ALYSSA
I choke on the meat upon hearing what Alaric just asked, and immediately down the water in the glass kept before me. Alaric 's face turns rigid with concern when he says, "Take it easy, Sweetheart … I was just kidding."
But the look in his eyes tells me otherwise. Was it really a joke?
Alaric sighs, his blue eyes falling on the table as he continues, "I know it's hard for you, considering he was your husband and mate." He doesn't mention his name, but the hardness in his gaze is enough to convey his disdain for Damien. "Believe me, I understand what it feels like," his gaze turns distant before he looks at me again. "I won't pressure you into something you don't want. Instead, I just want to stay with you and learn more about you."
His words are supposed to ease the knots in my stomach, but they only twist tighter in guilt. Maybe it's because I have been in his shoes once. I have felt the pain of unrequited feelings because I was a second chance mate too.
