Chapter 73 - Match 73

Alex had been alone for quite a while. Many times wondered where was everyone else, what have they been doing and if it was a good idea to roam in the palace. He had decided not to. He was still scared to face Luke or accidentally bump into Adam or even worse Lily. This place was filled with people that would just make his mood worse and even if he had a way to avoid them at the compound this unknown place and the fact that he would be all alone without a guide didn't offer him much ease. 

So he laid in his enormous bed examining this new environment. It was very pretty indeed with its distant and cold aura. Everything seemed to be frozen in time and the warmth from the heavy covers and the strong fire were everything he needed to admire it without freezing to death. He loved the light like stalagmites on the ceiling and he kept trying to count them but the room was too big and every time he found himself losing count. Sometimes they would shine strongly while others they would glisten in pretty patterns and he desperately wanted to touch them. Would the light make them warm? Then why did they not melt? He wondered. Magic, probably he mumbled.

After some time when he had gotten bored of just sitting there he heard a knock on his door a very anxious ginger head appearing behind it and scanning the room. When his best friend noticed that he was awake and slightly well he jumped and clapped his hands rushing inside and plopping on the huge bed. 

"I missed you!!!" He sang and crawling on the sheets he hugged him tightly. 

"Ouch! You idiot" Alex screamed in pain and Mark jumped back shocked. He looked at his bandages with a pout, his bottom lip sticking out and tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. 

"It's my fault. I left you" he cried and dramatically shoved his face on the fluffy blanket. It smelled like vanilla and he sniffed it like a junkie enjoying the scent. 

"Shut up. We know it's not your fault. Thank you for calling for help." He told him and patted his fluffy head.

"I heard that you found a way back on your own. That's amazing" Mark noted and Alex smiled.

"I was just luck that's all. Have you met Joe?" 

"Yeah, he seemed nice. He told the guys everything. How did you get out of the fire? I've been wondering about that." Mark said. He remembered what Theseus had told him and he was trying to see if Alex had any idea about his powers. 

"To be honest, I don't really remember. All I remember is thinking that I don't want to die and the next moment I was out fainting onto Joe." Alex said. It was very weird how he had no recollection of such an important moment. It was only that voice in his head still strong talking to him, like an echo. He remembered him giving him an advice. He grasped into those words and then…it was blank. "But how about you tell me everything that happened"

"Oh God where should I begin? From The fact that Mikael killed Clarissa for God know what reason? Or maybe we should talk about how annoying Luke has been or that Mikael has disappeared somewhere. I have been avoiding you see. And then there is Theseus. He is actually pretty smart and has been making Adam's life a misery. It's amazing. You have to see how he talks to them. I love it. He had sent people all over to search for you, setting I don't know some magic barriers to monitor activity. I am telling you eh was like a master mind." Mark said excited. 

Alex didn't know what to comment first. How could Mikael had done something like that? All this time he believed that him at least, not even Luke, he was different. He seemed kind and caring, he had treated Clarissa so politely and seen as a savior so why? There would definitely be a reason behind what he had done. Adam on the other hand, he cared little about him but he was happy to hear that he at least was having a hard time. Theseus, he was a whole different case he didn't know if he was ready to talk about yet.

"Luke…had he been searching for me?"

"He…well…umm it's kind complicated, you see you know how he is a little stupid …right?" Mark began mumbling scratching his arm. Alex began feeling a bit anxious as he seemed to chew his words. 

"Spill it I won't cry."

"Yeah he went out like once for two hours to search for you and came back that's the only thing he did."

"Wow…I mean wow" Alex said dumbfounded. 

"There is also a rumor saying he was seen talking with…the witch…Lily… But to give him some credit he went after this cousin of his and brutally beat him up to find out where you were."

Alex kept quiet. He was processing the situation and for some reason he wasn't surprised by Luke's behavior, this time away from him had given him a chance to kind of get a better look at their relationship from a far. He did search for him because he was worried, he was his mate after all but he didn't really go any further because he didn't really love him. He beat up that guy not just because he wanted to find him. It was that too; Luke wasn't heartless after all but it was more of a display of power for him. Having easily kidnapped and endangered the mate of a strong wolf like him meant that he was weak and couldn't protect Alex so that was a blow on his pride. 

