Chapter 41 Hide and Seek
1514words
As we scurried through the hallway back to the auditorium, I noticed Sophia pause mid-sentence in utter disbelief. A look of horror washed over her face, causing her skin to go pale. "Are you okay, Sophia? Does something hurt?" I asked, concerned. She stopped walking and gasped, making me wonder if she was really hurt somehow.
"...rogues," she whispered, and before I could blink twice, the auditorium door swung open with such force. "Adeline, we have to go to the pack house now," she said softly, her tone frightened. I had never seen Sophia so afraid of anything; she was the most fearless person I had ever met. Courage usually rushed through her veins—I assumed it was because of her strong Alpha bloodline.
My feet suddenly felt like cement blocks as I froze in place. There was no doubt that I should run to shelter with the rest of the pack. I knew that was what was expected of me during an attack, and it would have been the most logical decision, too. However, my wolf had other plans—she cringed at the thought of leaving our mate behind while we rushed to safety. She whimpered profusely and fought against my hold. Alpha or not—Alpha Jaxon was our mate, and it was our duty to protect him. My entire world began to spin with confusion as I tried to reason with my wolf.
I felt a strong grasp on my arm as Sophia's hand wrapped around it. "Have you lost your mind? This isn't a choice. There are rogues on pack territory. Pack house. Now," she spoke with authority in her voice. I could tell she was becoming quickly annoyed with my lack of reaction to the crisis at hand.
Struggling against her hold as she pulled me toward the nearest exit, I gulped hard and shook my head. "I-I can't. I can't leave him. He needs me," I whispered. I knew my wolf was determined to find her mate, and strangely, I started to agree with her. My heart pounded so hard that I felt my temperature rising. Was I scared for his safety? Afraid something would happen to him? I wasn't sure what was going through my mind, but I couldn't leave.
"Please don't do this to me. Jaxon is an Alpha by birthright. He's going to be okay. He's fought entire packs and come out without a scratch. Trust in him and come with me, please, Adeline," Sophia said, watching my hesitation. Thoughts of my mother, Leah, and Bailey ran through my mind for a moment, and I prayed that they were already safely at the pack house. As an enforcer, I knew my father must have already shifted and was making his way into battle against the rogues.
A robust impulse of courage stunned my body, and I shook my head at Sophia, whose mouth hung open at my defiance. "I'm sorry. No." I turned on my heels, stopping in the doorway as I watched the chaos of shifters shifting and scattering out of the auditorium. I surveyed the room, searching for any sign of Alpha Jaxon. Otherwise, I planned to make my way to the pack border—deciding that in my head. The familiar, dominant presence overcame me as my eyes locked with Alpha Jaxon's, his honey eyes filled with anger.
"Are you fucking insane? Did you not hear the order?" he growled at me, his reaction sounding much like his sister's. I shuddered at the deep growl and then whispered obediently, "I-I did. Sophia is already on her way there. I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave you. Let me fight; I can help." It felt like a fire had been lit deep within me—I was ready to fight beside him with no regard for my own safety.
"You can't, Adeline—I'm not risking losing you to rogues. That would undoubtedly kill me. If you want to help Midnight Moon right now, you go back to the pack house and wait in my bedroom. You do not leave or open that door for anybody, do you understand me? That is an order from your Alpha," he demanded.
I melted at his words. I could feel how miserable I was making him by not already being at the pack house. My body and mind instantly disconnected, and I reached for the back of his head, pulling it forward until his lips crashed against mine. I couldn't help but need his taste, terrified he wouldn't return to me. He quickly took control of the kiss, his tongue tangling with mine. Frozen in time, I lost myself in his touch, begging and pleading for more of him. I felt him push me backward into the hard door frame, and I threw myself onto him, my legs wrapping around him for dear life. My nipples hardened through my dress, and I felt a pulsing need between my legs begging for more of him. He pulled back, and I gasped for air as if it were the first time I had ever inhaled oxygen. I craved—no, I needed—the passion he ignited within me for the rest of my life.
"The pack is depending on me, Addie. I have to go. Leave now, or I'll throw you over my shoulder and lock you in my bedroom myself. Do as I said—I need to know you're safe first and foremost if I'm going to keep my wolf controlled and defend the pack border," he said swiftly before bolting for the door. After the intensity of our encounter, I couldn't say no to his request. I was in complete submission to Alpha Jaxon.
I ran faster than ever before, feeling the burn in my legs as I raced to the pack house. I would have happily stood by my Alpha in battle without hesitation, but his demand scorched through me, and I found myself aching in submission.
Most of the pack had already arrived at the pack house, following pack rules. I pushed through the clusters of women and children who filled the rooms while searching for my family. I caught a glint of golden blonde hair and immediately ran toward it, recognizing Bailey. I threw my arms around her and yelped, "Bailey! I'm so happy you're all okay!"
My mother rushed forward with swollen, red eyes—it was obvious she had been crying. "I was so scared when we couldn't find you and you didn't show up here, Adeline. I thought I lost my daughter to the rogues." I fussed with the seams of my dress, feeling guilty that I had caused her such stress. "I'm okay, Mom. I'm here now."
Bright red hair caught my peripheral vision, causing me to turn my head. Beverly raised her arms, and the whole room quickly quieted. "Alpha Jaxon, being the brave warrior he is, has already dealt with the rogues at the border. The danger is no more, and you are all dismissed to return to your homes." Rounds of applause exploded for Alpha Jaxon and his pack. Those frightened frowns flipped into glowing smiles. They were all so proud of their Alpha.
I instantly remembered that Alpha Jaxon had ordered me to safety in his bedroom, and I knew he would return shortly to the pack house. I excused myself from my family and carefully snuck up the staircase until I reached the door of his bedroom.
I turned the knob and stepped into Alpha Jaxon's bedroom, excitement coursing through me at the hint of his scent. Noticing a crystal decanter on a nearby table, I poured myself a glass of whiskey. The amber color of the liquid reminded me of his eyes and how he made me feel whenever he looked at me. I took a long sip of the drink, wishing the moments waiting for his return would pass faster.
I sat on his bed, and flashbacks of the day played through my mind. I remembered what Sophia had said about the pack Luna, their mother. I wondered if she was okay, what she looked like, and if she was anything like her children. I took another swig of whiskey and thought about how I could possibly sneak into the quarters beneath the pack house, determined to meet her.
Shallow footsteps echoed in the hallway. There weren't many people with access to the Alpha's quarters, so I was fairly certain Alpha Jaxon had returned. I took a deep breath to steady my wolf and myself, adjusting the slit on my dress to fully expose my leg, knowing it would get a rise out of Alpha Jaxon when he stepped into the room.
CLASH. The loud sound of shattering glass echoed through the room, vibrating straight into my gut. The blow from the large bay window, once my favorite, stunned me as my glass of whiskey hit the floor. Startled and panicked, I whipped my head toward the window only to see a marbled black and white rogue wolf standing in the window frame with a scowl, exposing his canines as he let out a deep growl at me.
