ADRIANA’S POV
I jerked up, feeling someone's presence near me, my heart raced in my chest and I backed away instinctively until I hit the headboard. I didn't even care to let my eyes focus enough to see who was with me, I just felt a presence and immediately my body reacted the best way it knew how. The last time someone entered my room when I was sleeping, they tried to force themselves on me."Don't be afraid, princess," a soft voice whispered, like if he spoke any louder I would sprint. I might. "It’s me, Aiden. I was just checking on you to make sure you were okay." my eyes snapped up and sure enough, the large man was hunched over the bed, looking down at me with worried eyes.I still moved back a little, searching my brain for the memories that seemed vague.I studied him for a moment, trying to steady my breathing as my memories slowly pieced themselves.The party, the lycan king, me running away and feeling dizzy, falling and everything going black, the warrior that gave me food and a potion to drink. He was in a sleeveless shirt, his bulging biceps and broad shoulders tapering down his waist. His chest was on display from the low V of his tank top, his muscles defined and well-trained. The body of a man that trained a lot.I let out a sigh of relief and stretched, feeling more relaxed now that everything has come back to my mind. "Oh, right. Sorry, I was just a little confused."Aiden smiled. "That's understandable. You were pretty out of it. How are you feeling now?" He asked, his soft gaze watching me.I thought about it for a moment. "I feel a lot better. I must have passed out after taking that potion. My leg still hurts, but it's not as bad as it was before." I explained. Since I didn’t have a wolf, my healing process was a lot slower than normal wolves."That's good to hear," Aiden said, standing up. "It’s good to know you're awake and doing better. Get some rest, we need to talk. I'll check on you later. I have a few questions." something in my stomach churned but I managed to nod and try to smile.I watched as he left the room, closing the door behind him. It was nice to know that someone was looking out for me. It’s something I’ve never had even from the people I called family. Though I was still a bit skeptical, he hasn't done anything up till now that shows he has bad intentions, so I guess it means I could trust him.I was deep in thought when a soft knock came on the door. My first reaction was panic before I told myself it was probably just Aiden, and if he wanted to hurt me. He had plenty o f time to do that when I was unconscious and defenseless. I was still defenseless but he didn't know that.The door opened moments later and he walked in, his steps unhurried. His large form moving with grace you wouldn't think he was capable of achieving.“Hope you are well rested now,” he started. He moved to the bench I'd sat in earlier and lowered himself to it. His large form folded as he sat, the chair squeaked under his weight, he didn't look worried that it would break or anything.“What is your name?” he asks. I stared at him in panic, aware that he could hear the crazy way my heart was beating. I didn't have a way to stop it so I just watched him. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I know you’re doing it for your safety, but I need to know who you are.”When I didn't say anything, I expected him to blow up but he just sat, looking deep in thought."I get that you’re running,” he started, he waited for me to confirm that. I just stayed quiet, staring at him with what I hope is an empty expression. “And if I'm going to try and help you, I need to know who or what you're running from?"I hesitated, not wanting to reveal the truth. If I told him that I was Alpha Jameson Peirce’s daughter, the daughter of an alpha from a neighboring pack, even if he didn't belong to any of the packs close by, he would still be duty-bound to report me to my father. And if my father found out that I had been running, he would be even more determined to marry me off as soon as possible so I could be trapped forever. I don’t even want to think of what the lycan king would do to me if he heard of what I did. If he doesn't already know, that is.I didn’t know his stance on the marriage but it was a slap to his face, the highest form of insult for him. I had disrespected him by running and the consequences would be dire for me. After hearing all the things I have about him, death would be the only escape for me. That is if he doesn’t get to me and kills me first. Except, he wouldn't, he is known for his crazy torture techniques."I am running from my alpha," I admitted silently, trying to keep my voice steady. "He wants to sell me off to a man who isn’t my mate." The emotions won as I stuttered through the words.Aiden frowned, his brow furrowed. "I see," he muttered, his voice laced with skepticism. "And who is this alpha?"I hesitated again, trying to think of what to say that wouldn't immediately make him connect the dots. "I am sorry but I can’t tell you that," I went for the safest option which was telling him nothing, hoping that he wouldn't ask any more questions. Thankfully, he didn’t.Aiden seemed to consider this for a moment, his expression softened slightly. "I'll help you," he said finally. "But you have to promise me that you'll not attempt to run until you're well enough to leave. I can't risk the Alpha finding out where you are."I nodded, relief washing over me. "Thank you," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. "I promise I won’t run."Aiden gave me a curt nod and got up to leave the room. "I'll bring you more food and water," he said over his shoulder. "Rest and get your strength back. We'll figure out a plan to get you out of here."