Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Alpha Adrian's face clouded over.

Without a word, he lifted me up and threw me over his shoulder, striding out with heavy steps.

The room stayed deathly silent, every wolf frozen in place.

In the corridor, I thrashed on his back as we reached the elevator, which pinged open.

Exiting the elevator, I couldn't help but peek up.

A pair of deep, sharp eyes, glinting with the danger of a hidden trap-met mine.

I groaned inwardly, covering my face and dropping my head.

Outside the venue, Alpha Adrian tossed me into the backseat of his car and slid in beside me.

I scrambled up, dizzy from being slung around, my head throbbing as if I'd collided with a tree during a run.

Alpha Adrian grabbed a wet wipe from the car's console, cleaning his face.

My sharp eyes spotted something behind the tissue box-a foil packet that looked suspiciously like a condom.

His voice cut through the air, sharp and accusatory.

"What were you doing here? Trying to catch me in the act?"

I reached for the door handle.

This car was repulsive.

"Vivian!"

Alpha Adrian growled, yanking me back.

"Where do you think you're going? Are you done throwing your little tantrum?"

My breathing hitched, fingers digging into my palms.

"I'm going home."

Alpha Adrian barked for Ryan, who was lingering at the venue's entrance, to drive.

The ride was silent.

I sat as far from him as possible, my face pale, looking like I might vomit any second.

At home, I bolted from the car, chugged a glass of ice water in the kitchen, and finally steadied myself.

When I stepped into the living room, Alpha Adrian was sprawled on the couch.

I sat across from him.

A suffocating silence stretched between us.

"I was there for a deal. You storming in and making a scene? Real classy, Vivian. Don't you feel like a fool right now? Like some shrill, bitter she-wolf?"

"Anything else?"

"If you want us to make this work, drop the paranoid suspicions. I don't have time to coddle your feelings."

"Noted. Anything else?"

Alpha Adrian's brow furrowed.

"Vivian, you know you're being a real nuisance right now?"

I stood, a faint smile curling my lips.

You won't have to put up with it much longer.

I headed upstairs.

My smile left Alpha Adrian seething.

He lingered in the living room, then followed me up.

I was already in bed when he got there.

He showered, slid in beside me, and the darkness engulfed us.

I turned away, inching to the edge of the bed, making sure not a single bit of skin touched his.

Alpha Adrian reached out, pulling me back to his chest with a forceful grip.

His large, powerful frame pinned me in place-I couldn't move.

I lay stiff all night.

Come morning, I made breakfast just for myself.

Alpha Adrian came downstairs, saw me eating toast alone, and started for the door.

He paused, doubled back to the dining room, and leaned close, his voice softening as if trying to win me over. "This weekend, let's go to the coast for a couple days. Just us."

I sipped my coffee, making a vague humming sound in acknowledgment.

No surprise, the day before the weekend, he bailed.

Said he had to fly to the Halcyon pack.

My heart didn't even stir.

Maybe he hadn't noticed how long it'd been since we'd shared a meal or spent real time together.

He'd warned me against thinking of breaking the bond, but he'd already made me feel like I was invisible. If I vanished, he wouldn't even notice.

That weekend, I packed my clothes from the shelf into a suitcase and took them to my new place.

As I shelved them, my phone rang-Evelyn, who rarely called.

I answered politely. "Hey, Evelyn."

"Come to the estate. We need to put our earlier conversation in writing."

"Is that necessary?"

"I say it is."

"Fine, I'll stop by this afternoon."

"Noon."

"Alright."

I had nothing urgent to do, so I agreed.

On the other end, Evelyn stood on the balcony, smugly watching Vanessa wander through the garden with Alpha Adrian. She wanted me to see what a true pair looked like-who her son's real intended mate was.

I pulled up to the Blackwood pack's estate.

The butler, Edmund Wells, blinked in surprise when he saw me.

He'd been told another guest was coming, but me?

His forehead broke out in a sweat as he realized Alpha Adrian and Vanessa were already in the sitting room.

The whole world-except for their parents, Ryan, Edmund, and a few close aides-didn't know that Alpha Adrian and I had formed a sacred bond under the full moon.

"This way," Edmund said, his voice tight.

Following Evelyn's orders, he led me toward the sitting room, dreading each step.

Before we reached the doorway, a bright, bell-like voice rang out.

"I won again, Alpha Adrian! You totally let me win, didn't you? Just like how you let me lead during the last pack run?"

Hah.

I let out a cold laugh and strode inside.