Chapter 39: Taming the Instincts

“~Allie, are you ready~?”

Alexander clung to the balcony railing, observing from the second floor as Olivia started her pretend search for Allie, who was “hidden” in plain sight. He was certain Olivia could see the little girl tucked behind the tree, but she played along, scanning the sky as if Allie had vanished.

Olivia’s time with the children gave him a chance to tackle some pack issues he’d been neglecting since her arrival. But as he sat in his office, her distant laughter echoing in his ears, he found himself unable to concentrate.

He thought that if he could just see her, hear her voice, he’d regain his focus. All he needed was a moment, just one moment.

But, as usual, he was interrupted.

“She’s good with kids.”

Jason joined him at the balcony, his gaze fixed on Olivia. “That’ll come in handy,” he added, a teasing note in his voice.

“Jason…,” Alexander warned.

Jason raised his hands in surrender.

“Okay, let’s pretend you’re not planning to get her pregnant during her heat.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “You need to stop spending so much time with Maya.”

He had considered the possibility, but decided it was a problem for another day. They could work ~around~ it.

“If I did that, my day would be incredibly dull,” Jason replied, chuckling.

Alexander found his response intriguing. “Hmm.”

Jason’s eyes widened in alarm. “I didn’t—she would castrate me.”

“Sure.”

“I mean it.” He pointed a finger at Alexander. “Don’t try to distract me from the point I was making.”

“There was no point.”

They hadn’t even reached…that stage yet. He wasn’t ready to discuss children.

“Come on, you’re the one who said you barely held back during her last heat. You think this one will be any different?”

Yes, his dominant side had surfaced, but the element of surprise had played a part. She’d been scared and wary of alphas then. Things were different now.

He’d noticed subtle changes in her behavior since the full moon.

It had only been a few days, but it was enough to establish a pattern.

She was seeking more physical contact; a brush of the fingers, touching fingertips, clinging to him at night…

“It’ll be fine.”

“All I’m saying is, it might help to do a little more than sleep before it happens.” Jason chuckled.

“And, ~even though~, I’m glad you’ve been getting some rest—something you haven’t done in years…”

“I’ve been slacking off,” Alexander finished for him.

He never slept through the night, he never went to bed early, but he had. For her.

She needed it and he wanted her. He’d been delegating, but he couldn’t keep putting off everything. Especially since the main reason behind the attacks remained unresolved. He sighed, leaning back against the railing.

“I mean, I’m happy to pick up the slack. But, ya know. They don’t listen to me like they listen to you and I can’t make all the decisions.”

It wasn’t in his nature.

He was a good second-in-command, but at the end of the day, he was a beta. “Don’t worry, I got it.”

“Need me to keep an eye on her?”

A low growl rumbled in Alexander’s throat, making the hair on Jason’s arms stand on end.

“~Whoa,~ calm down.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Jason chuckled. “It’s nice to see that side of you though.”

~Fuck~. It was easier to let Maya take care of her and be around her. It didn’t trigger his jealousy.

He didn’t think Jason would do anything. But it’d been so long and he still hadn’t had her… It made him a little irrational.

So, to avoid lashing out at Jason, it was best not to let him look after her.

“She might look for you.”

“I know.”

“Do you? She’s been pretty human so far. It’s easy to forget but she is an omega.”

“~I know.~”

“Just making sure you don’t unintentionally hurt your future mate’s feelings.” He gave his shoulder a pat. “They can be quite sensitive, you know.”

She was already in the dark about werewolves, mates, and packs. To top it all off, she was an omega. He was accustomed to dealing with betas, even the inflated egos of alphas. But omegas?

They were a whole different ball game.

The way he’d lost all control the moment he’d caught her scent? It was borderline terrifying. He hadn’t given a damn about anything back at the hospital. He had wanted her. That was all.

He was more composed now, more in control.

But the reality remained.

Things that were instinctual to him didn’t apply to her. Moreover, she was different since she’d let her wolf out.

He didn’t know how much it had changed her or if she could hear it, but he knew she was more likely to display and seek affection. This meant that Jason was right; a rejection from her mate, her alpha?

It could hurt her, even if she didn’t understand what was happening to her.

Jason spun around, leaning his back against the balcony railing. “You’ll need to sort out the patrol schedules in advance. I doubt anyone will want to disturb you when her heat kicks in.”

Last time, she’d seemed okay by the time he’d met her at the hospital, which meant her heat didn’t last long. But then again, she’d been alone.

It might be different this time—longer.

“Yeah, I’ll handle it.”

Another task to tackle.

His patience was wearing thin. He didn’t mind when he had to patrol the perimeter after the full moon. She’d been with him.

She hadn’t said much, just a few questions. He’d explained to her the reasons behind their actions, and she had listened.

Her presence had been like a calming salve. Now? Now he had to deal with everything and be away from her.

He had to tell her that when all he wanted was to lock himself in his bedroom with her for a week.

He didn’t even need to possess her body.

He wanted to nuzzle his nose in her neck.

He wanted to wrap his arms around her, pull her body close to his.

For the first time, he’d prioritized something—or rather someone—over everything else. Over his pack. It made him feel out of control, which he didn’t like.

And yet, he didn’t care.

She was going to be his undoing.