CHAPTER 16: A King's Past

A/N: I'm so so sorry for the late upload! I'm having wifi difficulties and couldn't upload the chapters properly! Thank youu for being patient!☺️💚

🍪Ellie's P.O.V

"You aren't dating yet?" Cam wondered out, closing her eyes as the wind gently blew past us.

We were in the balcony area, standing at the glass railing. Tonight was absolutely beautiful, the moon half hidden from us, the stars were scattered in the darkened sky.

Sometimes, when I look at the moon. I wonder if there's another world that does exist and gazes at the moon too, asking the same question as I.

Alec was currently washing the dishes despite his protests and Cam took the opportunity to sweep me away from the grumpy troll.

"No cam, we aren't." I said, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"It's been quite a while since I've seen my son smile like that. It's quite refreshing," She smiled softly, placing her hand on the railing.

"I've seen him smile a few times and indeed it's quite a sight. Does he not smile when he's with you?" I turned to her, my curiosity burning.

She shook her head,"He does but his eyes tell a different story. My son, he isn't the type to talk about his family," She started off, looking up to the moon.

"I can tell, he mentioned about his dad though but it was only brief," I told her, feeling quite sad.

There are people who are open to their family experiences while there are others who likes to keep it to theirselves.

We all have different experiences and lessons regarding it but one thing I do know is family will always be something that we would find ourselves going back to.

"Alec and his dad were close but he was more of a mama's boy. When his father died, he grieved and accepted it like I did but his older brother," She trailed off, a sad tone in her voice.

I held my breath, clearly not expecting that Alec would have an older brother. Does that mean he was the person who was in the picture I've seen before?

"Alec and Bash, they were two peas in one pod. Alec looked up to him and Bash did everything in his power to set a good example to him," She softly said, her eyes glazed as if recalling a distant memory.

My heart clenched, I knew the feeling of being the eldest. Expectations are unspoken but high and sometimes it can be quite stressful.

Not only does your siblings look up to you but so does your parents. The fear of being not good enough is there and sometimes that fear leads to bad decisions without thinking.

"What happened?" I asked softly, feeling my brows furrow.

"Harvey, his dad was once the leader of that gang. Bash was supposed to be the one to take his position but the death of my husband did a toll on Bash." She looked down, her hands coiling into fist.

I nodded quietly, losing someone is indeed painful but it's in your power wether you let the grief consume you or stand up stronger.

"He became secretive and shut as all down. He would lock himself in that very study you pass by and he just slipped away from us. Until one day he left, vanished like a thin of air." She said, turning to me.

"Does that mean?" I thought out loud, connecting the dots.

Cam nodded,"Alec didn't choose to be a gang leader Ellie. He was forced to," She revealed, her honeyed eyes turning teary with emotion.

"Can't he just hand it to someone?" My brows were furrowed, a frown gracing on my lips.

"I tried to talk him out of it but he believes that it was the closest thing he could ever be with his dad and Bash," She explained, a pained tone on her voice.

I felt my eyes grow misty, feeling saddened. I was a crier and I tend to get emotional on the things that I could relate to.

That's why I tend to stay away from movie that involves dogs, sad deaths, and tragic endings because I easily cry.

I can't imagine the struggle Alec had to face in becoming someone he wasn't supposed to and do things because he had to. Change wasn't easy, it really never was and it breaks my heart that Alec keeps this burden in his heart.

"Being a King is not easy and my husband knew that. It's hard being a single mom especially to boys." She said, nodding to herself.

"You're doing a great job Cam, Alec's a proof of that and I'm sure Bash would come home one day, family isn't something you turn your back to easily." I told her, offering a small smile.

She pulled me in for a hug,"Thank you Ellie, I hope my son grows his palle soon and ask you to be his girlfriend. You're good for him," She mumbled, making my cheeks redden.

"Mom! Don't tell me you're crying again," Alec called out, making his way towards us.

We pulled apart, Camila making his way towards his son and pulling him in for a motherly hug.

It was quite a sight to see Alec bending down to his mother's small frame so that she could hug him. I smiled to myself, this is a side of Alec that I haven't seen before.

"What did you do to mama, biscotto?" Alec accused playfully, pulling away from his mom's hug.

I was about to retort when my phone rang, I felt concern lacing in me upon seeing my mom's name and quickly swiped to answer.

"Honey? Where are you?" My mom's feminine voice rang through the speaker.

"I'm at Alec's house right now mom. Why? Do you need anything? How's Theo?" I asked, feeling a frown grace my features.

A shuffle can be heard,"Theodore's doing good honey. His fever is gone and we'll probably be released tomorrow, Can I talk to Alec for a second?" She asked, her voice seeming tired.

"Yes, he's here. Wait," I told her, pressing mute and turning to them.

"Alec, mom wants to talk to you," I said, nodding my head towards my phone.

"What for?" He asked, making his way towards me and taking the phone away from my grasp.

He greeted my mom before nodding to himself and moving away from us—completely out of our earshot.

"Is everything okay Ellie?" Cam asked, placing a worried hand on my arm.

