novelxo Chapter CHAPTER 31
-Adira-
Dinner with the Lycans was actually enjoyable. I found myself laughing at the jokes Sam and Killian made around the table. Though Alpha River didn’t speak all that much he would throw in comments here and there. Rhys really looked like he enjoyed himself.
After we ate and socialized for a moment, it was time to get to business. Rhys requested we move to his office away from listening ears. I held back a smile seeing Killian explain to his sister why she couldn’t join us. Judging by the way Queenie’s ears turned bright red and the glower on her face, she wasn’t all that happy with her brother.
Rhys’ office was exactly what I expected: simple and minimalistic. There were some paintings here and there along the walls and a photo of him, Killian, and Sam hanging up as well. He had a large book self in the corner with a lamp and chair for his reading time. I smiled at the fact that my mate was a nerd for literature. It was cute.
Rhys walked around the cherry wood desk and placed himself in his chair. He gestured for Alpha River to take a seat and I watched as his Lycans stood close by. It made me uneasy that the room was filled with so many men. Erica and I were the only females in the room.
Rhys looked up at me and tilted his head for me to come stand next to him. Being next to Rhys made my uneasiness dwindle slightly but I still eyed all the men cautiously.
Rhys folded his hands and rested them on the desk “I’d like to say thank you Alpha Thompson for making the trip down here.”
River crossed his arms and leaned back into his seat casually “It’s no problem Rhys, the Crimson Pack is under my rule, what happens here concerns me. Now how would we like to begin this investigation.” He raised a brow looking between Rhys and I.
“We’ll start in the forest by splitting up and pairs of twos. Our forest isn’t very large so it shouldn’t take long to find something.” Rhys immediately responds. I snapped my head in his direction, and it seemed like he had a plan in his head already. Thank for keeping me in the loop, husband.
“And what of the rogues. We were told the borders were littered with them, yet we encountered none on our journey here. I hope you haven’t called us here for nothing Alpha.” A male standing not too far from River butts in. My eyes took in the Lycan and I inched closer to Rhys.
The man was tall, maybe a few inches shorter than River and lean with prominent muscles that made his shirt look just a tad too small. He had red curly hair and interestingly caramel colored skin. Genetics apparently had fun with this man. Freckles covered his face and his intense green eyes stared impassively at my mate. A painful looking scar ran from the center of his forehead, over his eye, and stopped at the top of his sharp cheekbone. It was odd to see such a terrifyingly attractive male.
“Ah, you’ll have to excuse my beta, Elias. He’s not a fan of travelling so far from home, this mission makes him anxious.” I find that hard to believe. River shot the man an amused look “But he is right. We haven’t encountered any rogues yet. Any theories on that?”
“The rogues only seemed to attack in packs of three. They had set schedules on when a group would switch off with another. Every few hours or so, we may have just gotten lucky and experienced a shift change.” Erica juts in.
“With so many of us investigating the forest, I don’t think we’ll have much of a problem. The rogues never attacked large groups.” Killian adds in rubbing his chin.
“We won’t hesitate to defend ourselves in the likelihood that we do encounter rogues.” Rhys continues “But I would like for us to keep them alive is possible. There is a chance they could have information regarding Victor.”
River pursed his lips in thought “Very well. And the chance we come across Victor, I will make it known that he will be under my jurisdiction therefore, I decide what will happen to him, same for any witches that may have conspired with him.”
Rhys and Killian exchanged brief looks and nodded their heads in agreement. It was then decided by the two men that Victor’s fate was in River’s hands. “All we care about is the freedom of our pack. Victor is all yours.” Rhys agrees before rising to his feet “I say we get some rest and begin in the morning. Sam and Erica will escort you to your rooms for the night.”
River stood as well as Rhys rounded the desk and held his hand out for The Alpha to shake “Thanks again River. It means a lot.” My mate says quietly.
“What are old friends for?” River put a hand on Rhys shoulder “We’ll get him Alpha. He’ll pay for what he’s done to you and your pack.” There was a promise in his words. River would do everything in his power to help Rhys out.
