For some reason, Ayesha didn't want to just crumble like that, especially not over a man. With all her might, she pushed Alaric's chest and muttered, "No."
Alaric froze, his icy grey eyes locked on hers. For a beat, silence hung thick between them. Then, slowly, his shoulders loosened and his head dipped. "Alright," he said quietly, his voice softer than she expected. "I understand."
Her lips parted in surprise. 'Was it really that simple for him?' She had braced herself for anger, insistence, or even the dangerous dominance she had grown accustomed to from Ronan. But none of that came.
She blinked rapidly, her chest tightening as a different realization hit her. Alaric wasn't like Ronan. He wasn't forcing. He wasn't demanding. He was the first man who treated her like she mattered… like her choice mattered.
