106: 106 His Perfect Fiancée

106 His Perfect Fiancée

Vivian’s POV 2

After what felt like an eternity, the lingering kiss finally came to an end. Alen released my lips, his watery eyes fixated on mine. Despite the conclusion of our kiss, he didn't release my hands; instead, he tightened his grip on them, holding on even more firmly.

At that moment, my legs were so weak that standing seemed like a challenge. I relied on Alen's embrace for support. Gradually, as I felt strength returning to my legs and my balance improving, I gently pushed him away and uttered, "Alen, let me go."

"Are you still considering running away?" Alen didn't immediately release me. Instead, he sought an assurance from me, saying, "I'll only release you if you promise me you won't flee."

As much as I hesitated to comply with such a demand, I knew that if I refused, Alen would hold onto me without letting go. So, for the time being, I had to make a concession. "I... I won't run."

My hesitant words didn't escape Alen's notice. He let go of me with a displeased expression. However, just as he released his hold for a second, he promptly seized my hand again, intertwining our fingers.

Alen's actions caused my slightly faded blush to immediately return. It was as if we truly appeared to be a couple!

"Vivian, considering your inclination to sneak away, I can't simply take your verbal commitment at face value," Alen picked up the brooch I had left on his carriage and placed it back into my pocket. "I'll be ensuring your sleep tonight. Are you going to rest in my carriage or yours?"

Though my initial instinct was to flee, I found myself still firmly holding onto Alen's hand. I cast my gaze downward, contemplating the two choices he had presented.

Sleeping in Alen's carriage was categorically off the table. Opting for that would undoubtedly lead to gossip if I were seen leaving his carriage in the morning.

"Without a doubt, I'll be in my carriage!" With just one viable option remaining, I swiftly opted for my own carriage, without a second thought. "I'm heading back to sleep right now!"

As I completed my sentence, I began walking towards my carriage, endeavoring to subtly extricate my hand from Alen's grasp as I went. However, Alen swiftly perceived my intent, firmly tightening his hold. He guided me to the side of my carriage.

"Vivian, you'll be sleeping inside the carriage," Alen said, his tone earnest, as he lifted me up and helped me settle within. He positioned himself with his hands braced on either side, focusing his attention on me. "Tonight, I'll be stationed by your carriage. You're not to dwell on anything, go anywhere, just peacefully sleep inside."

"You're encroaching on my personal freedom!" Exasperated by his assertion, I voiced my protest, "Why should I heed your command?"

"Simply because of this..."

Alen's sentence trailed off as he leaned closer. Our proximity was intimate, just a heartbeat away from our lips reuniting.

"I see!" In the fraction of a second before Alen's lips met mine, I hastily extended my hand, giving him a gentle push. Creating a bit of distance, I promptly stood up and hastened into the carriage, asserting, "I'm retiring for the night!"

I locked the carriage door, unloaded my luggage, took off my coat, and settled once again in the sleeping area of the carriage. Though leaving the carriage had only happened an hour ago, so much had transpired in that short span. I had given away my blushing, heart-pounding first kiss. If not for my resolute will, Alen might have fooled me into his carriage.

"Oh my god, so embarrassing!"

Recalling the scene of kissing Alen made my cheeks burn. I rolled around in the carriage, trying to dissipate the warmth in my cheeks.

Perhaps I was overly fatigued, as after rolling around twice, I unexpectedly felt drowsy. Unbeknownst to me, I dozed off, and my sleep was deep and sound.

When I woke up, daylight had already flooded in through the carriage window, casting its warm glow upon my face. I sluggishly sat up, rubbing my eyes and yawning. My gaze turned to my belongings and coat placed nearby, and the events leading up to my slumber resurfaced in my mind.

Recollections of Alen's words about guarding my carriage last night came to mind. Could he possibly still be stationed outside my carriage?

I remained shy about the events of the previous night, unsure of how to face Alen. Despite my reluctance to confront him directly, I was curious if he was indeed keeping watch. I quietly crept toward the carriage door, pressing my ear against it to listen to any sounds outside.

Footsteps paced back and forth outside. Listening closely, the cadence didn't sound like a single person. It could be two or even more.

Odd. Could it be that Alen was concerned one person wouldn't be enough to watch over me, so he enlisted assistance?

As I pondered this peculiar situation, I overheard an unfamiliar male voice outside the carriage. "Hey, why do you think Commander Alen had us guarding this young witch's carriage? Did she have a falling out with Commander Alen?"

Before I could react, another deep male voice chimed in. "Who knows? Alen's our commander. He's off handling business, and he asked us to watch over the young witch. We should just do what we're told."

Upon hearing this, I understood that Alen wasn't actually outside the carriage guarding it himself. Instead, he dispatched two of his soldiers to watch over me.

"Let me tell you, things aren't that simple. I've heard that Commander Alen is fond of this witch. They're mates," the higher-pitched voice resumed, steering the conversation toward gossip. "But as far as I know, Commander Alen was promised in marriage when he was very young. Could it be that he's trying to break off that engagement and marry the witch?"

"What are you joking about?" The deeper voice countered, its volume rising. "Commander Alen has a pure-blood lineage in our pack. How could he be mates with a witch? Besides, don't forget that Commander Alen's marriage requires his mother's consent. How could she ever accept a witch as her daughter-in-law?"

"You make a good point. Commander Alen's family is one of the most conservative and traditional in our pack. His elders would never accept a witch as part of their family," the higher-pitched voice echoed in agreement. "It's a shame though. I find this witch rather charming. Commander Alen seems to like her too. But werewolf and witch marriages are rare, mostly found in history books. It's hard to make such a union work in reality."

"If Alen and the witch truly love each other, perhaps they can overcome the obstacles. However, I've heard that Commander Alen's fiancée is exceptionally beautiful, graceful in demeanor, and admired by many. Her family is well-known in the capital. Commander Alen can't simply overlook such a perfect match, unless he's willing to alienate his own family. And that's too steep a price," the deep voice added.

"Exactly. Without a prominent family name, Commander Alen would struggle to establish himself in the capital, even with Prince Kral's favor."

As they continued walking around the carriage, their conversation faded out as they reached the rear of the carriage. Although I could have moved to the rear to continue eavesdropping, the shock of their previous conversation left me disinterested.

So Alen wasn't single. He had been engaged for a long time. They had been promised since they were young. As long as their engagement remained unbroken, they were considered fiancés. Furthermore, Alen's mother greatly liked the girl and believed they'd get along well.

In contrast, I wasn't a werewolf, had little familiarity with werewolf packs, and wasn't considered a beauty. Sometimes, I acted childishly.

From any angle, I couldn't compare to Alen's seemingly perfect fiancée.

I brought a hand to my lips, the warmth of our last night's kiss still lingering there, but my mood had drastically shifted.

Things had evolved to this point. It seemed like I had no other choice. I couldn't become a third party and I had to withdraw. I had to forget the kiss from last night!

Muttering, "Love is truly complicated," I proceeded to put on my clothes and shoulder my belongings. I waited inside the carriage for a while until the assembly call sounded. After the two soldiers stationed by my carriage left for the assembly area, I left the carriage. Hastily, I ran into the forest, making sure not to be noticed by anyone.

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