19. Adrian

nineteen

Istand beside Sven, the sounds of a crowd that I'm treating as hostile are all around us. We look out of place, no, we blend in. I feel out of place. I don't want to be standing in this ballroom, with these people. I want to be home. People are milling around, talking, but I can't tear my eyes from the door. The seconds are like an eternity.

Why had I said that? I let Sven get in my head, I let his words and his rejection crawl inside me until I couldn't think.

Will they come?

Where are they?

Why did they tell me to meet them here? Why not just allow us to bring them tonight?

I grab at my collar, but Sven reaches out and stops me, straightening my tie.

"Relax, Addy."

"I hate things like this," I growl at him, I'm altogether not sure I forgive him yet.

"I know you do. But we're in this together. We're going to see if she responds to another pack, and we'll give her into their care."

A vicious snarl escapes from deep inside me, I push his hands off me and step away. My stomach jolts even as a tiny voice in my mind howls in protest. The thought of someone else touching her, smelling her, is so repugnant that I feel bile rush up my throat.

This isn't me. I'm calm. Even with Sven, I accept the way things are. But with her, I'm all kinds of messed up. That doesn't mean this plan is right. I regret it, and I'm already thinking about ways to destroy it.

Two women enter through the glass doors. They pause, looking around. My mouth drops open. My brain loses all thought except one. MINE.

"Oh, god, I can't give her up."

Sven turns and hisses. "Sweet fucking hell."

Jade is wearing a tight lilac dress. She looks like a faerie. Even without wings, there is something untouchable, something magical about her. She's drawing eyes left and right. I'm going to kill them all.

Sven advances towards them, growling, and I realise the woman on Jade's arm is Kandi. Her hair is swept back, and her eyes are dark and smokey. She looks incredibly hot.

"Omega," Sven snarls.

"Here I am. As directed, ready to find a pack." She says before I can speak.

The poisonous words turn hard inside me. No, I don't want that. I don't want that at all.

"Just mingle and keep an open mind," Sven directs in a harsh tone that has me growling my own warning at him.

And if you think you find one, tell me, and I will eliminate them. I blank my expression so no one sees my intent and clear my throat.

"You look beautiful, Jade."

Her cheeks turn pink, and she smiles. "Thank you, Adrian. Would you care to escort me around and introduce me to people?"

No. No, I would not.I grit my teeth. The irony is that I brought this on myself. I glance at Sven, and he gives me a thumbs up.

I have never wanted to punch him in the face more than I do right now.

As soon as she puts her hand on mine, I know there is no chance anyone is going to take her. I'll kill this whole room full of people first.

She's mine. It's so simple and so uncomplicated. If it's just her and me forever. That's how it is. And if I make her sad, I'll fix it. I'll be better for her.

"Alpha, you're growling?"

I stop moving. "Am I?"

"Mmm, something on your mind?" She tilts her head back and flutters long lashes at me.

"Only that you look perfect tonight, Omega."

Blackberries fill the air. I find myself smiling as we reach the first group. It fades as I look them over.

"Jade, this is Pack Newell." The words are torn from me.

She grins at them and speaks, but I'm lost in the way her lips curl. She uses her hands to verbalise. I hadn't noticed that before. I love it. The column of her long white throat. Shimmers in the shine of her lilac hair. The hint of cleavage. Nope, I can't do this. I grip her arm and turn away from the pack, dragging her with me.

"Adrian, what are you doing? I was talking to them!"

"Not anymore, you aren't."

I lead her out to the dance floor. The orchestra starts a new song, something slow and romantic, and I sweep her into my arms without another word.

She laughs into my chest. "You could have said you wanted to dance."

"I could have said I made a mistake. If I said anything, I might have said the thought of you with anyone else makes me sick. I should have told you I've been fantasising about killing everyone who smiles at you since you reminded me of my stupidity. That I feel homicidal thinking about anyone touching you."

Her eyes are huge lavender pools. "You do care."

"Of course, I care, Jade. It's not a matter of care. It's a matter of what's right. But to hell with right. I'm a selfish alpha. There is no resisting you. I am your alpha for now and always. No more running."

"You won't leave at the end of three weeks?" She stares up at me, vulnerable, hopeful, so expressive. My dream that I never realised.

"No, Jade. I'm not leaving. Whether we end up a pack or not, I can't walk away from you, and I can't watch you walk away from me. I am yours."

She smiles up at me, her eyes twinkling. "You folded quicker than I'd hoped."

"What?" I fake growl at her. The way she giggles lights up my freaking soul.

"I don't want to meet anyone else but you," Jade admits. "I was hoping you would see me and keep me."

"Your plan worked, little omega."

I dip my head down, touching my lips to hers. Blackberries explode on my tongue, and when she opens her mouth further, I slip my tongue in. I don't care where we are or who is watching. All I care about is her. I feel shook, like I've hit this spot in my life that has exploded into a new pathway. Like my entire purpose has changed. I've been asleep, and now I'm awake. This is the first kiss. Our first kiss. It's perfect, magical. I will remember it forever because nothing I've ever done in my life has felt as right as this moment and the decision I've just made. I pull back reluctantly.

"Alpha," she whines.

"We should leave," I say huskily.

"No, we can't leave," Sven barks as he interrupts us. "We're here because you won an award, Addy."

Jade does a double take. "You won an award?"

