Hey readers,

Well here is the next update, I was mighty proud at how quickly I had managed to get it up but I have to say it is down to all your commenting and voting so thanks so much. Anyway, I was pleased that you all seemed to enjoy the last chapter so much, I know you’re all eager for Holly’s old pack to be punished for their actions towards her but I’m going to concentrate on Adrian and Holly more at the moment but it will come up in later chapters I promise.

Thanks again, don’t forget to continue to show me your support and enjoyment since I love to read how well it’s going down or if I need to step up my game. Sorry for any errors you might come across, but hope you enjoy the really long chapter since I plan to make more in the future.

Lots of love

XXX

Chapter 22

Adrian’s Pov

I could practically feel how nervous my girl was, her hands wringing in front of her as she kept close to me as we walked down the stairs. The pack had come back a few hours ago but it was only now that Holly had worked up the courage to follow me down the stairs to meet them, her body pressing so close against mine that I couldn’t help but love the contact. I knew that everything would be alright; it was the only reason I was giving her the gentle push to do this since I knew that it would work out better for everyone, including herself.

“You ready?” I asked her, watching her eyes widen in nervousness and fear as she pressed herself further against me. I didn’t like seeing her acting so scared, but I was hoping beyond hope that it wouldn’t last long.

“They won’t hurt you sweetheart, they’ll like you I promise” I continued, seeing her nod hesitantly before we reached the last step. Reaching out I helped her down even though it was unnecessary, just wanting the touch she allowed me to have as I wrapped my arm around her waist and lead her towards the living room where everyone was already waiting for us.

“Adrian” I heard my mate whimper, the sound making my heart clench as I paused mid-step and gently took her face between my hands. Running my thumbs soothingly over her cheeks I looked her in the eye, giving her what I hoped to be a reassuring smile as I did so.

“You’ll be fine, I’m not going to leave your side ok” I reassured her, getting a blank look in return much to my disappointment. I hid it from my face through, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before tugging her into the living room where she was suddenly centre of attention. She squirmed; trying to hide behind me as I took note of each and every pack mate staring at her like a wolf would their alpha female. With protectiveness, concern and hope that she would pay them some attention. It was just how it worked; her being the female alpha of such a closely knit pack meant that their wolves would be silently begging for her attention. Apart from the feelings a wolf felt for their mate, this was the next most addicting feeling and she had just become their drug. 

“Everyone, this is my mate Holly. Holly this is our pack” I introduced, the fact I used the term ‘our’ seemingly missing her attention as she continued to stay behind me where she clearly felt safest. I could feel her face buried into my bare back, the fact I was shirtless no longer bothering her as she pulled me closer. I didn’t mind, but I disliked how uncomfortable she seemed.

“Hello” I heard her whisper as a greeting, though she didn’t move from behind me as the sound of her soft voice caused a number of my pack to smile reassuringly at her in return as they all replied with a hello or a hi.

“Good girl” I breathed for only her to hear, turned around slightly to wrap my arms around her as I pulled her in front of me. Thankfully she went without much resistance, but I could tell it was getting to her and suddenly I didn’t feel so confident in my actions.

“Hi, I’m Pauls mate Lily, it’s nice to meet you” Lilly introduced herself to try and break the tension, Holly slowly turning to look at her with wide expression filled eyes. It was silent for a few minutes until my mate spoke again, her tone not as shaky as it had been before when she had first greeted them.

“I’m Holly” she clued them in on her name, my arms squeezing her briefly around the waist as a sign that I was proud of her for making an effort.

“Well we are going to get on great, Holly” Lily grinned, her smile infectious but Holly didn’t return it. She looked incredibly uncomfortable, looking as if she wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Ok” could this get anymore awkward?

“So Holly, you’re a great cook by the way” Paul stated, obviously trying to make her more comfortable much to my relief. It worked, though I did not expect the next thing that came out of her mouth and by everyone’s reaction I doubted they did either.

“You ate my cake” she seemed to blurt out, it being silent for a exactly four seconds before grins broke out on everyone’s faces as the tension was successfully broken with her comment. She flushed adorably in embarrassment, quickly muttering a sorry as she buried her face in my chest again as my body vibrated with silent laughter.

