CHAPTER 9 : STALKER OF A STALKER

The silence in the room was increasing Alexander's anxiety. He was terrified of his mate, who was sleeping shirtless next to him. Alexander had only been awake for a few minutes when he discovered his head lying on Jace's chest.

Alexander bit his bottom lip as he let go of Jace while he turned around to face the other side. The bed was cramped, not much space to move since Jace was taller and his built being muscular made Alexander shrink in bed.

Alexander shivered as he hugged the blanket as he felt an arm curl around his torso as the air conditioner was turned on at full blast.

As Jace drew Alexander closer to himself, “J-J-Jace” Alexander stuttered out, nervous.

“Shh cub, sleep a little longer and take a break from university,” Jace said, his deep husky voice raspier than normal, making Alexander's cheeks flush.

“I-I'm fine.” Alexander stuttered out, hoping that Jace would agree, but to his surprise, Jace sat up and drew Alexander into his lap.

“Let me check,” Jace yawned, his hand first on Alexander's forehead, then on his neck.

Alexander smacked Jace's hand away as he tried to crawl away from Jace's lap, and Jace whispered, "Hmm your fever has gone down."

“L-Like I said yesterday, I am used to taking care of myself if I get sick, so you or anyone else don't have to worry about me,” Alexander said, blushing, as Jace drew Alexander back into his lap and wrapped his arms around his waist.

“Your parents?” “Did you inform them?” Jace inquired, and Alexander shook his head and replied, "I live alone," causing Jace to sigh.

“I know that already, but you should have told your family at the very least,” Jace said, resting his head on Alexander's shoulder.

Alexander frowned as he started “I-” but couldn’t think of anything so he sadly said “My family is dead”

Jace could tell Alexander was upset because he was now playing with his shirt sleeve, so Jace inquired, "How come they are dead? Keith, I thought, was like your dad, and Crystal, like your mother” which made Alexander laugh.

“No, I won't bother them.” Alexander laughed, and Jace smiled.

“But you promised Keith the world,” Jace smirked as he sat up straight and looked into Alexander's shocked eyes.

“Y-Y-You went through my beegram?” Alexander questioned surprised as Jace hummed answering “You can go through mine” making Alexander groan out “Never”

“Ok at least add me as a friend” Jace spoke as Alexander stood up and turned off the air conditioner.

“When did we become friends?” Alexander inquired, irritated, as he opened his cupboard and handed an extra toothbrush to Jace, who replied, “Since you cheered me up.”

Alexander shook his head and said, "I regret doing that with you," as he pulled Jace inside the restroom, even though Jace was walking and Alexander seemed to be pushing him.

After 5 minutes, Jace walked out of the washroom and said, "And I regret forcing you, but I can't change the past," as Alexander rolled his eyes, knowing the topic would continue.

“You are really weird,” Alexander said as he entered the washroom, while Jace said loudly, “And you are really cute,” making Alexander almost slip out of embarrassment.

Jace chuckled as he wore his shirt and opened the curtains to reveal a man sitting underneath the tree, wearing a black mask and cap and talking on his phone. As Alexander walked out of the washroom, it drew Jace's attention away from the situation.

Alexander said, "Oh dang it, I have to go work," as he opened his cupboard to get an oversized t-shirt when he noticed Jace humming a melody.

“Why would you want to work?” You're sick, so take some time off.” As Alexander handed him a shirt that was much too large for him, Jace spoke sternly.

“I am not rich. I need to pay the rent as soon as possible. Also, this is an over-size shirt, so it could fit you,” Alexander said as Jace hummed, removing his old shirt and replacing it with Alexander's over-size purple shirt.

“I will pay the rent for you, so just rest,” Jace said as he followed Alexander into the washroom to change. Alexander moved Jace a little and said, “You are not my mate, so I won't allow that.” closing the door behind him.

“Why deny when my name is clearly etched as a tattoo on your collarbone?” Jace spoke smirking.

“Because you rejected me and I rejected you,” Alexander replied as he opened the washroom door and walked out, causing Jace to sigh.

Alexander was dressed in a green baggy full-sleeve shirt that reached just above his knees and black trouser, while Jace was dressed in his own black trousers and a purple full-sleeve oversized shirt that suited him perfectly despite Alexander's height.

“Just for this one time, don't work, and let me assist you.” Jace tried to persuade Alexander, who shrugged and said, "I'm sorry, but no."

