Alicia's POV

"Don't tell me you want to hit a lady," Williams said as he walked closer to us with his eyes still on Theo. "A bit of patience will do, won't it?" He added and he winked.

"What?" Theo demanded with his face scrunched up.

“Nothing really,” Williams said. "But I can at least promise you of ensuring Ember Pack gets a new heir if you dare lay your hands on her," Williams answered in a cold, stark voice.

Theo’s face turned pale at the threat. He continued to stare at Williams, knowing fully well what he was capable of. He slowly let down his hand as he glanced at me before turning back to Alpha Williams.

"It seems you've forgotten the important thing already," Alpha Williams said as Theo's face scrunched up in confusion. "Shouldn't you rescue the one who is drowning in the river first?" Williams reminded him, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Huh," Theo muttered with eye widened. He glanced at me again before running to the river to rescue Dahlia.

He had almost forgotten the reason he had attacked me. Alpha Williams was the one who had to remind him of Dahila’s existence.

I sighed as I watched Theo jump into the river to rescue Dahlia, I flicked my eyes as I recalled Theo's confrontation.

He would have attempted to slap me if Alpha Williams had not intervened, he had clearly stated that he would never leave Dahlia. He had even jumped into the river to save her, and that made it clearly obvious that he loved her.

Once again, I was glad I made the right choice by not agreeing to marry him.

"Are you coming with this?" Williams asked, jolting me off my thoughts.

I turned to him as I raised my brow in confusion. Why was he asking if I was coming with my luggage?

He couldn't possibly think I was-

Goodness, he had come for me?

"I'm here to take you to the Burningfang Pack." He said. His voice had softened considerably, a stark contrast to the cold warning he had just given Theo.

My emotions were conflicted as he took my luggage and walked to his Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended and my eyes widened in realization. I stood on a spot, watching him leave. Ivy had sent him.

I never bothered glancing back as I followed Williams to his exquisite car and for the first time, I truly realized just how wealthy the Wolf King was.

I got to the car after he did and I got in, taking a sit beside him. The moment I got into the car, his scent filled the enclosed space, instantly reminding me of last night’s madness.

I shut my eyes immediately as a wave of embarrassment washed over me. I tried taking it off my mind but instead his words echoed in my ear, I bit my lips as I struggled to form a word.

"Why did you reject him?" Alpha Williams suddenly asked.

I turned sharply to him as his eyes locked mine, his gaze so intense that it made the temperature inside the car seem to rise a few degrees.

I blinked several times, considering whether to tell him the truth, I hesitated. Rebirth was something almost impossible for anyone to believe, aside from my parents. There was no way I could tell him Theo killed me after I married him.

"Do I have to tell you that?" I asked, and he let out a chuckle.

"You don't seem like you will," He answered, and I raised my brow. "I can tell you don't want to share it with me." He answered, and I raised my brow once again.

"That's not right," I answered.

"I wouldn't know what's right until you tell me, I'll believe whatever I think it's the case," the man said, which made me smile a little. He was teasing me and he seemed to be enjoying what he was doing. I nodded before I spoke.

"I wanted my freedom," I said.

He glanced at me before staring back at the road. "Freedom," He muttered.

"Yes," I answered with a nod.

Although that was meant to be a lie, still it was partly true. I wanted freedom from Theo and his family. Staying at Burningfang Pack would stop them all from reaching me, and that was how I would be free from Theo and his second mate.

I had also rejected Theo for my own freedom from pain and death. I knew Williams wouldn't have any idea about what I meant but that was the only way I could tell him.

"You still won't tell me what that meant," He answered. "I'll take that though."

I turned to him properly and I spoke. "I -"

"You don't have to worry about that," Williams said as I faced him. "You should worry less about that in my Pack. No one will hurt you and you have the liberty to do everything you want, kitten." He added.

He called me kitten again. It was a term of endearment that sent a shiver through me. Each time he called me that, it always felt strange and I enjoyed hearing him call him that.

"Liberty," I muttered.

He halted the car suddenly, almost hitting another car and I gasped in shock before turning to face him sharply. He was staring at me also but he was staring intensely.

I tried looking away but the stare was too intense that I found myself lost staring at his eyes. I flicked my eyes and tried looking away when he spoke.

"Will you be my mate?" He asked, cutting me off guard.

My eyes darted back to him properly and he continued to stare at me. His eyes, they pleaded for an answer. We stared at each other for a while before he spoke again.

"I want you to be my mate." He asked again.

Swallowing my own spit strangely became a difficult task as I stared. I knew he wanted me to be his mate but I still couldn't. Though I wanted it too.

"I'm sorry, I can't," I answered simply.

He flicked his eyes, confused as he stared at me, and I nodded.

Not after what I had experience with Theo, I couldn't dare to do that again.

"Why?" He asked curiously. "You don't want me as your mate?” He added, still staring at me.

"I don't.”

He stared at me for a while before nodding. I understood that and knew Alpha Williams respected my decision, but his gaze was so intense that my heart started to race.

"Are you afraid of me?" He suddenly leaned in and asked in a low voice. His deep, husky voice carried a teasing undertone.

"Of course not," I answered. I tried to deny it, but the slight tremble in my voice betrayed me.

He chuckled, still staring at me. "I wasn't going to eat you." He said. " Unless you want me to." His eyes darkened a bit as he said that.

His suggestive words made my face burn instantly.

The car suddenly halted again. I was about to scream when I looked around to notice we had arrived at Burningfang Pack’s factory at that moment. I blinked my eyes severally before I practically fled from the car.

Terrified that if I stayed a second longer, I would completely lose myself in his charm.

The moment I got out, I saw Ivy approaching with a tall man beside her.

"Alicia," She called warmly as she pulled me into a hug.

"Ivy," I answered before we both disengaged from the hug.

My eyes fell on the man beside her and she understood, immediately calling the man's attention.

"This is Theo, the Beta of the Burningfang Pack and Williams’s trusted right-hand man," She said, referring to him. "Theo, meet Alicia." She said as we both exchanged pleasantries.

"Are you hot?" Ivy asked and eyed my flushed face.

"Nah," I answered as I shook my head. "Can we just find something to do or somewhere to sit?" I asked, scrambling for an excuse to brush it off.

"Yes!" She screamed excitedly and grabbed my hand. "Of course, there is." She added, and I raised my brow.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Today is my pack’s movie night and you absolutely have to join." She said.

A movie night?

"I-"

"Don't forget we need to pick up a special gift," Theo interrupted me, and Ivy smacked her forehead.

She exclaimed. "I have almost forgotten." She answered. "Let's go get it." She said, before hurriedly leaving with Theo.

I stood on a spot as I watched them leave.

"Follow me," Williams picked up my suitcase and gestured for me to follow him.

He walked beside me as we walked to the room prepared for me. Once again, I found myself alone with him and I tried avoiding his face until we got to the room.

The room was decorated warmly and comfortably, but I couldn’t focus on any of that—because Williams was standing right behind me, his scent wrapping around me like an invisible force.

I could sense him close to me and I turned to face him, sharply meeting with his eyes which had been on me. I tried looking away but I couldn't as I stood staring at him.

"I-"

He walked closer to me, interrupting my speech. His hand travelled to my cheek as he cupped it in his palm, as I remained staring at him. I felt the urge to pull away but his touch was soothing and I couldn't help but want him more.

He leaned over to me and I shut my eyes expectantly, pulling him closer.

"Alicia!" I heard Ivy calling for me from downstairs and my eyes widened in shock as I stared at Williams. "There is a gift here for you," she added, and I quickly disengaged from him.