Hugo POV Closing the doors, I swallowed my pride with a sigh. Every part of me wanted to be on the other side of that door with Aurora. I believed my brother that she was telling the truth, of course, but seeing her look so vulnerable made me feel powerless—something I wasn't used to feeling. Maxwell wasn't exactly wrong calling me a mad dog; it wasn't the insult he thought it was, but rather a compliment coming from him! Hugo Mad Dog, it suited me! I knew there were those within my pack who had similar names for me. I was unpredictable, hot-headed and more than a little impulsive. However, that was before Aurora arrived, and I had no one I needed to behave for, impress and perhaps prove my worth too! As much as I acknowledged how just being close to Aurora pushed me to be a better person, I was acutely aware that when it came to protecting her, there were absolutely no lengths I wouldn't go to. "You pouting their bud?" Jason asked playfully, pulling me from visions of myself bat

Aurora POVI looked into Alec's anguished eyes as he waited for me to reply. His words were desperate but nonetheless filled with raw emotions that were pulling at my heartstrings. I know he needed me to agree, to make a promise not to leave.. the pack.. him? I refused to make a promise to him I couldn't keep! I wasn't sure how I felt about anything right now, including myself or where I belonged. I did know that I didn't want to hurt him again, and at this moment... I knew I belonged with Alec in this bed! Enjoying the comfort of his arms. "And body!" Ava purred at the closeness. She was right; I did want his body, but I was spent. I felt like I had just done five back-to-back sessions at the gym. Did I have it in me to jump his bones?No, all I wanted was to get undressed and hit the hay, but here Alec was, launching into a deep heart-to-heart! I shoved him back into the bed with a wink. Deciding sex seemed better than the seriousness of this conversation. "You know what Alec, I

Alec POV "Have you lost your damn mind, Alec?" Aurora asked, her voice almost as shaky as her body as she flopped down beside me on the bed. Her body glistened with a beautiful layer of post-sex sweat. Her cheeks flushed scarlet, and her hair a tangled mess from where Wrath had manhandled it. She was divine! Good enough to eat! And as tempting as that thought was, she needed rest! Not round two! "Why?" I chuckled, snaking my arms around her and pulling her closer to me. The heat of her body warm against mine. "You know why!" She grumbled, all pouty and cute. "No... I don't!" I stated calmly; she was trying to avoid having to say the words out loud. I knew that! Because then it made the gamble I had just taken with her so much more real, something I knew scared the shit out of her! And usually was the point she bolted! But not this time, this time, we would address it and put her fears to bed before she had a chance to overthink and fucking bolt! "You're being an ass!" She mum

Hugo POV Pushing the heavy doors to the infirmary open, I nodded to Doc, who was heading into his office. Poking my head in after him, I smiled at a rather nervous-looking Frank. "Hey doc, any change with Lara?" I asked softly, wanting to know what I was dealing with when I walked over to Finn. "No, Beta!" He sighed sadly, pointing to the screen that sat above his desk displaying her readings so he could monitor her from his office. "Her stats are still the same." Nodding to him, I clapped him on the shoulder, feeling his body tense under mine. "No news is good news, Doc! She's in good hands." I added, coming to watch her obs for a moment, my eyes flickering between hers and the other screen that was for the bed Marcus lay in unconscious. A part of me was tempted to deal with him while I had the opportunity and wipe him from the board of players, but Fury was excited for round two with the fucker. "How long till he can travel?" I asked Frank, who pursed his lips and let out a b

Alec POV"You're so beautiful, Kitten!" I exclaimed in awe at her beauty as I circled the bed slowly; her slender form looked amazing, pulled tightlyin her restraints, her body completely open for my viewing pleasure, and fuck was it the best view I had ever had the pleasure of witnessing. My eyes greedily locked on my little minx as she wriggled in the restraints to get her bearings. Drinking in and committing every curve of her luscious body to memory."Are you ok?" I asked warmly but decided to keep the firmness to my tone, letting her know with those three little words that I cared but would not be releasing her. Her lips quirked up into a smile as she nodded once at me. "Yes!" She stuttered as my fingers caressed her pretty, blushed skin."Yes, what?" I reprimanded her with a quick and unexpected swat across the curve of her breast. "Yes, Alec!" She growled, narrowing those deep blue eyes at me angrily, reminding me of that feisty girl I fell in love with."Yes, sir.. or alp.