Hey readers,

DEDICATED: XxInfiniteHatexX for sending me a cover that looked amazing - check out the side picture. Don't worry to those of you who also sent me some since each chapter i will be dedicating to my favourites so keep sending :)

I loved reading all of your comments; seriously I love each and every one of you so please keep it up. Anyway, here is the next chapter so tell me what you think. I did try to add some plot into it so let me know if it was a right idea.

Sorry about the seriously long wait but I’ve been revising for my exams and its taking a lot of time out of my writing. Sorry again and I will try to update as much as possible but you may just have to wait longer for updates.

Lots of love

xxx

Chapter 25

Adrian’s Pov

I groaned as I twitched my nose in annoyance, wondering what on earth had my nose tickling like it was but not wanting to open my eyes to find out. I had gotten to sleep late last night since Holly had wanted to watch this film which had been on a later show on the TV, I had told her we could just get it on DVD but she had hushed me while muttering something akin to the fact it was a waste of money. I would have rolled my eyes if I didn’t know that she was completely serious, I mean she had told me before that she had nothing to her name so I didn’t push it.

Holly had officially been staying here for a few weeks much to my pleasure, she may still be slightly skittish around the pack when left along with them but she was doing a hell of a lot better than when she had first arrived here when I had found her in the snow. Her confidence was slowly growing and I made sure I was there every step of the way.

I couldn’t help but smile in my still sleep filled state when I thought about her, the fact she was constantly on my mind not bothering me as much as it probably should have. The reason why I didn’t mind was down to the fact she was absolutely perfect for me in every way possible, I loved her and I didn’t bother to hide it.

I was brought back to the present when the annoying sensation on my nose continued causing me to shift slightly to try and get rid of it. Any normal person would have simple scratched the itch but that would mean removing one of my arms from my mate and that was just unacceptable on my part.

I managed to try and ignore it for a few minutes until I knew getting back to sleep was pointless, my eyes snapping open only to find my own brown eyes staring into my mates bright amber ones. I grinned, giving her blushing form a wink when I realised she had been the one behind my incessant need to scratch as she had been flicking my nose playfully until I woke up.

“Morning” I grinned, loving it when she did the same.

“Morning” she greeted before trying to wiggle out of my arms, the fact I had unintentionally tightened them around her while I slept only then becoming aware to me. “Adrian” she whined slightly, it was utterly adorable.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as I instinctively tightened my grasp making her squirm.

“I need to pee and you won’t let go” was my mates blushing reply causing me to quickly let her go with an amused smile, though it soon turned into a frown when I panicked that my incessant cuddling of her may put her off sleeping next to me.

I was quickly reassured when she sent me a killer watt smile though before she hurried into the bathroom, the fact she didn’t bother to lock the door when she was in their making it impossible for me to keep my smile hidden. I doubt she even realised how must trust she was actually putting in me; I loved it!

While she was in there I flicked on the TV, not bothering to get out of bed as I folded my arm beneath my head before relaxing against the pillow. It was the weekend and while I didn’t go to school anymore that didn’t mean I turned down the opportunity to be lazy and literally just slouch about all day.  

It didn’t take long for me to hear the flush of the toilet and for Holly to come back into the room, her small pyjamas again having a reaction on me as I swallowed harshly at the delicious sight of her as she plodded back over towards the bed before sliding under the sheets.

“Feel better?” I asked causing her to flush a bright red.

“Uh huh” was all I got as a reply, my arm moving to stretch out on the bed as she curled up against my side. My arm went around her as she leant her head on my chest, glancing at the telly as she breathed in deeply. I smiled as she took in my scent.

It was only a few minutes later that I could hear foot steps up the stairs, my brows pulling together into a frown as there was a sudden knock at the door.

“What?” I snapped, slightly annoyed that the quality time I was spending with my mate was being interrupted.

“Sorry Alpha, it’s Paul” my beta replied. “We have a problem” he continued causing me to frown before sighing.

“Is it urgent?” I asked with a groan.

