Puppy Love
Chapter 38

~Charlotte~

A few minutes passed, and a knock echoed through my room. Truth be told, I wasn’t in the mood to engage with anyone at the moment. I could only imagine that some of my cousins had picked up on my mood, and the thought of facing them in this state made my shyness peak. I had no idea what I would say or how I could explain myself.

I was still lost in contemplation when a distinct scent wafted through the air, reaching my nostrils.

I looked towards the door, my heart suddenly racing. I knew without a doubt that it was Caspian.

Why else would he be here? A rush of uncertainty surged through me – was he coming to reject the bond that fate had seemingly woven between us?

A part of me wanted to retreat, to pretend that I wasn’t here, but reality pressed upon me. I knew he was just as aware of my presence as I was of his. With a deep breath, I made my way to the door, bracing myself for what was to come.

As I swung the door open, there he stood – tall, handsome, and undeniably magnetic. It felt like a crime for someone to look as irresistibly good as he did. His presence seemed to overshadow the room, and I struggled to keep my composure.

“Alpha Caspian,” I greeted, each word a battle to keep the ‘mate’ from slipping out. My tongue obeyed, but the word echoed within my mind, just below the surface.

My gaze couldn’t help but be drawn to his demeanour – he exuded a remarkable sense of self

-control. There was a calmness about him, a sense of mastery over his instincts. It was no wonder he had achieved the status of Cain’s Alpha at such a young age. I observed him closely, noting that not once did his wolf’s influence flicker across his features. The question loomed: Did he already belong to someone else?

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind, each one more daunting than the last. As I stood before him, my heart pounded, and I wondered what lay behind his purpose for seeking me out.

The only thing I could truly discern was that he possessed a deep sense of restraint – one that both intrigued and unsettled me, fueling my fears and curiosity all at once.

“Lady Lawrence,” his voice, smooth and composed, called out my name, and I averted my gaze instinctively, my heart skipping a beat in his presence.

“Yes, Alpha Caspian,” I responded, my tone steady but my insides churning as I prepared myself for whatever words he was about to share.

“I understand that we haven’t been introduced properly,” he began, and the understatement of that statement was almost comical. In fact, this was the first time I was laying eyes on him, and discovering that we were fated mates added a layer of surrealism to the situation.

“I simply wanted to say hello,” he concluded, and his words left me taken aback. That was it? After everything, after the revelation, he had nothing more to say than Hello? I found myself struggling to reconcile the reality before me with the weight of our fated connection.

Were we truly going to stand here and feign ignorance about the bond that linked us? Irritation welled up within me, a mix of surprise and frustration at his seemingly nonchalant demeanour. I looked at him, my annoyance evident, and decided that if he intended to play this game, I could play it too.

“We exchanged ‘Hello’ in Alpha Justin’s office,” I retorted, my words sharp and tinged with exasperation. He had shattered the anticipation of the moment with his brief and casual greeting.

Despite being a stranger, I had some expectations.

I thought he might take me into his arms, sealing our connection with a k**s. I anticipated his wolf might surge forward, recognising me as his mate. I even imagined he might lose his composure, mirroring the turmoil I was feeling inside. But here he stood, entirely collected and controlled, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

At that moment, I wished I could kick him in his balls and then offer him ice for it later. The complex blend of emotions swirled within me, an intoxicating mixture of frustration and fury, at the audacity of his calmness when everything within me was in turmoil. 1

“I wanted to say hello to you personally,” he revised his words, and I nodded in acknowledgement.

“Sure,” I replied, my voice casual even though my insides were doing somersaults. He raised his hand to scratch the back of his head, a boyish grin spreading across his face, and I had to admit, it made him look irresistibly attractive.

My thoughts swayed momentarily, and I battled the impulses that surged within me. The desire to step forward, to close the gap between us and k**s him passionately, was nearly overwhelming. But I clung to my resolve, a steadfast determination to maintain composure. I wouldn’t succumb to the allure of a young, handsome alpha in the prime of his life.

Sure, he was undeniably sexy, the very picture of a prince charming that fairy tales spoke of. And if I allowed myself to indulge, I could easily envision all sorts of intimate scenarios… Goddess, who was I kidding? Reality crashed down around me as I admitted the truth to myself. He was irresistible, captivating in every way imaginable. The pull he had on me was undeniable, like a magnetic force tugging at my very core.

“I’m not entirely sure about how all of this works,” he admitted, taking a moment to regain his composure after his earlier brevity.

“We’re just meeting for the first time, and I’d genuinely like the opportunity to know you better, Charlotte,” he said, and I couldn’t help but notice the way my name rolled off his tongue. The way he addressed me, using my name, felt both personal and seductive, a combination that sent a shiver down my spine. I found myself secretly hoping he would say it again.