I nodded,"My little brother is in the hospital but he's doing good. I don't know why she wants to talk to him though," I told her, her worried expression easing at my words.

She hummed,"Speaking of mother, you look really pretty Ellie, though you do look kinda familiar." She pointed out, her gaze completely on my face.

"Guess who's gonna have the privilege to cuddle with me tonight?" Alec cheekily announced, cutting off our conversation.

He handed me my phone back, My brows furrowed his words before my eyes widened. I placed the phone on my ears.

"Mom?"

"I'll see you both tomorrow honey, I love you and sleep well," She said, before abruptly ending the call.

"What did my mom tell you?" I turned to Alec, a nervous feeling creeping up into my system.

"She wants you to stay over here for the night, apparently your dad can't be home because he's working on a case and they aren't comfortable with you being left alone," He explained, ruffling his hair with his hand.

This wasn't the first time that they were away and I was left on my own but I usually stay at Ark's. At the thought of her, a smug smile graced my features but clearly my mom was one stepped ahead of me.

Alec shook his head,"Ah, I'm sorry amore but your mom told me that Ark's busy entertaining his step-mom's guest tonight." He grinned, the smile dropping from my face.

What?

"Is it okay that I stay the night here Cam?" I frowned, turning to her.

Alec might be her son but this is her house and I don't want to impose in her home. We only met today and who knows, maybe she's against the idea of it.

She beamed,"Absolutely okay miele! Do you want to stay in the guest room or you'd prefer to sleep in this idiot's room?" She asked, a warm smile on her lips.

I gulped, my hands turning clammy at her question. Is this a trick question? If so, should I go for the guest room?

But then you'd be losing the chance to sleep and cuddle with Alec! My subconscious, Jessica, protested.

"Is this a trick question?" I let out nervously, an awkward giggle emitted from my lips.

Camila let out a soft laughter at my question and I felt my cheeks redden upon seeing Alec's amused grin.

"It's not Ellie, it's decided then. I'm starting to get chilly so I'll head back inside. If you need anything, I'll be in my room," She gave me a wink, walking back inside.

After his mom left, I turned to Alec with an accusing look and slap him in the arm. He looked like a wounded puppy which made me bite my lip in amusement.

"Don't even try to do anything funny," I threatened, before making my way back inside.

That's how I ended up completely wide awake with the softness of Alec's mattress surround me. A pillow fort was built between us while I nervously played with my fingers.

I was freshly out of the shower and was wearing one of Alec's sweatshirt that smelled like him and his pair of cotton boxers that are so comfy, I'm tempted to buy steal all of his.

It's been almost forty five minutes since we've laid on the bed and I'm not sure wether Alec is asleep or not.

He didn't even protest when I started doing the pillow fort. He merely shrug saying it was my lost and laid a hand behind his head and closed his eyes, completely relaxed.

Egotistical skittle. Makes me want to smack his head for that.

I was quite anxious, not because I'm scared he'll do something but of the possibility that I might be the one to do the man handling and trust me, I didn't want to go to jail for sexually abusing someone in his sleep.

We all know Alec King is one fine skittle and it doesn't help at the fact that he only wore a sweatpants that hung lowly on his hips and my favorite buns that were displayed on his shirtless chest.

You all know I love shirtless Alec and how I'm tempted every damn time to lick him when he's exposing himself like that.

"Alec? Are you awake?" I softly asked, my eyes focused on the ceiling.

It was completely dark, the silence wasn't deafening or uncomfortable. It just was one of those nights where my thoughts wouldn't let me sleep.

A low sleepy hum resonated next to me,"Now I'm not. Why?" He mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Did you know that sea otters hold hands while sleeping so that they don't drift apart?" I said, saying the first thing that I thought of.

A long pregnant pause on his side.

"I'm gonna destroy this pillow fort," He suddenly announced, before taking the pillows one by one and placing it on the floor.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? There's a reason why I built that you know," I protested, turning to look at him.

To the woman up there, yep, you, pray for me that I somehow won't touch this fine lad and give me the will to be a good girl and keep my hands to myself despite wanting to jump his bones. Amen.

Alec took a hold of me and pulled my twig like body closer to him. He lifted my head and placed it on his muscular arm and wrapped an arm around my waist, swiftly tucking my head in the crook of his neck.

"Stop overthinking and go to sleepy baby," He mumbled, placing a soft kiss on the crown of my head.

I let out a sigh, my nerves easing completely at Alec's warmth and scent. I never knew being in someone's arm could make me feel this safe.

My thoughts that were all over the place somehow stopped and I felt the familiar pull of sleep.

Well that was easy, Goodnight lucky bitch. Jessica said before I drifted off into the dreamland.

I was woken up by someone shaking me gently. I let out moan of distress, turning my back towards the person and hugging the pillow closer to me.

"Ellie isn't ready to wake up yet, try again the next day," I grumbled, stuffing my face into the pillow.

Alec chuckled, before swooping down and leaned down to pull my body towards the edge of the bed before carrying my body bridal style towards somewhere.