"You are so stubborn," Jace grumbled as he sat on the kitchen island, making Alexander laugh.

“Says the truly obstinate one.” As he prepared tea, Alexander poked Jace's nose and said, "You came to my house and didn't leave even though I basically told you to leave so many times."

“I want to be your friend,” Jace said as he jumped down from the kitchen island to assist Alexander in the preparation of breakfast, although Alexander was the one doing the cooking.

“What if I tell you I don't want to be friends with you?” Alexander inquired as Jace sighed and sat on one of the stools while keeping the plates on the kitchen island.

“Well, I'm not going to quit until you agree.” Jace gave Alexander a toothy smile, and Alexander was holding the teacups next to the plates when his phone rang, so he quickly picked it up and checked it.

“And hurt me even more yeah righ-” Alexander couldn’t complete his sentence as he read the message making him tremble.

‘Who is there with you in your house?’

Alexander trembled in terror as he heard a voice in his head say, 'Alexander, you are mine, and no one else is allowed in your house but me,’ which he recognized as a mind link.

Jace became concerned when he saw tears in Alexander's eyes, so he stopped eating.

“Are you all right, baby?” Jace inquired as he stood up and approached Alexander.

“Baby” Jace whispered concerned but Alexander didn’t answer.

“Cub”

“Alex”

“Alexander”

“ALEXANDER” Jace yelled bring Alexander back from his thoughts.

“Y-Yeah? I am sorry…I-I” Alexander stuttered out as Jace could tell something was wrong.

“Is there anything wrong? “Who sent you a message?” Jace asked angrily, cupping Alexander's cheek, as Alexander stuttered out. “N-no one,” he gasped, clutching Jace's arm.

“Is something or someone bothering you?” Jace questioned worriedly as he kissed Alexander’s forehead bringing Alexander back from his thoughts.

“It's no one, so just eat and go home,” Alexander said, motioning to the food as he walked up to the chair and sat quietly eating.

Something was wrong, and Jace sensed it after Alexander received a message, so he said, "I won't go yet." I'll drop you off at work.”

“I will go there myself, then go to my classes and ask Keith to drop me off,” Alexander said, shrugging his shoulders as Jace sat next to him, sipping from his cup of tea.

“Keith…Keith…Keith.” Jace grumbled as he rolled his eyes and said “Keith isn’t your mate. I am your mate”

“Correction rejected mate” Alexander corrected Jace who angrily stood up.

“FINE DO WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT. I ONLY CAME AND CARED FOR NO GOD DAMN REASON” Jace yelled taking off the shirt Alexander gave as he wore his own shirt.

Alexander opened his mouth to say something but Jace just grabbed all his stuff “Jace” Alexander whispered as Jace wore his shoes and walked out of the house.

“Way to go, Alexander; you had the opportunity to get close to him, but you were scared of that stalker, and you even pushed Jace away.” Alexander talked to himself as tears poured down his cheeks, unaware of the fact that Jace heard him clearly since he was an alpha and had a great hearing.

Jace walked away and was now sure that Alexander got frightened because of the stalker messaging him. Jace walked out of the building when he noticed the man still sitting under the tree.

The wind blew as Jace walked up to his bike, sat on it, and drove away to a corner making sure the stalker know that he left.

As Jace saw Alexander walk out of the building and the stalker began to follow him, he smirked because he knew he was right about the man being suspicious.

Jace, who was wearing his helmet and keeping a safe distance away. he was now stalking the stalker. He was riding his bike, so it wasn't difficult for him to note how Alexander clutched his bag and kept staring at the ground as he walked faster.

Jace came to a halt on his bike and took his phone from his pocket, dialing Alexander's number, who was now alarmed, making Jace laugh. Alexander was perplexed as he picked up the phone.

“H-H-Hello?” Jace heard Alexander’s scared voice as Jace smirked wanting to tease him.

“You look hot” Jace smirked as he saw Alexander suddenly stop and panic.

“Um..w-who is this?” Alexander stuttered out making Jace smile seeing how Alexander started to quickly walk.

“Your mate” Jace smiled hoping that Alexander accepts it this time and lets him be his mate for a day.

“S-S-Sorry but can you stop f-following me? I already have a mate and h-he is really caring” Alexander stuttered out as Jace chuckled remembering he never gave his number to Alexander so Alexander must have thought of him as the stalker.