“It’s to do with the elders pack house” Paul continued causing me to sigh.

“Give me ten minutes” I scowled back, hearing his retreating steps as he headed back down the stairs.

The elder’s pack house was where the older members of the pack lived. It worked better that way, having a pack house for us while they had their own. It wasn’t that they were excluded or treated differently since they were highly respected by all of us, but having an entire pack living under one roof was a problem just waiting to happen.

Looking down with a sigh I took note of how Holly was looking up at me with those amazingly rare eyes of hers, her chin resting on my bare chest as she stared at me. I couldn’t help but smile, my fingers running over her soft cheek making her mirror my expression.

“I won’t be long” I promised her causing her to nod before she pulled herself out of my arms, sitting up on the bed as she looked down at me. I couldn’t help but take in how her rich raven locks fell over her barely covered chest, how they ran in thick curls as they brushed against her still slightly pale cheeks.

It had been a few weeks since I had found her and while they had been the best of my life Holly still had a long way to go before she would be completely healthy. Her body was still a fragile little thing so we hadn’t even tried asking her to shift, Lisa having mentioned that much like before if she even tried to it would not only be an incredibly painful experience for her but it could have life damaging consequences. Neither were worth the risk as far as I was concerned.

She was a lot more stable though. She could now walk a lot more gracefully and her body no longer shook when she moved which was a relief, it had been deeply unsettling for me to have to watch my mate’s hands and legs shake with the strain of even the smallest of movements.

Shaking my head to clear those types of thoughts from my mind I gazed up at her, propping myself up on an elbow as my hand rose to cup her cheek. I let my thumb brush against her lower lip, it puckering deliciously at the action much to my delight.  

“Kiss me” I heard her breath just under her breath causing me to instantly capture her lips with my own. Like I would turn down the opportunity to lay one on my temping little mate.

The soft but caring kiss lasted for approximately two minutes before we broke apart, my tongue darting out to lick my lips as I stared deeply into her slightly dilated eyes. The delicate aroma of her arousal hit my senses causing a rumbled like purr to erupt from my upper chest, my arms moving to encircle her waist as I soon pressed my lips back against hers.

I groaned. I couldn’t help it when I felt her smaller form mould against mine, her hands pressing against my bare chest as the contact only ignited the flame of desire in me as I soon found myself looming over her fragile form.

I let my eyes greedily rake over her, her chest rising and falling with each breath she took as she stared back at me through half lidded eyes. I licked my lips, taking in her own swollen ones as her fingers danced over my biceps almost hesitantly as she tilted her head slightly to the right.

“You look so beautiful” I told her honestly, collapsing on my elbows but making sure to keep my weight off her. I knew my form would crush her if I let her feel my weight completely; something that was completely unacceptable to me.

Holly didn’t say anything, rather tilting her head further to the side as a blush rose up her neck to her cheeks. I couldn’t help but wonder how far that blush went down, my knees shifting slightly so they knelt in-between her legs as her creamy skinned limbs parted to allow me to do so.

“It’s true” I continued, my tone soft. “You are so, so beautiful” I breathed, lowing my mouth until my lips found hers yet again. I would never grow tired of this.  

“Mm”

Her moan of delight only further flamed my lust but I was careful not to overstep my mark, not wanting to startle her like a frightened animal. The simple thought of mating with her, of making love and allowing our bodies to slide together in a dance older than time was enough to have me hard and wanting, to have my wolf panting at the mental image and the thought alone.

I tried to calm my urges, the fact I was an alpha not helping in the matter since my instincts were more sensitive and aggressive to that of another wolf. I was the leader of the pack after all, my wolf was bound to be more hostile because of it.

“Adrian” I heard her breathe, it being like music to my fucking ears as I growled lowly in my throat. She shivered at the sound, my lips pulling reluctantly off hers which elicited a whimper from her swollen lips. I smirked.

