I'm just...different

Magnus’s POV

Adira kept yawning. I chuckled.

Magnus, you kept me up all night.

Didn’t you enjoy it? I lowered his sunglasses.

Adira smiled. I did, maybe more than I want to admit. Then she slipped off her summer dress.

Her two-piece bathing suit left little to the imagination. Desire curled hot through me, but what took my breath away wasn’t just her body—it was the way she grinned, a little shy and fiercely proud, defiant and vulnerable at the same time. The sight of her, trusting me, made my chest ache with something deeper than I wanted. I felt myself getting aroused again. Fuck.

Han, my inner wolf, was restless again. Compliment mate.

" Stop it. We need to control ourselves," I told him.

Magnus, I’ll go in the water, but...

What’s the problem? No one else is on this island. It’s just you and me... well, and a couple of maids.

I don’t know how to swim, she said.

I stood up. Then I get to teach you, I said, holding her hand as we stepped into the sea. Now I’m holding you, move your arms and legs.

Adira was a fast learner. At first, she clung tightly to me, her skin cool and slippery against mine in the salty water, her eyes wide with both excitement and fear as she struggled to coordinate her arms and legs.

The gentle crash of the waves filled our ears, and the water lapped against us, swirling around our bodies. Each time she managed a few strokes without sinking, her face lit up with a triumphant smile, and laughter bubbled between us, echoing out across the shimmering surface.

I watched her with quiet pride, holding her steady under the water, my touch gentle and reassuring, the warmth of my hands grounding her while the sea moved around us. I couldn’t help but admire her determination as her breathing quickened and salt sprinkled her eyelashes.

By the end, she was still a little shaky, but good enough for the day. As my hand supported her middle under the water, I noticed how tired she looked, her cheeks flushed and her hair clinging wetly to her face, and I brushed a wet strand from her cheek, my fingers lingering against her damp skin.

Holy Goddess, she is so beautiful.

Come on, let’s eat and take a nap. I have a surprise for you later.

You do? She looked at me with wide eyes.

I love her innocence, I told Han.

Mate, Han, tell her. Compliment her.

Shut it, or I will, I said to Han.

Adira’s POV

The white sheer curtains swayed in the breeze as I opened my eyes.

It’s still daytime, I thought, getting dressed and going downstairs, but no one was inside.

I stepped onto the large patio overlooking the sea and froze.

His back was to me as he arranged the table for dinner, with big red roses in the center.

I ran into his arms.

Did you rest? He asked as he kissed my forehead.

I did. What is this? I asked, confused.

The maid walked to the table and set many dishes.

I gasped. My favorite! Magnus, you didn’t have to do this, but I love the gesture.

After dinner, we walked on the beach and sat down to watch the sunset, my back resting against his chest as his arms held me. He kissed my shoulder and neck.

Adira, there is something I should tell you...his phone rang. He cursed.

Michael, find out who packed her suitcase, and call me back. They only put a gray dress inside. He put it on the speaker.

Alpha, I will punish the responsible. Diane wants to talk to both of you. Turned to a video call.

Put her on. Her little face came on the screen.

Daddy, I heard the nanny say that you got married and Adira is my new mommy, but she’s not a wolf.

Magnus tried to keep his temper in check, I could tell. Diane, I want you to think with your heart. Don’t you like Adira?

Of course, she said, giggling, but that nanny said...

Don’t listen to anyone about what they say. Yes, Adira is my wife now. He turned the phone to her.

Hi Diane, I miss you.

Adira, when you come home?

We will be there in a few days. Love you, then he hung up.

Magnus, you handled it better than I thought you would. “Think with your heart.” So sweet.

Adira, please don’t speak to me like that in front of the pack, only when it’s just us.

I turned to him, and he flipped me on my back. At first, he kissed me softly.

My hand touches his back.

His hand went under my dress. He pulled away, surprised, looking at me.

I blushed. What? I thought you said you would rather have me naked all day.

Oh, I do, he said as his fingers played between my legs, drawing a gasp from me.

Magnus, I whispered on his lips. He kissed me possessively. His hands caressed me, his mouth took my breast, as my body trembled under him, and I came undone, my nails digging into his back. He pushed deeper as he groaned, pulsing inside me.

We stood there in the dark listening to the waves, enjoying the breeze.

Magnus, I began, "What if I never get my wolf?"

He looked at me quietly, waiting.

What if I’m just... different? I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling the familiar ache of worry settle inside me.  What if I don’t get mine? Will they ever accept me? Sometimes I hear them talk, their voices drifting in from the other room, and I wonder if I’ll always be on the outside, even when I’m standing right beside you.

I wish I could feel certain that this place could be my home, too. I love you so much; sometimes it terrifies me because I want this, us, more than anything. And I know how important it is to you. I worry that if I never get my wolf, I’ll always be a reminder of what your world expects, but I can’t give. I looked away, my eyes bright with unshed tears.

I just... I don’t want to let you down or make you choose between me and your whole world. Sometimes I dream of being accepted, of finally feeling like I belong somewhere.

I hope that one day I can be enough for you, Magnus. I hope you see how hard I’m trying to be worthy of your love.

You will, Magnus said, and even if you don’t, I will still love you.

I’m scared.

Of what?

Of losing you...

Adira, he said, that will never happen. You’re my fated mate.

How would you know that? I have no wolf.

I felt it; it's there.

Are you not just saying that?

You have to trust me.

Magnus, of course, I trust you. Can I ask for a favor?

Depends, he said

Can I see my father? I miss him. He worries so much, and I haven’t spoken to him in days. I want him to know that I’m okay and that I’ve fallen in love.

I will think about it. Now, let’s get some rest. He helped me up and then walked back to the house.

His phone rang again, and I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Are you mad at me, Adira, he said, getting in behind me, after he talked to Michael.

I could never be angry with you, well, unless you give me a serious reason.

My sweet Luna, he said to me. I do love you so much, his arms coiling around my naked body.

Magnus, I’m so happy with you.