“I’m uncertain about your expectations, but I’m open to the idea of getting to know you better and perhaps…” he trailed off, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The word ‘maybe seemed out of place in this context. In our world, with our fated bond, ‘maybe’ should have no place unless rejection was on the table – and that wasn’t an option for us, I hoped.

“It’s quite late, Alpha, and you should rest,” I interjected, and his smile waned.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” I added, the formal tone of my voice contrasting with the warmth I couldn’t entirely suppress. As he turned away, something inside me tugged a sense of guilt and understanding mingling together.

“Sorry for intruding,” he said, and his words struck me like a pang of guilt. I couldn’t let him leave on that note.

“Wait,” I called out, my words stopping him in his tracks.

“I’m new to all of this, and the whole concept of the bond is overwhelming, especially since I don’t know you,” I admitted, my vulnerability laid bare before him.

“I understand,” he responded, his understanding tone inviting me to continue.

He waited for me to say more, but I found myself at a loss for words. I was still grappling with my own emotions and uncertainties.

“I’ll just go back to my room,” he finally said, gesturing toward the door right next to mine. I couldn’t help but wonder why fate had to place him in such close proximity to the alpha wing.

With those words, he began to walk away, his steps resolute and steady, refusing to look back.

As the door closed behind him, a sense of unease settled over me. I retreated into my room, closing the door behind me and clutching my phone. The urge to call my sisters, Gemma and Jewel, for support was undeniable, as I needed them now more than ever.

The phone rang a couple of times before Gemma answered my call. It also sounded as if she was about to sleep.

“Charlotte,” Gemma’s voice greeted me through the phone, and I let out an audible sigh.

“Is Jewels around?” I inquired, curious about my other sister’s whereabouts.

“She’s fast asleep,” Gemma replied, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself. They must have had quite an eventful day.

“You won’t believe what just happened to me,” I began, my voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“What? What happened?” Gemma’s curiosity was palpable even through the phone.

“I discovered my fated mate tonight,” I revealed, and her reaction was immediate and explosive.

Her scream was so loud that I had to quickly pull the phone away from my ear, wincing as the sound reverberated. Ria, my wolf, hissed in response.

“Please tell me he’s a handsome hunk,” Gemma exclaimed, her excitement undeterred by the volume of her own voice.

“He’s not just handsome and sexy, but he’s also the Alpha of Cains,” I admitted, a mixture of awe and concern flooding my tone.

“Alpha Caspian Ashbrook?” Gemma asked, her tone shifting to one of disbelief.

“Yes,” I confirmed with a sigh, the weight of the situation settling over me.

“So, did he accept the bond?” Gemma’s question hung in the air, heavy with anticipation.

“No, not yet. He simply came to my door to say hello,” I explained, my frustration evident as I recounted the encounter.

I lay down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling as I processed the whirlwind of emotions.

“Doesn’t he know what he’s supposed to do?”

Gemma’s concern echoed in her words.

“I’m scared, Gemma. The fear of rejection is overpowering,” I admitted, my vulnerability laid bare before my sister.

She remained silent for a moment, allowing my words to sink in, and then she finally spoke.

“As long as he didn’t outright reject you and initiated contact, there’s hope. Just give it time.

And remember, we’re Volkovs. We can handle anything thrown our way, even a silver bullet,” Gemma said, her words accompanied by a light chuckle. The last part was meant as a joke, a reminder of our resilience as werewolves. After all, unless administered the Agk32 serum, a silver bullet was certain death.

Gemma’s last remark sparked a genuine laugh from me, and I found myself staring up at the ceiling. Her words carried a weight of truth. A simple “hello” couldn’t possibly be interpreted as a rejection. I needed to remind myself of that and exercise patience.

We chatted about various other topics, our conversation ranging from light-hearted banter to deeper matters, until eventually, we decided to end the call. With a sigh, I hung up the phone, preparing myself for what lay ahead.

As the night draped over me, I struggled to replace comfort in my bed, tossing and turning with a restless unease. The irony was almost comical – the person my very soul yearned for was a complete stranger, sleeping just next door. My thoughts were a jumble, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

I clung tightly to my pillow, seeking solace in its embrace as I prayed for the strength to navigate the challenges that lay ahead. The path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, and I hoped for the grace to handle whatever Caspian might bring into my life. I was well aware that the journey with him might not be smooth; there were bound to be bumps along the way. But despite the inevitable difficulties, I remained optimistic.

After all, every journey began with a first step, and the simple “hello” he had offered was a promising start. He had extended a hand, and I was willing to take it, even if it meant traversing unfamiliar and potentially challenging terrain. So, as the night lingered on, I clung to the hope that whatever lay ahead would be guided by fate and the choices we made together.