“To be fair it wasn’t just me, and we thought Adrian made it” Paul stated, grinning proudly at the fact that he had been the one to get her talking more than a few words since she had joined them. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, but I let him soak in his personal achievement. Idiot.

“He helped” my angel muttered against my chest causing me to grin, giving my beta my own smug look as he rolled his eyes in my direction much to my amusement.

“Sure he did” he muttered sarcastically, getting a smack on the arm from Lily as she silently told her mate off for being cheeky.

“Bugger off, at least I didn’t scoff it down without saving us a piece” I clipped back with a raised brow, not expecting a guilty look and not receiving one either. I playfully scowled, surprising each of my pack members since I was normally constantly angry or grumpy. To be honest though I found it impossible to put a damper on my mood, certainly not when I had my mate in my arms.

“Whatever, it just gives you the excuse to make more” he continued, the pack laughing as a comfortable banter settled over the pack as everyone started talking. I knew that they were keeping an eye on Holly though, not being able to help themselves as I tugged her gently towards a spare comfy chair and pulled her onto my lap, pleased when she eagerly did so.

I didn’t know how long we sat there with everyone but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face even if I tried to. Holly had added her bit to the conversation, she wasn’t chatty by any means but she seemed to be relaxing more in their presence when she realised that they were nothing like her old pack.

Just thinking about how she had been brought up made my wolf both rage and whimper, both wanting to kill them for harming her in such a way as well as feeling terrible that I hadn’t gone out looking for my mate when I clearly had the chance to. To be honest it had just never bothered me, I had been used to being alone since my parents died after all and having a mate just didn’t seem like a possibility, until now. Now I had her I regretted not seeking her out sooner, wondering if I had of done whether I would have saved her from any of the pain she had been forced to endure.

My anger though increased when I thought back to when she had told me part of her past, the reason for why she was so timid and cautious all the time. The fact that not only was an alpha meant to protect their pack, but the fact that it was her brother made my blood boil. It was bad enough for a family member to just sit by and watch, but for him to actually be the reason why made me sick.

The fact her parents were involved as well only helped to fuel the rage I was in, internally seething when I thought about how a parent could do that to their child. My parents had died when I was in my early teens, leaving me with no choice but to take over the position of being alpha, but even so they had loved me like a parent should a child.

I quickly shook my head, rapidly trying to clear my thoughts and concentrate on the small girl in my arms as to try and calm my suddenly raging temper. The last thing I needed was to disturb my mate with my anger; I didn’t want her regretting telling me a bit about her past since someday I wanted to hear every part of it. I may not like what I hear, but I wanted to hear it none the less.

Relaxing back against the chair my gaze was drawn back to my mate when I felt her shift in my lap, hearing her groan slightly under her breath as she shifted into a more comfortable position against me making my mind haze over briefly with lust before I quickly shook it away. That was the last thing I needed on my mind right now.

“You ok?” I asked her gently, looking down only to see that she had curled herself around me and her eyes had drifted shut. Using my sensitive hearing I picked up on the fact that her breathing had evened out, her cheek pressed against my bare chest making me purr out loud at the contact she was allowing me.

Knowing that while we had yet to eat, my mate needed to catch up on her sleep much like Lisa had stated so I carefully swept her into my arms, remembering how Lisa had also told me that the more rest she managed to get the quicker she would get back to a normal health.

So with that I tried to be as careful as possible as I stood from the chair, hating how light she felt in my arms but loving the fact she was in them.

“You want me to bring you something to eat, Adrian?” Lily asked, probably knowing that I wouldn’t be turning down the opportunity to lay with my mate for something as simple as food. I could go without a meal, I didn’t feel right eating anyway when my mate wasn’t and she clearly needed feeding the most.

“I’m fine” I grunted, “Thanks” I added as an afterthought, not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful.

“We like her mate, she’s good for you” Ryan stated as he sat with his arm around his own mate, gesturing to my sleeping angel as she curled her form around me much to my delight and enjoyment.

With a nod I didn’t reply, not wishing to take the risk of waking up my drowsy mate as I turned and took to the stairs. I tried not to jolt her, relieved when she stayed in her sleep filled state as I reached my bedroom door.