"A small one," I say through gritted teeth as I glare at Sven. How dare he ruin my evening! He huffs, but he can't tear his eyes away from Jade's ass.

"Dance with us, Sven," I whisper-tease him. It will punish him in a way nothing else will.

The alpha hesitates, but Jade turns in my grip and steps into his space.

"Dance with me, please?"

He glowers at her, then lifts his eyes to me, and I see his resistance crumble. Triumph surges through me.

The three of us start moving. It should be hard, it should be difficult, but it's effortless.

I glance around and find Kandi pacing the dance floor, her eyes on us, and her hand on the weapon she's got concealed. Kandi hates dancing, but it's a relief and deeply satisfying to know that she's still protecting us.

I refocus my gaze on Sven. He swallows hard, looking down at Jade.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" I mouth at him.

He nods shortly and shifts so his body is pressed up against hers. "You're lovely tonight, Jade."

Sven's voice has that softness that he reserves for when we're alone. My fingers grip his hip harder. In that moment, I can see my future without them, alone, empty. I don't want it.

I want this omega. This alpha. This pack. A fire ignites inside me.

The song ends, and we stop dancing. I look around and find that the entire party has stopped and is watching us. I lift my gaze, glare around at the crowd of colourful dresses and pristine suits. People suddenly jump and get busy talking, averting their eyes, not wanting my glare upon them. The soft golden glow of the chandeliers bounces light on the hardwood floor, and it feels like a dream.

Jade twists slowly, looking up at me. "That was…"

"Really nice?"

"Yeah, it was so nice."

Kandi snags the omega in a tight hug. "You looked beautiful."

I put a hand around their backs and guide them to the dining room. People are starting to funnel in. Twenty large tables are covered in black tablecloths and gold cutlery, with shimmering crystal glasses beside each setting. At the front of the room is a small stage, with a sign saying Silver Fall's Heroes. The lights are dim and intimate.

I find our seats and help Jade with her chair. Sven pulls Kandi's chair out and hands her into it. He then sits on the outside, switching his seat so the beta and omega are together. Protecting them.

I lace my fingers together and watch as the guests come in and take their places. Kandi and Jade talk quietly, while I survey the room for threats and contemplate how to make our future happen. Taylor Knight gives me a nod from the other side of the table. We're amicable, if not friendly.

The Alpha of Pack Knight and his alpha Scarlet are in attendance tonight. The two of them make a striking couple, but I notice the way he pauses as he studies Jade.

Long enough to make me snap out a warning growl.

Taylor lifts his eyes to me and shrugs. "I heard a story."

"What kind of story?" I ask with deep warning.

"The kind that starts with shopping for a suit," Taylor says, not at all intimidated.

I glance at Kandi, who gets busy with her napkin. Jade lifts her eyes to me and smiles.

"You can know or you can enjoy it." She bites her lower lip, her eyes twinkling. Temptation herself.

"I'll enjoy it."

"Good alpha."

I wince at the words but shake my head in amusement.

The dinner was exquisite, but I couldn't tell you what I ate. I was so focused on the omega beside me.

The speeches start, commending people for their contribution to the Silver Falls City. But I can't hear a word.

Half way through, my name is called, and I get up and walk up to the stage. I don't care about these things, but as soon as I get up, Jade stands up, cheering. Affection and warmth steals my brain for a moment. Kandi has joined her, then Sven. My pack, support. I inhale deeply, seeing clearly how we could be.

I stand there as the applause spreads to people I don't know. To strangers. To people I do know. It feels weird but humbling, and it spreads a warmth in my chest because Jade gave it to me.

She keeps doing that. Offering me new experiences and making me feel good. Warm instead of cold.

I watch as she claps her hands, her eyes so proud, the lights of the chandeliers reflecting off her face. Sven gives me a nod, a wicked smile on his face. He's always told me how good he knows I am.

"Thank you. Thank you. Being a doctor is something I felt called to do, ever since my mother was first beaten by my father. I swore I'd learn how to fix her wounds."

I don't know why I'm saying this. All I know is that Jade is smiling, nodding, and it feels right.

"My mother is proud of me, and she's safe now. I want that for every person in this society. To have a safe place to go when they're hurting." I take a breath and exhale. "It"s why I've decided not to leave Silver Falls and will be handing in my resignation at the hospital and taking a position at the refuge full time."

Jade claps loudly. I don't care; I see only her. The pride and happiness on her face. My speech finishes in a blur. I don't know what I say, I just keep looking at her.

As soon as I get close, she throws herself into my arms.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?"

"You're staying!"

I smile. "I told you I was."

"But now it's official. Now, everybody knows."

"Yes. That's how it works." I tease and brush my fingers down her back.

She hugs me tighter. I lift my eyes to meet Sven's. He reaches out and squeezes my hand.

"Happy for you."

I frown at him. He turns and leaves.

"Kandi?"

"On it." She races after him.

"Oh, excuse me, but Doctor Shultz, could I get a word quickly?" A stranger asks. I turn and find a matronly omega with steel hair and kind eyes staring at us. She smiles, and it includes both of us. I relax as Jade takes a breath and leans into me.

"Do you want to come?" I look down at the omega in my arms.

"Oh, no, I'll meet you out there. Go do your work." She smiles sweetly.

I lean down and kiss her cheek. "Just follow me, stay close, and wait for Sven or Kandi. I'll be right here."