, she faced the open sky with her sunglasses on. “Sebastian will tell you that he picked this place for the pack, but the moment I saw this lake, I pretty much decided for him.”

I laughed quietly at the thought, well aware that she was telling the truth. Even if she was the younger sibling, Zoe still liked to call the shots whenever she could, regardless of her brother’s alpha status.

She had been headstrong and determined for as long as I could remember, and the story was certainly true to her character.

“Somehow, I believe that.”

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