18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

-Jared-

With a resounding slam of Astrid's computer, the realization of how late it had become struck me. As I tore my gaze away from my own screen, I found myself ensnared in the predatory glint of Astrid's eyes, a manifestation of her desire. My heart raced, acutely aware of her intentions.

From the very moment we crossed paths, she had yearned for my submission, yet I steadfastly refused to yield. There was that one instance she coerced me into kneeling before her, but it was more a product of pressure than genuine agreement.

With deliberate slowness, I closed the lid of my laptop, the soft click punctuating the tension.

"Before you use all my energy, could you at least allow me a moment to grab something to eat?" I suggested.

She mulled it over briefly. "Very well. You have the next hour to prepare, and then you will join me," she conceded.

I nodded, rising to my feet, feeling as though this day had brought little but was now concluding on an even bleaker note. Nevertheless, I resolved to make a quick visit to check on Alison. Knowing she would be famished too, I hastily grabbed a bite before proceeding to her room with everything in tow.

I opened the door, balancing everything in one hand as I unlocked it before stepping inside and securing it behind me. Alison was napping again, and I hoped her frequent exhaustion would soon diminish. She didn't stir as I brought over the food, but as I went to put away the laptop, she woke from her slumber, her expression groggy from sleep.

"Hey, I've brought some food," I gently announced.

"Are you finished with your work?" she inquired, her question causing a knot to form in my stomach.

"No, it seems it might have to continue throughout the night."

"All night?" she echoed, sitting up.

"Yes."

"I really hope it's worth the effort," she remarked, and I offered a faint nod.

"Me too," I murmured as she reached for her meal and began to eat. Meanwhile, I contented myself with observing her, trying to etch every detail of Alison into my memory, knowing that in approximately 30 minutes, I would endure a harrowing ordeal, the price for the fleeting tranquility before me.

Alison noticed my gaze as she savored her food, her puzzled eyes meeting mine.

"What?" she queried. "Do I have something on my face?"

I shook my head, a faint smile playing on my lips. Was this what she was concerned about while eating? It seemed challenging to strip away the veneer from the upper-class woman. Yet, her ability to amuse me offered a brief respite. Drawing closer to Alison, I noticed the perplexed expression etched on her face.

"What's wrong?" she asked again, sensing my unease.

"Can we pause with the food?" I queried.

"Pause for what?" Although I hadn't responded, Alison set aside her meal on the tray, granting me her undivided attention. When had anyone ever done that for me? I craved her complete focus with such intensity that it almost frightened me.

"Just until I'm out of here," I explained.

"Sure. What's happening?" she inquired, her genuine interest making me feel as though I were the only thing that mattered to her. What was she doing to me? Leaning over her, I settled with my body draped across hers, my head nestled against her stomach, inhaling her scent. Having gone without a shower for days, her powerful aroma mingled with my own.

I wrapped my arms around her, releasing a long sigh. Despite having endured torture before, I knew that nothing could truly prepare me for the impending night. Nestling closer to her, I absorbed her warmth.

"Jared?" she questioned, her voice calm and gentle.

I shook my head, indicating that I didn't wish to speak, and as expected, her fingers found their way through my hair, soothing my troubled soul. Alison began to trace patterns down my back and shoulder, offering a comfort that I hadn't known I needed. Touch had always been difficult for me to accept, but Alison's was different. Perhaps it was because she never left me alone, or perhaps because she had unwittingly become entangled in my ultimate revenge plan. Whatever the reason, I was grateful for the solace it provided before I offered myself to the wolf.

"Will you always love me?" I inquired, sensing her tension beneath my touch.

"What do you mean?"

"No matter what, will you always love me?"

"I thought you didn't want my love," she teased back, but despite my lack of reciprocation, her love meant her loyalty, something I yearned for.

"Answer the question," I insisted.

"It's a difficult one," she replied.

"No, it's not. It's a yes or no."

"It's not that simple, because I can't predict the future," she reasoned.

"So you'd leave me?" I snapped, my voice tinged with anger, a surge of possessiveness gripping me.

"No, I don't think I could. You're still all I have, but we could end up hating each other," she explained.

"Not much different from how it used to be," I retorted.

She chuckled softly. "Maybe not, but secretly, I did love you."

"You know me better than most," I murmured. "Do you truly believe you could stop loving me?"

"Most likely not. You're somehow everything I've ever wanted," she confessed.

"How?" I queried.

"You're real."

I shifted to look up at her, noticing a faint smile playing on her lips. More color had returned to her face, but the nightmares persisted. I knew they wouldn't vanish overnight, and while I was glad to comfort her, she'd have to face them alone this time. How would she manage?

"I mean, everything in my life has always been so artificial and controlled. But with you, there was nothing fake. You were genuine. You didn't pretend. You didn't let anything faze you. You are what I've always aspired to be," she whispered, running her fingers through my hair, then gripping it firmly, letting me feel the tug before repeating the motion.

"You mean a killer?" I teased.

"I mean real," she reiterated. "You don't hide who you are, even though I can't say I agree with your lifestyle. But I also know you wouldn't be here if I..."

I stared up at her, astonished. Alison had genuinely wanted to save me had she known the truth about my home life. However, I doubted it would have changed much. Her family would never have accepted me, and I wouldn't have trusted her.

"You're just trying to survive, like we all are," she continued.

I nodded before burying my face in her stomach again, listening to her steady breathing.

"It gets better," I whispered.

"What?" she asked.

"Everything. You start focusing on something else besides the pain," I assured her.

"I know. Not the first time," she admitted.

"No, I know, but this time..."

"Let's not talk about it," she urged, her voice breaking, and I nodded against her. I couldn't erase her pain, and while she was coping better than expected, maybe she felt trapped, with enemies closing in. We were far from safe, but perhaps this vigilance would help her through it.

"Jared, are you okay?" she asked after a long pause.

"No."

"Want to talk about it?"

"No," I replied, her gentle touch comforting.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I just want to hear you say you'll be right here waiting for me," I told her.

She chuckled softly. "Where else would I be? Climbing out the window?"

I tensed, tightening my hold around her, and she laughed again.

"Jared, I can barely leave the bed. Do you really think I'd climb out the window?" she teased.

"Just say you'll be here," I insisted.

She sighed softly. "Yes, I'll be here," she assured me.

"And try to get some rest if you can," I instructed.

"Sure, Dad," she taunted, earning a playful squeeze from me.

"Not my title," I reminded her.

She nodded before continuing to play with my hair. It was the most soothing feeling, a weakness of mine that only Alison knew how to exploit. I decided to stay here. When Astrid began her torment, I'd retreat to this moment in my mind, finding solace in Alison's embrace and her gentle touch, transporting me to a state of pure bliss.