Chapter 35 - Match 35

Alex knew that if it wasn't for Luke's angry outburst the crowd would have cheered and ridiculed him. No one did that now, maybe that was why Lily didn't seem pleased as she saw him, except for the fact that he could probably kill them. She was scared of him, everyone was. 

Looking at him, Alex too felt the same. That madness in his eyes. It reminded him of moments he had buried deep inside his head. Moments of hateful looks before he got beaten up almost unconscious by his father. Those moments were taking shape in Luke's eyes right then and there while he was shivering and waiting. 

That's why he had pleaded. He had begged him to stay. To kill those fears inside him. If no one accepts me, at least you, the one who says he loves me, please stay, he thought and tears swelled up in his eyes. He could see it though, the hate, the anger. Luke would leave. He would run and get his claws and fangs out. He would growl and his eyes would become silver, like shining daggers and he would go after them. He would leave him. 

It seemed like his body wanted to stay but leave at the same time. The wolf inside of him was howling, growling and scratching the walls of his mind to get away and kill them. Kill the ones who ridiculed his mate, the ones who are threatening his happiness but Luke, he could only see Alex. Alone and waiting for someone to help him. Help him not because he was weak, a damsel in distress but help him to show him that someone was there. His tears could be acid to Luke's skin and he was constantly fighting with himself as he was panting, rooted to his spot. 

Their gazes met and it felt like time stopped. Pretty and shiny jades, freshly cut grass, the green blue waters of the lake he swam as a child, all of these pretty things and precious memories were mirrored in Alex's eyes. He was the guardian of his humanity, keeping him sane and he understood that the mating bond was so much more than just sexual desire or romance. It was companionship, friendship and family. It was a hope to hold on to and Luke was only scaring Alex away because he knew that the tears in his eyes were not because he was embarrassed or sad about the situation. He was scared Luke was going to disappear. 

He closed his eyes, his long nails digging holes into his skin, blood dripping on the wooden floor mixing with the mud that fell from Alex's shaking body. He tried to breathe. Calm down, he screamed in his head again and again.

His arms were trembling from the pressure to take control of his movement. To pin his inner beast inside. He took off his shirt and gave it to Alex, who was almost naked. The boy looked at him with wide eyes, taking the soft fabric in his hands.

"It will get dirty" he stuttered and Luke gave him a serious look. 

"I don't care." He answered, his voice coming out cold. He didn't mean to. He was trying to keep his emotions in check. "Wear it" 

He didn't argue twice and wore the shirt that reached almost the middle of his thighs. 

Alex didn't know what to say. He had chosen him. He had stayed and as he moved towards him he felt like his heart would explode. Without saying anything Luke raised him up like a princess and walked outside, without sparing a glance at anyone else than him. The green eyed boy let his head rest on his shoulder and finally felt himself calm down. It was okay, everything would be fine. He told himself. 

Luke visited again the baths. This time a few people were in there some of them talking, washing their teeth and taking showers. All of that came to a stop though when he entered the room. Luke looked at every single one of them and literally told them to get lost. No matter what they were doing they just left, even the ones who were in the shower just jumped out like the they were on fire and left the room while trying to tie their towels around their body. Alex didn't like that he was inconvenienced them but he appreciated that Luke created a space where they could be alone.

He carefully placed him down and helped him take off all of his clothes. He was standing fully exposed in front of him but he didn't care. He also knew that there wasn't anything sexual in Luke's mind right now. His only priority was to help him, make him feel safe. 

Luke took his clothes off too, revealing a stunning body that resembled that of a Greek statue. He took Alex's hand in his and led him in one of the showers. The hot water that fell on his body washed the dirt and embarrassment away. 

Luke's touch was gentle and soft as he rubbed the soap onto him, washed his hair and massaged his scalp. Almost like the touch of an angel he made sure his tension did not spread to him. The relaxing smells, the careful touch were letting him breathe. 

They had been quiet up until now until Luke felt calm enough to speak. Alex had many colorful bubbled on his head and streaks of soap on his body. Luke's wet hair were sticking on his face and neck framing his shiny eyes. 

"It's okay. You're safe. I will always be there for you. I will always choose you." 

He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear these words. To him at the sound of those sentences his heart seemed to break out of his shackles. Shackles made of gold, molded by insecurities and fear. Luke had broken all of them so simply, shattered them into pieces and his words a magic spell that freed his soul. 

All this time he had kept them in. The rain of acid tears but he couldn't any longer. Like a small child who had just fallen on the ground he cried out his loud scream barely masked by the falling water. His eyes turned red, his torso was shaking as he tried to breathe in between his cries. 

He found shelter in Luke's embrace as he caressed his back, his vision blurry all he could feel was the warmth emitting from his body. His heart was beating like crazy, he was crazy like him but he felt like home. The way he kissed his cheek, took his tears away. The way he embraced him like the softest cloud taking him into an imaginary sky was almost liberating. He closed his eyes and got lost by his care. He couldn't believe how he had dared to doubt him, this man who went against his nature to help him. 

"Thank you." He screamed taking all his anxiety out. "Thank you for saving me" 

"I will always save you. No matter what. I swear Alex" he promised and looked at him, hoping his sincerity would be real. That it would show in his tortured expression. 

"Luke I'm sorry. I'm sorry I am like this. Human. Weak" Alex confessed and Luke hugged him harder. 

He didn't want him to be anything else. Alex was Alex just because he was human. If he was anything else, he wouldn't love him anymore and that hurt him. He felt tears appearing on his eyes. Every tear and a lie he had told. 

"You are fine the way you are, don't torture yourself. You are perfect for me the way you are." 

Alex kept crying and unable to speak he only nodded in Luke's chest. 

He wasn't aware for how long they stayed there. Being poured by the water, hugging and kissing. They let their bodies tangle and share sweet embraces until their hearts were not burning by fear and anger anymore but by desire. Alex was tired though, he didn't want a special moment to begin and end like this. He wanted it to be indulged in happiness so they stopped and simply adored each other, their bodies connected until the water turned cold and they had to leave. 

Luke did not leave his side. He laid down next to him on the small bed, waited until he fell asleep so he could close his eyes too. 

That was how his first day had ended in his new home. Filled with fear and anger, he had come even closer to Luke in the end, unaware of the secrets and conspiracies that they were forming in the darkness. Alex hoped that this pace could be a bright new beginning and from what he had witnessed in his mind it could be. 

The things behind the closed, heavy doors were the ones that could turn the shiny valley into a misty, dark swamp. 

He fell asleep though, forgetting every single one of his questions. Letting himself relax for a few hours. It was the right thing to do. They had forgotten something really important though. 

Mark was still missing. 

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