Shane
Adea’s words were hurtful but I didn’t shy away. I held eye contact with her while I took every lashing her sweet red tongue dished out. The words tunneled deep, the bit of her words pierced my skin, forced itself deep into my chest, and refused to let go.
The restraint it took to stop from taking her into my arms and holding her close would have surprised Max had he not been going mad. He was chomping at the bits and demanded I touch her, feel her, kiss her.
We had been separated from her for too long. I refused to let the pain show on my face but I felt every word. When she was done with me, I stepped closer, needing to close the distance.
I hoped he would try and step in and intervene but he didn’t. We both knew how this was going to end. I just needed to make sure she didn’t forget. She acted like she didn’t hear me and brushed past me as if I were nothing.
When she brushed past me, I bit back a groan as her scent filled my senses. Adea was my personal favorite brand of wolfsbane. It’s seen as poison, as a weakness, but if mixed correctly, could be used as an aphrodisiac.
Sure, there was a bit of pain, but that only heightened the pleasure. That’s what she was to me. She was stronger than any drug and more seductive than any woman I’d ever laid eyes on. I was consumed with the urge to be as close to her as possible.
I didn’t linger in the meeting room after she left. If I didn’t leave now, nothing would stop me from going after her. I would lose the seat I’d worked so hard to get. No, I needed to go back to Half Moon. No matter how empty or cold it was, I would go and wait for her.
Everything was almost set to go. If everything went according to plan, I would have her in my arms soon. Knowing this, I couldn’t help but be anxious now that I was away from Half Moon.
Devin reassured me over and over again that she would not come, but I couldn’t help the hope that burned in my chest for her. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of her coming back to be me.
Liam drove while Devin and I sat in the back. Ethan’s face flashed through my mind and I couldn’t help but scowl. Devin had been watching me since we left the meeting room. As if he thought I would bolt the moment we passed the gates surrounding this pack.
Now that we were on our way back, I had no such plans to chase after Adea. I may have a temper and I may have been impulsive before I took Half Moon, but I like to think that I’ve been well behaved in the last few days.
The pain I felt from her words lingered into the night. Her voice was on repeat and the hate in her eyes peered at me through the dark. At this point, I gave up on sleep. I went to my office and threw myself into the stack of papers I didn’t get done yesterday.
Devin had been doing top-tier work since he took on the role of Beta. I had planned on giving him the title but he took out my father’s beta and claimed it for himself. In the last few days, he has cleaned out the trash, laid down new rules, and put new Deltas into power.
He’s made it easy for me. For now, all I have to worry about is the paperwork he puts on my desk and the plan. The sun was up by the time Duke, the warrior guarding the gate, mind-linked me.
Out of all of the rogues I’d recruited, Duke was the one I chose to lead their sect. He was rough around the edges, but he was also respectful. Even when I was a rogue, he gave me respect.
I’m sorry to bother you, Alpha.
Goddess, what is it?
Well… I…
There had better be a good reason for you to link me.
Yes, Alpha.
Have more defects been found?
No, Alpha.
Has there been an attack?
No, Alpha.
Has the Alpha’s Table sent word?
No, Alpha.
I think that answers it. If not for any of those reasons, why have you linked me? I don’t think whatever you’ve got to say needs to be said.
Another gift has arrived for you.
I’m not seeing gifts today. I haven’t accepted a single one. What makes you think I’d see them today?
Beta Devin said you needed to see every gift. I-
After yesterday, I’m not in the fucking mood.
This one is persistent.
I don’t give a flying fuck what she is. Do you think I care? Don’t bother me with the words of a useless whore.
She says her name is Adea.
Time stands still as I look out the window. The heat from the sun almost burns me, it’s almost as if the soft breeze freezes, and the trees stop their dance. My hopeful heart almost goes into cardiac arrest at the thought of her being here, even though there’s no way she’s here.
After what she said yesterday, the chances of her being here are zero to none, but that doesn’t stop the excuses for her behavior that begin to flood my mind. Maybe she didn’t mean them. Maybe she said them to convince him of her loyalty. When she’s actually loyal to me.
Even I know that’s absurd. Her loyalty didn’t matter to me. I didn’t need it. Whether Adea wanted me or not was irrelevant. If she was here, it only meant she was much closer to me than she was to him. It meant I almost had her in my grasp and under my control. If she really were here, I would have everything I’ve ever wanted.