Chapter 13: Chapter 13

SLADE

I hadn’t heard her come in. I had lain down on the couch to wait a bit before heading up after fake-working. It was stupid. I should have just gone up.

I must have dozed off because I didn’t hear the knock or the opening of the door. “Alpha…”

I heard that, but I wasn’t quite sure if I did.

“Slade?”

My eyes shot open and focused on her standing above me. She jumped back a little and was a bit flustered. ~Crap~, I thought, ~she caught me~. As I sat up, I ran my hand through my hair and mumbled to myself.

“Addison, what are you doing down here?” I asked.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to give back your keys.” She held them out, the keys dangling off her fingertips. I knew if I touched her, I would lose control.

“Oh, uhh, just throw them on the desk.” I put my head in my hands. “Thanks.”

“Okay. Good night, I guess.” She turned and reached for the door, opening it. As she turned, I caught that lavender scent, and it surrounded me.

I rushed up and closed the door, standing behind her and breathing her in. She gasped quietly, which only made it worse. “Alpha, I…”

“Why do you smell so good?” I had both hands on the door. I was standing so close I pinned her to the door.

“I-I don’t? I mean, I don’t know?” Addison was flustered as she turned around to face me. “What do I smell like?”

“Lavender.” I closed my eyes and set my forehead on hers; her eyes shut as well. “It’s intoxicating. I can’t have you near me.”

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“This. I can’t do this, not yet.” But I gave in a little as I brushed my lips along her neck and shoulder. A shudder ran up Addison’s spine, and she inhaled sharply.

“So you want me to leave you alone?” I could hear the hurt trying to hide in her voice.

“Yes, and no. I need space to get my mind right.” My voice was breathy. “I wasn’t expecting you to happen.” She didn’t respond to that. I sighed, standing up straight.

“I’m heading out tomorrow on business. I won’t be back until the next morning. I’ll see you when I get back.” And with that, she turned and rushed out the door.

My heart was beating heavily in my chest. ~That was a horrible idea~, I thought to myself.

My wolf growled. Being that close to her had riled him up. He wasn’t coming down from that high for a while. I walked upstairs after I figured she was safely hidden in her room.

Sleep came easily that night, my wolf content from the contact with his mate.

***

In the morning, I woke up and got ready for my trip. I was heading down to check on the herd at the other end of the property.

We had quite a bit to do to make sure they were ready for sale in a few months. The price of meat had gone up a bit, which meant good things for us.

As I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, I caught a glimpse of her as I made my way down. Last night came rushing back. The closeness, her breath, her smell, her nervousness at being so close to me.

I enjoyed it a little too much. She was talking to Sam, whom I needed. So I made my way over to them. I saw her tense when I appeared next to her. “Good morning, Addison, Sam.”

“Alpha,” Sam replied.

I looked down at her, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Her bright eyes looking up at me, a shy smile on her lips. “Good morning, Alpha.”

~Look away, man, before you lose it again~, I thought to myself. I turned to Sam. “I have some things to discuss with you before I head out. Walk with me.”

As we turned, I subconsciously placed a hand on the small of her back. Once again, shock waves rode through my body at the touch. She inhaled, and I knew she felt the same thing I had.

After talking over a few things with Sam, I opted to take the truck this time and set out for the herd. Driving over uneven dirt roads was what I had the truck for.

It would take about an hour to get to where I needed to be.

I could feel myself tensing up and relaxing at the same time. Both of those feelings came from having distance between myself and Addison. Turning up the radio, I drove on.

Spending the day on the ranch was great. The pack members who lived and worked there were great, and I loved getting out and working with my hands, always had. But being alpha was more of a desk job.

Amazingly, we ended up getting all of our work done by six, which meant I could head home instead of staying the night on some cramped cot in a cabin full of men.

So I decided it would be fun to have a run home. I shifted and let my wolf free. My wolf had the same coloring I did. Because I was alpha, he was larger and stronger than other wolves.

He had a shiny, golden coat and dark, almost black eyes. I bounded off toward home, enjoying the openness of our land.

I loved the freedom, and this day was exactly what I needed to get my mind off Addison.