The King's Return

48| I LOST TRACK OF TIME

AMIRA'S POV

The morning greeted me with its usual brightness, but the weight of a sleepless night lingered even as I entered the office building. Trey’s greeting brought a faint smile to my lips, though my weariness must have been apparent.

“Good morning, Amira,” he said, his concern evident. “You’re a bit early today. Trouble sleeping?”

I sighed inwardly. If only he knew the turmoil that kept me awake. “Yes, something like that,” I replied vaguely, not wanting to burden him with my troubles. “But that’s not why I’m here early. I have to leave soon to accompany my sister-in-law for some shopping.”

Trey nodded understandingly. “I’m here early too. Freedom and I have a doctor’s appointment today, so I wanted to check with Mr. Morningstar if I could leave early. I figured I’d have a better chance catching him if I arrived early. I also wanted to ask you for a favour since you seem to be close to him if I don’t get the chance to meet him in person. Do you mind asking him to spare me a couple of minutes? I don’t know if I’m asking for too much but I really need your help.”

His earnestness touched me, and I resolved to help him. “Don’t worry, Trey. I’ll talk to him for you,” I assured him, hoping my words would carry more weight than my own doubts.

The morning passed in a haze of anticipation, but Logan didn't arrive. With each passing hour, my hope waned until finally, a text message shattered my disappointment.

It was from Logan.

My heart skipped a beat as I read his words, a mixture of relief and anxiety flooding me. Had my words driven him away? I hastily composed a response, urging him to return, but received no reply.

The hours stretched on, and even Trey’s kind gesture of lunch failed to distract me. My thoughts were consumed by Logan, his absence a palpable ache in my chest.

By the time Trey informed me that we were free to leave, the day had slipped away unnoticed. I made my excuses and left, my mind still lingering in the empty office where Logan should have been.

Meeting my sister-in-law at the mall, I tried to muster some semblance of cheer, but it felt forced, hollow. Her infectious enthusiasm did little to penetrate my melancholy.

As we returned home, the familiar sights and sounds failed to lift my spirits. I watched my brother and his wife with a mixture of envy and admiration, longing for the kind of partnership they shared.

Dinner passed in silence, each bite tasting of regret and uncertainty. As I cleared the table and washed the dishes, my mind churned with thoughts of Logan and the future we might never have.

Alone in my room, sleep once again eluded me. Thoughts of Logan danced through my mind, his offer lingering like a tantalizing promise. Despite my reservations, a seed of possibility took root within me.

Maybe, just maybe, moving in with him wasn’t such a terrible idea. His words echoed in my mind, reminding me of our shared destiny, the bond that tethered us together. And though trust was still a distant dream, his love was a beacon in the darkness.

I couldn’t deny the longing in my heart, the ache of his absence a constant reminder of his hold over me. Life without him felt incomplete, devoid of color and purpose.

Yes, there would be challenges ahead, sacrifices to be made. But if it meant bridging the chasm between us, I was willing to take the leap.

With determination settling in my chest, I resolved to take the first step. For Logan, for myself, for the chance at a future we both deserved.

And though I harbored this decision in the depths of my heart, I vowed to keep it hidden. For true trust could only be earned, not coerced. And if there was one thing I was certain of, it was this: our love, though unconventional, was worth fighting for.

With determination coursing through me, I clung to the conviction that Logan and I were destined to be together. His words echoed in my mind like a mantra, driving away doubts and fears. If we truly had a chance at a lasting relationship, then now was the time to confront our differences, to learn to coexist despite our shortcomings.

The mere thought of Logan stirred emotions within me that I struggled to contain. It had been only a day since I last saw him, yet it felt like an eternity. His absence cast a pall over my days, draining color from the world around me. Without him, life seemed dull, devoid of purpose.

Moving in with him would undoubtedly pose challenges, but I was willing to face them head-on. Every relationship demanded sacrifices, and if embarrassment was the price to pay for bridging the divide between us, then so be it.

I counted myself fortunate to have someone like Logan in my life. Despite the lack of trust between us, I never doubted his love for me. His patience and understanding had buoyed me through the darkest moments, and I knew I could lean on him for support.

As I reflected on our bond, I couldn’t help but acknowledge its unconventional nature. Logan, the Alpha King, was far from ordinary. His upbringing, his struggles with his identity as a werewolf and a leader—these were challenges I could scarcely comprehend. Yet, I was determined to stand by his side, to offer whatever solace and support I could muster.

If I could show him unwavering loyalty and support, perhaps I could chip away at the walls of mistrust that separated us. With time and patience, I believed we could forge a bond strong enough to withstand any trial.

