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That night, after closing the store, I found him standing outside under the streetlamp.

Rain had stopped, but the air was still wet.

The ocean was breathing slowly behind us.

“You look tired,” he said.

“I am tired,” I admitted.

The honesty surprised me.

I was used to hiding weakness.

Silence stretched between us like a fragile thread.

Then I asked, because something inside me wanted to know the answer even if it hurt:

“Does it bother you?”

“What does?”

“That you don’t have a mate.”

He shook his head.

“No.”

“Why not?”

He looked at the ocean before answering.

“I would rather have no bond,” he said slowly, carefully choosing each word, “than one that feels wrong.”

The words hit my chest harder than I expected.

Because mine had felt wrong at the end.

And I had stayed anyway.

—

I didn’t notice when I started trusting his presence.

It was not dramatic.

It was quiet.

Like learning to breathe in a new place.

Like realizing the air here didn’t punish me for existing.

—

Sometimes I wondered if he was lonely too.

Mateless alphas were often looked at with curiosity in small towns.

Strong.

Independent.

But people forget that strength doesn’t protect your heart from silence.

—

The next time he visited the bookstore, my friends were there.

They were whispering loudly enough for me to hear.

“The alpha who stares at you.”

“He doesn’t stare,” I said again.

But my voice was softer this time.

Because I wasn’t sure I believed it anymore.

—

When I was closing the store that evening, he spoke first.

“What if you’re not the problem?”

The question startled me.

I turned slowly.

“What?”

His eyes were serious.

Deep.

Unmoving.

“What if,” he repeated, “someone simply lacked the ability to love you properly?”

My throat tightened.

Because I had asked myself that question at night when loneliness became too loud.

But hearing someone else say it… felt dangerous.

Like opening a door I had locked for protection.

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t.

—

Rain began tapping softly against the windows outside.

The bookstore was quiet.

Warm.

Safe.

He stepped slightly closer, not invading my space, just reducing the distance between us.

And I realized something terrifying.

I didn’t feel afraid of him.

****************

🎶🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼

Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight (whoo)

So watch me bring the fire, and set the night alight (hey, set the night alight)

Shining through the city with a little funk and soul

So I'ma light it up like dynamite, whoa-oh-oh (whoo)

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, life is dynamite

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, life is dynamite

Shining through the city with a little funk and soul (ay, whoo)

So I'ma light it up like dynamite, whoa-oh-oh (let's go)

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ay (clap, clap)

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ay (come on)

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, yeah

Light it up like dynamite (let me hear you)

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, yeah

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, yeah

Dyn-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ay (okay)

Light it up like dynamite❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hey loves I hope y’all are enjoying the story please support me okay?❤️😘

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