The 1
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Alaric had always been different, more carefree than the average Alpha heir. He
wasn’t concerned with impressing the elders or sticking to formalities, which was
why he never shied away from a fight in public.
It was part of his charm, I supposed.
“Ah, the air outside is so much fresher,” he replied with exaggerated relief, as if he’d been suffocating inside. “I thought I was going to pass out in there.”
He pulled a dramatic face, crossing his eyes and puffing his cheeks out in mock
disgust, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
His ridiculous expression, so out of place for someone who would one day lead
the pack, was infectious. It felt like a sliver of our childhood had slipped into the present. For a moment, the weight on my shoulders felt a little lighter.
I reached out and playfully flicked his forehead. “Respected Alpha leader, you can’t lead your pack like this, you know.”
Alaric blinked in surprise at the light tap, but his usual playful grin didn’t return.
Instead, his expression shifted, his usual carefree air faltering. His movements
slowed, and his hand lingered on my shoulder, almost as if he was searching for
something. Then he turned, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.
The playful banter between us vanished in an instant. It was just him and me, standing under the stars, surrounded by the soft rustle of the trees. His gaze didn’t waver, his blue eyes reflecting me like the clearest of mirrors. His lashes fluttered softly, almost in slow motion, like butterfly wings catching the light.
“Alaric?” I asked, suddenly unsure of what had changed.
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The Ex–Husband’s Regret: I Shot to Fame Overnight After Our Divorce
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Chapter 27
He looked away briefly, as if gathering his thoughts. When his eyes returned to mine, they were softer, more vulnerable than I’d ever seen them before. His voice dropped to a near whisper. “Sis… you look really beautiful tonight.”
“What?” I blinked, not sure if I’d heard him right. “What did you say?”
Alaric’s ears flushed a deep red, the color spreading to his cheeks as he nervously averted his gaze. For a moment, he was no longer the confident young
Alpha–in–training, but just a boy caught off guard by his own feelings.
Still, he gathered his courage, turning back to face me. His eyes held an
earnestness that made it impossible to brush off his words.
“I said,” he repeated, more firmly this time, though his voice remained soft, “You
look beautiful. Really beautiful… I mean it.” He swallowed hard, then added, “I like
it a lot.”
His eyes, bright and blue like the clearest ocean, reflected something deeper–something that shimmered with an intensity I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t just admiration; there was a warmth there, a genuine appreciation that I hadn’t felt from anyone in a long time. In his eyes, it felt like I was bathed in sunlight, glowing in a way that made me want to shrink and shine all
at once.
An unexpected wave of emotion surged through me. It hit me harder than I could have prepared for. It had been years since anyone had looked at me like that–since anyone had seen me. Not the version of me I had to be for others, but just… me.
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat and fought to keep my voice steady, not wanting to break the fragile moment. “Alaric…” I began, but I couldn’t find the right words.
Instinctively, I tried to brush it off. I waved my hand dismissively, attempting to lighten the mood. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your next scene? Young master, you know Belinda’s been waiting for you to practice your lines.”
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The Ex Husband’s Regret: I Shot to Benue Overnight After Our Divorce
Chapter 27
But Alaric shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. His gaze was steady, almost as if he had made some silent decision. “I’m not going. There’s something more important right now.” His tone was soft but firm, leaving no room for
argument.
Before I could protest, he reached into the cake box he’d been holding–a small
gift he’d brought to the gathering earlier–and pulled out a neatly folded ice pack. Without a word, he stepped closer, gently taking my wrist in his hands.
I flinched, startled by the sudden contact, but he ignored it, carefully placing the
cold compress over the faint bruise on my skin.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. I hadn’t even noticed the bruise. My body healed
faster than most, and small injuries like this barely registered to me anymore. Dwight had never paid attention to them either, often brushing them off as a sign of weakness or something to be ignored.
But Alaric… he treated it as if it were something precious, something that deserved
care.
“You don’t need to-“I began, trying to pull my hand back.
But Alaric held it gently, refusing to let go. His thumb brushed lightly over my skin, careful not to apply too much pressure. “No,” he said softly, his voice low but firm. “Seeing you hurt like this… it makes me sad.”
1 stared at him, the warmth of his touch a stark contrast to the coolness of the ice pack. His long fingers, elegant and strong, were so gentle in their movements, as if he were afraid I might break. It was a tenderness I hadn’t experienced in so long.
and it stirred something deep within me.
Alaric’s gaze darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his bright blue eyes. His voice dropped, rough and edged with anger. “That bastard that rogue who was banished from the pack… how could be treat you like this? His fingers tightened ever so slightly on my wrist, as it he could fully contain the Bury rising unside
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