It was times like this where I wish time would slow down for once, to be able to stay in a moment forever was something I wanted but we all don't get what we wish for. The way he held onto my waist with one hand whilst his other hand cupped my face was enough to make me fall deeper for him. Alec seemed to remember that I was indeed a human that needed to breathe and pulled away from the kiss, and it took everything in me from reaching out to kiss him again. I regained my breath but it wasn't long before he noticed my rather flustered state which caused him to laugh softly.
"You have no idea how long I have been waiting to do that.." I admitted, his eyebrows raise as an intriguing look crosses his features.
"Is that really true? Or are you just messing around?" He asks.
"I'm being honest when I say it's true Alec. I thought that I wouldn't find 'the one' for me but I had this craving feeling since that night and I can finally indulge." Alec shook his head at my words, he smiled slightly.
"I'm glad the feeling is mutual. It was clear to everyone else that I wasn't the same, and I'll admit I got a bit more agitated over small things." It was my turn to stare at him with intrigue. I motioned for him to continue but he shook his head.
"How about we save the rest of that story for another day? I wouldn't want to burden you with all of these feelings.." His tone grew soft as his eyes shifted from mine. I leaned forward and gently pecked him on the cheek before leaning back on the sofa, my arms resting over the side as I sighed.
The thought of staying in the castle both amazed and horrified me at the same time, yes I was curious about it and the area but it was the residents that threw me off deep inside. The words that Alec spoke earlier rang in my head as reality started to set in.
One week. Seven days. 168 hours until I would take my last breath as a human. It was daunting, so little time left to do what I wanted before I give that life up for immortality, the life that made me stronger in more aspects than physical and the life that taught me valuable lessons. Like a lot of people I made a bucket list when I was younger and looking back the majority of it was complete but there was one thing both younger me and current me wanted to do. Call me cliché and sappy but I always wanted to go to Paris on a date and kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower but the harsh reality of my new life means that may not happen the way I wanted it to. Forever hiding in the shade and not enjoying the signature dishes of different countries. Trying to balance out the pros and cons of immortality was a rather hard thing to do for example on one hand I didn't have to worry about ageing but on the other hand I will have to worry about the random urges to sink my teeth into any human within a ten mile radius.
"One week huh, if it were up to me I would spend the next few days just sleeping since it's something I won't be able to do once I turn." I was simply stating random thoughts at this point but Alec laughed besides me, his laugh was something I could listen to and not get tired of it. There were a lot of things I wanted to ask him but I wanted to respect his wishes of him not telling me everything now so I kept a mental note of questions to ask him later.
"If our kind could rest, I can promise that you wouldn't be getting much." He spoke, his gaze flickering over to meet mine as he smirked slightly. There were numerous ways I could interpret his words but I evidently blushed a deep shade of scarlet as I realized what he was implying. I didn't exactly have a good track record with healthy relationships considering half of the people I got with were mere one night stands that I did on a whim. The 'relationships' that made it past the one night stand stage usually ended within a month or less as people said they got bored of me or wanted to be friends which is why I'm a bit hesitant to date anyone. On the other hand I felt that the bond me and Alec shared ran deeper than any other relationship I have had, it felt as though we were meant to be and being away from him made my heart ache.
I glanced down at my watch and noticed it was getting late but I made no effort to get up and leave. In fact I felt rather comfortable next to Alec and even though we sat in silence I knew that none of us were uncomfortable or awkward. His hand reached out and gently grabbed my wrist before pulling me closer to him, Alec growled lowly as he wrapped his hand around my waist which caused me to practically fall on top of him. My cheeks flushed as I laid my head on his chest, my arms immediately wrapped around his waist and despite the coldness of his skin I felt warm in his embrace.
"I'm gonna have to go Alec, us humans actually need to sleep." I raised my head slightly and I noticed how his eyes softened as soon as I met his gaze. His bright red pupils seemed slightly darker now as he nods yet he made no effort to move his hands from my waist. It seemed as though he was thinking about something considering how quiet he was but I shifted in his embrace and kissed him on the cheek. My idea seemed to work as he looked away from where he was staring and focused on me, his hand moved quickly as it soon cupped my cheek. It wasn't long before he leaned down and kissed me on the lips, however I could tell it was different this time. It was as though there was a lingering feeling of hunger and need behind the kiss, and it made me frown when I had to pull away for air. Another fact about immortality that I was looking forward to was that I didn't need to breathe which meant I could spend an hour just simply kissing Alec.
