Chapter 42
Adrian’s POV
I strode across the tavern. My Alpha presence made conversations falter and heads turn face showed surprise and something like guilt.
“Adrian! I didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” she said.
1 passed. Before I reached their table, Nadia blocked my path. Her
My attention stayed on the scene behind her. Skye was barely recognizable. Her usual calm was gone, replaced by something wild. Her silver hair hung messy around her flushed face as she laughed loudly. She swayed on her seat and almost fell before Ryder steadied her with both hands.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, voice low but sharp..
Nadia shifted uneasily. “It’s Ryder’s birthday. He turned eighteen yesterday. We just came out for a small celebration.” She pointed vaguely at their table. “Ryder dared Skye to try some wolf liquor. He said she wouldn’t. She insisted she was a bartender and could handle it. One glass later, well, you see the result.”
I clenched my jaw. Wolf liquor was made with rare herbs that affected werewolf metabolism. Normal alcohol did little to us, but wolf liquor intoxicated us.
More importantly, it suppressed our ability to shift temporarily and dulled our combat reflexes. That is why warriors were strictly forbidden to drink it.
“You are her training mentor,” I said sharply. “How could you let her drink wolf liquor?
Nadia bristled. “She chose to drink it herself. I did not force her.”
From the corner booth, Skye suddenly stood up, swaying dangerously. “Is that our Alpha?” she called out loudly. “Adrian! Come celebrate with us!”
She tried to move around the table but stumbled. She knocked over an empty glass that rolled before Ryder caught it.
I moved past Nadia toward their table. Ryder looked up at me with glazed eyes and a lopsided grin.
“Alpha!” he slurred. “Join us! One little drink will not hurt.”
I grabbed his collar and pulled him to his feet in one swift move. “Wolf warriors are absolutely forbidden from drinking wolf liquor,” I growled. “You broke pack discipline.”
Skye’s hand landed on my arm, warm through my shirt. “Adrian,” she giggled, clearly drunk, “you are way too tense. Everyone is fine. You should have a drink too and loosen up.”
She leaned forward but lost her balance and collapsed against my chest. I caught her with one arm around her waist. The weight of her soft body against me sent heat rushing through my veins. Her breath brushed my neck, warm and sweet with the herbal wolf liquor scent.
“I am taking you home,” I said firmly.
“But I am not done drinking,” she protested, trying to turn back to the table. She stumbled again and knocked over another glass. Amber liquid spilled across the table.
I made a quick decision. I bent down and hoisted her over my shoulder in a fireman’s carry. She squealed in surprise then laughed breathlessly as her silver hair fell down.
“Adrian!” Nadia called after me.
I turned, my expression leaving no room for argument. “You and Ryder will both report for disciplinary action tomorrow morning,” I commanded. “As his superior, you are responsible for his conduct. Is this how you manage your team?”
I did not wait for her answer. I pushed through the tavern doors into the cool desert night. Skye went quiet on my shoulder, though I felt her uneven breathing against my back.
When we reached my SUV, I carefully lowered her into the back seat, arranging her so she would not roll off during the drive.
1/2
Chapter 42
The trip to her apartment was filled with her incolierent mumbling. Sometimes the whispered tearfully. Other Umes she laughed madaniy then the the rearview mirror, worried she might get sick, but she stayed sprawled out.
At her building, I lifted her from the back seat, cradling her against my chest. Her head lolled against my shoulder, lips slightly parted.
“Skye,” I said gently, “I need your keys. Where are they?”
She mumbled something I could not understand. Her pocket to find the keys.
When my fingers brushed her thigh through the fabric,
yes fluttered but did not fully open. After trying once more to wake her, I slid my hand into her
I froze, my body reacting instantly. Taking a deep breath
she
and giggled. “That tickles,” she said. Her body pressed closer to mine as she twisted.
Her apartment was simple but neat. It reflected her organized She curled on her side with a soft sigh.
yself, I carefully took out the keys and quickly unlocked her door…
temporary home. I carried her to the bedroom and gently faid her down.
She could not sleep in her clothes. The tight jeans and t–shirt would be uncomfortable and might restrict her breathing. I hesitated. Leaving her like that felt wrong. Undressing her crossed a boundary I was not sure about.
Her well–being won. Moving as clinically as possible, I took off her boots first and set them by the bed. Then came the harder part, her jeans.
I unbuttoned them and slowly slid the denim down her legs. My knuckles brushed her smooth skin a few times, sending sparks through me.
I held my breath as I lifted her slightly to pull the t–shirt over her head. Her silver hair fell back on the pillow, framing her flushed face. She lay there in only simple cotton underwear. Her skin was pale and flawless in the dim light.
My throat tightened. I found a large t–shirt in her dresser and carefully put it on her sleeping body.
Every second required all my self–control. I wanted to kiss her, touch her, feel her heat. I even wanted to mark her, claim her as mine.
I pulled the blankets over her and stepped back, heart pounding. She looked so vulnerable. Her lips were parted slightly in sleep. A fierce protective feeling rose inside me, beyond my Alpha duties.
I had to leave immediately before I did something I would regret.
I placed a glass of water on her nightstand, knowing she would need it when she woke. Then I turned and quickly left, locking the door behind me.
The cool night air hit my heated skin as I went down to the parking lot. Skye, drunk like that, was even more sensual and irresistible than usual.
Fuck. I had never lost control like this before.
I started the engine and slammed on the accelerator, hoping to leave my restless desire far behind.
Chapter Comments
Visitor
Nadia is spying on people and trying to control everyone, I don’t like her
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