A series of unfortunate events

Adira’s POV

I could tell Magnus carried a lot of anger as I followed him to the bathhouse.

He took off his shirt, and I couldn’t help but stare, my face growing hot. His skin looked warm and stretched over hard muscles, his pack tattoos shifting as he moved. The air was thick with the clean scent of soap mixed with something wild, like pine and earth.

I got distracted by the way his shoulders moved as he pulled off his boots, muscles flexing, until my eyes landed on his swollen foot. He dropped his pants, wrapped a towel around his waist, and his boxers slid to his ankles. When I started to massage his swollen foot, my fingers brushed his bare skin. It was hot and rough, and I could feel tension running through him.

Every breath I took was filled with his scent, so close it made me dizzy. I didn’t dare look up. He let out a low growl, the sound deep in his chest.

"Leave me," he barked.

Ungrateful, grumpy man, I said to myself as I walked outside.

While I waited in front of the bathhouse, Diane, his daughter, ran into my arms.

Adira, do you know my mom?

I looked at her small, sad face. "No, I don’t, but I would love to meet her."

"Well," she said as tears started to fall, "she died."

For a second, my mind went blank. A cold ache punched through my chest as I took in her words, the sight of her tears catching me off guard. My heart twisted for this little girl, so small and brave and carrying a grief far too big for her. Words stuck in my throat. I knelt down, pulling her into a fierce hug. "Oh," I managed, voice trembling a little. "I’m so sorry, Diane." I fought the urge to cry, too. No wonder Magnus carried so much anger. The grief in his daughter’s eyes was enough to shatter anyone.

Now I understand why Magnus was so mean and grumpy. His mate had died.

Adira, he shouted, get in here.

Go on, I told Diane, I have to help your dad.

I walked back inside and helped him get dressed. The last piece was his t-shirt. I tripped over a piece of wood and fell onto Magnus. His scent was nice, maybe pine and clover.

I pulled back quickly and apologized.

"Go fix my cold bath," he ordered. I rushed back inside and quickly fixed it for him. Then I waited with the towels to dry him. He pushed me hard as I wiped his legs. I put up with it because he had lost someone dear to him.

Go get my dinner and send Jan to my room.

I walked into the kitchen and asked to prepare Alpha’s dinner. The woman there looked angry at me. Maybe his mood affects everyone in the pack.

Jan was talking to someone. I walked up to her. Alpha needs you in his room.

She gave me a strange smile. I shrugged and sat down to wait for lunch to be ready.

Finally, the woman handed me the tray. As I walked down the hallway to his room, I could hear loud moans. I hesitated before opening the door. But he had asked for his dinner.

I opened the door anyway and saw him with Jan, moving with a kind of ferocity. Our eyes met. For a moment, it felt like everything stopped. Shame, confusion, and a strange ache twisted inside me. I froze, heat rising up my neck. Why did it hurt so much to see him like that? I should have looked away, but I couldn’t. I was stuck between wanting to disappear and needing an explanation. Was I angry, or just foolish for hoping he’d be different? I was disappointed and a little jealous. Suddenly, I felt small, out of place, and foolish for wanting more. Questions buzzed under my skin, each one sharper than the last. Why did I care so much?

I was still a virgin, never been with anyone. I’d seen plenty of men naked when they shifted after training. People always said I looked fragile, but I trained with the warriors. My father said it might come in handy one day. I still remember falling in the mud during my first lesson, my father’s rough voice telling me to get up and keep my guard. He never treated me like I would break. Sometimes, when I see Magnus, it reminds me of those old sparring matches—the burn in my muscles, the sense that strength can be hidden where no one expects it.

I sat down by the door, waiting for him to finish with Jan.

Gross.

Michael walked over to me.

Why aren’t you going inside?

"He... is..." My face turned red.

"Oh, I see. Well, his wife was in an arranged marriage. There was no love. As I said, he’s had a series of unfortunate events."

Michael, do you think he will ever let me go?

"Just give him time. He’s not really the monster everyone thinks he is. Angry, yes, but I believe there’s still something good left in him if someone’s patient enough to find it. People can surprise you, Adira. Maybe one day, he’ll let someone get close enough to help him heal."

We laughed together. Then the door opened and Jan walked out, smiling.

Go on, give him his dinner.

I knocked on the door, then walked in and saw him in his boxers.

He really was something to look at. It was like the Goddess had blessed every part of him.

"Take it back and bring me a fresh dinner. This is cold."

"If you didn’t..." I stopped. He looked down at me.

Did you say something to me?

"No, Alpha. I’ll get you another dinner." I walked out and slammed the door.

I made my point. When I returned, he got inches from my face.

"Did you slam the door when you left?"

I didn’t dare look at him.

"Well, go on. What is your problem? I have time now," he said, sitting down to eat.

I have no problem, sir, I stammered, feeling my face burn hotter. The words caught in my throat, and for a second, I thought I might choke on them. Maybe you should lock the door when you... My voice trailed off, the sentence unfinished, awkward, and thin in the dense air between us.

I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes, but I could sense the way his gaze sharpened, searching my face for something. Silence hung between us, thick and buzzing, making my skin prickle with embarrassment. I fidgeted, clenching my hands behind my back as I tried to steady my breathing, wishing I could disappear.

When I what? Have sex? Why? Are you telling me what I should do, Adira?

Of course not, sir, I’m sorry. May I go now?

Yes, have a good night.

You too, alpha Magnus.