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Tags: manipulation, memory erasure, possessive qifrey

You opened your eyes to soft candlelight and the scent of jasmine tea.

You were lying in a bed. Not the one in the guest room, but Qifrey's bed. The silk sheets were warm and comfortable, smelling nothing but of the alpha. As you lie into the soft sheets, you could feel a damp cloth cooling your forehead. And sitting beside you, holding your hand with tenderness, was Qifrey. You make a strained sound, a soft groan as you attempt to move.

"You’re finally awake," Qifrey's voice was gentle. His white lashes lowered, blue eye soft, lips curved in a relieved smile. "Thank the gods. You gave me such a scare."

"Qifrey…?" Your voice came out rough. "What happened?"

Qifrey squeezed your hand. "You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, traveling far too much, therefore you collapsed in the middle of the hallway. " He reached up, brushing your hair from your forehead with infinite care. "I did urge you to rest, my dear. Seems like you simply don’t want to listen to me. My, just what am I going to do with you?"

You frowned. Something about this just feels wrong.. You tried to reach for the memory of what happened prior but… nothing. Just white space and fog. Your eyes searched Qifrey's face, trying to decipher his expressions but are met with only concern with a hint of fondness. Something in your chest loosened as you realized how Qifrey was just only looking out for you, that there’s no way he wouldn't lie to you. Why would he?

"I should probably go to the guest room," you murmured, already trying to sit up. "I don't want to impose anymore in your own room—"

And yet Qifrey's hand on your chest stopped you from doing anything else

"Nonsense." Qifrey smiled, that soft and private smile he kept just for you. "You're not a guest anymore. Remember?"

Your brow furrowed. "Remember what?"

Qifrey's smile widened. His thumb traced small circles over your sternum, just above where your heart hammered.

"Your proposal, silly," Qifrey said, as if reminding you of something delightful. He then proceeded to chuckle as if recalling a funny memory: "You were such a nervous little thing while you were trying to confess to me, like a newborn fawn. You'd been holding it in for weeks it seems," A soft laugh. "And then you finally asked me to be your alpha. To be your mate and that you want to stay here, in the atelier, with me and the girls."

You stared.

Your heart was pounding now. But not with joy. With confusion. With a nameless, clawing unease that you couldn't place.

"I did?"

"You did." Qifrey confirmed as he leaned down, pressing his lips to your forehead. "And I said yes. Of course I said yes. I've wanted you for so long. You know that."

The unease grew louder yet so did something else, something warm and sweet and wrong, blooming in the hollow of your head like a flower planted in soil. Qifrey is safe. Qifrey loves you. This is what you wanted.

Wasn't it?

"I'm …glad you accepted, Qifrey," you heard yourself say, a bit unsure of yourself. And yet Qifrey's eye glinted in the candlelight.

"So am I, my treasure! " he beamed. "Took you long enough to notice my advances but as they say, better late than never! Oh, you’re going to be so happy here! With me and my apprentices. The girls will be overjoyed to hear that you’ll be staying!”

He pulled the blankets higher, tucking them around your body like a nest, like a cage lined with silk.