Alpha Adrian part 31

She only rested when exhaustion pulled her under. She slept well into the day, waking up at twelve in the afternoon. Her legs were tangled in the sheets, which was odd since she didn’t remember tucking herself in. Adrian must have been behind that.

The sheets were wrinkled and faintly smelled of perfume, but Adrian was long gone.

Standing up, she peeked outside the window and stopped by the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she was refreshed, she searched for Adrian. The tiles were cold under her bare feet, but a warmth settled into her chest when she found Adrian in the kitchen, sorting through plastic bags.

“Hey beautiful,” he greeted without looking at her.

She certainly didn’t look beautiful. The hair atop her head was a nest, and she had a pillow line on her cheek.

He turned and smiled. Eva swore her knees knocked together. The man looked more edible than the apple he was holding.

“I got you some takeout. I tried to cook some pancakes, but…” he looked over his shoulder, where a burnt pan was tipped in the sink. The pancakes didn’t survive his cooking.

He frowned at the bags on the counter. “Should I have called a chef instead?” he reached for his phone. “Yeah, I should have. I’m sorry. I just thought you would be hungry and didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

Eva rushed to his side and took his phone. She set it on the counter and hugged him tight. “Takeout sounds great. Thank you for thinking of me.”

His chest rocked when he chuckled and hugged her back. “Thinking of you is all I seem to do nowadays.” Without warning, he lifted her onto the counter and caged her with his arms.

He was up close and personal, but she wouldn’t be anywhere else if it was up to her. With a smile, she cupped his stubbled jaw.

Adrian’s eyes flickered from her lips to her eyes. His biceps were bulging, but he kept his hands where they were, as if waiting for permission.

Deciding for him, she closed the gap between them and kissed him gently. His sigh of contentment inflated her confidence, and she kissed him faster.

Adrian’s hands moved from the counter to her waist. His thumbs massaged her sides, and she slipped her hands from his face to squeeze his biceps. Getting greedy, she rubbed up and down his enormous arms.

Would he mind if she bit them? Was she crazy for wanting some of that muscle between her teeth?

“Mmm,” he pecked her lips. “Eat. I have to take care of this now. I’ll be right back.”

She was just about to ask what he was talking about when he cupped his groin and walked away. The simple touch answered all of her questions. He was turned on by simply kissing her.

With a smirk, she slipped off the counter and picked up a plate. She was glad to see that Adrian already ate. He needed nourishment after all the work stress he was dealing with.

She was finishing her first pancake when he returned.

“The car will be here in an hour.”

“What car?”

“We’re flying out. I wrapped up work so I’m free to travel.”

“You mean flying out back upstate?” She found it odd that he wouldn’t want to drive back. A plane sounded necessary.

“No,” he chuckled. “Remember that vacation I promised? I’m finally taking you. Zena and Zya are on their way as we speak.”

“Oh,” she dropped her fork. “Are you sure? Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Your clothes will be ready when we arrive.”

Her head reeled and insecurities flared back to life because she realized she and Adrian wouldn’t be alone. Although she missed Zya, a part of her didn’t want to share Adrian’s attention. She specially didn’t want to share it with Zena.

“Are you excited? I get to have you all to myself.”

“This is… a lot,” she replied honestly. “I know there’s a part of you that wants to look after me, but there have been lows. You kidnapped me, Adrian. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I don’t know where all of this is leading.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. It was awkward, but the conversation had to happen.

“Hey,” he took her hand. “I know I’ve thrown a lot at you, but my lifestyle is not remotely close to a human’s. My world revolves around you, Eva. I’m sorry for ever hurting you, but I’m ready to make it right.”

"What is this, exactly?” she looked at him with rawness in her eyes.

“Are you asking what we are?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to be honest? It will overwhelm you.”

She dipped her chin. “Always be honest.”

“Fine,” he sighed. “To put it simply, you are more than a girlfriend, than a fiance, than a wife. That is how the mate bond is. I am linked to you forever.”

She blinked, and her ears rang. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The only response she could blurt was, “You haven’t even known me for a year.”

“I know, but this just makes sense to me. It’s nature; instinct, but I will take it one day a time for you.”

“What if I need a break?”

He swallowed. “I will work with you, but I will always hover to make sure you’re safe. You’re a person of interest now that you’re mated to an alpha.”

Alpha. What does that even mean? She knew what money and power came with that title, but not what was at heart. All this time, she had been following him while half-heartedly accepting his werewolf identity.

She was ready now.

“Show me.”

Adrian instantly knew what she was talking about. “Are you sure? It might look scary, but it will still be me. I won’t hurt you.”

“I’m ready.”

He stared at her for a second and took a deep breath. Bones snapped and skin contorted before her eyes until man became wolf.

An enormous fucking wolf that reached her abdomen even while sitting.

She knew those eyes, though. Those patient, green eyes. This was still Adrian.

She reached for the dark brown fur and stroked it. It was rough, but warm; just like the man inside. For a few minutes, she familiarized herself with his fur. Adrian remained frozen. The exchange felt somewhat otherworldly, but she knew this was real life.

This huge wolf, huge man, was here, and he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.