Chapter 7
Adrian’s POV
Today is the day I become Alpha.
This is the moment I’ve waited thirty years for.
From this day forward, I will be the one to protect the Cross Pack. And Cordelia will become the true Luna.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen—
It was Evangeline.
“Adrian, I’m at your front door~”
My brows knitted together.
Before I could reply, another message popped up.
“I’m not wearing any panties~”
A vein throbbed at my temple.
Has this woman lost her mind?
Cordelia is still at home!
If she sees this—
I nearly bolted out of the room.
I slipped out the side door and circled around to the front garden.
Sure enough, Evangeline was standing at the gate.
She wore a blue dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.
That dress…
It was the one I’d picked out for Cordelia.
“Why are you wearing that?” I kept my voice low, my tone sharp.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” Evangeline tilted her head, batting her lashes. “I saw how pretty it was, so I had one made just like it.”
“Adrian~” She sauntered over, looping her arms around my neck. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”
Her body pressed against mine.
Soft. Warm.
And that familiar scent of jasmine.
“Evangeline, you need to go.” I tried to push her away. “Cordelia’s still inside. If she sees—”
Her fingers trailed down my collar.
“Adrian, I missed you so much…”
“After you left last night, I tossed and turned in bed, couldn’t sleep…”
“I kept thinking about you…”
She rose up on tiptoe, her lips brushing my jaw.
I knew I should push her away.
Today was the succession ceremony.
Cordelia was upstairs.
But Evangeline’s body was so soft, her voice so sweet…
And she was wearing that blue dress.
Clinging to every curve. Hints of skin showing through.
My resolve began to waver.
“Just one kiss…” Evangeline’s lips hovered close. “Just one…”
I closed my eyes, lowered my head—
Agony!
A sharp, tearing pain shot through my chest.
I doubled over, clutching my heart, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.
This… the mate bond?
Cordelia!
I could feel her emotions.
Despair.
A crushing, all-consuming despair.
And heartbreak.
A kind of heartbreak that shredded you, left you gasping for air.
“Adrian?” Evangeline’s voice sounded distant, muffled. “What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t answer.
Cordelia was in agony.
What happened to her?
What’s going on?
I straightened abruptly, shoving Evangeline aside.
“Go home. The ceremony’s about to start.” I told her, “Go now. I’ll come find you after it’s over.”
She didn’t argue, just turned and walked away.
I watched her disappear through the gate before heading back inside.
I hurried down the hallway, about to head upstairs.
The butler approached.
“Mr. Cross, you’re back.”
“Where’s Cordelia?” I asked. “Is she ready?”
“Madam is in her room,” the butler replied. “She asked not to be disturbed while she’s getting dressed.”
I paused.
That pain still lingered in my chest, a dull ache.
“I’ll go check on her.”
“Mr. Cross,” the butler stopped me, “the ceremony is about to begin. The Elders are already waiting. You can’t be late.”
“Madam said she’ll go straight to the ceremony,” he added. “She asked you not to worry and to start without her.”
I hesitated.
Maybe I was overthinking it.
Maybe Cordelia was just nervous, her emotions running high.
“All right.” I took a deep breath. “I’ll head to the ceremony. Keep an eye on Cordelia, and let me know if anything happens.”
“Yes, Mr. Cross.”
I turned and strode out of the house.
