Chapter 127

Audrey

Topened my eyes and immediately felt my stomach drop.

We were standing on a narrow ledge high up on what appeared to be a church tower, the city of Paris spread out below us. The wind whipped around our shoulders, tugging at my clothes and hair.

"Oh. Goddess," I gasped, instinctively clinging to Edwin. My fingers dug into his jacket as I pressed myself against him, terrified of the dizzying height. "Edwin, what are we doing up here?" Edwin's arm tightened around me, his body warm and solid against mine. "It's okay," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear. "I've got you. You won't fall."

"Are you sure about that?" I squeaked, my eyes screwed shut. I could feel the ledge beneath my feet, narrow and unforgiving. Just one wrong step, or a well-timed gust of wind, and-

I felt his chuckle rumble through his chest. "Positive. Come on, open your eyes. The view is worth it, I promise."

Slowly, I forced myself to look. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I realized that he was right. The city was breathtaking from up here, a sea of tw**ing lights and crooked buildings. The Eiffel Tower stood out in the distance, illuminated against the night sky

"Wow," I breathed, my fear gradually receding as I took in the magnificent view. "Its... beautiful."

Edwin pointed out landmarks to me, his voice low. "See there? That's the Seine, winding through the city. And over there, you can just make out the Arc de Triomphe."

I nodded, too busy drinking it all in to speak. The cool night air was even starting to feel refreshing now, rather than terrifying. "Is this... is this your favorite place in Paris?" I asked, looking up at him.

His expression tightened, but I swore I could see a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. "It is. I used to come here on my own as a kid. I would sneak in late at night and just sit up here, looking at the view." I turned to him, surprised. "Sounds dangerous for a kid.

"Probably." He shrugged, and his arm tightened further around my waist. "But it felt like an escape. A way to look at the world from an outsider's perspective, to disconnect from everyone else and just be alone."

I studied his face, noticing the faraway look in his eyes. I was learning a lot about the icy Alpha tonight. I was hungry for more, but I didn't want to push it. "I'm surprised you would share this place with me, then," I said softly. "It seems so personal."

Edwin looked down at me and raised his hand, his knuckle brushing my cheek gently. His fingers, cool and callused. lingered there for a few moments. I didn't even dream of pulling away, because if there was one thing I had learned as of late, it was that there was no telling when we would get a moment like this again.

even more special now that you've been here," he

words and touch. Swallowing hard, I turned away, my eyes landing on the large bells nearby. I

his voice echoing loudly into the bell I jumped, startled by the unexpected noise, and clutched my

are you doing?" I hissed, glancing around nervously. "Someone might hear

13:03 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 127

years younger. "Try it," he urged. "It's fun, I promise. No one will hear us from down there." Hesitantly, I

sound echoed back to me, amplified

said, his smile widening. Now

into the bell-nothing coherent, just a wild wh**p and a giggle. Edwin followed suit, and soon we were taking turns shouting into the bell, our voices mixing and mingling into a cacophony of

Edwin screaming into that bell, I caught

It made me wonder what had happened over the years to make him so guarded, so

through me as I thought about Fiona, forcing him into a marriage he clearly didn't want. And

enough to make

I could do to help, wanted to show him that he had at least one ally in this cruel world. I reached for him, my

a shout rang out, cutting through our laughter.

he yelled, pulling

in the narrow stairwell. I

cool night air rushed past us as we ran, our breaths coming in short gasps. Suddenly, a vespa came out of nowhere,

until we were both gasping for air. Edwin pulled me into a narrow alley, and we leaned against the wall, trying to catch our breath. The rough

shirt.

Edwin, a giggle escaping me. But the laughter died in my throat as I saw the way he was looking at me.

I grabbed his jacket, tugging him even closer. The leather was smooth under my fingers, and he lurched forward, his hands slamming into the bricks on either side of my

my own boldness. A

conflict in his eyes, the desire warring with something else-responsibility. maybe, or guilt. But then, with a low growl, he cupped my face in his hands and pressed

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