Page 116 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

Chapter 23

Alice

“I thought maybe the two of us could finally be happy.”

“I didn’t know your hatred of me ran so deep.”

Darian’s words haunt me. His expression, that defeated look in his eyes as he walked out the door.

I sit on the edge of the bed, my fingers digging into the mattress.

I could have stopped him. I had every opportunity to, but when he touched me, I needed it. I hadn’t realized how badly till his lips brushed my nape. My wolf was eager, needing the contact, craving the affection, and I—I gave in.

It was fast, rushed, and desperate, and having gone without for such a very long time, I suddenly felt alive and wanted. Then, when his teeth pierced my skin, when that warm sensation washed over me as the bond snapped into place, I experienced a rush of euphoria, of exhilaration. It felt like the emptiness that had been a part of me for so long was finally filled.

But those blinding emotions were instantly followed by shock and outrage. The mating bond. He marked me. How could he betray me a second time?!

Now, though, as I sit on this bed, alone in my room, I remember what he said about his wolf being in control. I felt the same way when we were together. My wolf was trying to take charge. What if it was truly a mistake?

“I didn’t know your hatred of me ran so deep.”

I clutch my head, despair filling me.

Hatred?

I don’t hate him anymore. I don’t know if I ever did.

That look in his eyes is making me feel like a horrible person. He seemed so sad as he left, so alone. I should have stopped him. I should have said something. But my voice was stuck in my throat.

Ever since he got here, Darian has been trying to fix things. Why would he ruin that and give me the mating mark out of nowhere?

The sound of the front door opening fills me with a strange hope. I rush into the hallway. “Darian?” My voice dies when I see it’s Mary and Jimmy entering the apartment.

Mary looks surprised as she takes off her scarf. “What happened? Where’s Darian?” My hand automatically goes to my neck, and her eyes sharpen. “Alice?” She strides toward me as Jimmy closes the door behind him. “What’s going on? What’s that on your neck?”

“It’s nothing.”

I try to brush off the inquiry, but Mary is quick. She leaps over the couch, suspicion in her eyes. I don’t get the chance to react before she grabs my hand and pulls it aside. For a moment, hergaze is uncomprehending as she looks at the mating mark, and then admiration and shock fill her eyes.

“You move fast, Alice.”

“It’s not what you think.”

“What is it?” Jimmy asks. “And where’s Darian?”

“He gave her the mating mark,” Mary announces, looking pleased. “I take it you two made up?”

“Not exactly,” I mutter. “Things got a little out of hand, and… Well, one thing led to another, which led to this.”

My friend turns pale. “Don’t tell me he forced you—”

“He would never do that!” Jimmy snarls. “He’s crazy about her. He’s not about to fuck it up like that!”

“Alice?” Mary looks at me, ignoring him. “Tell me the truth. Did Darian force his mark on you?”

“No.” I shake my head, finally accepting that it wasn’t forced, and it was also not a form of manipulation. I have to think past the bitterness in my heart. “He wouldn’t do that. But,” I sigh, “I blamed him. I said some things…”

“What things?” Jimmy demands, his voice filled with anger. “Can you for once stop trying to get your revenge on him? None of this was his fault to begin with, Alice! He’s also been suffering. He lost his father. He has struggled since the moment you left. I haven’t seen him smile or laugh since that night. He withered away, but he doesn’t have the option of being bitter like you because an entire kingdom depends on him. You kept his daughter from him! He didn’t get angry, but he should have. Hecould have taken her from you, but he didn’t. You keep trying to punish him for that one night, yet everything that happened in those few hours was orchestrated by Willow, not Darian.” Jimmy’s chest is heaving as he glares at me. “My friend has suffered greatly. But you don’t see it. You don’t see his pain. You don’t see how he’s constantly swallowing his pride to lower his head in front of you. All you want to do is hurt him. What would you like him to do, Alice? Rip out his heart and bleed to death? Will that fucking satisfy you?”

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