Dare me

Magnus’s POV

"Alpha Magnus," Michael said quietly. "She's from an ancient pack." Let her go so she can pay her respects to her fallen alpha.

No, she volunteered to be my servant; she is part of this pack now.

Where is she? I asked. I haven’t seen her all day. Find her now.

They searched. Michael was afraid I would lose control. I could see it on his face.

He came back with the group of men just as she was walking into the pack house. I watched from the window.

Adira walked into the bedroom.

Did you understand your duty, Adira? I said, limping toward her. I don’t have time to waste looking for you.

She started to speak, and something inside me twisted. Anger, frustration, and fear warned my chest.

I hated not knowing where she was, hated how it made me feel out of control. For a moment, I hesitated, searching her face for defiance or remorse, but all I saw was weariness. My hands clenched and unclenched at my sides as my mind raced. She was part of this pack now, responsible to me, and I could not afford any disobedience.

Still, even as I tried to rationalize my actions, the pressure that had been building found its release. I slapped her, then hit her again. The herbs she carried tumbled to the bedroom floor as she ran out the door.

I bent down to pick up the herbs.

You hurt her, Han said, angry with me.

Damn, she just went to get more herbs, and I overreacted. I opened the door between them. She was on the bed, knees pulled to her chin, crying.

She saw me and stood up, avoiding my eyes.

Why didn’t you tell someone where you are?

I did, Alpha. I told Jan.

I stared at her, dialed. Bring me Jan.

Michael walked in with her and glanced at Adira’s split lip.

I’m going to ask you this once, I said. Did Adira tell you she was leaving?

Silence.

Answer me, I shouted, making everyone flinch.

Yes, Alpha, she said.

Then why wasn’t I aware of it? I asked, stepping closer.

I forgot, Jan said

I laughed. You forgot...Michael, take her to the dark room, let her remember. The dark room was a windowless cell in the deepest part of the house, designed to strip someone of time and senses, leaving only their thoughts and regret. Everyone feared its silence and the way it gnawed at your mind.

Michael asked the guard to take her away, then turned to Adira.

Let me clean.....

Get out, and don’t touch her again, I growled.

I walked closer to her, my hand reached out, and she pulled back.

I deserve that, I said. Please forgive me...She finally looked at me.

How many times do I have to do that, Alpha?

What?

Just get it over with and kill me. There’s no need to keep torturing me.....

You think this is all torture?

Not everything. The only time I see your true self...when...

My hand touched her face, and she closed her eyes. I kissed her split lip.

I’m sorry, I whispered. What did you get from the forest?

Herbs for your injured foot, she said. They help with inflammation.

Okay, I said softly, as I limped back to bed, took off my pants, and she helped me.

I pulled her into my lap. Han was going wild. Her scent, mate.

Stop it, Han, I said. I already fucked up today.

What if I promise never to hurt you again? Will you forgive me then?

Don’t make a promise you can’t keep, Alpha.

Is that a dare, Adira? I asked, smiling.

She shook her head. I have to know my place. Forgive me, she said, standing up. My arm pulled her back into my lap.

Dare me, Adira, I whispered, kissing her neck and breathing in her scent.

She touched my face. Our eyes met, hers glowing, mine confused.

Adira, can I ask you something? Do you have a wolf? Her hand dropped from my face, and sadness fell across her face. I don’t have a wolf...or at least not yet. To have a wolf is everything. It means belonging, power, and purpose; my instincts sharpen, my senses come alive, and I finally feel whole. Those who haven’t awakened their wolves are seen as incomplete, always on the outside looking in. Without mine, I feel lost, uncertain if I’ll ever truly be part of the pack or even myself.

I see. Do you feel a wolf inside you?

Adira hesitated.

You can tell me the truth."

I see my wolf in my dreams, she whispered. I don’t know if it’s real.

The sleepwalking... Magnus took a breath. You know what, don’t worry about that yet.

Let me wrap your foot, she said. After massaging it, she placed the herbs and bandaged it, then placed two pillows under my leg to elevate it.

Come here. Stay with me tonight, please.

Adira went to her room to change, then came back and got into bed next to me. She closed her eyes.

Mate, she is a mate, Han said

Han, go to sleep.

Later that night, I opened my eyes and saw Adira glowing next to me.

She’s dreaming again. I touched her hair gently. I’m falling for her. I need her by my side always.

When she turned, I saw little glowing wires attached to my wrist.

Mate, Han said, trashing inside me.

What the fuck, she’s not aware she’s doing this. Her wolf is awake when she sleeps. Something is wrong.

I took her into my arms, and she mumbled, Magnus...

I’m here, Adira, I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

Morning…

Adira walked into the bedroom with a tray. I was pretending to be still sleeping.

She moved closer, touching my face. I opened my eyes and startled her.

Then grabbed her and pulled her into bed.

She smiled. Alpha Magnus... she managed to say before my lips pressed against her possessively.

You... were saying?

Let me check your leg and change the bandage.

She removed the bandage and the plants. I looked at my foot. How is that possible?

It’s not swollen anymore...

I brought the ice water to continue the treatment, Adira said.

I dipped my foot into the container, growling at the cold water. Come here, I said, pulling her into my lap. I need you....

Adira wrapped her arms around my neck.

Han was thrashing inside me. Mate.

I closed my eyes as my arms tightened around her. It felt so unreal, like I might wake and find her gone. For a moment, uncertainty washed over me, my chest tightening. Was it longing, need, or fear of losing her? The confusion unsettled me. I rarely let anyone get this close, and now every touch, every look left me exposed and unsure. What was I feeling?

My phone rang, breaking our moment. Adira handed the phone to me.

What? This better be important.

Yes, get the trackers, I’m coming.

Alpha Magnus, can I come with you? I hesitated.

Get ready, then, because it's going to be a lot of walking. She smiled.

My heart skipped a beat.