The Wolf Series #3: Between Two Worlds

Chapter 24

Rated for Mature themes. Viewer's discretion is advised.

Chapter 24*

France, three years ago...

He's almost in tears with how hard he's laughing. I am too, holding onto his arm and tripping over my dress. We've just come back from the bar downstairs, and before that a ballet.

"I would have loved to see Mac's face," I wipe my eyes and grin up at Adrian, "Please tell me he kicked your ass—"

"Who's side are you on?" He pulls me into his arms and shakes me a little. I squeal and he relents, "I let him punch me. Once."

"How kind," I step out and grab my keycard. I slip it in and glance up at Rowan. She's just behind us, watching quietly.

I'm kicking him out early, High Prophet. Serani will have both our hides otherwise.

I smile up at Adrian, but he's already smiling as well, "Come inside with me..."

It's his turn to look at Rowan, who only leans against the wall. She says nothing, which we both take as a greenlight.

"You could get in trouble," He raises an eyebrow as I lead him inside.

"Serani doesn't check on me as much anymore," I slip off my heels and tug off my earrings. I check my phone but don't see any phone calls from Nataniel. "Besides, she's away on a trip with the High Priestess...Wow...the city looks so pretty from here..."

Adrian comes up behind me. I'm absorbed by the twinkling lights around us. The Eiffel Tower is reframed in lights too. It's breathtaking now that I truly take in the beauty of this city. When Adrian says nothing, I look over my shoulder and up at him. I'm confused when he just smiles down at me. I set my phone face down on my table.

"I'm sorry," He murmurs, "For letting them take you—"

"That's Jace's fault. Not yours," I begin to look down but he catches my chin between his fingers.

"Then why do I feel like you're not telling me something," He breathes, "If you don't blame me or hate me...why do I feel like you haven't let me in."

Nataniel. I've long suspected that Adrian knows that I've hidden something from him. It's hard not to notice, especially when I've been hiding something as big as that. But he's never pressed until now.

But he can't know. So many people would use my son as a hostage to bend me to their will. And I would—I would willingly do whatever they wanted for Nataniel. My only motivation in life is to finish what I must at The Order, take my son, and never look back.

"Alpha Adrian," I turn around and hook my arms around his neck, "It sounds like you may have a little crush on me."

He furrows his brows in surprise, "Are you teasing me?"

"A little," I tilt my head just like he does when he's being coy. But apparently I can't charm his socks off like he can with everyone. He pulls away from me and I shake my head, "I am hiding something from you. Many things, in fact."

"Why?"

"Because it's safer."

"I can protect myself, Amelia—"

"You're not the one I'm trying to protect," He has no words for me. He has nothing but a perplexed expression while he tries to piece it all together. "You're more than welcome to leave if you can't handle me keeping secrets from you."