Alpha and Alpha's wife.

Alpha Hades

Thank the Goddess, I didn't have to chase my bratty wife around the damn pack. 

It's amusing how I understand that my spouse is a man and I should call him my husband, but I can't restrain myself from thinking of Zeno as my wife, let alone addressing him by anything other than that.

But to be fair, I didn't expect him to be like this. 

When old Silver Alpha came up with the deal, I was sure I was getting involved with a spoiled brat, but Zeno proved to be anything but that. 

Yes, he's a bit bratty, but that's something I can put aside as an Alpha trait- the constant need to defy everyone and prove his superiority. 

Underneath that shell of an Alpha hides someone else; I just have to find the real Zeno. 

The fact that he didn't protest against taking my last name is one of the biggest proofs that Zeno's not looking for confrontation and arguments. Besides, so far, he's been nothing but kind and cooperative. 

After saying goodbye to his father and pack, Zeno stood by the car precisely three minutes after he left me in the ceremony room. Sure, he didn't look too pleased when he learned we'd be taking the same car, but he got in anyway. 

I shouldn't sulk about his attempts to keep his distance from me, but I can't lie and say it doesn't anger me. Deal or not, we're married, and he'll have to get used to acting like a proper wife. 

Even now, as we sit in the limo, he tries to move further away from me and look anywhere but at me as I struggle to change the blood-soaked bandages.

At this point, I regret telling Damon to take another car- he'd help me even if I didn't ask him to. 

Perhaps I look miserable, or maybe it's the constant hissing, but finally, Zeno had enough. He lets out a loud groan and glares at me. "Do you need any help there, Alpha Hades?" 

Is it weird that his tone kind of turns me on? Just like the look in his eyes?

Maybe it's because of the strange effect this tiny Alpha has on me, but all I want to do is tease him. I drop the old bandage on the seat next to me and wiggle my eyebrows, "What kind of help, my dear wife?" 

The moment Zeno makes a disgusted grimace, I lean against the seat and lift my hips a little, immediately placing a hand on my groin as if to adjust myself. "You're more than welcome to help me out. No need to knock; we're married after all." 

"You're disgusting," he growls, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

Honestly, if he wanted to help me in that department, I wouldn't try to stop him. Yet, it's clear that he won't, and since we had enough arguments today, I try to ease the tension and laugh. "I'm joking, sweetheart, just joking." 

Zeno rolls his eyes, and I have to clench my hands into fists to hold back from reminding the warning. Not the right time and definitely not the right place for fun. 

"I meant the bandages. Do you need help with those? Your shoulder doesn't look good. I had a feeling something was wrong with you when your friend rushed to your aid, but I didn't think it could be that bad. Are there any other injuries? I had some medical training about a year ago, I can do the basic things, but it should be enough until we get a professional to check on you." Again, his eyes roam everywhere but at me while the poor guy looks more nervous than ever. 

Instead of attacking him with another snarky comment, I tap the seat next to me and toss the bandages away. "Yes, please," I breathe out the words. 

Zeno doesn't react for a few seconds, but as soon as he pulls himself together, he rises from his seat. A perfect opportunity. I move my hand on my thigh and tap it, "But I believe it'll be easier to help me if you sit on my lap. No funny business, I promise." 

It's been proven how easy it is to get under Zeno's skin. So for him to take me up on my offer and actually straddle me is the last thing I expected. 

"No funny business, you promised," he whispers and grabs the first-aid kit. 

Damon would grab a fresh set of bandages and wrap me up, but that doesn't seem to be something Zeno's used to. Honestly, something tells me the young Silver Moons Alpha has no idea what war is and how fast you have to be if one is injured. On a battlefield, no one cares if the wound is dirty or there's a risk of infection- as long as you don't bleed to death, you're lucky.

My eyes follow Zeno- even as he reaches for the gloves, his movements seem graceful and calculated. His facial expression is serious; his eyes focus on nothing but the first-aid kit and my wound. 

I've never seen someone use so many different things to wrap a bandage over an injury. Step by step, Zeno cleans, disinfects and covers the wound with an ointment that reeks of vomit. His face stays close to my shoulder, and I keep catching him blowing on the wound as if I were a child whining when the medicine burns. Won't lie; I'm kind of tempted to do that. 

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he reaches for the bandages. "Please, don't move. I'm pretty sure it's too late for stitches, so I'll try to use some adhesive tape to keep this closed. Don't worry; I will not put it directly on the wound; I found a piece of gauze I can use. Does that sound okay?"

Maybe I'm not used to anything nearly as fancy as Zeno, but I don't remember even one time when someone took care of my injuries like this. Usually, we wrap bandages around the damaged area and move on- that's all I've ever needed. 

I assume he notices my confused state, so Zeno speaks up again. "The next step is the hospital; I'm not joking around. Nero, this is serious; your shoulder doesn't look good, so please, don't look like I'm going to cut off your arm and let me help. Besides, the less bandages I use, the less pressure I put on the wound, and the possibility of another bleeding will decrease." He sounds so damn concerned, so fucking gentle, and so innocent that I almost listen to what he has to say. 

Every bit of self-control and patience I had goes out the window the moment he calls me by my name. 

I grab his hips and pull him closer to me. "Do whatever you want; however you want, I don't give a fuck, but for the love of God, call me by my name again. It sounds so much better when you say it." 

"Nero, let me help you..." I don't give Zeno enough time to finish the sentence as I move my hand to the back of his neck and pull him closer. His breath hitches right as I'm about to force his lips to mine, but before I have the chance, the car comes to a stop, and the passenger door flies open. 

Damon, the motherfucking cockblocker, pokes his head inside and grins at us. "Welcome home, Alpha and Alpha's wife."