The Hunted Wolf – Chapter 58

MARK I started getting ready for the day, unable to just sit there while Adira was having breakfast with Rie. I knew she would be safe with others around, but I still wasn’t a fan of leaving her side for very long. I didn’t want to hover, though, so I took the time to shower, and then I went over to the infirmary to check on the patients.

As I walked in, I saw Reyland was getting dressed and Zayla was walking towards the door. I stopped her on her way out. “Reyland’s being released?”

“Yes, alpha. He should still take it easy, but his wounds have completely healed now. He’ll just face some residual lack of energy,” Zayla indicated.

“That’s excellent news.” I looked over to the other patient’s bed. “Any updates on Jori?”

“No, but you’ll be the first to know when there is any update.” Zayla grabbed my arm. “Alpha, I see that look on your face. You are not to blame for any of this. There was no way I could have prevented this.”

I looked back at her. Zayla had known me since before I left Pack Sallow, years ago. She knew me when Jori was still my best friend and when I had found out the truth about my family heritage.

“I should have known. I did know to some extent. I knew the Jori we were talking to was not the Jori I knew from so many years ago, but I just wrote it off as he had changed. I was too wrapped up in wanting Adira to choose me that I didn’t see what he was going through.” I looked at the ground, feeling ashamed of myself. I had put my own priorities first, and I missed something extremely obvious.

“From what I understand, it was a slow change, and you and Jori had long been estranged. There was no way for you to know he was infected with the Son of B***d and Magic. You didn’t even know that someone like that existed.” Zayla tightened her grip on my arm. “Don’t let yourself get stuck in the past. Look forward to what you can do now.”

I nodded my head, knowing that was easier said than done, but she was right. I could help Jori’s pack and make sure they were taken care of while he was incapacitated at the very least. “Thanks Zay.”

“Any time, Alpha. I will take my leave now. I’m still working on that serum that will help make werewolves immune to magic. If that council does decide to come after Adira, we will be ready.” Zayla left the room quickly.

Reyland walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You have a heavy mind right now, son. Anything I can help with?”

I took a deep breath and looked at Reyland. He had surprised me time and time again since he came back into Adira’s life. I was grateful to have an older alpha around as well. Since my parents died when I was at such a young age, the only father figure I had growing up was Jori’s father, and he wasn’t exactly a role model. He also passed away at a young age, forcing Jori into the alpha position before any young alpha should have been.

“I don’t know what to do with Jori’s pack while he’s like this,” I admitted. “They need a leader, and Percy is doing what he can, but he’s only a beta, and technically he’s not even the pack’s beta since Jori kicked him out. That pack was left in shambles, and with my strange history with them, I don’t know what else I can do.” Even if I tried to help, I was sure I would be met with resistance of some sort.

Reyland squeezed my shoulder. “You come from a strong line of alphas, and you have one of the biggest hearts out of every alpha I have ever met. Follow your heart, be open and honest with them, and people will listen.”

“Thanks, Reyland. Hopefully that will work.”

Reyland nodded and let go of me. “I have some things I need to check up, but if you need anything, let me know.” Reyland left the room, leaving me and Jori alone.

I slowly approached Jori’s bed, my heart racing as I walked forward. He looked so unlike himself while he lay there in the bed. He was always a strong force, whether good or bad, so to see him so still and unmoving was unnerving. Even though I wasn’t sure I could still consider him a friend, I still didn’t wish this upon him.

I sat down in the chair next to Jori. “Jori, you have to pull through this. I know you would roll your eyes at me for saying this to you, especially after the bad b***d between us, but there are people out there who need you. Percy cares about you and so does your pack. Just don’t give up.”

I wanted to say more, tell him that I wanted to try to work things out between us, but I didn’t see the point. He probably couldn’t hear me anyway, and even if he could, I doubted he would want to be friends again. I sat there for a moment longer before standing up.

“Get better soon, Jori.” I turned to walk out, but movement caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I thought I saw his hand move, but when I looked back, he was still and still as ever.

I decided to leave and head straight to the dining room. I felt emotionally drained after seeing Jori like that, and I wanted to see Adira again. When I made it to the dining room, it was starting to calm down, and only the stragglers for breakfast were still remaining. Adira and Rie were sitting in a corner booth, and Adira burst out into laughter, her eyes crinkling as her lips pulled up. She was glowing, and my heart warmed to see her so happy.

I grabbed a bagel and slid into the chair next to her. Rie gave me a dirty look at my sudden presence, but Adira turned and pecked me.