Wincing at the noise it made as I opened it I looked down at my mate only to breathe a sigh of relief when her breathing remained slow and even, a smile appearing on my lips at how cute she looked. Because she was, she was more than a little cute and she was all mine.

With a soft smile on my lips I quietly shut the door behind me, walking over to the bed as I laid her on the sheets. She refused to let me go though, whimpering when I tried to untangle her fingers with pure reluctance but I needed the toilet almost desperately.  

“No…Adrian…” she mumbled, her grip on me tightening with her words. However much I didn’t want to leave her when she was in this sleep filled state, I really needed to go.

“I’m not leaving you sweetheart, I’ll be back in a few minutes” I soothed, feeling her tense before letting me go and rolling onto her side away from me. I could see her form sink slightly into my thin covers, not being able to have thick ones due to the amount of heat we wolves ran on.

Quickly jogging to the bathroom I finished my needs as quickly as possible before entering the room again, drying my wet hands on my sleep pants only just then realising that I hadn’t changed out of them since this morning. I shrugged, seeing my mate still curled up on the sheets as I looked towards my bed.

Knowing that it would still be too early for me to get some sleep I grabbed some paperwork from my desk and a pen, deciding that I could get some work done while I laid with my angel so I could look over her when she slept. I found I was most relaxed in her company, no longer finding doing paperwork on the pack’s finances so stressful as I had found before she came into my life and improved it for the better. I knew it was down to the fact my wolf was relaxed, internally purring with his mate so close to my side. I smiled at the thought.

Moving to sit on the bed I had to admit I was slightly disappointed when my mate stayed where she was, her face buried in my sheets as she curled up her body in an effort to stay warm. I quickly moved her to slip under the covers as soon as I saw her shaking slightly, breathing a sigh of relief when she instantly curled towards me though she didn’t touch me in any way. I had to admit, I was slightly disappointed that she wasn’t but I didn’t move nor comment, not wanting to wake her.

Flickering my eyes back to the matter at hand it didn’t take me long to get it up to date, my eyes looking for the clock only to find that it had taken a lot longer than I had expected.

Getting off the bed I quickly filed my now finished work in my desk draws before heading to the bathroom, instantly feeling my wolf come alive when I let my mate out of my sight. I couldn’t help but frown, rushing with having a quick shower and changing my clothes only to walk back into the room and for my eyes to instantly seek out my still sleeping mate. I was more than a little pleased that she seemed to be catching up on her sleep; I wonder if she would mind having Lisa take a look at her to see how she’s doing since the thought of something happening to her was too much to bare.

Throwing the small hand towel I had been using to dry my hair on the floor, making a mental note to deal with it later I slipped into bed with my mate, not caring to admit that I had been craving the contact she allowed me as I did so.

I couldn’t help but draw her gently into my arms, the room now being dark as I had switched off my bedside lamp before I had slid into bed. The breath I had released was pure pleasure as she turned in my arms, her warm breath hitting my chest making a shiver run through me that I couldn’t hold back. Not that I wanted to, I wasn’t afraid of hiding how she affected me but I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable since she still clearly wasn’t ready for anything like that yet.

As I shut my eyes, trying to drift off with her I couldn’t help but think back to the shy and brief kiss that she had placed on my lips, the corners of my mouth pulling up into a grin that I couldn’t prevent even if I tried to. I couldn’t help it, it had felt so good, so right and perfect that I couldn’t help but think about what it would feel like, what it would be like when she allowed me to touch her, to ravish her and treat her like she deserved. I couldn’t wait.

With that more than pleasant thought on my mind it didn’t take me long to drift off into the world of sleep, my lips still pulling into a grin as I buried my face in her neck which only resulted in her pushing her form closer against me. I was far from complaining, the closer the better as far as I was concerned.

~~(@)~~

Waking up I let out a shuddering breath when I felt something on my thigh and groaned, my body still as my form tensed causing my eyes to snap open when I felt myself becoming more and more excited.

It didn’t take me long before I figured out that it was my mates leg, sometime in the night she had seemed to have wrapped herself around me much to my delight and pain. The pain being that while I wouldn’t mind her helping me with my situation I didn’t know how she would react if she suddenly woke up right now. Shit.

