After I Torched Alive, My Alpha Went crazy novel Chapter 187

As we stepped into the palace garden, the night unfolded like a painting, the moonlight draping itself over everything with a soft, silvery touch.

The flowers seemed to glow faintly, their petals catching the moon's gentle light. A cool breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine, making the moment feel almost unreal.

Carlos walked a few steps ahead of me before stopping suddenly. His hand brushed against mine, a fleeting touch, but enough to send warmth coursing through me.

My heartbeat quickened, and I hoped the night was dark enough to hide the blush creeping onto my cheeks.

"Grace," he said softly, turning to face me. I looked up at him, his eyes meeting mine. They seemed darker, more intense under the moonlight, as if they carried secrets he was on the verge of revealing.

His eyes held me in place, and for a moment, it felt as though the rest of the world had vanished. "What is it?" I asked him softly.

He hesitated, his expression changed. Then he stepped closer, the distance between us shrinking until I could feel the faint warmth radiating from him.

"I…" Carlos began, but then stopped, exhaling slowly. "I wanted to thank you." "For what?" "For being here. For staying by my side even when things haven't been easy."

I wasn't sure what to say. "You've done the same for me," I said finally, trying to keep my tone steady.

Carlos smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Instead, he took another step closer, his hand lightly brushing against my arm. The touch was brief but enough to send shivers through me.

Before I could process what was happening, his hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face upward. His gaze softened, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had gone silent.

"Grace," he murmured. I couldn't respond. The words were trapped somewhere between my thoughts and my lips. Slowly, he leaned in, and before I knew it, his lips met mine.

The kiss was soft, hesitant at first, as if he was giving me a chance to pull away. But I didn't. I couldn't. Instead, I found myself leaning into him, my hands lightly gripping his arms.

The kiss deepened slowly, filled with tenderness and love. Our lips moved together softly, exploring each other.

His warmth surrounded me as our tongues met, gentle and caring. It was a moment of pure connection, unspoken but deeply felt.

When we finally pulled apart, the air between us felt charged, alive with something unspoken. Carlos stepped back, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks.

The next morning came quickly, the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind.

Before I had time to fully process them, I was notified by one of the maids that I was to accompany Cyrus to a formal meeting that evening.

"A dinner table meeting," the maid explained, smoothing out the folds of my dress.

I felt a pang of nervousness. While I had attended such meetings before, the idea of taking Cyrus with me added a new layer of responsibility.

Cyrus, however, seemed far more excited than I was. "This is a big deal, isn't it?" he asked, his eyes wide with eagerness. "It means they see me as an adult now!"

"You've always been mature," I said, smiling at his enthusiasm.

"But this is different," Cyrus insisted, practically bouncing on his heels. "I'm finally being recognized. Don't you think that's exciting?"