Chapter five

Lily was astonished. She didn't expect Alpha Alexander to agree to her request for friendship so readily. She wanted to ask why he suddenly agreed but stopped short, not wanting to ruin the chance she had been given. Unknown to her, Alpha Alexander, who had long been waiting for this moment, was elated because of the plans he had.

When Lily finally gathered the courage to confront him, her words pierced through his defenses. Her request for friendship, a lifeline amidst the storm of animosity she faced, resonated deeply within him. Alexander saw a glimpse of hope, a chance to shield her from the harsh world she was thrust into.

With a steady resolve, he welcomed her into his life, knowing that this fragile connection could be the key to making her his. Staring at her with a smile on his face, he vowed to be her protector, her confidant, and perhaps, something more. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize that Lily had been staring at him the whole time, wondering what was going on in this ruthless alpha's mind.

The room felt charged with unspoken words and emotions. Lily felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. She had expected this meeting to be much more confrontational, but Alexander's calm demeanor and unexpected agreement threw her off balance.

"Thank you, Alpha," Lily finally said, breaking the silence. "I... I didn't know what to expect when I came here, but I'm grateful for your understanding."

Alexander nodded, his gaze softening. "Lily, you don't need to thank me. I understand what you're going through more than you know. You're not alone in this."

His words were sincere, and for the first time in a long while, Lily felt a sense of security. She didn't fully understand why Alexander was being so kind, but she decided to trust him, at least for now. She needed an ally, and it seemed like she had found one in the most unexpected place.

"Why don't you sit down?" Alexander suggested, motioning towards a chair. "We can talk more comfortably."

Lily nodded and took a seat, feeling a bit more at ease. Alexander sat across from her, his eyes never leaving her face. There was a depth in his gaze that made her feel both vulnerable and protected.

"Tell me about your plans," Alexander said, his voice gentle but firm. "What do you hope to achieve with this... alliance?"

Lily's eyes darted away, and she bit her lip nervously. "I... I don't have any big plans," she stuttered, her fingers twisting together in her lap. "I just... I feel so alone. After everything that happened with Ethan and the pack... I don't have any friends, and it's been really hard."

Alexander could see through her hesitation. He knew there was more to her request, a deeper motive that she wasn't ready to share. But he didn't care. As long as he could get closer to her, he would be patient.

"You don't have to explain everything right now, Lily," he said softly. "I understand that you're going through a lot. Just know that you're free to talk to me about anything, whenever you want."

Lily's eyes met his, and she saw the sincerity in his gaze. It was disarming, and she felt a flicker of hope. "Thank you, Alpha," she whispered. "It means a lot to me."

"The title is not necessary between us," Alexander said, his voice warm. "You can call me Alexander."

Lily smiled shyly. "Thank you, Alexander."

The mate bond was like a magnetic pull for him, and it took a lot of self-control to avoid pulling her into his arms. He wanted to comfort her, to hold her close and make her forget all the pain she had endured. But he knew he needed to take things slowly. Lily was fragile, and he didn't want to scare her away.

As they continued to talk, Alexander found himself captivated by her presence. She was intelligent and kind, with a strength that belied her fragile appearance. The more he learned about her, the more he admired her resilience.

Lily, for her part, was starting to see Alexander in a new light. He wasn't just the ruthless alpha she had feared; he was a complex man with a depth of emotion and a capacity for kindness that she hadn't expected. She found herself opening up to him more and more, sharing her thoughts and fears.

The conversation flowed naturally, and soon they were talking like old friends. Alexander shared stories of his struggles and triumphs, and Lily found herself laughing and smiling more than she had in weeks. The walls she had built around herself began to crumble, and she allowed herself to feel a connection she hadn't felt since her mate's rejection.

When it was finally time to leave, Lily stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I should go. It's getting late."

Alexander nodded, standing as well. "Yes, but remember, my door is always open for you, Lily. You're not alone."

Lily smiled a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you, Alexander. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

As she left his chambers and walked down the dimly lit corridors, Lily felt a sense of optimism. For the first time in a long while, she believed that things could get better. She had a powerful ally, a friend, and perhaps something more, in Alexander. And with his support, she was determined to carve out a place for herself in the pack.

Back in his chambers, Alexander watched her leave, a thoughtful expression on his face. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but he was ready. He would do whatever it took to protect Lily and help her reclaim her dignity and position within the pack.

As he settled back into his chair, he couldn't help but think about the future. Lily had come into his life unexpectedly, but she had already made a significant impact. The bond they shared was still fragile, but it held the promise of something profound and transformative. Alexander smiled to himself, feeling a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in years.

The following days saw a remarkable change in Lily's life. With Alexander's support, she began to regain her confidence. The whispers and stares from the pack members still hurt, but they no longer had the power to break her spirit. Each morning, she woke up with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to prove her worth.

Lily continued her duties in the palace, delivering clothes and performing her tasks with a newfound grace. She no longer flinched at the cruel words of others. Instead, she held her head high, knowing that she had an ally in the Alpha King himself. The knowledge gave her strength, and slowly but surely, she started to see a shift in the way people treated her.

One evening, as she was walking through the palace gardens, she stumbled upon Ethan and Hera. They were deep in conversation, their faces close together. Seeing them still hurt, but the pain was less intense now. Lily felt a sense of detachment as if she was finally beginning to move on. But her plans were still in motion.

Ethan noticed her and smirked, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Well, well, if it isn't the rejected mate. How does it feel to be unwanted, Lily?"

Hera laughed, her voice dripping with malice. "Yes, Lily, tell us. How does it feel to be nothing?"

Lily took a deep breath, drawing strength from her newfound confidence. "It feels liberating," she replied, her voice steady. "Because I've realized that I don't need validation from people like you. I am more than what you think of me."

Ethan's smirk faltered, and Hera's laughter died down. They hadn't expected this response. Lily walked past them, her head held high, leaving them stunned in her wake.

As she continued her walk, she felt a sense of triumph. The old Lily would have crumbled under their taunts, but the new Lily was stronger, thanks to Alexander's support. She was determined to reclaim her life and her dignity, no matter what challenges lay ahead.