Chapter 38: Declaration

**Alice’s Point of view**


I reluctantly follow Derek into a private room. Cassie is giving me a headache because she wants us to stay with Elliot and no matter how much I remind her why it's impossible, she doesn't budge.
I sit down on one of the couches and Derek sits down next to me. He looks embarrassed and that doesn't sound good to me.
"Uh. Alice. I have something to tell you."
Oh no. No no no.
"I heard rumors that our fathers wanted us to mark each other." 
That sounds more like a statement than a question but I nod. "Yes I've heard rumors but my dad never told me anything about it." 
"Well, mine did when you were in the hospital. Apparently, they've been talking about it since we were kids because we've always been so close. They thought we'd be fated mates and they were disappointed that we weren't. So was I." He says softly.
This is not okay. It's not okay at all.
There was a time when I would have jumped for joy at the thought of him saying something like that. Me, who never wanted a mate, he is the only one I ever considered being with.
Was I ever in love with him? 
I think about how I feel about Elliot and try to compare. 
*"That's useless and you know it. Of course you don't like him."* Cassie says in an annoyed tone. *"Tell him you're not interested so we can go back to mate."*
*"It's not that easy."*
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Derek asks.
I purse my lips and hesitate. I don't want to hurt him, but I don't want to lie to him either, much less give him false hope. I don't know where I stand with Elliot, but I'm sure I don't want to share my life with Derek.
His beautiful chocolate eyes stare at me expectantly and I decide to be honest.
"Honestly I thought we'd be fated mates too because we both get along so well." I say with an affectionate smile. "But we don't and if the Moon Goddess didn't bond us it's because someone else is meant for us." I say softly.
He looks hurt. "It wouldn't be that bad to be together would it?" 
I put my hand on his arm to soothe him. "No, it wouldn't. But we deserve to be happy, don't you think? Out there is the perfect woman for you and when you will find your Luna, everything will make sense." 
Cassie is restless and wags her tail. I feel a gaze on me and turn my head towards the door. 
I see a green eye with a red tuft on top of it in the doorway.
*"Elliot!"* Cassie bellows. 
I can see he's hurt. He looks down and walks away. 
"Derek I'm sorry but my dad is calling me." I lie. "I have to go, but I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you."
He takes me in his arms and I go after Elliot. I follow his scent, in the opposite direction of the ballroom.  
At the turn of a corridor, I see him catching two glasses of champagne on the tray that a servant was going to take to the guests. I grab his arm before he gulps down the first glass.
"What are you doing?" I ask through my teeth, looking around to make sure no one can hear us. 
"Like if you ever cared." He says in a loud voice.
I motion for him to lower his voice but he still tries to drink and hearing people coming, I lead him behind me to the only room in the Castle I know and think is desert.
I push open the door to the library and am relieved to find that it is empty. I lead him between the shelves to the table where I spent the afternoon.
He leans against the table, puts down the glasses of champagne and looks at me without saying anything, impassive.
I raise an eyebrow. "How long are you going to be silent?"
He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. I can't help but find him devilishly attractive and I just want to jump on him.
"Is that an apology you're waiting for? Well, I'm sorry I interrupted you." He says with a forced smile and I can see he's angry.
I huff. "Don't be silly. He wanted to talk to me about the union our fathers are trying to put together, that's all."
"Don't bother, I heard everything." He says, bitter. 
He crosses his arms over his chest, making his biceps bulge. I can't help it, I rush over to him, grab his wrists and close his arms around me, my head buried in his chest. I inhale his scent and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I belong.
He's a little surprised at first but he holds me tightly and buries his nose in my neck. I hear him inhale sharply and sigh loudly. That simple sound turns my stomach and my heart speeds up.
"What does that mean?" He asks softly.
The truth? I have no idea. 
"My way of telling you that I missed you, that I'm sorry I left like that the other night and that I was really scared." I say softly.
He doesn't say anything but I hear his heart speed up and he holds me a little tighter.
We stay like this for a while until I hear a noise.
"Did you hear that?" I ask in a breath as I push him away.
He nods and motions for me to be quiet. Everything is silent and after a minute of straining my ear and hearing nothing, I breathe in relief.
"I have a lot to tell you." He says, straightening up.
"Me too." I say while taking a glass.
That's when I hear a noise behind me.  
"What are you doing here?" Rose asks suspiciously.
Oh crap.