"Mine."
My eyebrows furrowed. What had that meant?
Mine.
His.
I had just met this man and though that simple phrase made me feel an array of emotions, I had never been more confused in my life. What did he mean? I could feel the stares of everyone around as he held my gaze, his green eyes hard and calculated. I couldn't look away, no matter how much I had wanted to. My hands started to sweat out of anxiety and nervousness. As we stared at each other, neither of us had dared to say anything, our breaths synced and uneven. Why was he still so close to me?
Mine.
My mind reeled. I slowly stole my eyes away from him to survey the crowd around us. Everyone was silent and most of them seemed scared. I wanted to look at my family, to see what their faces said, but before I could, a throat cleared behind him. I turned abruptly, begging for them to take the spotlight away from my red cheeks. He didn't look, his attention remaining on me and I didn't have to look at him to know this. I could feel it. I would have looked at back at him, but I was afraid of what I was feeling and what was happening in front of everyone. I hung my head low, waiting for further action or direction from someone. Anyone.
"Ace, you're making a scene" someone spoke quietly, finally.
I rose my head to see where the voice came from and found myself looking right at the King Alpha himself. I quickly brought my head in a bow, worried I had offended him. Ace was still staring at me and standing very close. He didn't even flinch when the King Alpha addressed him. Are they close? They did walk out together. Who was Ace to the King Alpha? I had so many unanswered questions and not enough courage to raise my voice.
"King Alpha, I am so sorry. I had no intention of slowing down today's events or causing any trouble. Please accept my apology," I rambled out rather quickly, keeping my head down.
"It is quite alright, Kaitlyn," the King Alpha responded. He then turned to Ace again and spoke in a very hushed tone.
"Ace, are you sure?"
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life," Ace replied, immediately. His voice sounded like a dark lullaby and I swear, if he let me, I could listen to it all day. Ace continued to stare at me, even when he addressed the King Alpha. I raised my gaze to his, suddenly finding some confidence stored in me. I adjusted my glasses, the sweat from my embarrassment making them fall slightly. I swear I saw Ace's mouth lift at the corner from my movement, but it was quickly covered with what must be his signature straight face. The King Alpha took this time to speak again, this time addressing the other alpha's, whom I had forgot were even here, and the crowd.
"Everyone, Kaitlyn Ann Windsor will be returning with my staff and I to the Palace, where she will live and work. And now that that is settled, let's continue." The King Alpha looked toward the lady announcer and nodded his head to continue with the event. Before I had any time to think, Ace had grabbed my arm and led me away from the stage and through a side door. He continued to pull me with him, not hard but hard enough to ensure I wasn't going anywhere. We ended up in a small room, one I can only compare to the size of my bedroom. I wasn't scared as much as I was confused and anxious. I had never even talked to a boy before, much less be in a small room alone with them. The realization that I had that meeting with Ace in front of everyone made me sweat that much more and my heart had sped up. Ace closed the door and leaned his head on it. He took a deep breath, released it, and I could see him physically relax. I did not notice how tense he was when we were in front of everyone. I couldn't look anywhere but his eyes, his dark forest eyes. I had stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to make a move, rubbing my sweaty hands on my dress. My mind wandered back to recent events as Ace relaxed.
Mine.
What does it mean? Was I related to him? In what way did he mean I was his? Did I work for him? Was that my calling, to work for Ace until I died? Was this where my life was going to go? Was he mine as well? Did this situation work both ways? Where would we go from here? My thoughts were interrupted by the door creaking. Ace had moved his weight off it and turned my direction. We stared at each other once again. I had no idea why he wanted to look at me so much. I wasn't anything special. I was just a girl in a dress and old shoes. It wasn't like I was doing flips on fire. Why was I so fascinating to him? He walked towards me timidly, as if I would run away. Little did he know, I was frozen to the floor. I couldn't run even if I wanted to. When Ace was right in front of me, I instinctively lowered my head. He oozed confidence and power, which intimidated me. I was also afraid of making him angry for some reason. Did lowering my head make me seem less than him? Was he going to be offended that I didn't look at him? Questioning myself, I felt a finger underneath my chin. There were what I can only describe as sparks on the spot he touched me. It tingled and almost caused me to want to itch. He led my head upwards, to look at him. His eyes were cloudy, and he seemed in deep thought. I couldn't read his face fast enough to know what he was going to do, but I found out rather quickly. Our mouths connected for what seemed like only a fraction of a second. He kissed me so softly that if you told me I made the whole thing up; I would have believed you. I felt the sparks again, this time on my lips, but more intensely. I didn't kiss him back. I didn't have time to. I didn't know if I wanted to. He looked at me to gauge my reaction of what just occurred. His faced morphed into an unsure expression, almost like he regretted it.
I had never kissed anyone before which is why I didn't respond and why I startled both of us when I reached up and pulled him back in.