Chapter 6

*Adele's point of view* 

The moment the door shut, my strength gave out.

My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor as the tears came fast and hot. My chest shook with each breath, the sobs tearing out of me like they had been waiting for permission. I pressed a hand to my mouth, but it did nothing to stop the sound. My heart felt bruised, like it had been struck too many times in one day.

He was cruel.

He did not want me, yet he refused to let anyone else have me. I could not understand a fate so twisted. I felt trapped inside it, like the walls were closing in. My body had betrayed me. My heart had betrayed me. No matter how hard I tried, I knew I could not deny him forever.

And escaping him was impossible.

Unless I ran.

The thought settled slowly, heavy but clear. Running was the only way. But it came with a price. If I disappeared, the treaty between my pack and this pack would fall apart. Not that I cared about the pack that called itself my family. But I cared about Paul. I cared about Claire.

If the treaty broke, Alpha Demarion would destroy my pack. I could not let that happen. I would have to warn them first. Make sure they were safe.

Then I would run.

The plan took shape in my mind, fragile but hopeful. I wiped my face with trembling hands, breathing through the ache in my chest. A small spark of warmth settled in my heart. I could escape him. Even if it cost me everything.

“Adele?” Cindy’s voice came softly from behind me. “Are you okay?”

Her arms wrapped around me, gentle and steady. The moment I felt her warmth, the dam broke again. Fresh tears spilled over, and I cried into her shoulder, my body shaking.

“Shh,” she whispered. “It’s okay. I’m here. Take your time.”

That was all it took.

I collapsed into her, my emotions unraveling completely. I do not know how long I cried. At some point, the world faded.

When I woke up, I was in my room.

The light was dim, and my body felt heavy, like I had been asleep for hours. Cindy sat across from me in a chair, a book resting in her hands. When I shifted, she looked up and smiled.

“You’re awake.”

She stood almost immediately. “I’ll be right back.”

She left and returned soon with a tray. On it sat a bowl of soup, a bowl of fruit, and a glass of orange juice. She placed it beside my bed.

“Here,” she said softly. “Crying drains your energy.”

“Oh, trust me,” I muttered. “I know.”

My eyes burned every time I blinked.

“Wash your face too,” she added. “It helps cool your eyes.”

“That I didn’t know,” I said, managing a small smile.

“Experience,” she replied.

For a brief second, a shadow crossed her face. Then it was gone.

“Eat,” she said gently. “We can talk later. Or whenever you’re ready.”

She froze mid sentence. Her eyes lost focus, like she was listening to something far away. My stomach tightened. A moment later, she snapped back.

“Sorry, Adele. I have to go.”

Her tone had changed. Urgent. Tight.

“Wait. Why?” I asked.

“I can’t explain now,” she said as she rushed toward the door. “I’ll see you later.”

Then she was gone.

I followed her advice. I washed my face. I ate slowly. Exhaustion settled deep into my bones. By the time I crawled under the covers, sleep came quickly.

My limbs grew heavy. My thoughts blurred.

Then I heard it.

My door opened. Closed.

I tried to move, but my body would not listen. I could not lift my hand. I could not speak. The bed dipped beside me. Someone slid in close, an arm wrapping around me.

A kiss pressed to the top of my head.

And before I could understand what was happening, darkness pulled me under once again.

I woke up to an empty bed.

For a moment, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, my body still heavy with sleep. I could have sworn someone had been beside me last night. The warmth. The weight of an arm. The kiss on my head. It felt too real to be a dream.

But the bed was cold now.

I sighed and shook my head. My imagination had been running wild lately. That was all. I pushed the thought aside and dragged myself out of bed, heading straight for the shower. Another day at the clinic awaited me. Hopefully, today would be better.

All I had to do was avoid the window.

And avoid the nightmare of a mate who refused to leave my thoughts.

Easy enough. Or so I told myself.

By the time I was dressed and ready, I checked the time and groaned. Thirty minutes again. I grabbed my bag and rushed out, jogging the rest of the way to work.

When I arrived, Diana was already there. She greeted me with a warm smile that made some of the tightness in my chest loosen.

“Good morning, dear,” she said. “I honestly did not think you would make it today. You were in a terrible state yesterday. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” I replied with a small smile. “I was just overwhelmed, that’s all.”

“Well, I figured as much,” she said kindly. “Which is why I hired someone to sort out the office and handle the paperwork.”

My eyes widened.

“You are officially my assisting nurse now,” she continued. “And I already have a patient waiting for you.”

