Chapter 64: Fate pushing me to you

Alyssa stared, completely awestruck, at the massive cruise ship idling at the dock. The sight left her speechless and a little breathless.

It rose four decks above the water, the hull painted a clean navy blue with a sharp white trim along the top. Rows of small, circular brass portholes gleamed in the sunlight, running the length of the vessel.

The railings along the deck were polished to a high shine, and a single, stubby white funnel rose from the center, venting a thin trail of clear smoke into the bright sky.

Alyssa turned slowly to Dorian, her blue eyes wide and alive. "We’re sailing? We’re actually sailing?"

Amused by the awe dancing in her eyes, Dorian chuckled low. "We are. Are you nervous?"

"Nervous?" she echoed. "I am on the verge of screaming with excitement. This is something I never thought I would experience."

Dorian smiled and pulled her close, lifting one hand to run his knuckles gently over her cheek. "I promise you, little lamb. Whatever it is you desire to experience, you only have to say the word. I will make it happen."

Alyssa’s smile softened, her heart swelling. "Thank you. But where exactly are we going?"

"We’re going to Ashgard."

She frowned slightly, trying to recall where Ashgard was. "Is it a pack territory?"

Dorian’s lips twitched into a small smile. "No, not a pack. A continent, just like Wintercrest. I have a villa in Ashgard. Several, actually. I thought it would be best to take you there, completely away from Wintercrest for a week."

"It’s perfect," she murmured, leaning into his chest. "Everything is perfect as long as I’m with you."

The limousine’s privacy partition lowered smoothly, and André glanced back at them. "Alpha, they are ready for your boarding."

Dorian nodded. He turned back to Alyssa, his smile returning. "Are you ready, my love?"

She nodded eagerly, excitement churning inside her as André stepped out to open the door. Dorian stepped out first, holding out a hand to guide her.

He turned to his driver, his tone shifting into something firmer, authoritative. "You can return to the estate now, André. Be alert on the drive back. If you suspect anything out of the ordinary, report to Jake or Alec immediately."

André nodded sharply. "Yes, Alpha. Have a safe journey." He turned to Alyssa, his expression softening. "Have a safe trip, Luna."

"Thank you, André," Alyssa beamed sweetly.

He slipped back into the driver’s seat, slowly backing the limousine away before driving off into the city lines.

Dorian led her up the gangway, holding her close with one hand wrapped securely around her waist. The icy wind blew harshly across the deck, ruffling his hair and bringing the sharp, salty scent of the open sea.

Alyssa looked around the interior of the vessel in pure excitement. Everything smelled clean, pristine, and brand new. Two members of the ship’s elite staff bowed deeply at Dorian’s approach and led the way toward the upper decks, while two porters followed closely with their luggage.

"The penthouse suite has been reserved exclusively for you, Alpha," one of the staff members said brightly. "The captain sends his highest regards."

With a respectful bow, he threw open the door of the suite, revealing a sprawling sanctuary of polished marble, cream velvet, and floor-to-ceiling glass that completely erased the boundary between the room and the endless ocean.

A plush king-sized bed stood elevated on a low platform, separate from a luxurious living area bathed in natural light. The subtle scent of the sea mingled with the aroma of expensive leather furniture. A bottle of champagne sat chilling inside a silver ice bucket, and the porters quietly moved the luggage into the wardrobe.

"I hope the suite is to your liking, Alpha," the staff member continued, keeping his eyes lowered.

Dorian didn’t answer right away. He turned to Alyssa, who had gone completely speechless beside him. "Do you like it?"

She lifted her head, hitting him with the full brilliance of those fractured blue eyes. "I love it. It’s perfect."

The staff member beamed and bowed again. "If you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to command the guards stationed right outside the doors."

He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him. The moment the latch clicked, Dorian pulled Alyssa into his arms. He nuzzled the warm curve of her neck, his hands turning firm and possessive around her waist.

"I just want to thank you, Dorian," Alyssa whispered into his shoulder. "For everything."

He pulled back slightly, gazing deeply into her eyes, allowing her to speak without interruption.

​"The only thing I’ve known all my life is pain, and suffering," she continued softly, her eyes searching his face. "I never once let myself believe I would ever find true happiness. It has always been about survival."

She paused, swallowing the sudden lump that formed in her throat as a peppery sting of tears threatened behind her eyes.

