The Alpha Next Door

Chapter 18 ⦔ Porcelain Berry

Adelia wasn't supposed to be there. Adelia was supposed to be at the post office. Markus knew that. Adelia knew that. So when Adelia stood there steering at Markus in his human form they both knew they had fucked up.

Adelia had walked into her kitchen after forgetting her wallet expecting to pick it up and go to the post office but she had instead seen Markus. Markus had frozen still when she saw him. Humans weren't supposed to know about werewolves. Telling her would cause the packs to slaughter both him and Adelia.

"What is your name?"

"What?"

"What is your name?"

"Markus."

"Okay Markus, why have you been pretending to be my pet wolf?"

"You were nice and the house was warm. I was going to leave eventually but then I liked it here and my mate lives next door. I figured I was happier here then I would be anywhere else." Shrugged Markus as he began to relax in Adelia's presence.

"Ah, you have a mate. They always confused me. I can't imagine growing up believing that there was someone perfect out there for you. Then again though I can't imagine being able to shift into a wolf either." Smiled Adelia as she poured them both a glass of lemonade.

"How do you know about mates and werewolves?" Asked Markus as very few humans knew about their kind.

"My best friend is a witch."

"Oh, so are you okay with me living here and staying with you? I can find somewhere else." Markus would miss Adelia. He liked her and his wolf felt a strong maternal bond with her.

"Don't be ridiculous, you can stay here as long as you need. Of course, we will need to get you clothes, enroll you in school, and we will have to figure out the legal side of things." Adelia held her arms out and Markus gladly accepted the hug. He felt like someone had his back for the first time in a long time.

A week later Adelia was enrolling Markus in the local school. It wasn't until he walked into his first-class that he saw his shocked girlfriend did he realize that in all the chaos he had forgotten to tell Ottilie.

Ottilie wasn't mad. Ottilie wasn't happy though either. When she heard that a handsome rich new boy had arrived at her school she didn't care. She did care when she realized it was her mate that all of her friends were talking about.

"He is so hot. He just randomly showed up to. When does anyone randomly show up in this shitty old town of ours? He is super rich too. Did you see his car? If I got the chance I would climb him like a tree." Said one of Ottilie's friends while Ottilie had to just sit there pretending she didn't spend most nights a week with Markus.

"Hi is this seat taken?" Asked Markus with a grin as he sat in between Ottilie and one of her friends. "I'm Markus, who are you guys?"

Ottilie tried to remain quiet while her friends casually chatted to her boyfriend. It wasn't fun to have to hear. Her friends seemed to notice something was off but they just shrugged it off.

"Hey Ottilie, right? Do you want a ride home?" Asked Markus at the end of the day and she nodded before getting into the obnoxiously fancy car Adelia had brought Markus the day before.

"What the fuck is happening Markus?" Snapped Ottilie as soon as they got out of the school and there was no risk of anyone hearing.

"Okay so Adelia saw me in human form and she didn't even panic. I think she already knew to be honest. She already knew all about werewolves and mates and she said I could keep living with her. I'm just so glad I have her."

Ottilie was silent. She didn't really know what to say. She was happy for him of course but she was scared. She felt afraid to lose her mate. When he was a wolf she had the human Markus all to herself. She felt so guilty for it but she was sad she wouldn't be his world anymore. She was worried he would find something or someone better.

The pair drove back to Markus' house where they could finally be together, in peace. There was no fear of being found. Ottilie got to see the large and stunning home from the inside. She got to wander through each of the large rooms in utter wonder of Adelia's style.

Laila had been moved into the packhouse of her new home in New York and she was in bliss. She had woken up next to Myles and she was able to introduce him as her mate. They were being taken to meet the Alpha and the Luna that day.

When Laila walked into the office of the Alpha she saw him standing by the window looking out of it. That wasn't what caused a gasp to escape her mouth. That was due to the woman sitting at the desk.

Her eyes, she had Adelia's eyes. She had Adelia's nose, hair, and demeanor. She wasn't Adelia though. Adelia's face was free of wrinkles and she had full, plump lips while this woman had very clear wrinkles and thin lips. Adelia's checks were bright like she had just gone running while this woman remained one shade.

"Luna, are you related to a woman named Adelia Chambers?" Asked Laila and the woman flinched slightly. The Alpha came over and rested a hand on his wife's shoulder and she leaned into the touch. Laila felt like she should look away. Like she invaded their space.

"I believe she is a distant cousin of mine. How do you know her?" Smiled the Luna and Laila could tell it was a lie as Adelia only had Hugo for family but Laila didn't push it.

"She is a good friend of mine. She is like an Aunt to me. Her and her brother Hugo took me in for a while when my pack house became quite hard to live in."

"Are they well?" Asked the Luna as her voice cracked.

"I think so. Adelia is happy when she is distracted but then sometimes so goes quiet and distant. She seems hurt by something. Hugo, on the other hand, is scared and angry. His devotion to family is amazing though. I know he would do anything for Adelia and she would do anything for him. They will take care of each other."

For the rest of the conversation, the Luna seemed distant and sad. There was a smile painted on her face but her eyes were filled with pain and regret.