Chapter 7

Adrian could remember the day he had met Alpha Duncan like it were yesterday. He had been in the woods, training alongside the other young wolves of Drago Pack, sweat dripping off his body and soaking his clothes as he practiced his swordplay. He was so focused that he didn't notice the other warrior who had walked up to him until he felt a tap on his shoulder. Annoyed by the distraction, he turned with a snarl, ready to snap at whoever had interrupted him. That snarl turned to surprise when he saw that it was Duncan.

"Would you like me to teach you more techniques?" Duncan had asked nonchalantly. Adrian had been too awestruck to speak so he just nodded yes.

That had been years ago. Their relationship had transitioned from that of master and pupil to friends but Adrian still held a lot of fear–and respect–for the Alpha and Duncan obviously trusted Adrian enough to make him the Beta of the Pack.

"She vehemently refuses to be my breeder but the only way I'm letting her go is if she repays her father's debt." Duncan confided in Adrian. They were standing outside the Pack's clinic. Adrian had been on his way to check in on Taylor and talk to his sister, Renee but had seen Duncan leaving and had stopped to converse with him.

Adrian was surprised but chose to keep his opinions to himself. His loyalty to Duncan ran thicker than blood; he wasn't about to tell Duncan what he thought.

"For now, it is imperative you focus on the war." Aidan said instead. Drago Pack was in a raging war with the neighboring Full Moon Pack which had been going on for months, leading to the loss of many lives on both sides.

"You're right," Duncan agreed, turning to his right hand man. "Listening to a breeder whine is top of my list." He said.

"I am surprised, though, that you wish to set her free after she finishes breeding." Adrian said, reneging on his resolution to keep his opinions to himself.

"Yes, I do plan on doing that." Duncan stated. Adrian knew Duncan very well and unless he had changed his reasoning in the past minutes, Duncan was a man who believed that the only way one could be free was through death.

"I have other matters to tend to, Adrian." Duncan informed Adrian. Adrian nodded and gave him a bow before watching his Alpha walk away.

After that, he marched into the clinic and made his way to Taylor's room. Knocking gently, he pushed open the door when he heard a soft "come in."

Taylor was sitting up in bed, dressed in a white hospital gown that swallowed her whole. The blue dress she'd been wearing for the past few days lay on the table next to the bed. Alice and Renee, Adrian's sister, sat on the bed with Taylor, a fashion magazine spread out on their laps.

Taylor was the first to notice him. Her eyes lit up and flashed him a toothy grin. Adrian couldn't help but smile back. There was some color in her cheeks which signified she was healing. Alice and Renee looked up from the magazine they had been poring over.

"Hi, Adrian." Taylor and Alice chorused.

"Hey." She responded.

"Brother dearest," Renee intoned with a fond expression on her face.

"So, what do you ladies think about this new dress?" Alice pointed at the magazine, drawing their attention back to apparently more interesting topics. 

"Taylor, what do you think?" Renee asked.

"I think it's nice. There's something whimsical about it." Taylor murmured, looking at the picture with something akin to wonder.

"You're totally right." Renee agreed, slinging an arm over Taylor's shoulders. 

Adrian noticed that Taylor had warmed up to the two women and it was no surprise, seeing how they had treated her like a friend from day one. They expressed concern on her behalf and listened when she talked. Alice and Renee were her biggest cheerleaders.

Adrian could understand the appeal. He himself had grown comfortable around Taylor. This was because she was always armed with a smile or a nice word to gift anyone and everyone.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked in a gruff voice.

"I can say for sure that she is." Alice answered for Taylor and then muttered to herself, "It's a miracle, to be honest."

"The Alpha isn't helping matters." Renee complained. "He put pressure on her by telling her what his plans for her are." Adrian could tell from the tone of her voice that Renee didn't appreciate the visit Duncan had paid Taylor. Anybody with two eyes could see how nervous Duncan made Taylor.

"Adrian, talk to the Alpha," Alice began in a pleading tone. "Convince him to give Taylor time to recuperate. She needs to accept her fate without being forced to by the Alpha."

Taylor's face turned a bright red and buried her face in her hands.

"Alice! Stop it!" She groaned.

"I'm only looking out for you." Alice argued with Renee grunting her approval.

Adrian was already shaking his head in disagreement.

"I'm sorry but I think Duncan knows what's best." Adrian said amidst noises of protest from his sister and Alice.

"I understand," Taylor rushed to assure him. "He's your Alpha, you have to respect his wishes."

"Couldn't you just mention it to him in passing?" Renee wheedled her brother, clasping her hands in front of her and pouting.

Adrian remained stubborn. He felt sorry for Taylor who, despite being of Alpha blood, had been to hell and back but he wasn't about to go against Duncan.

"Fine, we know you're not gonna budge." Alice seemed to accept defeat and stood from Taylor's bed.

"What did you come here for, anyway?" Renee enquired.

"I have orders to move Taylor to The Alpha's house, the room next to his, to be specific. She has stayed too long in this clinic" He stated.

Taylor seemed happy that she was finally getting discharged until Renee spoke up.

"Isn't that room meant for the Luna who gets to be the Alpha's mate? Why are you moving Taylor in there?" Renee asked.

Adrian looked straight at Taylor, taking his time to reply.

"The Alpha wants easy access to his breeder. That way, she'll be able to conceive quicker."