hey guys! i'm taking all of your reviews to heart. i'm updating "soon" (whatever that means) and showing you this chapter from Alek's point of view, which I know you wanted. see the end for something exciting! :)

Alek POV

"I'm done playing games," I say softly, scaring the hell out of myself with what I'm about to say. I made a fool out of myself last time, what makes me think this time will be any different? Nothing. Except... maybe things are different now. We're closer now, Chloe and I. I'd like to think I'm a little more mature. After all, I did chase Chloe after she ran out of the club, instead of my initial instinct which was to kiss Mimi even harder than before. And I didn't punch Brian in the face that time I saw Chloe watching him. All in all, I think I've been quite the Prince Charming.

"What are you saying, Alek?" She asks, though something in her tone makes me believe she knows exactly what it is I'm saying.

"No more Mimi," I state clearly. "No more Brian." She flinches. "Just...you and me."

"Brian's my friend, Alek..."

I bite my tongue. Now isn't the time to scream, Alek. That won't convince her that you're better than him. Ah, finally. A sensible thought.

"Chloe, we've tried this. It doesn't work. I get jealous when I see you talking to him. There I admitted it. Now, please, don't make this hard-"

"You're the one making it hard!" She yells back. Bastet, why does she have to be so defensive over him, especially when I'm trying to fix everything? I run my fingers through my hair, frustrated beyond belief. "Tell me what you want, Chloe. Right now. Enough with the running and dodging," I take a breath and try to lighten the mood. "My pride can't take it," I say with a gentle smile, but I suspect my eyes are saying anything pleasant.

Now she's the one looking exasperated. "I don't know!" she whines. "Why does this have to be so difficult? Why can't we be whatever we are without me having to give up my friends? I wouldn't ask you to give up your friends!"

My jaw tightens reflexively, and I can't seem to unlock it. "Fine. So you keep on flirting with Brian, and I'll go on fooling around with Mimi. Everything will stay the same. Is that how you want it?"

Her eyes fill with water and my heart tightens in my chest. Tears? She has to bring tears into this?

"Of course it isn't what I want, Alek," she says angrily, wiping her cheeks with her sleeve absentmindedly.

"We can't keep dancing around this, Chloe," I say, more pleading now than anything else. "It's making us both miserable." I wonder how I could have even possibly been "cheating" on her with "Alice" if we weren't anything to begin with. I decide not to bring that up though, because after all, I'm not the one with seven lives here. "Just...decide." I try to say simply. As if my whole world isn't resting on her answer. As if I'd be able to live with her rejection.

She looks at me with pained eyes. "...I can't do it," she whispers.

Really? It's so incredibly hard for her to choose between me and the human? For God's sake, doesn't she have an inch of the feelings that I have for her? Besides, I'm Alek Petrov. I can get any girl I want, and this girl thinks she can just toy with my emotions forever while she plays with her human on the side. Does she not understand how sick I am of these games? Am I not making myself crystal clear?

"Then I do believe we're done here," I say, my voice low and furious. I turn on my heel and try to put as much distance as I possibly can between me and the King residence. I can vaguely hear her call my name and I push myself even harder to escape the noise. My head is throbbing, though not nearly as hard as my heart.

When I get to the apartment I slam my bedroom door closed and tear off my shirt, whipping it to the corner of the room. I fall back on my bed and fold my hands behind my head. Who needs her anyway? Just then, Jasmine (bless her soul the girl has such timing) pushes my door open with such force it hits the wall behind it with a loud thud.

"What the hell, Alek?" she yells and I feel like she's been saying that to me a lot lately.

"What?" I answer, just as cross.

"You're supposed to be making up with Chloe now, not hiding in your bedroom sulking."

I give her a dark chuckle and glance around my room. "Icecream? Nope. Chick Flick? Hell no. Tissues flooding my floor? Not that I can see. No one sulking here," I say with a pleasant smile.

Jasmine gives a deep sigh that reminds me of Valentina and I almost allow myself to sink into that heavy depression but I force the thought away. Now isn't the time for mourning or sulking or anything that anyone thinks I'm weak enough to give into. Like I said, Alek Petrov here, people. It's about time I slipped back into that confidence. The arrogant yet completely safe mask I wore before Chloe King decided to ruin it all.

"Grow up, Alek." she says tiredly, rubbing her eyes. "I have to go meet with the Mai counsel. I don't have time for your immaturity." She looks at me and I meet her eyes. Hers are worn out and I can only imagine mine are looking anything but, even though deep inside that's exactly what they are. After a moment she shakes her head and closes the door behind her, and this silence of disappointment is the worst thing I've had to fight all night.

poor Alek :(

ready for the exciting part?

it's a mini contest. basically, the best review on this chapter gets their name (or any name they give me) included in the next chapter somehow. if you're anonymous post the name with your review or i won't be able to contact you. if you have a username then either post it with your review or send me a message with it. good luck! i can't wait to see what you write so i can begin the next chapter :)