“Oh, is he? Is he the one who walked out of your house?” Jace teased Alexander as he hummed.

“Y-Yeah he is. Got any problem?” Alexander replied as Jace parked his bike and just stared at Alexander who kept on walking.

“Oh, just wait I will kill him” Jace smirked when he saw Alexander suddenly stop walking.

“T-Touch him and I will make your death look like an accident” Alexander stuttered out which made Jace's eyes widened in shock knowing that even though Alexander was scared, he still tried protecting him. Jace saw the man getting close with Alexander who had clutched his bag even tighter.

“Cub, listen to me closely” Jace spoke as he heard a gasp.

“JACE” Alexander yelled as Jace laughed humming.

Alexander had no clue how and why Jace had his number but he was glad since he now felt safe.

“Yeah, it’s me baby now listen to me” Jace spoke as he saw Alexander started walking grumpily.

“O-Okay” Alexander stuttered out

“Do you want me to drop you at your work?” Jace questioned once more hoping Alexander agrees. Jace hated the fact of omegas being used or hurt. He treasured omegas and he knew very well that if he didn’t love Richa, he would have accepted Alexander.

“…”

“Baby?” Jace questioned noticing Alexander being quiet.

“Okay…” Alexander whispered making Jace smile.

“Just keep walking and I am coming,” Jace spoke as he started his bike again.

“S-Stay” Alexander stuttered out as Jace raised his eyebrow confused.

“Hmm?” Jace glanced up to see the stalker still following which meant Alexander was scared.

“Nothing” Alexander whispered as Jace sighed.

Jace hung up the phone and put his phone in his pocket as he sped towards Alexander, stopping his bike.

“Hey cub,” Jace smirked as he stroked Alexander's cheeks, while Alexander happily said “Jace” in a low voice.

“Here you go.” Jace handed Alexander a helmet, which he took and put on as Jace looked at the stalker, who was now looking away.

“Come on, I won't drive like last time,” Jace said loudly enough for the stalker to know that he is Alexander's mate. Jace smiled as he glanced at Alexander to see his cheeks all red.

“P-Promise?” Alexander stuttered out making Jace chuckle remembering how scared he was before that even his knuckles turned white with his death grip.

“Promise” Jace whispered as he pulled Alexander towards himself.

Jace assisted Alexander in sitting while staring at the stalker, who had turned around and was just revealing his back. Alexander hugged Jace and leaned his head on Jace's back, who didn't seem to mind.

“Um, let's go,” Alexander said when Jace saw the stalker looking at them. Jace took Alexander's hand in his and kissed it, making Alexander's face blush.

“Yeah, let's go cub,” Jace said as he let go of Alexander's hand and drove towards the signal.

“Do you have an address?” Jace inquired as Alexander handed over his phone to Jace, who read the address while humming and memorizing it as the signal turned green and Jace drove towards Alexander's workplace.

***

Alexander helped Jace with the address whenever he took the wrong turn as they reached Alexander’s workplace soon.

“Thank you,” Alexander said quietly as he grinned at Jace, who hummed and poked Alexander on the cheek.

“Would you want me to stay with you?” Jace inquired, while Alexander lifted an eyebrow and questioned. “You have something in mind?”

Jace laughed nodding his head as he spoke “Be my mate until you recover. Till your healthy again”

Alexander sighed and shook his head, knowing full well that even recalling these minor incidents would hurt him in the future.

Jace was only offering this deal because he wanted the stalker issue to be resolved. He recalled Crystal being pursued once, and even though she is an alpha, she was frightened, so he despised the fact that Alexander might be scared.

“I can’t I am sorry Jace. I am waiting for our names to be removed sooner from our collarbones so I can get a new one even though there is only one percent chance” Alexander shrugged his shoulders as Jace hummed.

“Also, I believe I left my dairy at your place. Could you please double-check?” Alexander inquired as Jace hummed, even though he knew exactly where Alexander's diary was.

Jace didn't tell anyone or Alexander that he had his diary because he wanted to read some of what Alexander had written in it.

“Sure, I'll check,” Jace replied as Alexander smiled and returned the helmet to Jace.

“Thank you again and see you soon” Alexander spoke as he waved at Jace and went to work.

Jace quickly drove to the university since his classes were about to begin and he was getting late.