Chapter 37 Too close for comfort

" I don't make deals with filth" Alexander spat, voice like ice.

Malphas smirked, unfazed. He leans in, his voice darkly amused " Then tell me, Alexander… Does she know what she is?"

Alexander's body stiffened. His mind flashes to Calista, her misery has become a pain in his ass.

Malphas chuckled, a sound like rusted chains.

 " You think you can keep her hidden? You think fate will wait for you?" he let the words sink in, watching for cracks. Then his voice sharpened "No, Alexander…she is waking up. And if you won´t act now, someone else will". 

" And trust me you don't want them to get to her first" he warned.

Alexander realises something is wrong. He turns sharply toward Ethan… but before he could react, something happens.

A sharp, searing pain lanced through his chest. Alexander staggered

 " Calista" 

His breath hitched, his vision flickering red. The mate bond pulsed, screaming with urgency.

"She was in danger"

Fire ignited in his veins. His muscles tensed, coiled, ready to destroy.

A guttural growl ripped from his throat.

Malphas, who has taken note of the changes on his face, grins.

" You don't have a choice anymore, Alexander. The barriers are already closing, you don't want to be trapped here with me, do you?" he urged, he was already becoming impatient.

This deal means a lot to him, he will have a means to destroy Alexander….forever.

Alexander clenches his fists, jaw tight. He hates this, hates being backed into a corner, but he knows he can't afford to hesitate.

" Fine, But we do it my own way," Alexander muttered. His eyes shone with different ideas to counter his deal.

" Sure, i totally agree" a happy screech escaped malphas´ beak.

" I will send you the information later in the day, your time is running out" he warned, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

" You know where to find me" his words echoed in the room. His figure already blurred out from the cave.

Ethan gave a cold piercing glare at Malphas, before he followed Alexander tracks.

Hahahaha

An eerily laugh echoed through the cave " i can't believe my freedom comes with an exquisite gift"

" Priceless" his eyes gleamed with something sinister.

They both dashed out of the barrier. An impenetrable wall of barrier began to surround the rippling barrier, fortifying.

Alexander didn't waste any time, as he blurred through the thick forest. His heart banging erratically in his chest. " Please be okay".

Finally Alexander found himself at the door of Calista, different emotions swirling in his eyes. He entered the room, striding swiftly towards who had curled into a ball.

His hand reached out for her without his consent " Calista".

Her body shivered under the blanket.

" Cold" she muttered.

A look of uncertainty flickered through his eyes.

Calista, who had been thinking of the dragon and the large red tree earlier, suddening felt a surge of pain rushing through her veins, followed by a feeling of freezing cold.

She didn't know why this happened, but she knew she can´t hold on for long.

The cold was unbearable, sinking into her bones like jagged ice. She curled tighter searching for warmth, only to have her blanket yanked away,

A weak whimper escaped her lips, but no words followed.

Then, heat.

Not just warmth…scorching, consuming like fire wrapping around her. She instinctively burrowed into it, sighing as relief washed over her.

Alexander froze.

She curled against him, her soft breath warming his skin. His jaw clenched, muscles locked in war he didn't want to fight.

This is dangerous.

Heat coiled in his gut, deep and unwelcomed. His grip tightened on the blanket. " F**k", he muttered under his breath.

Ethan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, one brow raised.

"Really, Alexander? Naked? In bed with her? You lasted a whole two weeks before giving in."

Alexander shot him a murderous glare. " F**k off, Ethan." he yanked the blanket higher, covering them both.

Ethan rolled his eyes inwardly " Is she okay?" he asked, his voice barely came out as a whisper.

" Not yet, but she will be, now use the door" Alexander commanded.

He stared at Alexander and Calista, who was clinging to Alexander as if her life depended on it.

Sadness flickered through Ethan´s eyes.

" Fate is a mess" he muttered before he strode out of the room.

Alexander gaze lingered on her face, his fingers could not resist caressing it. He felt tingles as his fingers touched her face.

" Beautiful" he said in a daze.

.........…..

The morning came with a happy smile. Calista sighed, stretching lazily , relishing the warmth wrapped around her. She traced her fingers over the heat source. Solid. Firm. Smooth.

A smile tugged her lips in satisfaction. Her brows furrowed a little bit, when something twitched under her touch.

Her curiosity got the best of her. " What is that?" she wondered.

" I will check again" she brushed her fingers over it again.

" Hot. Big. long….. What is that?"

" Is that…..balls….in a sack?" her thoughts swirled in her head.

Her hands continued the investigation, a growl resonated in her ear.

Her eyes shut open, her eyes meeting that of Alexanders. 

"Oh no" she thought, as her eyes opened wide as if it was going to bug out.

She shut her eyes back, her hands flew to her side.

A hiss of disapproval brushed through her ears.

A large, warm hand wrapped around hers, yanking her hand back

A husky chuckle brushed against her ear. " You woke him up," Alexander murmured, voice thick with amusement. " Now, you have to put him back to sleep."

Calista's eyes shut open again, her eyes avoiding his " i don't know how " she bit her lower lips in frustration.

Something rumbled inside his chest, his eyes staring intently at her avoiding green ones, then down her red rosy lips, which she was biting.

His hand traced her lips, his thumb caressing it.

Calista´s breath hitched, his warmth, his touch was waking something she never thought existed

She tried to run, but his hands pulled her closer to himself.

" Your thing is poking me" she cried out in desperation, as she wiggled in his embrace.

A hiss escaped from his lips " Stay still" he commanded.

But Calista was having none of that, suddenly he was on top of her, pinning her down.

Her eyes traced through his glistening well framed body, heat pooled under her legs.

The door crashed open.

A grasp. A clatter

Alexander turned sharply, his eyes darkening, body tensing…