Alpha Adrian part 13

Adrian texted her throughout the following days. He was there in the mornings and the nights. It put her on cloud nine to know that although he was busy, he still moved the Earth and Sun to save time for her.

He wasn’t shy about flirting. Apparently he was determined to make millions and also set her face on fire.

I can’t stop thinking about you — Adrian

She couldn’t stop smiling at her phone.

“Hello?”

She jerked up and locked her phone. A customer was standing there. He was young, but he looked amused instead of irritated.

“Sorry,” she cleared her throat. “How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a kitten.”

“Oh, okay. I can help you find a great little one. Do you have a breed in mind?”

He ran a hand through his already messy hair. It was then that she noticed how crumpled his brown shirt was.

“No. I just want a little kitty that smells of Alpha,” he chuckled.

She raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of him. His words make no sense, but his expression is amused. It’s harmless and discomforting all at once.

“Eva?” her boss appeared as if he could sense her bewilderment. “Why don’t you clear up the table for me? I’ll help this customer out.”

She nodded her thanks and slip into the back just as her phone rang with another text from Adrian.

How’s work?

She replied quickly with, Fine. Just had a weird customer.

After locking her phone, she pulled on gloves and began disinfecting the workspace. She was only fifteen minutes into her next task when her boss called for her again. Figuring that he got enough of the weird guest and needed a break from him, she pulled her gloves off and jogged to the front.

It shocked her to find Adrian outside; locked in a glare-down with the strange customer. His hand jumped for the skinnier man’s throat and hooked onto the collar of his shirt.

“Adrian?” she breathed, and he somehow heard her although she was dozens of feet away.

She didn’t know this side of him. Adrian wasn’t violent. He was silly, thoughtful, protective, but not violent.

He looked at her. His jacket and tie were gone, and his sleeves were rolled up to reveal a forearm tattoo she had never seen before. Maybe she didn’t know him at all.

The other man took the chance to swing at him. He squared Adrian in the jaw and ran off.

Eva ran outside to keep Adrian from chasing him. Her hands were in places she’d normally be too shy to touch— his chest, his neck, his cheeks. She rambled questions as she checked him over. “Are you okay? Who was that?”

He was fuming; so lost in the emotion that he didn’t fight her when she led him toward the entrance. The closer he got, the more agitated the small group of dogs at the Vet became. They growled and barked abnormally. Eva wanted to turn to see what was wrong, but she didn’t want to look away from Adrian.

When he dug his heels into the pavement, he became immovable.

“It’s okay,” she promised. “I’ll just put some ice on your face.”

“No. I have to go,” he said as he eyed the animals in the background. They were rattling their cages. She had never seen anything like it.

“Come on. It’s right inside, and then-”

He grasped her hand and pulled it off his forearm. “No. Go inside. Now.”

She didn’t understand why he was hellbent on avoiding going inside. Was this a pride thing? Was he embarrassed that he got punched?

“Now!”

His boom made her flinch.

Adrian pursed his lips and turned. He left her standing there, and slid into the car parked in the middle of the street. The wheels screeched once he hightailed out of there. Only when he turned the corner did Eva allow herself to breathe.

She hugged her arms. They were stiff with fear.

He frightened her.

— —

“Umm ma’am? Is there a reason why you’re avoiding my calls?”

Eva sighed. “Sorry, Zya. I’ve just been… busy.”

After that weird encounter with Adrian, she hadn’t heard from him. Three days had passed, and now she’s sitting in bed on a Friday night trying to piece things together.

“That sounds like bullshit to me. It’s fine. You don’t have to tell me now. We can talk about it when you’re ready. So? Do I pick you up, or what?”

“Pick me up?”

“Yes! My sister’s birthday thing is this weekend. Did you forget?”

Eva slapped her forehead. “I totally forgot.” She bit her lip. “Yeah, come by. I need a distraction now more than ever.”

“Say less. I’ll pick you up, so pack your bag!”

After packing and leaving Ares to be dog-sat by a neighbor, she waited for Zya outside. Adrian hadn’t passed through her mind as much that evening. She was finally getting a break from him.

Zya parked and honked.

“I’m coming! Shut up!” Eva yelled as she dragged her large black suitcase.

Zya stepped out of her car to help her. “Goddess, did you shove your dog in here?”

Eva laughed. “No. I had to leave my baby with a dog-sitter.”

They placed the suitcase in the trunk. “I’m excited! I haven’t been to Connecticut in a while,” Zya cheered.

“Hopefully you stay there and don’t return. I’m getting tired of you.”

“You really shouldn’t be rude to the person who’s driving the car you’re in,” Zya winked.

“Touche.”

They were on the road for two hours. Eva tensed once they entered New York because she knew that Adrian was nearby.

Zya sensed her discomfort and tried to distract her with small talk. “We’re close.” She kept her eyes on the highway.

“How are you not tired yet?" Eva yawned. “I hate driving.”

“Maybe you hate it because you suck at i-”

Zya stomped on the breaks, and Eva was winded by the seatbelt digging into her body. “What happened?” she croaked and looked around.

Was there something on the road? Is that why Zya stopped so abruptly?

No. The road was clear.

“You need to run,” a shaking Zya garbled. “Get out of the ca-” She screamed.

“You’re fucking crazy, I’m not leaving you!” Eva grabbed her phone to call an ambulance. Before she could even open the dialer, Zya snatched the phone and crushed it with abnormal strength.

“No. You can’t call anyone! You need to go. You can’t see this.” Zya managed to unbuckle her seatbelt and throw herself out of the car.

Eva rushed to her side and took Zya’s hand into her own. Tears were streaming down both of their faces.

Eva heard a crack and looked at the car in confusion. Multiple more snaps followed the first, and she stepped back once she realized the sound was coming from within Zya. She sobbed loudly at the scene. Hair was sprouting out of her friend’s skin, her bones were twisting to unnatural positions, her clothing was being torn apart.

She wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. The sight was both mesmerizing and sickening.

She watched breathlessly as Zya whimpered and distorted. A minute later, her friend was no more.

Zya was gone. She was replaced by a furry beast.

Her eyes remained closed. Eva briefly wondered if she was dead but wasn’t planning on approaching her to find out.

She quietly stood and took multiple steps back. She ran her hands through her hair frantically and then looked at her palms in search of blood.

She must’ve damaged something when Zya stopped the car. She must be hallucinating.