Zara

As soon as Alpha Kane finished washing my body, he moved on to my hair. I felt myself drifting off as he massaged the shampoo into my scalp. While he helped me rinse, he focused on himself. When we were finished, he drained the water and stood up from the bathtub.

Before I could even move, Alpha Kane’s hands found my waist, lifting me and stepping out of the tub. I pouted as he carefully placed my feet on the floor.

"I could have gotten out of the tub," I raised an eyebrow at asshole Alpha.

"I know." He smirked, turned, and walked into the bedroom.

Tearing my gaze away from his toned butt, I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed. My eyes closed as I stood in front of the mirror, thoughts of tomorrow far from my mind.

Alpha Kane wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t like me dressed. He refused to give me anything to sleep in, leaving me naked in his bed.

I spat toothpaste into the sink, watching the blue foam run down the drain. I was practically unsteady on my feet; Alpha Kane’s soft bed was calling my name. My heart leaped in my chest as I felt my feet lift off the floor. Alpha scooped me up in his arms, his honey eyes meeting mine.

"I like carrying you," Alpha Kane grinned. "It’s the thing you complain about the least."

I narrowed my eyes at Alpha Kane but decided to remain silent. He pulled back the covers before laying me down. I buried my face in the pillow, clutching the covers to my chest. I felt Alpha Kane climb into bed behind me, his large arms wrapped around my waist.

I watched helplessly as Alpha pressed my back against his chest, his hand on my waist. Thankfully, his pelvis was far from my backside. I wasn’t sure we’d get any sleep if I had to feel his co**k against my back all night.

I quickly fell asleep, thoughts of my budding feelings for Alpha Kane swirling through my head.

***

The next morning, I opened my eyes. Last night had been a peaceful, dreamless sleep. It took me a few moments to remember what had happened today; my stomach twisted into a knot as the thought finally occurred to me.

"You’re feeling a little better," Nova yawned, her voice echoing in my head.

"Thank you," I grumbled, rolling my eyes, which made me feel a little better.

I didn’t try to disentangle myself from Alpha Kane’s grasp. I turned my head and grinned as his stubble ran down my cheek. I was determined to prolong this, wanting to savor the peace Alpha gave me. Lulled by his light snores and the calm beating of his heart, I let my eyes slowly close.

I managed to sleep for a few more hours when I finally woke up. Alpha’s arm was still tightly wrapped around my waist, his face buried in my neck, breathing softly.

If not for today’s events, I would have stayed in bed. My bladder was screaming for relief. I wrapped my fingers around Alpha’s hand and pulled, causing him to groan.

"I won’t let go," Alpha whispered into my neck, sending a chill down my spine.

"If you don’t, you’ll wet the bed." I scolded him, grinning as his hand pulled away from my body.

By the time I finished my chores, Alpha Kane was already sitting up in bed. The thick rays of sunlight fell on his porcelain skin, making it glow seductively. His sculpted muscles ached to be touched, but now was not the time.

My phone vibrated alarmingly on my nightstand, and Sophia’s face flashed across the screen.

I carefully picked up the phone, accepting the call.

"Have you moved to the pack house?" she asked, pulling Alpha Kane’s sheet over me.

Alpha Kane rose from the bed and came over to me. His fingers curled around the thin sheet, pulling it off my body. I stood with Sophia, talking on the phone, looking at Alpha Kane’s confident smirk.

"That makes me feel better," Sophia said. "And I know you are safe, now. You’re too stubborn not to."

"Thank you for your trust." I chuckled.

"Don’t thank me. Just stop getting into trouble like this." She sighed.

"I’ll do my best." I chuckled. "And I’ll be there. What time?"

"In an hour." She replied, "See you!"

"See you," I called, and then hung up.

"And where are you going?" Alpha Kane raised a dark eyebrow, his gaze burning into my naked body.

"She wants me to meet her for lunch." I raised an eyebrow in response. "I told her I’d be there. You can follow me if you need to."

Alpha Kane approached me, wrapping his arms around my lower back. His dark eyes burned into mine, making my heart pound.

"Will you be a good girl, blue rose?" Alpha Kane murmured, pressing his thumb to my chin.

"Okay." I nodded earnestly. "I’ll just go get lunch."

"Okay," Alpha Kane murmured, a smirk appeared on his face. "Meet me at palace in a couple of hours."

Reluctantly extricating myself from Alpha Kane’s embrace, I wrapped myself in a sheet and went to my bedroom. I pulled on jeans, a light blouse, and shoes. After untangling my tangled hair, I left the palace and headed to the diner.

I reached the Sterling Empire’s center in exactly seven minutes. I loved the feeling of the warm sun on my skin, and a few moments later, a cool breeze blew.

I arrived at the diner early and waited outside for Sophia to arrive.

"You’re alive," she chuckled, hugging me.

"At least for now." She raised an eyebrow at me and rested her hand on her hip.

"I need an explanation while we eat." She shook her head. "Tell me all about your latest troubles."

We entered the diner and sat down, ordering our usual dishes as soon as the waitress approached the table. Sophia was impatient, wanting to know everything as soon as we were seated. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

I told her the whole story, including what happened with me in the lift, and then why Alpha shifted me to the pack house.