THE CAGE (The Chosen Series #3)

CH16. ♙f3 ♞f6

"Promise me you'll think about it?" Dominic pleads, his large brown eyes widening and long eyelashes fluttering. I know he is trying to seem innocent, but the look comes across as comical.

"My answer hasn't changed." I sigh. My response has been the same all week, but it hasn't stopped him from trying to change my mind.

The dance company is holding an 80's evening at Cruze tomorrow night, and Dominic has tried every possible angle to get me to attend. I know if I wanted to, I could go, even if it was without Alexander's consent. But it's Alexander's birthday, and I want to make the evening special for him. For the both of us.

Even though I haven't spoken to Alexander since our time in the gym, Maria has assured me that he's committed to coming home tomorrow.

I can't help but feel disappointed that he won't communicate with me directly and uses others to share his messages. Still, Alexander is complicated, and I'm yet to solve his puzzle. But even with applying logic, my brain and my heart disagree.

Damir and Sebastian have also been absent, leaving the Manor the same night as Alexander.

I've missed their company, and I've come to think of them as not strangers but family.

On the other hand, Shay has not remained quiet, and forced me to open the bond the same evening I woke to find myself alone.

I was grateful for his interference and could share my thoughts on what had occurred with Alexander and the others. Shay listened to the whole thing and didn't interrupt, which was a first.

<I still don't like it.> Shay grumbled when I'd finished telling him of the events in the clearing and explained my decision to remain at the Manor.

<It's getting better. Alexander's less cold towards me now.> I'd argued, my stance firm, even if my words were weak.

<Yeah, but no less angry.> I'd grimaced when Shay had said that, but I know I just need to keep trying. If I can be better, I know his feelings toward me will change. Maybe one day he will grow to want...

Sensing my thoughts, Shay had become angry, <Stop it, don't you dare do that. If I feel that emotion from you again, I'll enact plan C myself. Fuck the consequences.>

He can't, not yet.

I didn't have the energy to argue with Shay. The emptiness in my soul from Alexander's separation had caused a fog to settle over my mind, one I'd not experienced in a very long time.

But even he knows that we are still missing a vital component for PLAN C to work.

<Let me come to you. I can be there in thirty. Let me see you, if only for a second. Trouble, I need you. I have to tell you->

When I'd felt Maria's presence outside my rooms, I'd shut the connection off before he could finish, and haven't had the heart to let my walls down again.

I know my turmoil also hurts Shay, our bond straining with the separation. But I know he's there, waiting for me to open myself to him in the back of my mind, and I know he's already forgiven me.

"But they'll be playing all your favorites. Just imagine what we could do on the dancefloor in front of so many others," Dominic pushes, shaking me out of my thoughts and I feel my lips lift in a small smile. Over the many sessions we've spent together training, Dominic has made it his mission to learn everything he can about me. Not that there is much to learn, or at least what I've allowed him to know about me. But with every little crumb of information I've let slip, he's devoured it and stored it in his brain to be used for times like this. And 80's music is... It reminds me of...