ADRIANA’S POVThere is this feeling, when you know you did something wrong and you’re caught, and you just kind of panic. There are two things that can happen, either you think smart and act smart, or you dumb down and freeze, your eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. It’s not hard to guess which one my body decided to do when I saw Xander enter the bar an hour after we did.“Oh fuck,” Daciana murmurs under her breath as her eyes land on her brother. “So much for lowkey.” She doesn’t back down from the glare he is shooting her way. I’m grateful that wasn’t directed at me, I would have crumbled even before he spoke.“Daciana,” Donovan said, standing beside Xander. He shakes his head in disappointment. That seems to break the terse silence in the whole bar. Everyone is watching the scene, waiting to see what Xander’s next move will be. They all know him from their reactions, it’s no surprise to see them minding their own business. I mean, I would too if I were in their shoes.Xan
ADRIANA’S POVI sit still even when Xander parks the car when we get to the house. His hand hasn’t left my thigh and it is scalding hot on my skin, I wouldn’t be surprised if I find his hand print there after he lifts it.He is still seething beside me, his anger filling the enclosed space. I guess I’ve never really noted just how big he is and how very different we are until now. He gives my thigh one last squeeze before removing his hand. I instantly feel like I can breathe again. It doesn’t last long because he speaks.“Go now,” he tilts his head toward the house. I lift my head and give him a small nod then move my hand to the doorknob, but before I can feel it, he grabs my other hand, forcing me to sit back and turn to face him. His brows are pulled together, his lips tight with a frown and there’s that heat that makes my skin prickle, in his eyes.Overall I’m surprised because I’m not as scared as I would have thought I would be when I’m locked in a small car with Xander.“Don’t
ALPHA XANDER’S POV“What were you telling her?” I ask Donovan as soon as he gets into the car, he grumbles under his breath and turns away from me.“Nothing important.” He finally replies when I ask him to repeat himself. That answer doesn’t sit well with me of course and he sees it well written on my face, he ignores it expectedly.“Don’t make me ask again. What did you tell her?” my voice comes out slower, so he can know how very serious I am. I could just ask her and it would be easier, but I doubt she will tell me the truth. She is terrified of Donovan and with good reason, he seems intimidating and terrible to people who don’t know him, but he isn’t as he likes to make himself out to be.“Told her what she needed to hear.”“Donovan,” the word comes out with a warning growl. I start the car and drive out of the house, going at a speed that should only be allowed on the highway.“I reminded her how important it is for her to not act stupid. If anything happens to her, you’ll be dis
ADRIANA’S POVI stayed and had lunch with Daciana, she kept chattering like her usual self and I can’t explain how happy I felt at that. I’m starting to believe what she said about feeling better after you create a small ruckus. Not that I see myself distracting myself that way, I’ll live vicariously through her.“You look like you’re about to topple over,” she says, tapping my hand. I hum, blinking the haziness away from my eyes. I barely make it to two feet in front of me before my head swims and I’m forced to close my eyes again.Daciana’s laugh sounds distant and I grumble something incoherent. It sounded like ‘I’m going to bed’ but I can bet a lot of money that isn’t how it came out. She chuckles and tells me okay.“Take this water with you though,” I feel something cold in my hands as I get up. I nod and tighten my hold on it. A bottle of water. Yes, that’s great, I need water. “Let me help you up,” I only grumble when her arms come around me. I don’t stop her of course, I need
ALPHA XANDER’S POVDonovan gives me a look from the other side of the room while I just ignore him. I roll up the sleeves of my black dress shirt, flexing my arms when it gets to the top of my forearms.“Remind me,” I smirk when he speaks. He was giving me the silent treatment but I knew he wouldn’t last. I turn to him and cock an expectant brow, waiting for the rest of the sentence. “If you’re very confident they are still in the pack, why are you questioning the man?”He looks over my shoulder to the one way mirror to the man tied up to the single chair in the white room. He has tears streaming down his face and I admit, it makes me feel bad but these are tough decisions I have to make as alpha.“We need to make sure no one helped them get out of the pack. Just crossing everything off.” I remind him, like I have for the past two days.“Do you know what I think this is?” I nod for him to say what he wants, knowing fully well that he would with or without my permission. “A waste of ou
ADRIANA’S POV“Too slow,” Zara says, gripping my arm and pulling me to her so my back is pressed against her front. “See, you’ll be dead in seconds if this is a real fight.” I nod, heaving as I try to catch my breath.“Let’s go again.” She releases me and takes a single step back. “Remember, don’t think of me getting to you. Just follow your instinct and attack, good?” I nod, breathing hard.I dance on my toes, she watches me with her hawk-like eyes, studying my body language and trying to see which side I might attack from. My brain is blank, I try to shut off every single thought. With her hands poised in front of her, ready to fight, I pause and she raises a brow, before she can think to speak, I throw my hand out and hook her below the jaw. She stumbles back and I smile widely, feeling proud for finally getting something right.I’m still celebrating my victory when I feel the floor disappear from under me. A loud oomph leaves my lips and I wrap my arms around myself, groaning from
ADRIANA’S POVXander has this way of gaining my attention even when my mind isn’t there. I look up in time to see Zara’s back straighten. Xander is standing less than a foot away from us now and I try to look at anywhere but him while I work on getting my breathing under control. I know for a fact the way my heart is beating isn’t just because of the exertion.“Alpha,” Zara bows her head in respect.“Can you give us a moment?” he asks, though his tone suggests it isn’t a question. Zara, who knows how he is, is already out of the room before I even have a chance to catch my bre
ALPHA XANDER’S POV“You smell like wolf,” I’m greeted with those words as I enter my office. I look at Donovan who has a glass tumbler at his lips, the sparkling amber liquid is almost empty.“What are you doing here?” I ask instead, glaring at his feet that are crossed at the ankles, ON MY DESK. “Get your legs down,” I growl and he does that immediately before sitting up.I don’t know why the fuck he spends all his time in my office when he has his, and all he does is annoy me and get on my nerves. Actually, this is the answer to my question.