Rebirth - To love or Hate the Alpha

Elian POV

Ronan's hiding something. He's not being honest with you.

I needed to know the truth.

Ronan was standing by the window, his back to me. The sunlight was fading, casting long shadows across his broad shoulders. He didn't turn when I entered, but I knew he could feel me there.

"I need answers," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Finally, he turned to face me. His face was hard to read, his usual mask in place. "About what?"

I swallowed, forcing myself to speak. "Cassian told me you're keeping something from me. That there's more than you're letting on."

Ronan's expression tightened. For a moment, I thought I saw something like guilt flicker across his face, but it was gone before I could be sure. "Cassian will say anything to get to me," he said quickly. "He's trying to take my place as pack leader. Don't listen to him."

I frowned. "Why won't you just tell me the truth?" I asked. "Why does it feel like everyone knows something about me that I don't? Why am I here, Ronan? What am I to you?"

His eyes flickered, then hardened. "You're overthinking things. Cassian is just trying to mess with your head."

But I didn't believe him. There was something he wasn't telling me.

I took a step closer. "And what about the kiss?" My voice wavered despite myself. "What does that mean? Why did you leave right after I kissed you?"

Ronan froze, a flash of something dark crossing his face. "It didn't mean anything," he said coldly. "Forget it happened."

I shook my head. "How can you say that?" I whispered, my chest tight.

"It was a mistake," Ronan said, his words biting. "Don't read into it, Elian. You're making things complicated."

My heart sank. How could he be so dismissive? "It meant something to me," I said softly, my voice breaking.

But he didn't reply. Instead, he turned toward the door, his back to me again.

"Ronan, wait," I said, but before I could say anything else, the room spun. A wave of dizziness hit me hard, and I collapsed to the floor, my vision going black.

Ronan POV

The sound of Elian falling to the floor brought me back to reality in an instant. I rushed to him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Elian!"

He was barely moving, his skin pale and clammy. I knelt beside him, my hands shaking as I gently rolled him over. "Come on, wake up," I muttered, panic creeping into my voice.

His eyelids fluttered, but he didn't fully wake. "Ronan..." he mumbled, his voice weak.

I exhaled, relieved that he wasn't completely out of it, but my chest still felt tight. "Elian, please, stay with me."

I carefully lifted him into my arms, cradling him against my chest. He was so light, too light. I didn't like it.

I carried him to the bed and laid him down gently. His breathing was shallow, but steady. I sat beside him, watching him closely.

"Why do you do this to me?" I whispered. "Why is it always you?"

I ran a hand through my hair, guilt and frustration swirling inside me. I'd kissed him, and then I'd pushed him away. Now, I don't know how to fix it.

Elian POV

When I woke up, everything was blurry at first. I could hear Ronan's voice, but it sounded distant. As my vision cleared, I saw him sitting beside me, his face tense, like he'd been waiting for me to wake up.

"Ronan?" I croaked, my throat dry.

He looked at me, his face softening, but only for a second. "You fainted," he said, like it was no big deal. "You need to rest."

I pushed myself up, ignoring the dizziness that still lingered. "You stayed," I said, surprised by the warmth that spread through me.

Ronan didn't answer right away. He just stared at me, his jaw tight.

"Why?" I pressed. "Why do you care so much about me if I mean nothing to you?"

Ronan looked away, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're reading too much into this," he said, his voice cold again.

"Am I?" I challenged "Because I don't think I am. I think you're scared, Ronan. Scared of what you feel for me."

His eyes snapped back to mine, and for a moment, I saw something in them—something real. But then, just as quickly, he shut down again.

"I don't have time for this," he muttered, turning toward the door.

I couldn't let him go. Not like this.

I reached out, grabbing his wrist before he could walk away. The moment I touched him, something sparked between us—electric, undeniable.

"Don't walk away," I said, my voice trembling. "Not this time."

Ronan froze, his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned back to face me. His eyes were dark, full of emotions I couldn't quite read.

And then, without warning, he kissed me.

It wasn't slow or gentle. It was desperate, like he was trying to pour everything he couldn't say into that one moment.

I kissed him back, my hands clutching his shirt, pulling him closer as if he might slip away at any moment. His lips were urgent, moving against mine like he was pouring out every word he refused to say.

His hands gripped my waist, firm but not forceful, as though he was afraid I'd shatter under his touch. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat syncing with the heat building between us. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe—there was only Ronan.

He deepened the kiss, his lips parting mine, and a soft gasp escaped me. The tension between us melted into something raw, something real. I could feel the restraint he'd been holding back crumble, replaced by a need that matched my own.

"Ronan…" I whispered against his lips, barely able to say his name before he kissed me again, harder this time. His hands moved to my back, pulling me flush against him, his warmth seeping into me.

We stumbled back, his arms steadying me as he guided us toward the bed. My legs hit the edge, and I sank down, but he didn't let go. His eyes met mine, dark and filled with a storm of emotions—desire, fear, and something deeper that he refused to name.

"Tell me to stop," he said, his voice low and strained.

But I didn't want him to stop. I didn't want him to pull away again.

"Don't," I breathed, my hands tangling in his shirt as I pulled him closer.

He hesitated for only a moment before his resolve snapped. His lips found mine again, and this time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. The world faded away, leaving only the two of us.

Ronan's hands roamed over me, gentle yet insistent, as if he were memorizing every inch of me. My fingers trailed up his chest, over the firm muscles beneath his shirt, until I was pushing it off his shoulders. He let it fall to the floor without a second thought, his focus entirely on me.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his forehead resting against mine.

"Yes," I said without hesitation.

That was all he needed.

The night unfolded like a dream—touches that ignited sparks, whispers that bridged the gap between us, and a connection so intense it left no room for doubt. Every kiss, every caress spoke volumes, filling the silence with unspoken confessions.

He held me like I was the only thing that mattered, his usual walls crumbling in the intimacy of the moment. I could feel his love in every movement, even if he couldn't admit it aloud.

And for the first time, I felt like I wasn't alone.

As the night faded into the early hours of dawn, Ronan's arms wrapped around me, holding me close as we lay tangled together. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, I let myself believe that this moment was enough.