Relief and excitement bubbled up inside me. “Really? Where?”

“Third door to your right,” Diana said before walking off to attend to someone else.

With a smile on my face and a bit of confidence returning, I made my way down the hall. I stopped at the door, knocked once, then stepped inside.

My breath caught.

Steel gray eyes met mine instantly. He had sand blond hair, sharp features, and a relaxed posture that screamed confidence. He smiled, slow and charming.

“Good morning,” I said, forcing myself to stay professional. “My name is Adele. I’ll be your nurse today. What brings you in?”

“Morning,” he replied. “Name’s James. I’m here to clean a wound and change the dressing.”

I nodded as I moved toward the cabinets. “May I ask why it hasn’t healed yet? You are a werewolf.”

“Wolfsbane,” he said casually. “Bullet was coated with it. Diana removed it, but the effects linger. Healing’s slow, though shifting helps.”

“That explains it,” I said as I gathered supplies. “Can you remove the bandages yourself, or do you need help?”

“I’ll need help,” he replied, his lips tugging upward. “Especially with taking my shirt off.”

My hands froze.

I stared at him, then shook my head. “Right.”

I walked closer, suddenly very aware of the small space between us. My cheeks burned as I carefully lifted his shirt, guiding it over his head. He stayed still, watching me, which only made it worse.

His body was lean and well built, muscles tight from training. I refused to look for long. As soon as the shirt was off, I stepped back and grabbed the alcohol, gauze, and fresh bandages.

When I turned back, he was still smirking.

I sighed. “What?”

“You’re her, aren’t you?” he said, watching me closely.

“That depends,” I replied, lifting a brow as I kept my focus on his shoulder.

“Depends on what?” he asked, still trying to catch my eyes.

“On which ‘her’ you mean,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“The new one,” he said simply. “The one who just showed up and somehow put our alpha in a mood.”

“I do not have him in a mood,” I said quickly.

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. The heat rising to my cheeks betrayed me before he even spoke.

“Really?” James said. “Then why can’t he focus anymore? Why does he snap every time someone mentions you?”

I paused only long enough to reach for clean gauze. “What are you talking about?”

“When we train, his mind is elsewhere,” James continued. “Before you came, none of us could land a hit. Now we get three or four before he reacts. He feels… off. Like something is missing. And anytime someone asks who you are, he acts like we are trying to steal you.”

I let out a quiet laugh before I could stop myself. “You really have no idea.”

James went still.

His eyes narrowed, sharp and searching. “Wait. You’re his mate, aren’t you?”

I nearly dropped the tape. “Me? No. Why would you even think that?”

The blush on my face burned hotter.

James smiled slowly. “Because his scent is all over you. And no amount of concealer hides an alpha’s claim.”

I groaned and lightly punched his arm. “You’re horrible. Leave me alone.”

He laughed, deep and easy. “Relax. Your secret’s safe with me. Now hurry up and finish. I need to get out of here, Kiddo.”

“Stop calling me kiddo,” I muttered, shaking my head as I secured the final wrap.

He watched me for a moment longer. “I like you,” he said. “You remind me of the sister I never had. Give me your number.”

“After I’m done,” I said.

Once everything was clean and secured, I stepped back and gathered the used bandages. I pulled my phone from my purse and handed it to him. I did not hesitate. He felt familiar in a way I could not explain.

James saved his number, snapped a quick picture of himself with a grin, then handed my phone back before hopping off the bed.

At the door, he turned just as I stepped forward.

Without warning, he wrapped me in a tight hug. “Thanks for your help, kiddo.”

My arms barely reached around him. I did not even bother correcting him this time.

Just as he was about to let go, the door flew open.

Demarion stood there.

The air shifted instantly. His gaze moved from James to me and back again, slow and sharp. His jaw tightened. His nostrils flared like he was holding something dangerous inside.

When James finally released me, I had to dig my nails into my palms to stop myself from stepping back into his arms. I suddenly felt very small. Very exposed.

James lifted a hand in greeting. “Alpha.”

Demarion did not return it. His voice came out low and cold. “Get. Out.”

James blinked once, then chuckled under his breath. “Welp, that’s my cue.” He turned to me with an easy smile. “Thanks again, kiddo. I’ll catch you later.”

He winked.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

The door closed behind him with a soft click.

I turned back slowly.

Demarion’s eyes locked onto mine, dark and unreadable. The warmth in the room vanished, replaced by something sharp and heavy that pressed against my chest.

My stomach dropped.

All I could think was one simple, terrifying truth.

I was in so much trouble.