29. Jade

twenty-nine

"You really are a little fox!" Sven snarls and not in a cute way. To be fair, I'm massively invading his privacy. He steps into my space, following me as I stumble backwards. The thrill of having this huge hunk of man muscle scowling and paying me all the attention is addictive. He cages me into the side of the building with one hand on the wall.

Be still my smoldering heart.

"Found you," I say with deceptive meekness.

He knows it, too. I can see the tic in his jaw as he works through whether to throttle me or kiss me.

Two hours ago, Sven snuck out of the house. So, naturally, what else could a good omega do but follow? He'd walked twenty minutes to a set of shops, where he went into a small office with a glass door. Once I knew he was safely inside, I scampered closer to see what it was.

What I found surprised me more than anything. It was a psychologist's office. A man named Maxim Grass. I hadn't anticipated the huge alpha that had come out escorting Sven from the building. His hair was prematurely grey, and he had this serious, deep face. I approved of him instantly. He had good vibes.

But, apparently, my surveillance did not go unnoticed.

"Are you trying to fix your head so you can follow your heart? To me? Because I am your heart, right?" I flutter my eyelashes, but secretly, I'm trying to bring the tension down.

Sven blinks at me and shakes his head. "I'm trying to fix my head so I don't beat your ass."

I grin at him. "Your dimples are showing, Svenny, I know you're lying."

He groans and turns away from me, but I clutch his arm and pull myself right up against him.

"Tell me."

"Fine. Yes. I've been seeing a psychologist, trying to work through my issues so I can stop hurting the three of you."

"Because you love us."

"Yes. Because I love you."

The words snatch the wind out of my sails and leave me staring up at him in awe. I love this brawny man. I love that he argues with me and goes toe-to-toe with me without backing off.

I love that he is so protective of the family. I love that he cares so much.

"Come with me, you sly little fox," Sven growls.

"Vixen."

"What?"

"A fox is male, a vixen is female. You may call me Vixen."

Sven rubs his temples, but I can see a smile lurking at the corner of his lips.

"Come on, Daddy-O. Show me a good time."

"What have I told you about calling me Daddy?"

"Only do it when I'm naked?"

Sven growls in warning. I smirk and put my small hand in his huge one.

"I know what I'm going to do with you," Sven says suddenly. "Oh, yeah, this might make even you lose your ability to speak."

I shrug. "My doctor said I could talk with a mouthful of marbles."

Sven eyes me like he's not sure what to think.

"I think I could talk with a mouthful of cock," I say and peek at his expression out of the corner of my eye. He does not disappoint. "We could try? Again?"

"No," but I note the challenge in his eyes for later.

"Spoilsport. Well, how are you going to ravage me?"

"I'm not ravaging you. Turn here."

He leads me towards a building with a huge sign saying Gym. That word is diabolical and such a massive turn off. I groan and dig my heels in.

"No, I'm a nice fluffy omega. I don't want to go to the gym today."

"You can come in and do something useful."

"No, I like my soft body. You like my soft body, you had your mouth all over it. Why are you trying to change me?" I wail loudly.

Sven ignores the people who tsk and shake their heads. He wraps his paw around my wrist and drags me into the gym.

"This is cruel. I wanted romance. Donuts, chocolate, candy, not sweat, pain, and tears."

Sven finally breaks and laughs. "You'll like this."

I humph at him. "I sincerely doubt it."

"Be brave, little omega," Sven hisses without mercy. He even laughs, a sinister little chuckle that puts him at the bottom of my favourite pack member of the day list.

"Hey, Sven!"

I turn and find seven tiny humans. They all stare up at my soldier with a look of adoration. He lets go of me and crouches so he's at their level.

"Hey, guys, how are you going?"

"We're good." The tallest of the kids says proudly. "We've been practicing."

"Good work. I"ve brought a new student. This is Jade."

The kids look at me with decidedly less warmth. Terrifying little beasts!

"Student?" I splutter.

"Hey, Sven, you missed the last class. Where were you?"

I watch in amusement as Sven turns into a giant teddy bear, gently herding the children in the direction he wants to go in.

I hang back, watching as he laughs and plays with them, but at exactly 4pm, he claps his hands. Everyone finds a spot inside this massive room.

I watch everyone spread out and pick a spot. My curiosity overwhelms my need to stay sweat free. I move to a free spot at the back of the room.

"I'd like to welcome everyone back to my self-defense class."

My eyes widen in shock, but my lips immediately curl into a smile. I knew I was right about him. He really is perfect.

The class is interesting. He doesn't go easy on me, and I definitely learn some really hard moves, but I find myself confused over my big softie. He's incredible with the children, really sweet and patient, even with me. Teaching is something that he excels at. So, why isn't he doing it full-time?

I watch as he hugs the kids and waves goodbye. At last, he turns back to me, his smile falling and his eyes getting hungry.

"You are not who the world thinks you are, Sven."

He heaves a sigh and reaches for my waist, pulling me up against him. "Jade, don't go reading into it."

"Um, of course, I'm going to read into it. You're a teacher. Not just that, but a man who should be a father. Why are you punishing yourself?"

He leans down and seizes my lips. "Is there any way to shut you up?" he whispers when he pulls back.

"I mean, go ahead and give it a good wack, I'll test the theory with you. I'm just stunned by how deep your layers go."

Sven groans and cups my ass, dragging me up against his body.

"Mmm, nice try, but you'll have to do better," I whisper.

"On the mat, I'm going to teach you some moves."

"What kind of moves?" I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

Sven laughs, a huge belly laugh, and I'm stunned into silence. He has a contagious laugh that makes you smile along with him, who knew? It's the kind that reaches into you and steals your heart.

"Spread your legs."

"Now, there's words that fire straight into a girl's hooha!" I purr. "Yes, Daddy."

Sven groans. "Legs shoulder width apart. Hands up, loose. We're going to go through several holds and how to break out of them. Please, Jade, focus on this. No messing around. I need you to be able to protect yourself."

The following hour ends up being frustrating and painful, but in the end, when Sven grabs me by the hips, lifts me into the air, and swings me around, I know that I've fallen irrevocably in love with him. Also, my libido is out of control.

He kisses me for a long time. I get lost in his kiss, cling to him, feeling everything, needing more. I want to ask the questions. I want to take his pain, but I don't want to see him run. So, instead, I keep my mouth shut, and I don't ask what's eating me inside.

When we part, he takes my hand and leads me across the road to get an ice-cream. It's so cliché, I love it.

People leave us alone, but I notice how many people see Sven and wave at him. He's well-liked, he's respected.

"I enjoy teaching kids. I enjoy knowing that no one can hurt them. Then there's the knowledge that being their friend means that if they need help, they have somewhere to go."

I watch him and reach out and put a hand on his. "I think what you do is incredible. Those kids are lucky, Sven."

"I don't want to hurt you anymore, Jade."

I don't say anything because I can see how much it's tearing him apart, and suddenly, I'm scared and hurting, not for me, but for him.

There are two sides of Sven. The man that everyone likes, and the alpha who is terrified of what might happen if he allows his heart to have what it wants.

He walks me home, and when he tries to slip away; I cling to his hand. He ends up sitting on the couch beside me, laughing every now and then while we watch TV. I stare at him, trying to see through the layers that he wears like armor.

Again, the thought comes to me.

What could be so terrible that this impossibly strong man ran terrified?