CHAPTER 3; What He Shouldn't Feel

Adrian's POV

The moon was pale this morning. Cold light washed over the courtyard stones as I walked back from the Luna Shrine. The silence there always helped me think — but lately, even that peace had turned hollow.

A week.

It had been a full week since I found her.

And she was still here.

The sound of boots crunching gravel pulled me from my thoughts. Caleb leaned casually against the stone pillar near the gate, smirking the moment he saw me.

"Well, well," he said. "The great Alpha finally returns from brooding. Should I alert the kingdom? Maybe ring the ceremonial bells?"

I gave him a hard look. "You talk too much in the morning."

"I talk too much all the time," he said cheerfully, falling into step beside me. "That's why you keep me around."

Caleb had always been the opposite of me … bright where I was shadow, open where I was guarded. His humor was his armor, mine was silence. Yet somehow, it worked.

He glanced at me as we walked toward the mansion. "So… still thinking about the human?"

"She's not my concern."

"That's not what I asked."

I ignored him. The scent of the forest clung to my clothes … pine, rain, faint traces of blood of the animal I hunted last night. It reminded me too much of that night.

"She's awake now, right?" Caleb pressed. "You've had her in that room for seven days. Even for you, that's excessive."

"I was making sure she healed properly."

Caleb raised a brow. "And now that she's healed?"

I stopped walking, turning to face him. "We'll do what we always do."

His grin faded slightly. "Meaning?"

"Erase her memory. Hypnotize her. Send her home." My tone was final.

Caleb exhaled, shaking his head. "Right. The usual 'wipe and forget.' Sometimes I wonder if you remember what mercy feels like."

I looked past him toward the horizon. "Mercy is what kept me from letting those vampires finish their meal."

He studied me for a moment, his expression softening. "So, you did pity her."

I didn't answer.

The truth was, I hadn't just pitied her. I'd been drawn to her …to her fear, her defiance, her heartbeat that refused to quiet even when she trembled. But I couldn't say that aloud. Not even to him.

Caleb sighed. "You know, I've seen you kill for less. And now you're playing nurse to a human woman who talks back."

"She's alive because our ancestors once made a treaty with hers," I said quietly. "A peace between wolves and humans … long before the vampires broke it."

"And you're honoring that peace by keeping her here?"

I gave him a pointed look. "I'm honoring it by letting her leave."

Caleb grinned faintly. "Right. After hypnotizing her into forgetting your pretty face."

He followed me through the grand hall, still shaking his head. "You're impossible, Alpha."

"I'm disciplined," I corrected. "There's a difference."

Caleb laughed. "Whatever you say, my lord."

We entered the guest wing, where sunlight spilled across the marble floor. My chest tightened the moment I saw her door slightly ajar. Her scent drifted out … soft, like wild roses after rain.

I hated how easily it pulled me in.

Caleb leaned close. "You sure you don't want me to handle it? I've got a very gentle hypnotic touch. The ladies say…"

"Leave," I said flatly.

He raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling as he backed away. "Fine, fine. But I'll be waiting downstairs. Try not to scare her too much, Alpha."

When I pushed open the door, she was standing by the window, dressed in one of the loose white gowns we'd provided. The morning sun caught her hair, turning it to molten gold. She turned when she heard me, eyes widening just slightly.

"You're awake," I said.

"I've been awake for days," she replied, her tone sharp. "You just never come around."

Her voice was stronger now …alive. I didn't let it show, but something about that pleased me.

"You've healed well," I said instead. "You can go home."

She blinked. "Just like that?"

I nodded once. "You've overstayed long enough."

She crossed her arms. "Wow. You really know how to make a girl feel appreciated."

I ignored the sarcasm and gestured toward the door. "Let's go."

As we walked down the grand staircase, she looked around in open awe. The mansion stretched endlessly … corridors lined with portraits, ancient sculptures, and stained-glass windows that painted the walls in gold and red.

"Do you ever get tired of all this luxury?" she asked.

"No."

"Figures," she muttered.

When we stepped outside, the sight of the estate seemed to steal her breath. Dozens of wolves in human form moved across the grounds … guards, workers, loyal pack members. Some glanced our way, eyes glinting with curiosity.

Rose leaned closer to me. "Why are they looking at me like that?"

"Because you're not one of us," I said simply. "And they can smell it."

"Oh. Great. That's not creepy at all."

Caleb appeared by the garage, tossing a small key in his hand. "Took the liberty of bringing out something normal for you, boss. Didn't want you intimidating the poor girl with a supercar."

Rose grinned at him. "Finally, someone with manners."

Caleb winked. "Don't tell him that. He'll bite my head off."

I gave him a warning look, took the key, and opened the car door for her. She hesitated, glancing at the mansion one last time before sliding into the seat.

When the engine started, I could feel her gaze on me as we drove through the forest path. The silence between us wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't hostile either. Just… heavy.

After a while, she said softly, "Your home… It's hidden deep in the woods. How do people not find it?"

"Magic," I said, eyes fixed on the road. "The land is protected by ancient runes. Humans can't see it. Vampires can't enter."

She turned to look at me fully. "That's how you keep them away."

"Yes."

"And that's why you saved me?"

My grip tightened on the wheel. "Because your kind once trusted ours."

When the trees thinned, the car burst through a shimmer of light — and suddenly, the city appeared ahead of us. Skyscrapers, traffic, neon lights. Rose gasped softly, turning to look behind us, but the forest was gone. Just a normal stretch of road.

"That's…" she whispered. "That's incredible."

"It's protection," I said quietly. "The world doesn't need to know we exist."

The car slowed in front of her gate as she had directed. Her small house stood quietly, familiar, ordinary. She looked at me, uncertain.

"So… this is goodbye?"

I met her gaze. "Yes."

For a long moment, neither of us moved. Her eyes lingered on mine, questioning, soft. My hand tightened on the steering wheel, but something made me lean slightly closer … enough to touch, enough to feel her breath.

Her heart stuttered.

For a moment, I almost gave in…almost kissed her. Almost.

But then I whispered, "Sleep."

Her pupils dilated instantly. Her expression softened as her body relaxed against the seat.

"You won't remember me," I said quietly, the words twisting like a blade in my chest. "You'll remember the accident, nothing more. You were found by a traveler and healed. That's all."

She nodded faintly, her voice distant. "Okay…"

I looked at her one last time …at the soft curve of her lips, the innocence I shouldn't crave … and then opened the door.

"Go inside," I said.

She stepped out, moving slowly toward the gate. When she disappeared behind it, I exhaled and rested my head back against the seat.

For the first time in years, I didn't feel in control.

And I hated it.

Rose's POV

When I opened my eyes again, I was standing inside my gate.

The weather was calm. My house lights glowed softly. My car keys were in my hand, though I couldn't remember driving home.

I frowned, rubbing my temple. "Weird…"

All I could recall was headlights, pain, and someone helping me. The rest felt like a dream I couldn't quite touch.

But as I turned to go inside, a sudden chill ran down my spine … and somewhere, deep in my chest, my heart skipped for a reason I couldn't name.