Chapter 106 Danger Lurking
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Pain seared inside my heart; I could feel waves of regret pounding through my mate. His Alpha senses were on overdrive, his wolf pestering to the surface. It was the nature of an Alpha—the sole need seizing control to protect and serve. A need embedded into the fibers of his being.
Sweat formed on the nape of his neck, making me realize that I had become somewhat of his weakness. It would only be a matter of time before others figured it out too, and that would endanger Midnight Moon. But a weakness was not something I was willing to become.
I ran my hand down the side of his strong jaw, then brushed the tousled hair from his forehead. "Jax, if you go—I go," I comforted him. He kept his gaze down, his head still curled between his hands. When he managed to look up at me with his mesmerizing honey eyes, he gave me a small smile—a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Sophia's panicked sobs quickly echoed throughout the vehicle, sending a shiver down my spine. Sophia was always able to put forward a brave front except when it came to those closest to her. Her eyes had gone bloodshot, evidence that a part of her was also battling with whether Alpha Christian would remain safe.
Alpha Jaxon placed his hand over Sophia's, who was turned at her waist facing him. "I need you to be strong. Whatever is going on with these attacks, I'm going to end it for good," he said softly. "I can't do it if I'm worried about your safety, Soph."
The water returned to Sophia's eyes, though she nodded, mustering her courage forward.
Large hands gripped my waist, placing my small body abruptly onto my mate's lap and turning me to face him. The look in his eyes warned me that he too was realizing the dangers that lay ahead, though he covered it well. "I love you, little mate," he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine.
I couldn't stop the water from pooling in my eyes, my wolf howling frantically inside. "You're not going without me. If you fight, so do I," I insisted.
"We don't know the risks that Alpha Christian's pack is facing. Please, I need you to stay with Sophia. If you feel the mate bond break, tell my men to escort you back to Midnight Moon. Until then, you two stay outside Alpha Christian's pack borders," he muttered. "Do not come looking for me, do you understand, Adeline?"
My entire body shuddered at the alpha voice creeping through his words. He was stern, not even blinking to break the gaze between us. I didn't want to submit. It ached my soul to agree. I wanted to stand by his side like a Luna should, not hide in the shadows like some coward anymore.
His large palms gripped the sides of my face as he placed another kiss on my forehead, making me melt into his body. It was as sweet as his scent, filled with love and care. I nodded, fighting the tears from pooling down my face. I couldn't break down. I couldn't risk showing him how scared I really was.
Pressing my lips together, I whispered against his, "Come back to me." His eyes went soft, yet I could hear his heart pounding against my chest frantically, like he knew he couldn't guarantee he would. "I promise," he replied.
Jaxon pushed his lips against mine, his tongue grazing mine in unison as my mouth granted him access. Defeat hollowed at my insides, piercing my heart. His lips were soft, each taste sweeter than the last. A taste I was sure I couldn't live without.
He pulled his head back and relaxed against the seat. He stared at me like he was memorizing every emotion dancing in my eyes. It was as if time had frozen around us, leaving only the two of us. I ached to pull him back into my embrace, needing just a little more. The mate bond was like nothing I had ever expected. The stories I heard growing up couldn't compare to how I felt about Jaxon. It was true—he was my missing piece, maybe even my entire soul.
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. I didn't want the distance. I couldn't imagine my heart being any fonder when it came to him. Just like I was his weakness, he had undoubtedly become mine.
My stomach was in knots as a single tear cascaded down my cheek. He wiped the tear with the pad of his thumb, soaking in yet another moment of what would be our last together. "I'll always be yours. Never forget that," he cooed.
I took a deep breath, already regretting having stupidly agreed to leave his side and sending him into the unknown—what could cause me to lose my mate forever. I shifted off his lap, giving him an empty smile. "I'll see you soon," I said, my voice coming out more jagged than I hoped.
Alpha Jaxon pulled down the back seat and opened the door to step out of the vehicle. My eyes widened when I saw how many of his men had taken a knee to demonstrate their loyalty to stand by their Alpha, like they already knew what he was going to do. Jaxon was noble, strong-willed, yet had the biggest heart I had ever met under that tough exterior.
He turned back to Sophia, giving her one last look. He paused before he said, "If anything happens, Soph, just know that you have my full blessing."
Her lips slightly parted. I could see her mind recoiling as the words left her lips, "Blessing? For what?"
He smiled a genuine smile, his pearly whites on display. "You'll see soon enough, pup."
He gave the enforcers a simple nod, ripped the shirt off his back, and rushed in the direction Alpha Christian and his men had gone. He took off in a sprint, shifting midair into his majestic black wolf that made my heart skip a beat. As if it was a cue, the rest of them shifted immediately after. The car vibrated as their paws pattered against the earth. I stared through the window until they all disappeared out of my sight. They looked so honorable and filled with integrity. Their power in numbers was nearly shattering.
My guilt ate away at me, desperation filling me to mind link Jaxon and beg him to return for me. My wolf pestered inside, "You're going to endanger mate," she wept. I sighed, shoving my emotions down. I knew better than to distract him.
I shuffled to the seat beside Sophia, throwing my arms desperately over her neck. "We can do this," I whispered against her ear.
The enforcer driving us turned and nodded. "Alpha wants you two away from pack territory," he said, his sad eyes staring at us through the rearview mirror.
Sophia gritted her teeth, like a switch had just been flicked inside her. "Where are you taking us? I swear to the Moon Goddess I'll rip your damn throat out if you don't tell me now," she demanded.
