Chapter 54

“Calm down.” I say as soothingly as I can. We are down the hall from Grace’s room after leaving her to rest. Adrian is pacing like a caged animal. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s normally so calm. Like he has everything under control. Now, I’m worried about what he will do.

“I should have banished Glen and his entire family years ago.” He growls and I flinch at the tone. It sounds like he might morph into his wolf form at any moment and tear Vanessa apart. Not that I would blame him, but I think it might be ill-advised.

“Take a breath.” I tell him. I try to keep my voice even, but it’s shaking a little. “She’s home safe and you can deal with them now, but you’ve said they’re influential. You’ll have to be smart about how you do it and you aren’t thinking straight right now.”

He stops pacing and looks at me. Then I watch as he closes his eyes and does what I say. I can almost hear him counting to ten in his head. Then he looks back at me and I still see the rage simmering just beneath the surface.

“I’m going for a run.” He says and stalks down the hall.

“Adrian!” I call after him, afraid that he’s lying and is going straight to Vanessa’s house. I don’t know why I’m so concerned. Vanessa and her entire family will deserve whatever punishment Adrian hands them. Yet, I’m afraid that when he’s like this he will react irrationally and do something he will regret. Right now, he looks so much like Julian did just before he would lose his temper.

He stops and turns around. As he walks back to me, there’s a cold calm about him. Like he’s a second away from burning hot again, but he’s taking this small step back from the rage. He places his hands on my shoulders. Not squeezing, just resting there. The touch is grounding and comforting. I stop shaking.

“I need to burn off some steam. Running helps. You’re right and I won’t do anything rash, I promise.” He says almost soothingly, and I realize my heart is beating with worry. It slows and my breathing goes back to normal. I just nod and Adrian presses a small kiss to my temple. “I’ll be back later.”

Then he’s gone.

I’m grateful for the reassurance. I’m worried, but I’m not terrified. It was such a little thing, and yet, coming back and setting aside his temper just for a moment’s consideration for me is something I’ve never experienced.

I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m still concerned for Adrian. Concerned that he might change his mind and his anger will get the better of him. If he did hurt Vanessa or Glen, what would happen? I don’t know the rules when it comes to things like this.

I need to learn to ask more questions.

I make myself some tea and go upstairs to my room. I don’t really know what to do with myself. My own anger over what Vanessa did and worry for Adrian are swirling around my head and I can’t focus. I try reading and watching a movie to see if I can distract myself, but it’s no use.

I make a few trips down the hall and poke my head into Grace’s room to make sure she’s still asleep. She’s a little restless, but otherwise fast asleep.

It’s late by the time I hear Adrian coming back up the stairs. I poke my head out of my room to see him going down the hall away from me, sweat making his shirt cling to every curve and muscle. Despite my worry, I can’t stop myself from admiring his physique.

He looks alright and I know I have no more reason to worry, but I can’t stop myself. Thirty minutes later, I’m walking down the hall to check on him. I just have to see that he’s alright.

I knock on the door gently. I don’t hear movement and wonder if he’s still in the shower. Then the door opens and he’s standing before me with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

“I’m sorry, I thought you would be done.” I say hurriedly, a blush rising to my cheeks. I know he sees it because the corners of his mouth quirk.

“I am.” He says.

“Okay, I just wanted to check on you. You were pretty upset when you left. Are you alright?” I ask, trying and failing to keep my eyes from his sculpted chest.

“Yes, the run helped.” He assures me simply.

“Okay, good. I’ll leave you alone. Goodnight.”

I turn to leave and go back to my room when I feel his hand brushing my arm and hear the request that makes my heart lurch with both pleasure and dread.

“Stay.”

When I look back at him, there’s no denying what he’s asking. He steps to the side of the door, a clear invitation into his room. I want to accept so badly it hurts, but I know I shouldn’t. The pack would hate this. After everything, they would never accept me.

“I shouldn’t.” I say and I see the disappointment in his eyes that threatens to break down the little conviction I have. “You’re the Alpha. You have to think of the pack, and they will never accept this.”

A look of pure assurance and confidence takes over Adrian’s face.

“You are my mate.” He says firmly, “Phillip confirmed it and there is no denying who you are to me. Mates are sacred. No one comes between them, and the pack knows this. Many of them may take issue because they’re judgmental snobs, but there’s nothing they can do about it. You’re mine, Lily.”

With that declaration, all concerns I have fly right out the window. I trust him entirely and if he believes there’s no reason we can’t be together, I don’t have the conviction or self-control to believe otherwise.

I step back toward him.

I want him. I’ve wanted him since the moment we met. If I’m his mate, then he’s mine too.

Adrian is mine.

The thought is like the last nail on the coffin to my self-restraint. He is mine. Chosen by fate and gifted to me.

And he wants me too.

There is nothing that keeps us apart now. No Julian, no pack, nothing.

I step toward him and rest my hand against his chest. He closes his eyes and breathes deeply under my touch. But he doesn’t move, waiting for me to make my decision.

I know that if I walk away, he’ll let me. He’s never pushed me into anything I didn’t want. I’m safe with him.

I slide my hand up the muscles of his chest, over his shoulder, to wrap around the back of his neck. I guide his face down to toward mine, just close enough that our lips brush.

“And you’re mine.” I answer and it’s like the tension, pulled dangerously taught, finally snaps and his mouth presses to mine in a possessive and all-consuming kiss.

Giving in to my desire for Adrian is like breathing air after being under water for far too long. He pulls me into his room, shutting the door behind us. His hands waste no time in reaching for my clothes.

He strips me of my shirt and leggings, both of us moving frantically. As though anxious to rid ourselves of anything separating his flesh from mine. Then his hands are on my waist picking me up so I’m flush against him and my legs are wrapped around his waist.

He starts walking toward the bed and lays me down gently. I reach for the towel still around him and tug it away.

He is incredible. His body is work of art that I can’t stop admiring.

He presses a kiss to me neck, trailing down and pausing at my breast to take the peak into his mouth for a gentle nip. I gasp and he reaches for my underwear. I raise my hips so he can slide the lace down my legs and toss it to the floor.

He trails more kisses across my body as he makes his way back up to claim my mouth. He leaves each one as though it’s an act of worship. I run my hands over him in the same way. Exploring and admiring each curve and dip of hardened muscles under my fingertips. As though I can memorize him.

His fingers glide over me until they settle between my legs, and I let out a groan as he pushes first one and then two inside me leisurely. As though we have all the time in the world.

A satisfied groan leaves his mouth at finding that I’m more than ready for him. How badly I want him. By the feel of him against my thigh, I know how badly he wants me too.

Then his hand is gone and barely get the chance to let out a whimper of protest against his mouth before I feel him positioning himself at my entrance.

He’s taking his time and it’s infuriating.

Then he’s pushing inside, and I let out a gasping moan as he fills me completely. His movements start slow, as though he’s savoring each and every one. Then he gets faster, pushing himself deeper inside me and I shift my hips to meet him.

The sensations of each thrust brings stars before my eyes and it isn’t long before I’m launching over the edge with a cry. He follows shortly after with his own loud groan.

When we’re both spent and panting, sweat coating our skin, he rests his forehead against mine and gives me one more soft, tender kiss before he shifts off of me. He doesn’t go far. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me into his chest and holds me tightly. As if I would disappear if he let go.

In this moment, I can’t remember a time I’ve ever felt so safe.