"But you’ve shown me what happiness really feels like in the few weeks I have been with you," she whispered. "You’re patient with me. You’re kind. And sweet."

Deep within his consciousness, Dorian felt Shadow purr in immense satisfaction. Being called sweet by their woman was a feeling unlike any other.

"I just want you to know I’m grateful for every moment with you," Alyssa added, a soft smile breaking through. "I guess meeting you that night at Iridian was just fate pushing me straight to you."

Dorian’s expression softened entirely. He pulled her flush against his body, his lips claiming hers in a deep, lingering kiss. It wasn’t wild or feral like the ones born of raw dominance and desire; this one was tender, carrying a depth of emotion he couldn’t put into words.

He slid his hands upward, threading his fingers through the luscious strands of her hair, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss. A low growl of pure contentment vibrated in his chest.

When he finally pulled back, releasing her lips with a soft sigh, his eyes had morphed into a brilliant, glowing gold. He held her face for a moment, his thumbs brushing over her cheeks, then tracing the curve of her lips.

"You complete me," he murmured, his voice thick with suppressed desire. "In every possible way an Alpha can be completed. And I will spend every second of this week showing you just how much."

He was not a man of many words when it came to expressing his feelings, but with Alyssa, the walls simply crumbled. He had a lifetime of things to say, even if he was still learning how to speak them.

...

Ten hours later, the ship docked at the port of Ashgard. Dusk had just begun to bleed over the horizon in shades of deep purple and grey.

Alyssa was fast asleep when Dorian entered the suite to wake her. She had spent the first half of the voyage touring the decks, asking endless questions, and feeding her curiosity. It had been a pure delight for Dorian to simply watch her exist without fear.

The porters had already taken their bags down to the staging area. Dorian slid onto the edge of the mattress and carefully scooped her up, lifting her bridal style. She stirred, mumbling something incoherent as she buried her face into the crook of his shoulder.

Then, her eyelids fluttered open. "Are we there yet?" she whispered groggily.

Dorian nodded, cradling her securely against his chest. "Yes. We have arrived in Ashgard."

She snuggled deeper in his arms, letting out a soft, unusually heavy sigh. "I feel so tired."

Dorian expected as much. He assumed it was travel fatigue; this was her first time crossing the sea, and her fragile body wasn’t accustomed to the shifting pressure.

"Just rest, little lamb," he murmured, lowering his head to press a firm kiss against her hair. "I’ve got you."

He carried her down the gangway and onto the stone dock, where a matte-black G-Wagon stood idling. Half a dozen fearsome guards stood in formation around the vehicle, their postures taut and alert, dressed in matching dark suits and dark shades despite the twilight.

They bowed in perfect unison as Dorian approached. The lead guard stepped forward. "Welcome to Ashgard, Alpha King Dorian. Alpha Cole extends his formal regards to you and the Luna."

Dorian nodded curtly, his eyes scanning the surrounding port before he answered. "Inform Alpha Cole that our arranged meeting for this evening is postponed. My Luna needs to rest."

The guard bowed again, opening the rear door. "As you command, Alpha."

As Dorian stepped toward the vehicle, Alyssa suddenly lifted her head, her gaze snapping toward the shadows stretching across the edge of the dock.

Her eyes narrowed, and a sudden, violent chill ran down the back of her neck, making the small hairs stand on end.

She saw nothing but the crates and the silhouettes of anchored boats, but the distinct prickle of being watched burned against her skin. It felt as though someone was standing within the darkness, hidden, tracking her every movement.

The moment Dorian settled into the back seat, the door slammed shut, cutting off the outside world. Alyssa shook the unsettling feeling away, attributing it to her exhaustion, and closed her eyes once more.

The engine roared to life, and the G-Wagon pulled smoothly onto the coastal highway. As the taillights vanished into the distance, a cloaked figure stepped out from the deep shadows of the shipping crates.

The woman pulled her dark hood lower, her eyes fixed on the empty road. She had felt the sharp, undeniable pull of magic the moment the ship crossed into Ashgard’s territorial waters.

Without wasting a single second, she had tracked the resonance directly to the docks. Now, having seen the girl with her own eyes and felt the unmistakable vibration of that hidden power, the truth was undeniable.

It was her.

Turning silently into the dark alleyways, the woman melted back into the shadows of the city, moving swiftly through the night to follow the path of the vehicle.