Alpha Adrian

Chapter 5

Tori's POV

How could someone look so handsome yet dangerous at the same time? I watched as he headed in my direction and sat in the chair in front of me. I flashed him a drunken grin.

“Hi,” I said, and he ignored me. Or rather, just stared, like he was seeing someone for the first time.

“Hi,” I said again, and he still kept mute.

“Hi, dammit!” I said and slammed my fist on the table. Those green eyes darkened, and he shot me a very strong and warning look.

My wolf whimpered, and I leaned back. Something told me that this man could kill me right here in front of these people if he wanted to, and nothing would happen.

“Fine, I am sorry,” I said, and he nodded. He watched as I took another drink, and his eyes narrowed.

My eyes wandered to his lips, and I licked mine.

“You wanna… huh… spend the night?” I asked, and he growled. If I thought Alex’s wolf was scary, then I needed a recheck. The sound of that growl made me shift back; my hairs stood on end and my heart pounded. It sounded like a real beast—a monster.

“Don’t cross me,” he said calmly. Ironically, his voice was soothing in contrast to his growl. It ran down my body as if trying to soothe it from the fear of his growl earlier.

“Why? Scared?” I asked. I was done being scared. Or maybe it was just the drink.

“Do you have a death wish?” he asked, and I gave him a haughty look.

“Scared of a woman, are we?” I taunted. I watched those green eyes darken, but I could see respect there.

“I have had many lovers, woman. You’re just a pup to me. I am not doing anything with you. You are drunk,” he said, and for some reason, that annoyed me.

“I am not drunk,” I said.

“You are,” he growled, and I grinned.

“I am not. Why don’t you prove it?” I asked, and his eyes narrowed.

“How?”

“Sleep with me,” I said, laughing hysterically when his mouth dropped open.

“You’re in?” I prodded, walking over and sitting on his lap. He didn’t object; he just watched me with those smoldering green eyes, and he shook his head.

“Like I said, you are drunk,” he said, and I shrugged.

“So?” I countered, and he smiled. His smile seemed scary. He wished he could do what he wanted to but had to hold himself back.

“Maybe I should knock you out?” he asked, and I smiled.

“And take advantage of me. How gentlemanly of you,” I said, and he growled. The sound scared me, but I forced myself to stare into those eyes.

“I am not a gentleman. Tell me, what gentleman kills his own guards?” he said, and my eyes widened. He what? But my drunken brain let that information slide, and I grinned at him.

“Well, I don’t care.” I leaned down.

“I want you,” I whispered seductively in his ear, and he chuckled.

“The alcohol affecting your brain wants me, not you,” he said, and I nodded. I was starting to feel sleepy, and I rested my head on his chest. Surprisingly, he didn’t object.

I was starting to feel sober. The drink was wearing off my werewolf system, and my senses were coming back. I was well aware that I was on a stranger’s chest, but I just didn’t want to go away. It felt so right, and I felt so safe. Strong hands lifted me suddenly—I was in his arms, and it seemed like he was walking out.

“Taking me home?” I slurred, and he growled. I was getting used to his growls now.

“Just keep quiet. If I leave you there, every man is gonna take turns with you.”

I sighed. Here I was in the arms of a stranger who was looking out for the welfare of someone he didn’t know. Alex, on his part, didn’t care.

“Thank you,” I said, and meant it. I heard no reply, only his grunt as he dropped me in the back seat of his BMW.

“I said, thank you,” I repeated.

“I heard you,” he replied. “You aren’t welcome,” he added as he slipped into the driver’s seat. The car shot onto the road as he stepped on the gas. I was quiet during the ride, trying so hard not to cry when I started to recall all the things that had happened this week. I couldn’t believe Alex could ever do this to me, even going as far as to sign the company he gave me over to Carmen—the company I worked so hard to grow as well. I couldn’t help it, but the tears started falling. Soon it turned into a full sob.

The handsome man driving didn’t say a word; he just let me cry, and when I was done, he tossed me a handkerchief.

“Thank you,” I said, and he nodded. Now that I had cried all my drunken self away, his face, through the rearview mirror, suddenly looked so familiar. I had seen a picture of him once in Alex’s files, and I had been wondering why he was stalking the dude.

What was he hiding, and who was this person? I wanted to ask, but I felt like once I knew, it was going to change the way I saw him now. Maybe I didn’t need to know. But it kept nagging at the back of my mind. Why was Alex so fixed on monitoring him? Why did it seem like I had seen his face in plenty of magazines?

“Mind if I asked you a question?” I asked, and he shook his head.

“No, I don’t.”

“Who are you?” I asked, and he smiled.

“Adrian Lancaster,” he answered, and my heart sank almost immediately.