Moving my lips to her neck I let my tongue dart out to taste her skin, my eyes rolling back into my head at her essence. She tasted so sweet, so fresh…

Moaning under me my mate tilted her head to the side, my hand rising as my fingers brushed her hair to the side as I cupped her cheek. My mouth continued to taste her, my tongue licking at the flesh of her neck as I made sure to keep my teeth at bay. Even playfully nipping at her skin could cause the alpha in me to gain control enough to bite into her, to mark her as ours forever. Holly may be letting me touch her, but I would never bite her without her permission first.

“Adrian” she whimpered, her arousal almost suffocating as I breathed it in thickly. I growled at her aroma, the fact she smelt so bloody good only making me gladder that I had found her and had her in my life.

“So beautiful” I purred as I kissed the curve of her jaw, working my way up to those delicious lips of hers as I did so. “So fucking beautiful” I couldn’t help but growl, because she was. She was the most beautiful little creature I had ever set my eyes on and always would be.

I moaned lowly against her neck when I felt her hands hesitantly explore my body, her nails raking softly down my back making my muscles roll and clench with each movement I took. I could feel the lust beginning to creep over me, her hands moving to the small of my back making me pause in my actions as she seemed to trace the edge of my pyjama pants making the appendix between my thighs twitch as if seeking out its home.

Licking my lips I pulled back enough to look down on her, her hair splayed out over the pillow as her flushed and panting state only made my love and desire continue to grow for the girl beneath me. It took all of my will power not to tell her I loved her right there and then, to confess my unwavering love for her as she withered underneath me.  I didn’t want to push her though, for her to think she was expected to say it back. For that reason I stayed silent, basking in the touches and attention she was giving me.

I was brought out of my dream like state though when I heard the rapid knocking on my door, my eyes flashing with my wolf as my growl rumbled through the room in warning. How dare they disrupt me when I was with my mate like this? Did they have a death wish?

“What!” I snarled, it rumbling off the walls causing a number of fearful gasps to erupt in the living room downstairs. I didn’t care; still pissed that the rare opportunity of being with my mate like this was being interrupted. It wasn’t that I blamed her for not being as open; I mean she came from a pack that singled her out and picked on her to the extreme. But when she did open up to me like this, let me touch her and kiss her I wanted to make the most of it. Whoever interrupted me better have a fucking good reason or bones were about to be broken.

“It’s Paul, again” my betas hesitant voice filtered into my hearing. My hands clenched the bed sheets either side of my startled mate as I tried to calm my anger, my nails digging into the fabric that was so close to tearing under my harsh hold on it. I wasn’t angry at my mate of course, I could never be angry at Holly, but I was fuming at Paul for interrupting me.

“This had better be a good reason for interrupting me Paul, I said I would be down in a few minutes!” I growled out threateningly, relieved beyond belief that I smelt nor felt any fear coming from my mate. Thank god, I couldn’t help but think. I didn’t know if I could take it if she feared me after all the time we had spent together.

“Sorry alpha” Paul squeaked out causing me to roll my eyes, “but that was a half hour ago” he muttered causing my eyes to widen as I looked down at my wide eyed made who shrugged. A quick glance at the time told me that my beta was in fact correct, unfortunately.

“I’m now coming” I snapped back, my tone no longer as angry but that didn’t stop Paul from basically sprinting back down the stairs. I sighed, rolling my eyes as I turned back to my mate.

Leaning down I pressed a soft kiss to her puckered lips, her hands slowly dropping from my form as my hands cupped her cheeks before I reluctantly separated. Both of us were breathing deeply, out of breath from the hot make-out session.

“Sorry” I told her, giving her a few more quick kisses before pulling away with a scowl. The last thing I wanted was to leave my mate when she smelt so delectable but Paul wouldn’t have disturbed me if it wasn’t necessary. I sighed again, dramatically this time.

“It’s ok” Holly breathed softly, her hands moving to my face as her fingers pressed against my cheeks as she smiled softly.

“I’ll only take a few minutes” I told her, adding ‘hopefully’ in my head as I smiled in her direction.