My eyes remained close, sleepily leaning my head against his chest. I was about to drift into the familiar darkness when ice cold water seeped into every pore of my body.

"Wha? Alec! What the hell!" My eyes popped open and I started to thrash against the cold water.

Alec laughed loudly beside me, standing near at the bathtub that he somehow managed to fill with cold water and ice.

I pushed myself out of the water, letting out a gasp as the water dripped everywhere. I wrapped my arms around my chest, feeling my nipples say hello.

Alec took a hold of both my shoulders before redirected my body inside the shower stall and closed the glass door behind him.

"Good morning il mio biscotto! Your mom's expecting us in an hour, I'll see you downstairs." Alec chirped before closing the bathroom door behind him.

I stood there completely dumbfounded, peeled Alec's wet clothes off before taking a warm shower all the while trying to wrap my head around at what the hell just happened.

When I went put of the bathroom, I was completely furious. Why can't he just wake me up like any sane person would do? Why go all through that trouble and effort?

When I get my hands on the bloody skittle, he's gonna wish he didn't wake the sleeping bear in the beautiful cave that it was resting in peacefully.

I quickly changed into my leggings that somehow Alec had washed last night before going to bed despite my protests that I could do it instead and the underwear that he got me when I had my period. He suggested that I leave it behind in case I have surprise sleepovers.

Guess that idiot knew something like this could happen.

My sweatshirt was there too but since I was still mad at him. I decided to go into his walk in closet and wear some of his clothes. Guys hate it when girls touch their stuff right? Well, HA.

My eyes took in the various pieces of clothes, there was a different area for shirts, sweatshirts, v-necks, heck he even had an area brimmed with suits on.

I quickly chose a neon green sweatshirt that had an alien emoji prints on it. I took it off the hanger and wore it, it felt really comfortable and warm and gaaah, it's official I'm taking all of Alec's clothes with me.

I walked out of the closet and picked my bag up on the floor, I combed my hair quickly while my other hand tries to find the chapstick that I used yesterday in the car.

I  applied a generous amount on my lips before I patted my cheeks to somehow give some life into it. I made my way inside Alec's bathroom before taking in his male products in the corner of his sink.

I picked up a bottle of what seemed to be the perfume he's been using and sprayed it all over me. I grinned widely in the mirror, appreciating my chapped stick covered lips before making my way downstairs.

"Good morning!" I greeted Cam and Chase, ignoring Alec who was munching on his toasted bread that had peanut butter on it.

"Hi Red."

"Good morning Ellie, did you sleep well?"

At Camila's question, I felt my cheeks redden remembering how Alec and I cuddled last night. Alec had a smug expression on while Chase had a ghost of smile on his lips.

I cleared my throat,"I slept good Cam. I was wondering where you bought Alec's bed? It's a really good bed and the matress is good quality," I asked, taking a seat next to Chase.

At my question, the two boys laughed like hyenas. I let out a huff, taking a toasted bread and placing it on my plate. Discreetly changing topics weren't my fortè and I can be discreet as the big elephant in the room.

"I can't even hahahahaha why would you ask that red hahaha and with Alec's mom of all people," Chase chuckled, shaking his head.

I felt my cheeks heat up even more, throwing a glare at him. Son of a bin, wait until I get my hands on you.

"Don't mind them miele, they're just messing with you." She rolled her eyes at them, but it was clear that she was amused with the ghost of smile on her lips.

"Why weren't you home yesterday?" Alec asked, his laughter finally dying down.

"I picked my cousin up at the airport and Clary insisted that I stay for the night saying I don't visit much," Chase shrugged, drinking from his orange juice.

From the way those two nodded, I could tell that they knew who Chase was talking about. I kept quiet, occasionally piping in when asked. By the time breakfast was done, I was somehow full.

I usually don't eat a huge breakfast because it makes me feel sluggish but this was a time to bond with Alec's mom and so I could say it was worth it.

"I hope your brother gets well soon Ellie, I'll see you soon okay? You're always welcome here," Camila pulled me in for a warm hug.

"Thank you Cam, I'll keep that in mind and it was really nice meeting you," I nodded at her, pulling away from our hug.

"Likewise Ellie and thank you for bringing a piece of Alec back. You're a gem," She whispered, glancing at Alec and Chase who was standing near his second baby.

She leaned back and smiled softly at me, I couldn't help but be in awe at her. Camila was truly a nice woman and good mother to Alec, it makes me happy that someone like her ended up Alec's mom.

"Wherever your husband is, I know that he's proud of you for being able to take care of not only yourself but your two sons," I told her, before hugging her once more and going to where the guys were.

"I'll see you on Monday red," Chase grinned softly, his onyx eyes somehow glittering in the morning sun and pulled me in for a short hug.

"Try to stay out of trouble Chase," I reminded him, pulling away from him and letting Alec help me up in the car.

The familiar hum of Alec's car greeted me, quickly doing my seat belt. The door closed beside me gently, Alec making his way to the other side.

"I'll see you later mama! Ti amo!" Alec called out, giving a parting nod to Chase.