“You’re not supposed to be present for this conversation,” Rie said. “This is a girls-only conversation.”

I rolled my eyes. “Too bad. I missed my mate and wanted to see her. So you can continue your girly talk with me here or change the topic.”

Rie g*****d. “You’re so annoying sometimes. You get her more often than I do.” She pouted out her l*p.

“I’m not going to apologize for that. Don’t you miss Mason?” I raised my eyebrows at her, and she simply glared in return.

Adira interlaced his fingers between mine under the table. “Okay, children, no need to fight over me. Rie, we’ll figure out a time to find a dress for the luna ceremony soon, and we’ll have more time together.” Adira shifted closer to me and rested her head on my shoulder.

I felt better, knowing she was here with me. “You’re not going dress shopping, are you?” I didn’t like the idea of Adira going out right now, especially if I wasn’t going to be with her. I knew Rie wouldn’t want me there if they were picking the luna dress out.

“Don’t worry, Mark. I will get the dresses and then we will do a fashion show here to pick the dress. You will not be invited to that, though.” Rie made sure to emphasize the last part. She took this responsibility much too seriously, but I was also happy Adira had someone like her.

“As long as I can still be in the pack house at the time, I’m okay with that.” I felt better, knowing Adira would be here. I knew the pack house could still be infiltrated, as the Son of B***d and Magic proved, but we had more patrols in place, and I knew it was safer here than anywhere else.

“That I will accept.” Rie’s eyes blanked for a moment, and I knew she was being linked. She started to smile, and I knew who it might be. She came back to the moment, her face a little flushed. “Well, I’ll leave you two to enjoy each other’s company for now.”

“Say hi to Mason for me,” Adira teased.

Rie bit her l*p and quickly dashed away with a quick, “Bye!” ringing out.

Adira chuckled and wrapped her arms around mine, holding me tightly. “They make such a cute couple.”

I wrapped my arms around Adira’s waist and pulled her onto my lap, needing her to be even closer. I nuzzled my nose against hers. “Not as cute as you.”

Adira giggled and tried to squirm out of my arms. “Mark. People are watching.”

“Let them. I want everyone to see how happy my mate makes me.” My voice was deep as I whispered to Adira.

Adira’s face flushed with embarrassment, but then I could feel her squirming in a different manner. She looked down at me, her eyes growing darker. “I don’t want to wait for you to mark me again. I feel better today.”

My pants tightened at the thought. I wanted more than anything to mark Adira again. Everyone needed to know she was my mate, but I also missed having her voice in my head.

“Are you sure?” I needed to be sure she was up for it, because I wasn’t sure how much I would be able to hold back again. If her body needed more recovery, I didn’t want to hurt her.

Adira blinked a few times, making her eyes wide and inviting. “Positive.” She was breathless, making my thoughts turn to dirty places. She pressed her lips against mine, moving slowly. This only hardened me more, and I knew if we didn’t stop this, I wouldn’t care who was watching me take my mate as mine again.

I stood up, cupping Adira’s butt with my hands to support her. I squeezed her bottom, making her yelp with surprise. I knew people were watching, but I didn’t care. I carried Adira to our room, eager to have her to myself again. I quickly shut the door behind me and locked it, knowing I could not afford any kind of interruption right now.

Turning around, I pressed Adria against the door and started attacking her with k****s. My tongue swirled around her mouth, enjoying her sweet taste. I couldn’t get enough of her, and I started kissing her everywhere. I took my time on her neck, taking pleasure in every little noise she made. I needed more of her skin, so I held her with one hand and leaned back.

Adira helped me remove her shirt, exposing her chest to me. I took her n****e in my mouth and swirled my tongue around the sensitive bud. I pressed her back against the door, but she arched, pushing her body into me more. I could smell her arousal growing, which only made my own desire grow more. It took everything I had not to toss her down and fill her completely. I wanted to make sure she was enjoying everything as much as possible, and I still wanted to be careful with her.

Adira started grinding her h**s against mine, and I couldn’t take it anymore. She did things to me that I didn’t even fully understand. I started undoing my belt while running my tongue up her neck again. I found her mouth and brushed her panties to the side. I slipped my tongue into her mouth while filling her up with my c**k. She m****d into my mouth, and I loved the sensation of her warmth wrapped around me.

I thrusted into her with her still pressed against the door. She wrapped her arms around my neck. She bounced up and down on my c**k, and it felt amazing. It had been much too long that I had been in her like this, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could last. I stopped thrusting and moved her away from the door, still inside of her. I lay her on the bed beneath me and looked at her eyes, filled with bewilderment.