Giving her one more kiss on the lips, not being able to help myself I reluctantly got out of bed before stretching. Feeling my back muscles pull with the strain I didn’t bother to get dressed as I headed towards the door, looking back to see my mate curled up in the sheets as she watched me leave with those big eyes of hers.

I so hated Paul right now.

Walking down the stairs after shutting my bedroom door lightly I ignored the curiously faces of some of the pack who looked out of their own rooms, giving them a glare which had them instantly diverting there attention. I was not in the mood.

“Paul!” I called as I reached the ground floor, the flustered sight of my beta quickly coming into view with my call. To say he looked nervous would  be an understatement.

“Look alpha-“ he started but I cut him off.

“Just tell me what the problem is” I scowled as I leaned against the door frame, crossing my arms across my chest in what I guessed to be a threatening pose.

“Apparently, urm…” Paul stuttered causing me to raise a brow. “Look it’s not my fault you’ve suddenly gone back to scaring the shit out of me when you look at me like that” Paul rambled nervously.

“Paul” I warned, not in the mood for his stalling.

“Ok, ok” he sighed, running a hand through his hair before facing me. “There’s a nearby pack that’s collapsing rapidly, as in like the alpha doesn’t have a clue in what he’s doing” Paul explained causing me to frown.

It wouldn’t be the first time it happened, an alpha not being up for the job of leading a pack and it falling apart. The only way in which it can be saved is for another alpha to take over, to lead it back to its old self. Only then would the alpha decided whether to return control or not to the previous pack leader. It was a long process that most would shield away from if need be.

“So?” I asked with a shrug, not wanting to bother with some other pack. Call me heartless but I didn’t want the fuss, I had enough on my plate at the moment as well as not wanting to put Holly in a stressful situation. She had been through enough already, introducing her to another pack while she was still so edgy around mine wasn’t on my to-do list.

“Look I know now might not be the right time to-“ he started but I cut him off.

“It isn’t” I scowled.  

“I know but-“

“Why are you pushing this?” I asked him curiously. It wasn’t like he knew many people from other packs, I mean we tended to keep to ourselves so why he was telling me this was beyond me. “And why didn’t I hear about it first?” I added with a scowl, I was the god damn alpha after all.

“I heard about it from the elders, apparently it’s well-known news that the pack isn’t doing well. Come on Adrian, you know that you would have it whipped into shape in no time” he continued to try and convince me causing me to frown.

“Again, why are you pushing this?” I asked with a scowl. Why would he want the extra responsibility that it would bring on him as well as myself. He was my beta after all.

“My mother asked me to have a word with you, you know how she feels about packs struggling” he confessed, flushing with embarrassment with his comment. I knew he was telling the truth, his mother hated to see people suffer and I thanked god that she didn’t how bad Holly’s life had been since we would have never gotten rid of the woman. She was nice, but enough was enough.

“Look Paul, Holly…” I trailed off. It wasn’t that I wouldn’t be able to help out another pack, but Holly was my main concern at the minute and that would never change.

Looking at Paul’s expression I could tell he hadn’t even considered the delicateness of my mate when he agreed to his mother’s strange but not surprising request, his eyes widening before flashing with shame.

“I am so sorry Adrian, I didn’t even-“ he sighed. Like a lot of the pack mates they had grown incredibly fond of Holly even when she acted edgy around them at times. “Forget I even asked” he continued, though I could tell he felt bad about failing to achieve his mother’s wish. At this I sighed.

“I’ll think it over” I caved, seeing him shoot me a relieved and thankful look before nodding quickly.

“Thanks mate; seriously just that will get my mum off my back” he stated before heading out the door, clearing leaving to tell his mother the good news.

With a sigh on my lips I quickly made my way back up the steps of the stairs, taking them two at a time in my hurry. I couldn’t help it, the sooner I got back to my mate the better was all I could think as I headed back towards my room where Holly was waiting. I grinned, looking forward to finishing what we had started this morning.

(Sorry about the long wait, tell me what you thought)