Alpha Tristan ✓ [Republishing]

Endeka [ 11 ]

He was still beside me when I woke up.

With an arm draped over my waist and his head over mine, his scent was the first thing I smelled when I opened my eyes. He was warm to the touch, emanating some body heat that kept me warm too. I almost couldn't help myself when my palm flattened against his muscled abdomen to feel the hard ridges under my fingers.

There was something about him not being able to see my emotions that made me more willing to show them. He truly was beautiful—he even looked angelic as he slept and the first thought that came into my mind was:

How could anyone look at him and see a monster?

Granted, he had done some terrifying things, but this Tristan, a sleeping Tristan who had his arm around me and his guard down didn't seem like he could do anything but love. Of course, I didn't know the true story of how he reclaimed his position of alpha, but the rumours depicted him as an uncontrollable and merciless leader. And I couldn't just ask him flat out because of what he said the last time I tried.

That I was asking for his heart and soul. And I didn't think I was ready for that yet.

His breathing was steady but when I felt his heart speed up, I looked up to see he was still asleep. The only difference was the frown that seemed to always be on his face as he slept was replaced with a soft smile. I lifted my hand to the silky strands of his dark hair and threaded my fingers through them.

His hair had to be my favourite thing to touch. It was so soft and felt like heaven under my fingertips. I could tell that he liked it when I would have my hands wedged in his hair because he would hold me tighter.

A smile made its way onto my face and when I glanced at him again, I was shocked to see his eyes open and watching me. My hand withdrew from him like he was on fire and a sound of surprise fell from my lips. Suddenly, I was very uncomfortable and he just laughed softly in response.

Instead of saying anything, he reached down to hold my wrist and brought my hand back to his face again. The tips of my fingers brushed his hairline, but my hand didn't move as he pulled me closer with the arm around my waist.

"You show me affection when I'm not conscious enough to bask in it." He pointed out, keeping his hold on my wrist so I wouldn't pull away. "You don't have to be shy to touch me, Kara. I'm yours to touch."

A shiver surged down my spine and I dropped my gaze to his shoulder. "I can't trust you to keep your hands to yourself if I'm just admiring you."

He pressed his hand against the small of my back and I could feel the heat emanating from his palm. With just one movement of his hand, my body was set alight and I couldn't even think of anything else but him.

"You love it when I touch you." He boldly responded. "You're so responsive and that means I can't stop myself." The blues of his eyes seemed especially dark and I gulped as I realised that we were headed into dangerous territory again. Sleeping in the same bed as him proved to be a bad idea.