“But I am okay now. I should leave immediately, the alpha must be looking for me.” My heart was racing in my chest. Just thinking of my father’s wrath made me want to get the hell out of here much faster.I trusted Aiden to a certain degree but every second I spent in this room was a second wasted when I could have used it to put so much more distance between my father, Xander and I. I approached him, my hands shaking with fear, the desperation leaking out of me like the breath I was exhaling."I need to get out of here, now.” I pleaded, my eyes narrowing in panic.Aiden's brow furrowed with concern. "I get that you think it is urgent but you are more than safe here, try and get some more rest. You said your leg was still hurting, didnt you? How do you expect to run in that state?"I took a deep breath and tried to steady my voice. "I know I said that, but I feel better after taking that potion. See, I can even stand on my own and I barely feel any pain."Aiden paused, looking torn. His hand hovered over the knob of the door. "Listen, I can't just let you leave without knowing where you're going or how you'll survive. If that's the case, I will go with you."I shook my head frantically. "No, you won't. If you come with me, you will end up getting yourself killed. You have done enough already and I don't want to hurt you. Just let me go."Aiden's expression softened and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "I can’t let you go alone. Look, I will get some supplies and let you rest for a bit before we go. You can't just run off into the wilderness without any provisions. When you get to your destination safely, I'll come back. I'll feel better knowing you are safe and i didnt let you go by yourself." His tone suggested I couldn't change his mind, and I decided it was better to let him and prepare for us to leave than me stopping to argue, and wasting more time.Tears of gratitude welled in my eyes. "Thank you, Aiden. Thank you so much."He nodded and exited the room, leaving me inside. I sat on the bed, my hands wrapped around myself as I tried to calm my frayed nerves.I wasn't even close to being out of danger yet, I doubted I would be safe even after leaving the werewolf community, but at least I would be somewhere that they weren't the vast majority. I just had to keep my mouth shut and hope Aiden doesn't figure out my true identity. At least until I was far away from here, from my father and King Xander.I sat nervously on the edge of the bed, my hands twisted together in my lap as I waited for Aiden to return with the supplies he said he was getting.Just when I wanted to start pulling my hair out of worry, Aiden walked back into the room with a backpack, similar to the one I had but bigger. He’d just slipped in when we heard a loud banging sound. My heart dropped and my eyes widened in panic. I turned to Aiden, trying to make sure he heard the same thing.He was frowning, which told me he did."What is it?" I asked, my heart racing."I'm not sure," Aiden replied, his voice low and guarded. "But I'm going to go check it out."I watched anxiously as Aiden slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him. I didn't need him to tell me to stay back, or that things aren't alright.I had always known that my father's guards would come after me, but I had hoped that they were not the ones here and that they wouldn't catch up to us until we were far away from here.As the minutes ticked by, my fear grew. I strained to hear what was happening outside, but all I could make out was the muffled sound of voices. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aiden returned."I assume it’s your father's guards, they said they are looking for a young lady that got lost." he said, his face grim. The first thing that came to my mind was he knew, but he didn’t seem bothered by the bit of information I hid from him. The guards would have told him anyway. "I’m guessing they're here for you."My heart sank. I looked up at Aiden, my eyes pleading. "I don't want to go with them, please what are we going to do?" I asked.“The potion I gave you hides your scent, only high ranking members can smell you so they can’t tell you are here, but they won’t believe me.” He looked around with a sullen look on his face.“There is no way for you to run out but the front door.” My heart has dropped to the pit of my stomach at this point. My father wouldn’t show me any mercy and I doubted the lycan king would too. I was between a rock and a hard place with no sight of escape.“What else can we do?”He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "We're going to fight," he said. "We'll never make it out of here if we don't."ADRIANA’S POV I strain my ears to hear their conversation but I can’t make out what they are saying but they were still talking, they look a bit more aggressive now. I curse and start pacing around the room. Even though I wanted to blame him for everything that was happening, this wouldn’t have happened if he’d just let me go when I told him, before they got here. I knew this would happen. He just didn’t understand, or he didn't want to. I was surprised he still wanted to fight for me instead of turning me in, I was just trouble for him. Their voices get louder, I get up and walk toward them again. It seemed like the guards were trying to search the house. Aiden didn't agree to it and they immediately reach the conclusion that he is indeed hiding something, they try to push over him and he resists. One of them tries to hit him and that causes a fight to break out. I watch in horror as Aiden fights the men, my heart racing as I realize that I am in even more danger now. My feet drag
ADRIANA’S POV My horror at watching the inevitable death of the man who saved me gets distracted by the full moon rising high in the sky. Coming out and shining even more, I didn't know if it was me or that was actually happening but it stood intimidating in the night sky. Like it was reminding us of its presence, as if to say this is being witnessed. I felt a sense of ease, feeling as though the moon had spoken. Telling me I wasn't alone in this. Alpha Xander’s wolf stops for a moment, almost like he was frozen. It only lasts a few seconds before a heart stopping growl ripples from his throat as his body visibly shakes. Xander falls to his knees, the earth around him shaking from the weight of his wolf, he writhes in obvious agony as his bones begin to snap and reshape again. I watch, my eyes wide with horror as a bone protrudes in his back and a guttural sound leaves his mouth, echoing in the night. His body contorts and twists in ways that have something clenching in my lower s
