Tugged
Alisha's eyes widened as she heard Alice's words; she was not expecting to hear them from his mouth, and it was clearly shocking that he even said something like this.
"Your eyeballs will fall from your eyes, Angel, relax sweetheart," Alice chuckled as he softly grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him.
He put her head in his lap, making her lie down comfortably, and started massaging her head very softly, melting her in his lap.
Alisha was beyond shocked by his action, the way he just massaged her head, but it relieved all the stress she bore while at lunch.
The spell was making her nervous from time to time, and then how that dead body came in the bag, literally was the ultimate button she didn't want to get pushed with.
Lucas' behaviour was the cherry on the situation; he made her wary about things. But as Jackson said in the car, he may not be that good, but he handles the pack well, so she can't say or think about Lucas.
She herself is not even in the half position where she can gain her powers and get down the path where she can hold on to this pack; it's something not in her hands for now.
"You don't have to think too much, you have me Angel, if you want to go back to your life the way it used to be, there is no way you have to stress, I will be there helping you," Alice's fingers dug a bit deeper so he could massage more perfectly.
Can I go back? Alisha thought about his words; her life before this, even before meeting him, was great, she never can deny that.
But if she decides to leave, then will he remove himself from her life and leave her alone, so she can have her life back?
Or did she even have the guts to leave, knowing the truth, how her parents had left her with responsibilities she had to take on herself.
Things are so complicated and somehow she did want to escape, but it doesn't feel like she can.
Her mind spun with these thoughts, unsure of what to do next.
As Alice continued to massage her head, she couldn't help but feel torn. Her life before this had been simpler, easier. She had independence and a sense of control over her life. Now, everything seemed entangled in a web of responsibilities and complex emotions.
The urge to escape tugged at her, but she knew deep down that running away wasn't the answer. She had obligations to the pack. Could she really abandon everything and return to her old life? Would Alice let her go?
She sighed softly, feeling conflicted and trapped. Alice's touch was soothing, and his words offered reassurance. First time she felt his presence was soothing.
She glanced up at Alice, his eyes filled with concern and understanding. "I don't know what to do," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Alice gently stroked her hair, his touch filled with tenderness. "Take your time, Angel," he said softly. "I'll be here, no matter what you decide."
"If I asked you to leave me, would you?" Alisha hesitantly asked.
Alice stopped massaging her head and looked at her with eyes that seemed to delve deeper than she could imagine.
The closeness, with her lying in his lap and him watching her like this, his hands resting on her forehead, was clearly more intense than she wanted the situation to be.
There was no way she would want to upset him, no way in hell she could do that.
Alisha held her breath, waiting for Alice's response. His gaze was intense, and she could feel the weight of his hands on her forehead, grounding yet pressuring at the same time.
Alice's expression softened, and he gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "You know I won't leave you even if you really wanted me to," he said quietly.
"I don't want you to stay with me," she whispered, opening her eyes to meet his gaze.
Alice's eyes searched hers, trying to understand the depth of her words. He stayed silent for a moment, processing her request. "I hear you, Angel," he finally said, his voice gentle yet unwavering. "But I can't leave you. Not now, not ever."
Alisha felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She knew she was being unfair, trying to push him away while needing him so desperately. "Alice, why are you like this?," she murmured, her voice wavering.
He shook his head softly. "That's not an option, Alisha," he said firmly, his hand moving to gently cup her cheek. "I'm here because I choose to be."
Tears welled up in Alisha's eyes, overwhelmed by his words. "But what about my old life?" she whispered. "I miss it. I miss feeling normal."
"I said I can take you back, but to my place, not a life where I don't exist. I'm sorry if I sound selfish, but you can't leave me. I have no issue if you want to leave this pack or anything, but that's not happening with me. You will be my wife, the same way you are my life," Alice breathed out his words, without anger.
Alisha sighed. She knew asking this question felt like self-sabotage, but she hoped against hope—that's why she dared to speak.
"Alice," she began softly, her voice barely a whisper. “I don't have any answer.”
Alice's expression softened as he gazed at her, his eyes searching hers. "I understand, Angel," he replied gently, his hand reaching out to gently touch her cheek. "I'm not asking for an answer right now. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."
"I never will have the answer," she murmured, more to herself than to him.
"Take all the time you need," Alice assured her, his voice unwavering. "I'll wait for you."
One thing he learned during the days she was not with him is that at least now she is here with him. He can hold her, stay with her, see her. This way, he can give her a whole lifetime to think, because he doesn't want her to leave hi
m again. He can never live without her, so this is better than nothing.