Chapter Six: Drunk N' Love

Russe’s Alpha side began to manifest in front of Adelia for the very first time, he had always been gentle and calm with her. Never acting possessive or ruthless.

Adelia’s heart skipped a beat at those words, but she refused to show any weakness. “So be it,” she said, her voice steady. “I will leave at once.”

Without another word, Adelia turned and walked away, her head held high. She didn’t know what the future held for her, but she knew that she couldn’t go back to the life she had been living. She was a mother now, and she would do whatever it took to protect her child.

Adelia made her way towards her chambers. She couldn’t believe what had just happened, but she knew that she couldn’t stay here any longer.

As she entered her chambers, she felt a pang of regret. This had been her home for so long, and now she was being forced to leave. But she knew that she couldn’t stay, not after what had happened between her and Russe.

With a heavy heart, Adelia started to gather her things, packing them into a small bag that she could carry with her. She didn’t have much, just a few essentials and some clothes, but it was enough. She knew that she would have to start over, to build a new life for herself and her child.

As she finished packing, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss. For the first time in a long time, she could go wherever she wanted, do whatever she wanted, and raise her child however she wanted.

But as she turned to leave, she saw Russe standing in the doorway. His expression was dark and brooding, and Adelia couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear. She didn’t know what he was capable of, especially after their altercation earlier.

Without a word, Russe stepped forward and grabbed Adelia by the arm. She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. She really wanted to leave after putting this Alpha in pain? Russe’s wolf took over instantly.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he growled.

Initially , he had thought of letting her give birth to her hybrid child in the pack but just thinking of her carrying another man’s child was heart wrenching. His possessive side was trying to take over at the moment.

Adelia’s heart raced as she looked up at him. She knew that she couldn’t stay here, but she also knew that she couldn’t leave without a fight.

“I’m leaving,” she said firmly, trying to keep her voice steady. “I don’t belong here anymore.”

Russe let out a low, menacing laugh. “You think you can just leave? You belong to me, Adelia. Don’t you dare forget it.”

Adelia’s fear turned to anger. She wasn’t going to let Russe control her any longer. With all her might, she yanked her arm away from him and stepped back.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” she spat. “And I’m leaving, whether you like it or not.”

Russe’s face twisted in fury as he lunged at Adelia, but she was ready for him. She dodged his attack and delivered a swift kick to his groin. Russe doubled over in pain, giving Adelia the chance she needed to make a run for it.

She grabbed her bags and raced out the door, not looking back. She knew that Russe might come after her, but she was determined to keep her freedom. She would fight for it, no matter the cost.

Russe groaned in pain and stared at her fleeing figure with a sorrowful gaze as his rationality returned. He wasn’t sure if it was the agony of him being kicked in the groin or the fact that he couldn’t even keep his own mate as an Alpha, but he felt terrible in his heart.

“Adel..... Adel.... my own Adel.... gone!” It was so painful he almost fainted.

In just a few days after Adelia ran away, Russe had become a drunkard. He painfully hoped it would take his heartache away or maybe bring back his lover. “I never thought that we wouldn’t last forever Adel.” He lamented.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but Russe’s pain didn’t lessen. He had lost the love of his life, and he didn’t know how to move on.

Despite his tough exterior, Russe was a deeply emotional man. Losing Adelia had shattered him, and he didn’t know how to pick up the pieces.

He spent his days drinking himself into oblivion, hoping that the alcohol would numb the pain. But it never did. The pain was always there, a constant ache in his heart.

As the days went on, Russe’s pack began to worry about their Alpha. He had always been a strong and capable leader, but now he was a shell of his former self.

They tried to help him, to reach out to him, but he pushed them all away. He didn’t want their pity or their sympathy. He just wanted Adelia back.

Reina had also learnt of his attitude towards the affairs of the pack and she decided to come check on him. On getting to his chambers, her sensitive nose could make out the whiff of alcohol. “He must have been drinking himself to stupor all this while.” She uttered in distaste.

Reina opened the door to his bedroom and found Russe sitting in a dark corner of his room, with empty bottles of alcohol lying around him.

“Russe, what are you doing to yourself?” Reina asked, her voice laced with concern.

Russe lifted his head slowly, his eyes bloodshot and his cheeks flushed. “I’m just trying to forget,” he slurred.

“Forget what?” Reina pressed.

Russe shook his head, his expression pained. “Adelia,” he whispered. “I can’t forget her.”

Reina’s heart somehow had pity for her Alpha. She knew how much he had loved Adelia, and she also knew that he had been struggling to come to terms with their separation.

“Russe, you can’t keep doing this to yourself,” Reina said firmly. “You’re the Alpha of this pack, and they need you.”

Russe scoffed, taking another swig from the bottle in his hand. “They don’t need me,” he muttered. “I’m useless without her.”

“You’re not useless,” Reina countered. “You‘re a strong leader, and you have a responsibility to your pack. You can’t let your personal problems affect your duties as Alpha.”

Russe let out a bitter laugh. “Easy for you to say,” he spat. “You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone you love.”

Reina’s eyes softened, and she reached out to touch his arm. “Actually, I do,” she said quietly. “I lost someone I loved to another werewolf years ago. Seeing them so happy hurts like hell every time.”

Russe’s eyes widened in surprise. “I had no idea,” he said softly.

“I know,” Reina said, a sad smile on her face. “I’ve kept it to myself all these years, but I understand what you’re going through. And I promise you, it will get easier.”

Russe looked at her, his eyes filled with pain. “How can you say that?” he asked. “I feel like I’ll never stop hurting.”

“Your people need you to lead them Russe.” She countered.

Russe let out a bitter laugh. “Lead them where, Reina? I can’t even lead myself out of this misery.”

Reina placed a hand on Russe’s arm, trying to offer him some comfort. “You don’t have to do this alone. Let us help you.”

Russe shook his head, his eyes brimming with tears. “I don’t even know where to begin,” he whispered.

Reina took a deep breath. “I’m not going to pretend that moving on from Adelia will be easy,” she said. “But you can start by focusing on the pack. They need a leader who can guide them through these difficult times. And who knows, maybe in the process of leading them, you’ll find a new purpose.”

Russe looked at Reina, his eyes searching for any signs of doubt. But all he saw was a kind of understanding that he had never expected to find. He knew that he couldn’t keep wallowing in his misery forever. The pack needed him, and he needed them. Maybe it was time for him to start taking responsibility for his own life again.

“Okay,” he said finally. “I’ll try.”

Reina smiled at him. “That’s all I can ask for.”

As Russe got up from the couch, he suddenly felt a rush of heat to his head. He staggered a bit before looking at Reina’s face that looked at him with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong Russe? Are you okay?” She asked with an innocent expression.

Russe could feel his body reacting to Reina’s touch

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and tried to compose himself. “I’m fine, Reina. Just a bit dizzy.” He said, trying to sound casual. But even as he said the words, he felt his desire for her rising uncontrollably.

Their eyes met, and Russe thought he saw the same desire mirrored in Reina’s eyes. He couldn’t resist any longer. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, feeling her body respond to his touch. They kissed hungrily, their tongues exploring each other’s mouths.

Russe’s hands wandered down to Reina’s hips, pulling her towards him. Reina moaned softly in response, her hands tangled in his hair.

The heat between them was intense, and Russe knew he couldn’t hold back any longer. He picked Reina up and carried her to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed, then removed her clothes with shaking hands.

He moved towards her and bent down to kiss her. Reina moaned softly, unable to take the teasing any longer. They ended up becoming one, entangled in each other’s breath.

There and then, Russe’s impulsive act with Reina changed their lives... forever.