He was surprised by how clearly he could see some things now. There was also a sad part though. He still remembered the first time he laid eyes on him. How handsome he looked or their first kiss. The sweet words he had told him and the way their bodies felt together. It had been unique, a cherished memory for him and noticing such things now hurt. Knowing that he alone had created a romantic story while for Luke it had only been restraints and following pack rules pained him, not only because his feelings weren't returned but also because they would never find out if that instinct could turn into true love. It was too late now to try, the wounds were too deep and Alex even though he knew that when he would see him again, he would want him he realized that it was only instinct now for him too, maybe a few of his feeling have left but at the same time he wished they didn't, it would hurt a lot more if they had. He was avoiding him for that specific reason. He didn't want to face his feelings yet.

"Don't be sad please! I am so happy you're alive!!" Mark said and smiled at him forcing him to smile back. 

"Thanks. It's just that things are weird."

"Luke is trash. Dump him and move on to the hot elf king who looks like he came out of a fairy tale. I mean have you seen that hair. Ten out of ten" he joked and Alex began laughing. 

Yes, Theseus was definitely and undeniably gorgeous with his cold exterior. Tall, elegant like a prince out of a story. Well he had been a prince and now even a king so it somehow made sense. Could he wield a sword? Alex wondered and suddenly he imagined him fighting skillfully like the men in the middle aged movies, getting flustered.

"You are blushing! Oh my God you have your eyes on him." Mark commented and Alex shook his head in a denying motion.

"I am not looking at anyone until I clear out my head about Luke. So tell me why have you been avoiding Mikael?" 

"I know it will sound childish but I am disappointed" Mark said. "I had created an image of him, I kind of considered him my savior in many occasions and while you had your eyes on Luke all the time he would notice me and care for me, I believed that he was different from the other wolves, no matter how cliché that sounds, he seemed kind but I probably sound stupid right?" he said with a sad smile "For them killing is as natural as pooping" 

"No I understand what you mean and you are right. Those were my thoughts about him too but you and him seemed to always understand each other so I think you should hear him out. Talk to him, I may be wrong most of the times in judging people but you are definitely not and you came to appreciate him as a person and that means something. So hear him out at least."

"I want to but I am scared, that the image I have created will be ruined." 

"You know; we can't be living in our fantasies. We have to look at people exactly the way they are. It took me too long to realize that but it's the sad truth. We make stories in our head about people and then we get hurt when they show their true selves. It's a way of escaping the harsh reality but at the end of the day is wrong." Alex told him and took his hand in his. "I know more than anything that you are very capable of addressing your fear. You are much braver than me"

"You're right but tell me what happened these few days? Did you come back wiser or is it my idea?" He asked him and Alex began laughing. 

"Could it be that near death experiences make you smarter?"

"It could be…or…you are starting to remember and you haven't told me." Mark told him.

"The truth is that…I have been seeing some things, like dreams but I forget the most as soon as I wake up. It's really frustrating. I saw my mother though. She was really pretty and nice" He said with a nostalgic smile. "Do you think I may meet her one day? Have a family" Alex dreamed and Mark tried not to say anything. He seemed happy thinking about his mother. It would be devastating if he told him that all of his people were dead. 

"It's possible! You just need to remember fully. It's a good sign that you are getting back pieces." He encouraged him and Alex nodded. He honestly wanted to know more. Unveil more of his story that was hidden deep on his mind and heart. "Do you want me to call someone do get you some food? It's pretty late but you must be hungry." Mark said and Alex nodded eagerly. He was starving. Theseus had said that they would send some food so he didn't want to bother anyone but he really needed to eat something.

Mark headed towards the door and opened it looking outside when suddenly a loud sound, like someone had taken down a wall was heard. Alex's eyes widened and tried to see Mark's expression who was witnessing the scene. The boy in a hurry closed the door and turned to his friend. 

"Shit, stay inside don't make a sound" he warned him.