Once everyone had left leaving my husband and I alone, Rhys turned to me with a tired smile “I say we made some progress.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, bringing his head down to my neck and inhaling my scent “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I sighed out, enjoying the feeling of having him close.
Rhys pulled back and pushed strands of hair away from my face “Come, let’s go to bed. We’ve had a long day.” He bent down and pecked my lips sweetly.
I nodded my head and he grabbed my wrist leading me out of the office and down the hallway towards a single door at the very end. Rhys kissed my knuckles before opening the door. The room was large and very masculine. It dawned on me where we were. Rhys’ bedroom. I couldn’t help the giggle that left my mouth at the lack of color that filled the room. It seemed like everything here was gray or black. The only thing that stood out was the gray stone fireplace on one of the far walls.
“Well here we are. My humble abode.” Rhys scratched the back of his head “It’s not much but eh.” He shrugged.
“It’s very...nice.” I chuckled crossing my arms to explore the room. It was more decorated than his office. He had more pictures of his friends along the walls except for one picture.
The familiar blonde hair was the first indication that I was staring at a picture of Rhys’ parents. He resembled his father so much, it was almost uncanny. They shared the same bright blue eyes and strong facial features but Rhys had his mother’s nose and mouth shape. They were a beautiful couple.
“You’re parents?” I asked softly looking over at him.
Rhys smiles fondly at the photo “Yeah. That was them right after my Dad took over as Alpha. Mom had just found out she was pregnant with me.”
I smiled and looked back to the photo, his mom did have a glow about her. She was truly stunning.
“What were their names?” I asked.
“Cassandra and James.” He replied and wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me close to him “They would have loved you.” He says against my neck.
I shut my eyes at the feeling of his warm breath creating electric tingles on my skin “You think so?”
“I know so.” Rhys reassured before pulling away and spinning me around to face him “So, how do you like the pack?”
“I love it.” I replied honestly “They’re all so welcoming. I’m not really used to that.”
That was the honest truth. Rhys pack and my own were completely different. These wolves seemed to welcome strangers with no hesitation, as if the isolation has made them friendlier. My own pack would stare from a distance away before considering speaking to any strangers.
“I’m glad you love it here.” He bent down to peck my lips.
“You know.” I begin looking down at my feet nervously. The subject had been on my mind all day and it was only fair to talk about it with Rhys. I wanted to make him happy.
“We could always stay….if you want. I see how happy being home makes you, I don’t want to take that away.”
Rhys has made so many sacrifices and accommodations for me, I was willing to return the favor. I would do anything for him, including giving up my title.
Rhys lifted my chin gently to peer into my eyes “You are the reason I’m happy Adira, not this pack. The Ash Pack is my home now, you are my home. While I do miss the people here, I’ve grown fond of your pack members as well, they’ve grown to be like family to me. I could never ask you to give up your home.”
“But they need you here. A pack can’t go without an Alpha.” I argue.
“And they will have an Alpha.” He reassures “Killian is more than capable of handling the pack. I follow where you go, Adira.”
I felt my heart swell with so much love I thought I was going to combust. I leaned up to press my lips to his wrapping my arms around his neck.
Rhys didn’t hesitate in quickly responding and pulling me closer. I gasped as he deepened the kiss plunging his tongue into my mouth. I let out a soft moan against his lips which must have pleased him. Suddenly I felt myself being lifted in his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist.
He led us towards the bed and gently laid me down on the soft mattress. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes and I felt my body begin to burn with a need that only he could satisfy.
“What about sleep?” I said breathlessly as he began work at my shirt.
“There’s always time for sleep later my little mate.” He growls out trailing kisses down my body “Besides, my bedroom could use a christening don’t you think?” Rhys shot me a goofy grin before returning his attention back to my body.
The giggle that escaped my mouth was soon turned into a moan.
Hi there readers! I'm sooo sorry for the lack of updates on this story! I will do my best to get back to updating frequently again!I hope you enjoyed this long awaited chapter, I'm planning on uploading another one sometime this week!
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