Taking a deep breath I winced as I grabbed the sheet and moved it off us, swallowing harshly as I cautious lowered my hand to her knee with the intention to gently remove her leg from my very awkward problem. Fair to say it didn’t work out as I had planned, not when as soon as my hand made contact with the silky skin of her knee she leaned into my touch while arching her back slightly, effectively pressing her chest against my side making me have to fight back a groan which wanted to escape.

Shit.

Trying not to tightened my grip on her leg I quickly released it as I held up my hands in mock surrender, knowing that there was no hope in hell of me getting back to sleep in this position as I gritted my teeth when I felt her thigh move up as she moved slightly, effectively creating a pleasurable and torturous friction that had my throat tightening.

Luck seemed to be on my side though, the others all getting up as a number of alarm clocks all went off at once causing Holly to jump slightly. While I didn’t like to see her startled, it made her jolt enough for her to turn on her opposite side leaving me instantly missing and craving the contact and comfort she brought. I didn’t protest though, needing to think of disgusting and vile images in my head to tame down the problem that rested between my legs.  

Knowing that I couldn’t get back to sleep I rolled on my side as I gazed at the back of my mates head, her breathing still soft and even as she seemed to still be in her dream world as she pulled the covers up her body further as she snugged in my sheets. It made me curious to how she had lived before I had found her that night when she was running in the woods, making a mental note to try and bring it up since I feared that her living conditions were anything but good.

Since she seemed to be unaware of my staring I took the time to take her in, her thick mess of unruly curls sprawled out on the pillow she lying on as I resisted the urge to run my fingers through it. To be honest I was worried that it would wake her up, the more rest she got the quicker she would get back to the state that she should be in for a female werewolf of her age. I liked a woman having curves after all, and I knew that once my mate had some meat on her bones she would be more than a little perfect in my eyes.

She must have felt my eyes on her, burning a gaze into the back of her head since I heard and felt her stir. I watched her carefully as she turned over to look at me, her eyes half lidded with sleep and she had never looked more adorable than she did right then.

“Morning, sweetheart” I greeted her, getting one of her rare bright smiles in return making it utterly worth it.

“Morning” she smiled, it being wider than she had before making me mirror it with my own matching grin that had her giggling adorably.

“So what do you want to do today, sweetheart?” I asked her curiously, wanting to know her thoughts on the matter since the more time I spent with her the better. I only got a shrug in return as she rose to sit on that cute bottom of hers, reaching her arms above her to stretch only to wince and grab her shoulder when both of us heard something crack.

“Ow” I heard her mumble she tried to roll her shoulder, only for it to make a grinding sound that didn’t sound too good at all. My arm quickly snapped out to stop her from moving it, her eyes locking with mine as they seemed to water slightly. It broke my heart.

“Can I have a look, Holly?” I asked, knowing I was going to have a look whether she liked it or not. I only asked to be polite, but I was more than a little pleased when she agreed with a slight nod of her head causing her messy of curls to bounce slightly. “Good girl” I praised, my wolf gloating with pride that she trusted us so much.

“What’s wrong with it?” she asked in a mumble after I had gently let my fingers touch her shoulder, my wolf crying out in pain and my brows pulling together in a harsh frown when I took note that it seemed that the bone in her shoulder had cracked. It would heal in no time, but the fact she was that fragile make my protective instances flare as I looked into those bright amber eyes of hers.

“It’ll be fine, how about we get you some food. Does it hurt still?” I asked her, helping her to her feet as I wrapped an arm around her waist encase she lost her balance. She didn’t, but I didn’t let go.

“Not much” she stated, it wasn’t the answer I was after but I didn’t comment as my gaze again found her shoulder as I kept an eye on her as I lead her downstairs and towards the kitchen.

It wasn’t long until I had her seated at the table while I put something together for us to eat, my gaze drifting to her every now and again only to see her staring at my mobile phone with interest as it sat on the table. She looked as if she had never seen one before.

“You alright there, sweetheart?” I asked with an amused grin, her gaze snapping to mine as an all-too-familiar blush coated her cheeks in a manner that had me biting my inner cheek as to stop from groaning out loud at how utterly edible my mate looked. Because she did, she looked so bloody edible that it should be considered sinful.

