Chapter 118: You healed me

"Did something happen to Jake?" Alyssa asked the moment the door closed behind Jake.

Dorian’s brows furrowed in confusion. "No. Nothing happened. Why do you ask?"

"Well, he looked annoyed for some reason," she murmured. "And right before he left the Conclave earlier, he gave me this really strange look. He has never looked at me like that before."

"He’s probably just stressed," Dorian answered, the lie sliding off his tongue with practiced ease. "A great deal has been weighing on his shoulders lately, and he hasn’t had enough time away with his mate."

"Oh. Maybe he needs a break. He could take Henna away for a week, just the two of them. The way we did when we went to Ashgard."

Dorian smiled as the memory of Ashgard surfaced in his mind. Watching her dance in the arena; hearing her sweet laughter as they ran through the rain; feeling her excitement when she rode Shadow, and the quiet moments they shared wrapped in each other’s arms every night.

Those were memories locked away in a special place in his heart. He hated lying to her, especially after promising never to keep secrets. But looking into her soft, trusting eyes, he knew some truths were better kept buried in the dark.

"We truly did have a good time in Ashgard, didn’t we?" he chuckled.

Alyssa let out a soft giggle and nodded. "Yes. We really did. Before everything fell apart.

The smile slowly faded from Dorian’s lips. He tilted her chin upward and leaned down to nuzzle the tip of her nose.

"Don’t think about it," he murmured. "You and I, we’re a team now. We’ll figure everything out just as I promised you."

Alyssa sighed and snuggled into his embrace. "I know we will. But what about that woman who claimed to be my mother? What if she was telling the truth? Not having answers makes everything worse."

"I know, baby." Dorian lowered his head and kissed her hair. "I was thinking after the Moon Ceremony, we would focus on finding answers. What do you think?"

She lifted one shoulder in a light shrug. "That’s okay. At least Pilate is dead. He won’t be bothering us ever again."

Dorian’s expression hardened. That was another lie he had fed her, yet he felt zero guilt. What purpose would it serve if she knew the shapeshifter was still alive? It would only cause her unnecessary panic and sleepless nights.

Dr. Dylan had stressed the critical need for her to rest physically, mentally, and emotionally, especially while her body was still healing from the miscarriage.

So yes, he would craft a thousand lies if it kept her mind at peace, while doing everything he could to keep her safe.

"Did you speak with your stepsister?" he asked, smoothly shifting the topic.

Alyssa nodded against his chest. "It didn’t end well. She still doesn’t respect me. And she’s still the same cruel, hateful sister I grew up with."

She deliberately left out the part where her temper had snapped and she had slapped Melinda, and the chilling warning about her dormant powers awakening. It didn’t make sense, even to her.

"Alec took her away," she added after a beat. "I don’t think I want to be present when you interrogate her again."

"I won’t hurt her if that is what you want," Dorian murmured. "There are other ways I can get the answers I need."

At that moment, another matter crossed his mind. "There is something else I need to discuss with you, my love."

The subtle shift in his tone instantly caught Alyssa’s attention. She pulled back slightly, tilting her head to look into his eyes.

"What’s that?"

"You have full authority to refuse it," Dorian said quickly. "It’s just a suggestion from the Elders."

"Okay," she nodded eagerly, her blue eyes shining with curiosity. "What is it?"

"It’s about your education," Dorian explained. "As the Queen of Wintercrest, you command power and control. However, the Elders think it would be imperative if you held a degree from the Lycan Academy."

Alyssa blinked, completely caught off guard. "Oh."

"You don’t have to agree to it," Dorian added hastily. "It’s not mandatory. Honestly, I find the entire concept ridiculous because lacking an academic degree doesn’t make you any less of a Queen."

He was rambling, and he knew it. But he couldn’t help the nervous tension tightening his chest, especially when Alyssa went completely silent, her face unreadable. She didn’t appear angry, but she certainly didn’t look overjoyed by the proposition.

"Okay, forget I even brought it up," he said with a weary sigh. "It was foolish of me to mention it."

And then, Alyssa burst into laughter. She looped her arms around his neck, giggling as if he had just delivered the most hilarious joke. The joyful sound sent Shadow prancing around his mind with delight.

"What’s so amusing?" he asked, forcing a fake stern look onto his face.

"You," she giggled. "You should have seen your face. I have never seen the terrifying Alpha King look so utterly flustered."

A slow grin spread across Dorian’s face, his eyes twinkling down at her. "I was worried," he admitted. "I didn’t want you to think less of yourself. A degree from the academy does not define your worth as my Queen."

"I know," she smiled warmly. "But back in the South, I always dreamed of attending the Academy. My stepmother forced me to go to the local public school, while Melinda was given the luxury of attending a prestigious private institute. It was no surprise, really."

"So, is that a yes?"

Her fingers toyed with the fine hairs at the back of his neck as she nodded. "It is. Apart from getting the degree, it is also a way for me to fulfill a childhood dream I thought was stolen from me."

A wave of relief washed over Dorian, dissolving the tension in his chest. He had been worried that the topic would be too sensitive for her.

"When do I start?" she asked eagerly.

"I’ll let you know," he smiled. "I already sent Anthony and Pandora to inquire about the entry examinations and everything else you need to know. When it’s safe, I’ll take you there myself."

A look of gratitude softened Alyssa’s delicate features. She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him. Her arms tightened firmly around his neck, a soft moan escaping her as he gripped her waist and pulled her close.

The kiss was mild and sweet, dripping with her pure love and deep devotion. Her fingers threaded into his hair as she parted her lips under the pressure of his mouth.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes were hazy and glazed with immense affection.

"Thank you, Dorian," she whispered. "I feel I don’t say it enough. You met me broken, and you healed me. Then you completely captured my heart."

The moment those words left her lips, the heavy weight that had been crushing Dorian’s soul for months slowly evaporated.

Warmth flooded his entire body, a raw, beautiful emotion he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years. And just like that, he stopped running from the truth.

"No," he murmured, slowly shaking his head. "You’re the one who healed me, and captured my heart. Alyssa... I have to tell you something."

Alyssa’s heart skipped a wild beat. Her eyes widened, locking firmly onto his. "What is it"

"I have lied to myself for so long," he rasped, gently cupping her cheek. "I kept believing that what I felt for you was just intense protection. I told myself my feelings weren’t real. But I realize now that I was simply terrified of what it meant to give someone this much power over me."

Tears prickled the edges of Alyssa’s eyes, but she refused to blink them away.

"What are you trying to tell me?" she whispered.

Dorian stroked his thumb softly over her cheekbone, a heart-melting smile slowly curling his lips.

"I love you."