"I'll walk you back to your room, besides you have plans for tomorrow and you need to be up early." I have plans tomorrow? It's the first time I'm hearing of it but it made me excited nonetheless, although I'm curious as to what I'll be doing or who'll accompany me. Deep down I was hoping for a chance to talk to Jane and tomorrow might be the perfect opportunity.
"I would like that." I spoke quietly but it was loud enough for him to hear. I wiggled out of his embrace and heard him sigh in what sounded like defeat, I stood from the sofa and stretched my limbs. In a flash Alec was by my side and I noticed how he went to grab my hand but stopped in hesitation before stuffing it in his jacket pocket. Right, he wanted to take this relationship between us slowly yet I wouldn't exactly class his actions a few minutes ago as 'slow'. He held the door open and we walked in silence back to my room, we bumped into a few lower guards who nodded as we passed and I noticed how they wore light gray cloaks instead of the darker cloak that Alec wore earlier. I didn't know how the hierarchy worked here and I made a mental note to ask him about it later.
It wasn't long before we arrived at my door and I noticed how relaxed he seemed now compared to when we were walking back but I didn't miss how he kept glancing over his shoulders.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked and I knew he heard it as he tensed up slightly which caused me to raise a brow in confusion.
"Maybe another time Charlotte, no doubt Jane will be looking for me and you need to rest." As soon as he said that a yawn escaped my lips which caused him to chuckle slightly. I shot him a glare but I inwardly knew he was right, it had been a pretty exhausting day considering the events that happened. I reached for the door handle and opened the door but I didn't step through as I could feel his gaze on my back, and I could tell without seeing his face that he wanted to say something.
"I have spent the hundreds of years of my immortal life thinking I never had a mate, thinking that no one out there loved me the way I wanted to be loved. That was until I ran into you that night and it was as though you gave me a reason to carry on living my endless life. I would like to thank you Charlotte Swan for entering my life and I will do anything to keep you in it." Alec confessed and that was all it took for me to step away from the door and into his arms. His head laid on my shoulder and if vampires could cry I'm sure he would've been sobbing right now but to hear this made my heart ache for him. He may be hundreds of years older than me but I made it my mission then to always be there for him in both my rather short human life and my immortal life.
"I know I'm just an ordinary human being and haven't lived as long as you but I also thought the same. I'm not embarrassed to say I have had a few one night stands but none of them could fill the void in my heart. I was never happy and it was clear to those around me, people tried to hook me up with their friends but I never accepted as it didn't feel right. Yet I don't feel that way around you, I feel like you complete me. It was as if we were meant to find each other." I spoke quietly and felt him shift, he lifted his head and I noticed a rather shocked expression on his features.
I didn't give him much time to process what I said as I kissed him on the cheek and stepped away from him. Alec noticed that I had entered my room and sent me a small smile.
"I'll see you in the morning, la mia colomba. If I can't come and get you then it'll most likely be either Demetri or Felix. I hope you have sweet dreams Charlotte." Alec's voice was gentle and he nodded slightly at me before heading back down the hall. My heart felt as though it was going to burst out of my chest and he definitely knew the impact his words had on me. The door shut behind me and my cheeks flushed as I processed his words.
Time seemed to pass quickly as I got ready for bed and changed into my pyjamas, I practically made a beeline for the bed and dove under the covers. I was greeted with a satin sheet and my brows raised in shock, I certainly wasn't expecting this level of luxury but it made sense considering they were practically royalty. I would even bet that the vase of flowers sitting on the nightstand were worth more than the contents in my room back in Forks.
I grabbed my phone and noticed numerous missed calls from Charlie, I completely forgot about Charlie if I'm being honest. How was I going to tell him that I'm technically moving to a different country to become a vampire and live with my partner who is a part of a coven of royal vampires? I may have plans tomorrow but I wanted to try and figure out a plan with Aro, Marcus and Caius about a cover story considering the Volturi are all for not telling humans about the existence of vampires.
Numerous thoughts flooded my mind but none were strong enough to stop the sudden wave of tiredness that hit me like a truck. I turned the lamp off and the room was enveloped in darkness, the only visible light was from the moon that filtered through a small gap in the navy velvet curtains. Thoughts of Alec crossed my mind but there was nothing I could do to fight the drowsiness as sleep overcame me and I was greeted with the familiar land of dreams and nightmares.