Chapter 75: let’s Share Wolves
The condo is unusually quiet that evening.
The television plays softly in the background while Adrian finishes preparing dinner in the kitchen. Every now and then, he glances toward the couch where Nyra sits curled beneath a blanket, flipping absentmindedly through a novel recommended by their literature professor.
"You’ve been on the same page for ten minutes," Adrian says, carrying two plates to the dining table.
Nyra blinks before looking away from the book, her gaze falling on the tray. "I’m just tired... and the food looks really good."
He smiles smugly, all dimples and teeth. "Anything for you, baby."
"Shut up!" Nyra snaps, trying to hides her sheepish smile, "I’m going to wash my hands now."
She stands up to go to the kitchen, but the moment she does, a wave of dizziness washes over her. She instinctively reaches for the edge of the couch until it passes.
Adrian notices immediately, coming to stand next to her. "Nyra, are you okay?"
"I’m okay."
He isn’t convinced. "You’ve said that two times today already."
She sighs, rubbing her forehead. "I’ve just been... tired lately. With classes and everything that’s happened."
Adrian eyes her carefully. Nyra has been sleeping more than usual, and every now and then she seems strangely sensitive to a few smells.
A thought suddenly crosses his mind."When’s your next heat?"
Nyra pauses, looking confused. "My heat?"
"Yes, your heat, Nyra." He watches her confused face. "Sometimes Omegas have these symptoms before it starts. Although it’s different for everyone, you get it..."
Oh.
Oh.
For several seconds, Nyra simply stares at him, her face red from embarrassment.
Then she shuffles her feet. "I- Goddess, this would sound weird." She coughs into her hand. "Adrian, I wouldn’t know."
Adrian frowns. "What do you mean? You’re an Omega. Why wouldn’t you know that?"
She looks down at her hands, her tongue feeling heavy. "Yes, I’m an Omega without a wolf... you know that."
Oh.
"So I’ve never gotten my heat before. I don’t... I’ve never experienced any of these symptoms either."
His eyes widen, like he can’t fathom it. "Never? Really?"
"No wolf meant no heat." Nyra shrugs. "Besides, I liked it. I saw other Omegas go crazy because of it. I felt lucky."
Adrian falls silent.
He had been so used to seeing her as his mate that he’d almost forgotten everything she’d lived through before the Moon Goddess awakened her wolf.
What HE had put her through.
He walks closer, pressing a hand against her temple. "So even after the Awakening Rite, still no heat?"
Nyra exhales loudly, amber eyes sad. Finally, it’s time to tell Adrian the secret she’s been keeping for so long.
"The truth is..." He leans closer, listening with rapt attention. "After the Awakening Rite, I started feeling my wolf. But she feels very weak, almost like she’s sleeping."
Nyra doesn’t add that she’s only strongest when she’s around him. As her mate, his wolf seems to have an effect on hers. It would often tease her, especially when they’re close or intimate.
But that constant feeling of a wolf that people describe? She’s never had that.
Adrian listens without interrupting.
"I haven’t even shifted once after the Awakening Rite."
That surprises him. "Not once? What about your claws?"
"The claws, yes. But shifting...?" She shakes her head. "I’ve tried so many times. But every time I reach for her... it’s like she’s asleep."
Adrian gently takes both of her hands.
"Remember what the Oracle said about being special?" There’s not an ounce of judgment in those silver irises. "Maybe it’s because you’re not supposed to try alone."
"What are you suggesting then?"
"I’m saying wolves naturally respond to their mates." His thumb brushes across her knuckles. "So... how about we practice together? It might help."
"Do you think she’ll listen when her wolf’s mate calls her?"
He nods. "Yeah, I’ve read stuff like that. We’ll try tonight and see what happens, okay?"
Nyra can’t believe her ears. The same boy who once mocked her for being wolfless is now offering to help her reach her wolf.
How time flies.
Just as Nyra opens her mouth to respond, Adrian’s phone begins to ring from where it’s tucked between the couch cushions.
He picks it up, and frowns when he sees it’s Mr. Adams calling him.
"Hello?"
The man on the other end gets straight to the point. "Alpha Adrian, inmate Ronan Ashcroft has requested to see you. He insists it’s urgent."
Adrian’s brows knit together. "He asked for me?"
"Yes, sir."
Adrian reluctantly agrees before ending the call. Sighing heavily, he slides the phone back onto the couch.
"What happened?" Nyra asks, watching him dust his T-shirt, like he’s preparing to go out.
"Ronan wants to see me."
"Really?" She stands with him. "Then I’m coming with you."
"But you’re sick., Nyra. And dinner’s going to go cold."
"We can microwave." Nyra replies stubbornly. "And I’m not sick. I want to come."
The clock is ticking, and Nyra doesn’t seem willing to budge. Adrian eventually gives in. "Alright. But you’re staying glued to me the whole time."
She rolls her eyes at his possessiveness. "Deal."
---
When they arrive, an officer escorts them toward the visitation wing. But just as they reach the room, Adrian gently stops Nyra by the door.
"You’ll stay here."
She frowns. "Why?"
"I don’t know what he wants." Adrian brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’d rather you didn’t hear whatever nonsense comes out of his mouth."
Nyra sighs, but she understands. The last time Ronan made a comment about her, Adrian smashed his head into a wall.
She’d rather not have that happen again...
"Okay, fine. I’ll be here." She goes to sit on one of the hard metal chairs.
Adrian nods at her before stepping inside the familiar visiting room. This time Ronan is already waiting.
And God, he looks terrible.
Dark circles sit beneath his eyes. His hair is messy, his beard has started growing in, and for the first time, the arrogant confidence is gone.
This can only mean one thing.
"You heard?" Adrian asks the moment he picks up the receiver.
"I heard," Ronan replies, his voice slightly cracked.
Ronan lets out a shaky breath. "And I honestly thought the baby was mine."
He laughs bitterly, rubbing both hands over his face. "Fuck, I was so excited. I even told my teammates."
Adrian understands perfectly how he feels.
"I really didn’t expect this." He presses the heels of his palms into his eyes. "I would’ve taken responsibility, swear to God."
He looks genuinely upset, and Adrian almost feels bad. Almost.
"Do you have any idea who the father could be?" Adrian asks. He’s been itching to know for days now.
Ronan slowly shakes his head. "No. There were never any signs. Fuck... you didn’t even know about us." He gestures vaguely.
That’s true. Anna was so good at playing them both, it’s almost comical.
Adrian doesn’t offer any form of comfort. They both played him, and now Ronan got a taste of his own medicine.
"Why exactly did you call me here, Ronan? Surely you’re not expecting sympathy from me."
Ronan sighs, looking down at his hands. "I-is your mate here? I know she’s here," he adds before Adrian can answer.
"Call her in... I want to tell both of you exactly why I drugged her."