The Wolf Series #3: Between Two Worlds

Chapter 38*

A/N: This chapter contains mature theme, including sexual scenes and violence.

Chapter 38

"Fourth day in a row that you're not going to the pack dinner," Nancy raises an eyebrow at me while she finishes tying up a bundle of dried rosemary. "Curiouser and curiouser."

"Your apartment is below mine, Nancy. Don't act like you don't know why."

"Guilty," She sets her work down to check on the salve she's had setting on the counter, "I don't think I've ever heard either you or the Alpha that upset before—let alone with one another."

Rowan makes a noise that sounds like she's agreeing with Nancy. I glance between the two of them and slump back in my chair. They both wait for me to speak, but I just let out another huff.

After the incident with the Betas in the apartment, I had made myself scarce around the packhouse. I didn't know how to talk or face Adrian, so I chose to keep away from anywhere I may run into him.

Instead, I spend my days with the Ganymedeans. I take Nataniel to the lake and all the shops along the boardwalk that lined up with it. He needs to learn to be less skittish around other Wolves, and I've happy to see how quick he's taken to a lot of the strangers we've met. I want him to feel safe here, despite the hiccup in that plan with the Betas' intervention.

But in the evenings, when the pack gathers in the yard for dinner, I stay in Nancy's Healer's hut and help prepare her stock for the upcoming Heat. Rowan, who has been doing her best to avoid Dayton, follows me here most of the time.

"You two haven't seen each other in a long time, Amelia. There's bound to be misunderstandings if you leave things like this." Nancy isn't as content with leaving things as they are. Truthfully, neither am I but I also need time to sort my thoughts.

"It's not just that...I..." I don't think Adrian can deal with who I am now. "I just don't know how to make him understand. And—Adrian has always been so good at poking at my conscience, which in the past..."

"Which in the past was what you needed," Nancy finishes for me. I meet her gaze and nod miserably. She sits besides me and grasps my shoulder, "You didn't know what the Alpha was like before he met you. He's always been caring and nurturing—a protective kind of leader. But being around you breathes the life back into him—"

"Nancy, that is so cheesy," I roll my eyes, "Adrian was plenty playful from what I've heard."

She smiles, "Perhaps. But I don't think he had anyone who quite understood the burden of becoming a leader when you weren't raised or led to believe you were one. You did—you and him have a lot in common, and I think he senses that. I think that's also why he watches over you like a hawk."

"Because he doesn't want me to make similar mistakes he did?"

She nods, "What that boy did to his brother and his cronies was vicious. No one in Diurnal would judge him for it, but I think we all realized in those moments after the rebellion...how low we could go if we gave into the darker natures of our Wolves. Alpha is trying to protect you. That reputation haunts him and this pack to this day, no matter how we try to shake it off."

"That's all very well and all," Rowan cuts in dryly, "But maybe someone can suggest to him to choose a better time and location."

"Men never do." We all burst out laughing. Nancy stands up and heads for the door, "C'mon. I'm hungry."

"Nancy—"

"Uh-uh. You've been making nice with all the Wolves around the pack and reacquainting yourself with them. You'll have plenty of reasons not to talk to the Alpha." She comes over and hauls me to my feet. "Besides, your pup is out there with Eamonn. It'd be a shame to miss out on how adorable they look playing together."