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Word Count: 1679

~Kezziah

Exhaustion assisted me in sleeping that night.

The chemicals from the cream have sunk deep into my brand like sharpened claws, scrapping away at the magical bond slowly and surely. It's excruciating, which is why I'm grateful for the lack of sleep I've had earlier. Unconsciousness carried me from the pain until morning, where I opened my eyes to see something questionably more excruciating.

Alden stands at the foot of my bed, staring down at me.

Flinching, I sit up, glad my bare legs are covered under these crisp sheets. That's not my biggest concern, considering the Alpha is in my room, and I'm hardly prepared.

"Is this a drug induced hallucination?" I ask into the air, rubbing my right temple. I wouldn't be surprised since it feels as though I've woken from a coma. I can't even perceive the time, no windows allowing me to see the sun. Only a bright light swinging above me lets me see.

Alden sits down on the side of my bed. "No. I'm here to speak to you about your brand, Kezziah."

I freeze, suddenly feeling brilliantly bare. My brand feels hot, and not from the cream that was smeared on it yesterday. I'm unsure of what those hidden muscles and large hands could do to get me to reveal my brand to him. I'm surprised he still sits there, staring at me. If he expects me to pull my shirt up for him, he is mistaken.

When I don't speak, he continues. "I apologise for waking you so early in the morning, and intruding. But I needed to speak to you."

I'm unsure of how early it is, but I feel it in my weak limbs, and heavy eyelids. Alden looks blissfully untouched by the hour, skin bright and fresh, eyes keen, demeanor proud and ready. He smells delightful also, like sweet vanilla. How does he manage to remain so put together at all times? I won't admit he's handsome. No way.

"I'm really not interesting in speaking," I mutter, massaging a knot in the back of my hair. I slept rough last night, that's for sure.

"I understand you're not very talkative," Alden says smoothly, brushing a piece of lint off the knee of his black trousers. "I simply don't understand why you're so adamant that I want the worst for you."

My eyes narrow on him.

He clears his throat, casting his gaze down to the floor. "I mean, you've never shown compliance. I don't understand why not."

"For someone who is the Alpha of Wisdom, you're not very bright, are you?"

I've never spoken to anyone like that, let alone an Alpha. I don't regret it, though. Alden's expression remains subdued, impassive. Words never seem to touch them. I assume he has already estimated what I would say, despite the time he is taking to reply. It unnerves me, but I refuse to let Alden intimidate me anymore.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry he did this to you," he says gently, and for a moment I'm convinced he's telling the truth.

The white linen sheets crunch within my fists. "You don't know anything about me. You sent your simpering fools after me until you got their way. And now you're drugging me. Give me a reason to trust you."

Alden sighs deeply, but doesn't take his gaze away from mine. It's so intense, I contemplate breaking first, but I don't. Letting him see weakness means he won. I can see him chewing the inside of his mouth, considering what he is about to say to me next. I won't show him my brand, and I won't relay that night with Time.

"I'm trying to help you. My staff are trying to help you. Time is a dangerous immortal, who's conscience does not exist," Alden tells me slowly, trying to drill the idea into my head. "He's done with you now. Who knows how long you would have had before he came back to finish what he started."

I flinch. "Excuse me?"

Alden blinks, thick lashes framing those navy-blue eyes. "What part of that did you not understand?"

"Finish me? I haven't seen Time since the night he branded me, okay?" I snap, bringing my knees up to my chest protectively. I'm talking more than I promised myself I would, but I want Alden to leave. Who knows what he could say to manipulate me to say what he wants to hear.

"You must have. Everyone has been used by Time," Alden tells me, a frown forming between his brows.

I swallow uncomfortably, "used?"

Alden takes in a deep breath, considering what to say next. I'm bewildered. I haven't seen Time in years, and frankly, I'm grateful for it. I thought he would be done with me, after the brand, so hearing this has chilled the surface of my skin, despite the warmth dwelling in this room.

"Everyone has done something for Time. Whether it includes travelling back in time to trick someone, steal, change an event or even murder, for Time. Everyone has done his bidding," Alden tells me, swiftly getting to his feet. "Except you, apparently."

I'm frozen. "What does it matter? Time forgot about me. That's good, is it not? That should mean you should let me go. My brand clearly means nothing."

Alden pauses from his pacing, turning back to look at me. Those full, crimson lips have parted slightly, as he thinks. As bizarre as my situation may seem, I'm not complaining. However, something tells me Alden isn't going to rest until he has dealt with this. Just what I need...

"We need to talk more," he says quickly, "in my office, preferably."

I recoil. "No way. I'm not going anywhere with you. Not unless you're letting me out of this hell."

"Kezziah, you don't understand how serious this is," he exclaims. This is the first time I've seen the calm façade vanish. He's frazzled, bothered by the fact that common events have been disrupted. "I need to see your brand, please."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you're not seeing it. I don't trust you," I tell him firmly, remaining in my stubborn position, back pressed tightly against the wall, my spine aching in protest.

In one fluid motion, he cringes. I want to smile at the very natural expression. It seems unusual on someone as perfect as he is.

"How can I get you to trust me? What do you want?" he asks me.

I ponder that for a moment. I won't trust him, not ever. Not with this underground ring of poison and betting he controls. I want to bring Cian up to him, but I don't want him to have the satisfaction knowing an immortal owns me now. However, I do want something from him. To escape, first of all, although that's foolish to ask. I'm unsure what else I could get from him, so I decide to test the waters.

Catching his gaze, I tilt my head. "What are you offering, Alpha?"

His lips form a straight line. "There's not much I can do without guards here finding out. And if they do, it will spread to the other patients here. Who knows what they would do to you."

"They are already curious about why you're talking to me, rather than them," I inform him.

Jealously. It's like a disease here, I notice. Typical, since it seems Time has targeted the female population only. They will gossip, and I will become a target for whatever they have planned. Dealing with the medication they are feeding down my throat is enough.

"There is little I can do for you, but I can at least try to make you feel comfortable," Alden says gently, glancing over his shoulder, as if he just noticed the fact that a camera is trained down on us.

"Like what?"

"I have some great facilities on the top floor. They would be welcome to you if only your room wasn't always locked," he says, sighing with faux concern. I narrow my eyes on him, unsure of what he is hinting at.

He claps his hands together, the sound making me wince. "Anyways, I should go. If you changed your mind about sharing your bond with me, then feel free to tell one of my staff members, and they will escort you to my office."

I'm left dumbfounded, as he gives me a tight smile, and leaves through the door. Leaving me alone.

Did he seriously just dangle this in front of me like that, to take it away again? If he thinks I'm going to trust him after that, he's clearly insane. Cursing his name within my mind, I quickly bathe and change into the clothes that had been left for me yesterday. All the while, I ponder what his words meant.

And then it clicks. 

With hopeful uncertainty, I take cautious steps toward the door. My fingers grasp the cool metal door handle, which turns under pressure. He left my door unlocked.

And now I'm going to follow him.

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Hey guys! For anyone confused about the last update of Alden on Radish, just want to let you know everything has been fixed!

I accidentally posted the wrong chapter, but I edited it and put the new one in, so if you already bought that chapter and we're confused, it's all been righted, you can go back and it will be there (:

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~Midika 💜🐼