ADRIANA’S POV “He is not my lover. Aiden is just a... a helper!” I say, in a final pathetic attempt to save Aiden’s life. “Please let him go!” I whisper, my voice almost breaking. Alpha Xander says nothing but I notice him grow stiffer, he stares down at Aiden whose feet are off the ground, it wouldn't take much to end him. “Get her, we can’t stay here for too long. It will be dawn soon.” He says to one of the men, inclining his head toward me. The smaller wolf bows then he runs off only to come back a few seconds later in his human form, dressed in low jeans only. He is holding onto another pair of jeans which he drops at the front of the black wolf. He shifts right there, not caring that he is naked and pulls the pants up. He approached me, his eyes trained on my body with his lips turned down in an angry frown. My heart beats frantically in my chest with every step that he takes. Something about him screams danger and instinctively I step back, trying to get as far away from hi
ALPHA XANDER'S POV "Adriana, you will come with me right now. You are not going to stay with Alpha xander until you have been lawfully wedded as is customary." The unmistakable voice filled with frustration echoed through the forest. Alpha Jameson howls, stepping back when a growl begins to sound in my chest. I nearly killed someone some minutes ago. I won't hesitate to switch who the victim is. "I'm not going anywhere with you, Father. I'm staying with Alpha Xander and I trust him to protect me." She lied, which is what piques my interest to listen to their dialogue. "You trust him?" He asked, glancing at me for a second. "Look where that trust will get you. I don't care about what you think, Adriana. You will come with me and that is final." “Yes,” she replies. Her voice doesn't hold much confidence like it first did. I’m surprised he doesnt catch up on that. "You will do as I say, young lady. I am still your father and I know what's best for you." He bellowed, looking seconds
ADRIANA’S POV The adrenaline from the argument with my father still crackles in my blood as the car starts moving. Xander is silently sitting beside me while I try hard not to let any part of me touch him. We are not touching in the slightest but his presence fills the car, making me feel suffocated as I try to hide in the back seat. I’m fully resting on the door though there is still room for me to sit on. Alpha Xander is a big man, yes, but the car is big enough that if I didn't want to touch him, then I wouldn't. I feel his eyes on me even before I turn and when he lays his hand over mine, it curls into a fists completely on its own. My show of bravado in front of my father has gone, the adrenaline is wearing off and my reality is starting to come back to me. I take in a shuddering breath when he entwines our fingers, a soft gasp leaves my lips without my permission when he tugs hard, pulling me into the car more. I have to fight the instinctive need to fight against his hold or
ALPHA XANDER’S POV I was done with my breakfast when Donovan walked into the room, his steps light and his face hard. "We need to talk." He says and I cock a brow, telling him to say what is on his mind but he shakes his head and tilts his head toward the door. I nod understanding what he is saying, he needs to talk about something private. I get up and follow him, a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. Things never end well whenever he sounds like that. My brain has already come up with a thousand different reasons for why he has called me and what he has to say. I don't have to wait for long because as soon as we are inside the office and Donovan closes the door, he turns me. He turns to me with his lips pressed into a thin line,his eyes hard. "Is Adriana your mate?" He asks, his jaws clenched, the impression playing in between his scanty beards. I wonder where this is leading to, I wait for him to continue without bothering to reply to that question. “She is you
ALPHA XANDER’S POV “Alexander, stop!” Donovan’s voice is just a breeze over my ears as I lunge for him. He is quick to slide out of the way. “Just see how you are acting, the old Xander would never try this.” His voice is loud, his words are angry but I don't care. My fingers extend into claws and I go for his jugular. I’m more animal than man, needing to feel his warm blood on my hand with the hopes that it will quench the rage burning within me. My hands sink into the shoulder of his dress shirt and I haul him up, all I can see is red. I drag Donovan up, his protests sounding like nothing to my ears. He is fighting against my hold, unable to free himself.i’m not letting him do it. “You will not speak to me this way.” I growl the command out. He growls in return, getting angry too. I feel his rage burning from within and it spurs me on. I do want this fight. The need to kill him has never been more and deep down, I know this isn't me. Even though he gives me shit sometimes, I k
ALPHA XANDER'S POV I’d just returned from my run, feeling slightly better than I did before I left. I was restless through most of it but once I shifted and found that harmony with the earth, everything felt better and I was able to think clearer. I walk up the stairs, still trying to drag out my time before I get to work for the day. Daciana is at the top waiting for me, I groan lowly but don’t stop walking. She glares at me and opens her mouth to speak, I stop her with my hand raised and if looks could kill, I would have dropped dead. There are a lot of things she hated and one of them was being cut off, especially when it is done to dismiss her. I love her but I don’t have the strength to deal with that, or her. “I need to get ready for work, I’ll see you later.” I’m about a hundred meters away from her when I offer that explanation. She growls in a way that tells me it isn’t appreciated but what can I do? My shower is quick and I dress simply in jeans and a plain t-shirt. Sinc