“Uh yea, sorry” was her flustered reply, my interest piquing as I walked towards her and leant on my knees in front of her, instantly having her sole attention. I loved having that effect on my mate.

“Why do you look so interested, surely you’ve had a phone before?” I couldn’t help but ask, getting a gentle shrug out of her before she winced at the discomfort it must have put on her shoulder. I frowned, remembering to ask about Lisa having a look at it if Holly would let her. That was something I wouldn’t push Holly at; if she didn’t want to be touched in that way by anyone then she wouldn’t be as far as I was concerned.

“I was never allowed one” she replied as if it was nothing. I was internally kicking myself when I remembered how she had been brought up, they barely fed her of course they wouldn’t have given her something like a phone.

“You want to look at it?” I asked, seeing her eyes brighten up. I shook my head at how easily my mate was amused, passing her the phone as she took it hesitantly from me as she held it as if she was afraid it would crumble in her hands. It was another thing I had noticed, how everything I had given her whether it was a shower, clothes or food as treated it as if it was precious. I knew it was down to her upbringing and I knew it would most likely always be that way, it made me realise how much me and my pack mates took the simplest things for granted.

“Thank you” I heard her mumble as she stared at it in rapt fascination before hesitantly pressing away, testing both the touch screen and the buttons as she seemed to become completely absorbed into it.

“What did you have, Holly?” I asked her gently as I took a seat next to her on an empty chair, knowing that when she was distracted she tended to be a lot more generous and open with giving away things of her past. I was correct of course, my wolf purring at how I was beginning to be able to read my mate with more ease than I had beforehand.

“Huh?” she asked off-handily, clearly the distraction was working.

“You said you weren’t allowed a phone, what else didn’t you have?” I repeated, keeping my tone anything other than demanding. I didn’t want her to feel pressured to answer me, but I was too curious to let it go completely when I had the opportunity to learn more about it.

“Not a lot” she answered vaguely, “then didn’t have belongings so it wasn’t like I was losing out on anything since I never had it to begin with” she continued, still staring at my phone as it made a few beeping noises that clued me in on the fact she was most likely on the game app that I had downloaded onto it. I shook my head, beyond amused.

“Didn’t it bother you?” I asked with a frown, it only deepening when I saw how unaffected she seemed by my questions.

“Did what bother me?” she asked, glancing up briefly with confused eyes before looking back at my phone.

“Not having anything, being alone?” I continued, hating having to talk about this with her but knowing that it needed to be said. She was quiet for a few moments, terrifying me that I had gone too far until she spoke, her tone flat and lifeless.

“Yea, so many times I just wanted to end it, to escape my life. I actually came close a few times, holding a knife to my wrist with the intention of cutting through my flesh or sitting on the edge of a cliff and thinking about how easy it would be to just…jump” she stated, her pain filled eyes connecting with mine making my wolf howl in pain and for my knuckles to turn white as I clenched them into fists.

“Sweetheart-“ I started but she cut me off.

“But something was always stopping me from just escaping a world of pain, from seeking a way out of the fate I had been dealt with. My wolf, while she seemed to be dead inside she never pushed me towards death and now I know why. She was waiting for you, Adrian” she finished, her eyes still staring into mine as I instantly had her in my arms.

“I am so sorry sweetheart, I should have…if I had….” I stuttered, running my fingers through her hair as I attempted to sooth both myself and my mate.

“I like you Adrian, I owe you everything” she whispered as she pressed her cheek against mine. I had to fight back tears as I pulled away, keeping her in my arms but moving my head slightly so I could look my amazingly strong willed mate in the eye.

“You owe me nothing sweetheart, absolutely nothing” I breathed before throwing caution to the wind and leaning towards her, tilting my head slightly as I brought my lips towards hers. I made sure to keep my movements slow, giving her the time to pull away if she wanted to but hoping against hope that she didn’t. Because I knew that in that moment I had fallen for her to the point of no return, that I was finally catching up with my wolf’s feelings. I loved her; I loved her so fucking much that I knew that I would never be letting her go.