But my resolve came with a caveat—I would never force Logan’s hand. Though I craved his trust and support, I wanted him to offer it willingly, without coercion. Only then could our relationship truly flourish, unencumbered by doubt or hesitation.

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I drifted into a fitful sleep, clinging to the hope that tomorrow would bring a new beginning, a chance to set our shared path on firmer ground.

I woke up with a purpose as bright sunlight came through the curtains, providing a beautiful morning glow. The resolution I had cultivated over the night held tight, serving as a lighthouse for me to follow.

My excitement increased with every second that went by since I thought that today would be a turning point in my relationship with Logan. I was determined not to let my doubt get me down, even if it persisted.

I felt a flutter of nervousness as I went about my morning routine, thoughts of Logan dancing through my head. Today, I'd like to take the first step towards bridging the gap between us and creating a future together.

When I first got to work, I was looking around the hallways with the vague hope that I might see Logan. However, as the morning went on, he continued to be evasive, his absence serving as a sharp reminder of our separation.

However, I remained unfazed. I was filled with a fierce determination that was fueled by the realisation that our relationship was worth defending.

Logan's absence clouded my thinking throughout the day, making even the most routine duties seem burdensome. Even though I was dying to talk to him, it appeared like fate had other plans.

The ambiguity of our predicament strained my willpower with every hour that went by. Doubt began to creep in, whispering sneaky ideas of rejection and abandonment.

But even in the middle of my chaos, there was a glimmer of hope—a tenacious flame that would not go out. I felt deep down that distance alone could not break the bond between us.

I found myself withdrawing into seclusion as the morning transitioned to lunch time, finding comfort in the silence of my mind. I gave myself permission to be vulnerable for a time in the office by myself, letting the weight of my feelings overwhelm me.

I was absorbed in my thoughts as the lunch time transitioned into the afternoon, not realising how quickly the hours were passing. I was not brought back to the present moment until my phone beeped, signalling the start of a new call.

I looked at the screen and furrowed my brow, startled to see my brother's name flashing there. I fumbled an answer and held the phone to my ear, a mixture of interest and dread thumping in my chest.

"Hey, hermanita," my brother said, his voice tinged with worry. "How are you doing? It's way past the time you said you would come home today."

His comments made me feel guilty because I realised I had been so focused on Logan and our uncertain future that I had become unaware of the passing of time.

I hesitated, trying to think of an excuse that would cover up the real reason for my emotional distress. "I... I'm sorry, hermano, I lost track of time," I said.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, followed by a sigh of resignation. "It's okay, Amira," my brother said gently. "Just... just let me know when you're on your way back, okay? We were starting to get worried."

His worry weighed heavily in the air, serving as a constant reminder of the obligations I had that went beyond my personal desires. Guilt-ridden, but wanting to convince my brother of my safety, I vowed to come home soon.

I reassured my brother that I would be back soon and then took a minute to gather myself, preparing myself for the talk that would be waiting for me when I got home. Despite the lingering weight of shame, I couldn't ignore the intensity of those thoughts that raced through my head.

Taking a long breath, I returned my focus to the work at hand, determined to make the most of my remaining time at the office, as I had already squandered much of it worrying about Logan rather than getting anything done. I was already late by an hour, but there were still emails to respond to and files to organise.

The minutes passed quickly as I plunged myself into my daily duties, buzzing by with bustle. Every work finished gave me a feeling of satisfaction, a tiny win against uncertainty.

But even while I worked, Logan remained at the back of my mind, his absence a continuous presence. I tried to force him out of my thoughts, but he was obstinately ingrained in my consciousness.

I lingered as the workplace slowly began to empty around me, hesitant to face the inevitable conversation that would be waiting for me at home. However, I soon had to concede defeat myself, packing everything and getting ready to go.

I walked to the lift with a sad heart, the chaotic thoughts circling in my mind mirrored by the gentle hum of its descent.

And I braced myself for the ride home as the doors slid open to show the quiet lobby below. I took a minute to collect my thoughts as I stepped outside into the crisp air and started home along the same route.

As I moved through the busy metropolis, the streets were illuminated by the gentle glow of sunlight, creating lengthy shadows on the pavement.

The day's events weighed heavily on me with every step I took, and it seemed like the weight of it got heavier by the second.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I hardly realised how much time had passed until I eventually found myself facing my brother's house's familiar front. My sister-in-law's soft laugh seemed to be welcoming me as I stood outside the door.

I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and moved ahead, ready to make the decision I had made silently turn into reality. I had to call Samantha first.