Chapter Five
“Wade,” Rafe called out. “Take the girl to my office and see that she doesn’t leave.”
“Are you sure you want me to do it?” Shock pounded through Wade. He wasn’t one of Rafe’s top enforcers, nor did he have any experience keeping hostages—especially one who he’d waited his entire existence for.
The Alpha could have easily chosen someone more experienced, but he hadn’t. He’d singled out Wade for the task, despite the fact that several enforcers stood close by. Bile climbed up the back of his throat at the thought of anyone else protectinghishalfling.
Sensing his hesitation, Rafe turned to face him with a low rumble bubbling up from his throat. “Do as you’ve been told. I need the others with me until I can figure out this mess.”
The warning from the Alpha was enough to give him pause. He had no choice but to see after his—err, the female.
Though Wade was powerful in his own right, his strength couldn’t hope to match that of Rafe’s. Disobeying his Alpha’s direct order would be a lesson in futility. A lesson he’d much rather skip. Thanks.
Wade sucked in a deep breath and realized what a huge mistake he’d just made. Her luscious scent enveloped his every nerve. His wolf charged forward, only to be beat back by Wade. He couldn’t allow the beast to come forward and claim a mate they could never hope to keep. Bolts of electricity shot through his palm when he placed it at the small of the woman’s back to guide her to Rafe’s office. Awareness surged through the soft touch. It was enough of a jolt to leave him panting for more.
The sensation Wade had felt must have been mutual. Adalyn spun on her heel to face him. Her hazel eyes grew wide before she quickly masked the look of interest on her face. It almost looked as if the gold flecks danced in the sunlight.
His wolf tried once again to surge to the forefront. His mind spinning with thoughts of claiming her. Images bounced from one to the next of him sinking his fangs into her neck while he pumped his cock into her tight heat.
He bit back a groan, trying to keep himself composed—something his wolf was strongly against. The animal didn’t want composure, he wanted raw, unfiltered fucking so he could claim what was his. The image of plunging into her tightness sent blood rushing to his cock. Instant fucking hard-on.
“Follow me.” Wade cleared his throat, opting to lead Adalyn to Rafe’s office rather than escort her with his hand on her back.
The slight contact had been too much. He should have known better than to touch her, having felt his wolf’s struggles firsthand. Once again, the animal within him strained to break free, determined to claim the mate the gods had created for him.
He would have to be more careful, maintaining his distance in order to keep his wolf in check. Wade still had the upper hand when it came to his animal, but how long his control would last was anyone’s guess.
Instead of giving in to his wolf’s base desires, Wade forced his focus to remain on the ground in front of him, taking one step at a time. The walk back to Rafe’s had never seemed so long or daunting—especially when the scent of his mate encircled each and every footfall.
One step. One intoxicating inhale.
Repeat.
Until they’d reached their destination.
* * *
Wade opened the door and led Adalyn into the office. “We’ll wait here for Rafe and the others to return.”
Wade’s heart pounded in his chest, loud enough he was certain Adalyn could hear each thump. Suddenly being behind closed doors with his mate had his wolf trying to shred his defenses, desperate to escape. Needing—wanting what was theirs.
“Very well.” Adalyn looked around the impressive office, studying family pictures that had hung on walls for ages. Wade had never given them much thought before, but the look on Adalyn’s face—he wanted to scoop her up in his arms and offer the comfort she clearly desired.
Rows of Erickson men lined the wall of the study. Each contained a placard engraved with their name and the years in which they had reigned over Black Paw.
Wade’s eyes were glued to her every movement. The way her head tilted, and her eyes narrowed to get a better look at something. How she reached out to touch something before quickly pulling her fingers back, remembering that she wasn’t alone.
He’d had no idea how much time had passed—taking simple enjoyment where he least expected to find it. Though his wolf was on edge, continually pushing to see if there was an opening in the barrier Wade had erected to keep him in place. The wolf found none. He would not give in—not a single inch when it came to the control he had over his beast.
Adalyn paused when she reached the final picture. “Is this?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“That’s Bjorn. Our former Alpha,” Wade confirmed her suspicion.
“My father.”
Not a question—a statement.
For the second time in a matter of minutes, Wade wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and comfort her, wiping away the tears that had started to streak down her face, but he thought better of it. If he touched her again, his wolf would break free and there was no telling what would happen. That was something he couldn’t allow—no matter how bad his wolf had wished otherwise.
He knew what they were. His wolf knew as well. A mate was not—could not be in their future.
