THE CAGE (The Chosen Series #3)

CH23. ♗h1 ♛e8

"You can't possibly mean that." Alexander looks away, defeated, but doesn't move.

I raise my hand and run it along the side of his face, my finger grazing the slight stubble that has begun to grow during our time together at this oasis. Unable to restrain himself, he moves his head to nuzzle my hand.

"I do," my words are breathy but full of truth.

Alexander closes his eyes, his dark lashes touching his cheek. I watch as he swallows deeply, his jaw clenching and unclenching with the movement. "You don't understand how much I wish that were true." He murmurs, and I feel a glimmer of hope coming through the bond for the first time.

"Alexander," I keep my voice soft and wrap my arms around his shoulders, tugging him close. He allows it and lowers his head into my neck. "It's you that I want. It's always-" He tenses and cuts me off.

"What about Shay?"

Shay...

"He understands," I try to reassure him. Alexander sighs against my skin, his warm breaths caressing my flesh, but his shoulders are still rigid.

"But he's your m-"

"Alexander," I don't let him finish what he's inevitably about to say. Rather, I push my head back to look up at him and pause for a moment when I see the vulnerability on his face.

It shocks me. I've never seen emotion like this from him. Alexander is always controlled, remote even, regarding his feelings. But how he's looking at me now reminds me of my brother the first time he met Ava in front of the Crann Fuinseoige.

Even from my hiding position on the higher branches of the sacred tree, I can't forget the unadulterated hope that shone on his face when he looked upon his Maité Fíor for the first time.

"I can't do that to you, Mой Bолк. My wolf. Or to myself." Alexander looks away, his strong jaw clenching and unclenching as he turns his head.

"Alex-"

"No. Please Isla. I can't. I just can't allow myself to feel for you, knowing your heart belongs to another. I can't go through that again." The fear of rejection and the pain in his words stabs at my heart.

I lift my hand to his face again and draw his eyes back to mine. They are wet with unshed tears, and my heart breaks a little because of what he must have felt when Ciara chose Liam. But they were always meant to be. They both fought their connection, but you can't fight fate.

"It won't happen again," I try to reassure him.

"How can you say that? Shay-"

I shake my head, "I don't want Shay."

Alexander looks at me as if he doesn't quite believe what I'm saying. "But your bond with him."

"What he and I have is complicated. We are family, not lovers." There's uncertainty in his features, but a sliver of longing is coming through our bond. Alexander moves his body closer to mine, lowering his head, so we are only inches apart.

I continue to stare up at him and push all the emotions I feel for him through our connection. His breath catches, and his eyes widen. "I didn't choose Shay, Alexander. I chose you."

And with that, I push myself on my toes and lightly brush my lips against his. The caress is gentle, and my skin tingles at the contact, but I savor every second.

I slowly move my mouth and begin peppering him with tiny kisses; Alexander remains still. Frozen.

I ignore his lack of response and continue to share my feelings with him as I touch his full lips with mine, "I chose you. Only you." I whisper and lightly glide my tongue along the seam of his mouth.