Chapter 88: Apology

​Alaric found her by the old stone bridge. Sofia was leaning against the cold railing, staring down at the rushing water. When she heard his footsteps, she didn’t turn around; she simply looked away, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. Alaric stopped a few feet behind her. The air was cool, and for a moment, the only sound was the wind in the trees.

​For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward—it was heavy.

​”I am always intense when it comes to Serena,” he began, his voice low and thick. “She is my whole world, and the thought of losing her… it makes me lose my mind. I stop seeing clearly.”

​Sofia remained silent, her back still to him.

​”She told me why she was hiding,” Alaric continued. “She told me what Genevieve said to her. You weren’t trying to hurt me, Sofia. You were protecting my daughter from a woman I should have seen through a long time ago. You did the right thing, and I screamed at you for it. I am so sorry.”

​Sofia took a shaky breath. “It’s okay, Alaric. It is no problem. I understand you were scared.”

​”No,” Alaric said firmly. He stepped closer and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently turning her around to face him.

​When he saw her eyes—red and filled with fresh tears—his heart sank. He reached up, his thumb tenderly wiping a stray tear from her cheek. “It is a problem. I called you an employee. I treated you like a subordinate because it was easier than admitting how much power you have over me.”

​He looked deep into her eyes, his expression softening. “I have a temper, Sofia. I know that. It’s something I’ve struggled with, and I am working on it. But you deserve my respect, not my rage. Please, don’t look at me with fear. I never want to be the man who makes you shrink away.”

​Sofia looked at him for a long time. She saw the genuine regret in his face and the softness in his touch. The “caged predator” from the office was gone, replaced by the man who had promised her she was his future.

​”I forgive you, Alaric,” she whispered.

​A look of immense relief washed over him. He didn’t let go of her, but he gave her a small, hopeful smile.

​”Thank you,” he said. He took her hand in his, his grip warm and protective. “The day has been a disaster so far. Let’s start over. Let me take you away from this building for a while. Let me take you to lunch—just us.”

​Sofia looked back toward the factory, then at the man standing before her. She nodded slowly. “I’d like that.”

​”Good,” Alaric said, tucking her arm into his. “And don’t worry about Genevieve. She won’t be bothering you—or Serena—ever again.”

​They drove in a comfortable silence to a secluded restaurant tucked away from the prying eyes of the city. Once seated in a private booth, Alaric reached across the table, taking Sofia’s hand in his. The intensity was still there, but it was directed at her with a soft, protective heat.

​”I need you to understand where that anger comes from,” Alaric said, his voice dropping an octave. “When my late wife passed, I felt like the world was spinning out of control. I stepped into this role of ’King’ and ’CEO’ and thought that if I could just control every variable, I could keep Serena safe. My temper became my shield. But today, seeing you flinch… I realized I was using that shield against the person who was actually holding my world together.”

​Sofia listened, her heart softening. She saw the cracks in his armor. “I just want to be seen as more than a woman you want to have sex with.”

​”You are more than that,” he whispered. He leaned in, his eyes searching hers. “Which is why I want you to move in. To the estate. I want to wake up with you, and I want Serena to see you every morning.”

​Sofia pulled her hand back slightly, a nervous laugh escaping her. “Alaric, no. I can’t. That will cause a massive fight between you and Damien. Damien is already overprotective, and moving in after one day? He’d lose it.”

​Alaric’s jaw set. “I can handle Damien. If he has a problem with me loving you and keeping you close, he can take it up with me.”

​”No,” Sofia said firmly, though she smiled at his boldness. “I’m not ready for that war yet.”

​After lunch, the mood lightened. Alaric dropped her off at her apartment, but as she unbuckled her seatbelt, she turned to him. “Thank you for lunch. And please… don’t send a driver tomorrow. I know my way to the office.”

​Alaric’s brow furrowed into a deep frown. “Sofia, it’s safer. It’s easier.”

​”It’s a luxury I didn’t ask for,” she teased, poking his chest. “I want to be independent, Alaric. I want to walk into that office on my own two feet, not as the girl who was delivered by the boss’s chauffeur. If I’m going to be your ’future,’ I need to be my own person first.”

​Alaric let out a dramatic groan, throwing his head back against the headrest. “You are going to be the death of me. I have a fleet of armored cars and the best security in the country, and my woman wants to take the subway.”

​Sofia laughed, the sound bright and infectious. “Deal with it, Your Majesty.”

​Her laughter died down as she noticed the way he was looking at her—hungry, primal, and devastatingly handsome. He reached out, hooking a hand behind her neck and pulling her into a deep, soul-searing kiss. When they broke apart, his breath was hitched.

​”Can I come in?” he whispered against her lips.

​Sofia felt a heat bloom in her chest. She blushed a deep crimson but didn’t look away. “Yes.”

​They walked into her apartment, the tension so thick it felt like static electricity. As they stood in the small living room, Sofia bit her lip. “I… I want to take a shower. Care to join me?”

​Alaric’s eyes darkened to the color of midnight. “With all the pleasure in the world.”

​In the bathroom, the steam began to rise as Sofia turned on the water. She watched as Alaric didn’t hesitate. He peeled off his shirt, then his trousers, standing before her totally naked. Sofia swallowed hard, her mouth going dry. He was massive—broad-shouldered, with muscles that looked like they were carved from granite. A trail of dark hair led down his washboard abs to his heavy, resting length.

​She couldn’t help herself; she reached out, running her small hands over the ridges of his stomach. Her inner wolf was howling, pacing restlessly at the sheer pheromones he was putting off.

​”Your turn,” Alaric rasped.

​Sofia hesitated, a sudden wave of shyness hitting her. She wasn’t a stick-thin model; she had curves, a soft stomach, and wide hips. Alaric noticed her pause and stepped into her space, his large hands framing her face.

​”You are a goddess,” he growled. “Just standing here looking at you is already turning me on so much it hurts. Don’t hide from me.”

​He reached for the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head. He unclipped her bra, and her breasts spilled out into the warm air. He groaned, a low, guttural sound, as he stared at her hardened nipples. “Fuck, Sofia…”

​He slid his hands down to the waistband of her panties and pulled them down. She stepped out of them, standing fully exposed under his predatory gaze. His eyes traveled over every inch of her—her breasts, the curve of her belly, her hips, and finally, her neatly-shaven center.

​He took her hand, wrapping her fingers around his now rock-hard, pulsing dick. “See what you do to me? I find you so fucking attractive that the mere sight of you gets me this hard.”

​Sofia stood on her tiptoes and kissed him deeply, her tongue dancing with his as he led her into the running shower. The water cascaded over them, slicking their skin. Alaric pressed her against the tiled wall, his hands roaming her wet body before he slowly sank to his knees.

​He parted her thighs, breathing in her scent mixed with the steam. Then, he leaned forward and began to feast on her, his tongue swirling and sucking at her clit with a raw, hungry intensity that made Sofia’s knees buckle.

​”Alaric…” Sofia gasped, her fingers tangling in his wet hair as she leaned back against the slick wall for support.

​He didn’t answer with words. He growled against her skin, his hot breath mingling with the spray of the shower. He gripped her hips and hoisted her legs up, settling her thighs firmly over his broad shoulders. The position left her completely open, her core exposed to the heat of the water and the hunger of his gaze.

​He looked up at her, his dark eyes hooded and primal, before he buried his face between her legs.

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