Page 4

Adrian

The drive to my parents' home was a familiar one, winding through the quiet streets of Blue Springs, past the neatly trimmed lawns and tall, ancient trees that lined the main avenue.

And then, just at the edge of town, it rose—an elegant mansion perched on a gentle hill, a sprawling estate wrapped in iron gates and lush gardens. Tall, white columns flanked the front entrance, ivy curling up one side like a whisper of age and history. Large, arched windows reflected the fading sunlight, their soft glow spilling out onto the carefully maintained grounds.

The mansion was a blend of old-world charm and modern luxury, its stone facade warm and welcoming, the expansive lawn dotted with delicate flowerbeds and a small, trickling fountain at the center of the circular driveway. It was a place of tradition, of history—a testament to my family’s status in the pack.

My parents had once been prominent members of the pack council, their voices respected, their decisions trusted. They owned several hotels in the area, their influence stretching beyond just pack politics. They’d built a legacy of wealth and power, and when they retired, they’d done so gracefully, leaving the pack’s leadership to me.

Karl lived here too, a natural choice given his easy, charming nature and his position as the second Alpha. And recently, Sophie had moved in, her light and laughter a perfect fit for the bright, grand halls of the mansion.

I parked in the curved driveway, the gravel crunching beneath my tires. The house loomed above me, its warm, golden lights spilling out from the wide windows, a picture of warmth and family. But I hadn’t lived here in years.

Ten years ago, I’d renovated one of the hotels in the heart of Blue Springs—a towering, modern building of glass and steel, sleek lines and city views. I’d taken one of the penthouses for myself, a private escape where I could be alone, where the world outside could stay outside. It was practical. Efficient. Just how I liked it.

That was why Sophie had asked me to pick up Olivia this morning. We were already in the same building. Another reason for her to throw chaos into my carefully controlled life.

I stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against me, and strode up the wide stone steps to the front door. The scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of roasted meat and baked spices—dinner preparations well underway.

The door swung open before I could knock, and one of the house staff, a young Omega named Marissa, greeted me with a bright smile.

“Alpha Adrian, welcome. Your parents are in the lounge. Sophie and Karl should be down soon.”

“Thank you.”

I stepped inside, the familiar warmth of the grand foyer wrapping around me. Polished marble floors gleamed beneath the soft light of the crystal chandelier. Portraits of ancestors lined the walls, each face a reminder of the family legacy—strength, tradition, leadership.

Polished marble floors gleamed beneath the soft light of the crystal chandelier. Portraits of ancestors lined the walls, each face a reminder of the family legacy—strength, tradition, leadership.

The sound of light, measured footsteps echoed down the grand hall, and then they appeared—my parents. My father, tall and silver-haired, his sharp features softened by the years but still carrying that unmistakable aura of authority. My mother, elegant as ever, her ash-blonde hair swept up in a graceful twist, her warm brown eyes lighting up the moment she saw me.

“Adrian.” My father’s voice was steady, warm but always touched with that hint of formality. A habit born from decades of leading, of commanding respect without ever needing to raise his voice.

“Darling, you’re here.” My mother’s smile was radiant, her delicate fingers reaching out to clasp mine as she leaned in to kiss my cheek.

“Good to see you both,” I replied, letting some of the tension in my shoulders ease. They were always like this—polished, graceful, a picture of poised affection. A perfect image of pack elders who had aged not just well, but with purpose. A legacy they wore like a second skin.

And I loved them. I did. But there was always that shadow, that faint pressure that had lived with me since childhood. High expectations. The weight of a name, of a title. Even when they’d retired from the council, their influence remained—a quiet, constant reminder of the standard they’d set.

“How was your day?” my mother asked, her tone polite but always with that subtle, probing edge.

“Busy,” I replied, keeping my voice even. “Handling some pack matters, checking on security, and making sure everything is ready for the ceremony.”

“Good. Sophie deserves a perfect day,” my father said, a faint smile playing at his lips. “And Karl—well, it’s about time he found his place.”

“About time,” I agreed, my mouth twitching in a faint smile. At least with Karl and Sophie’s mating ceremony, the constant pressure on me to find a mate had eased. For years, they’d subtly—or not so subtly—prodded me, asked when I would settle down, find someone to share my life with, someone to continue the family line.

Now that Karl was set to marry Sophie, the golden child of the pack, that spotlight had shifted. They would have their grandpups soon enough, all the perfect little heirs they’d always dreamed of.

“Your father and I were just discussing the ceremony arrangements,” my mother continued, her voice light, but her gaze sharp. “Sophie has truly brought so much joy to this house. It’s wonderful to see the pack so excited.”

“She’s a bright light,” I agreed, and it wasn’t a lie. Sophie’s optimism, her warmth—she was a perfect match for Karl’s boundless energy.

“And of course,” my father added, “we’re hoping that you’ll find your own happiness soon enough, Adrian.”

There it was. The familiar nudge, the subtle reminder that even though the pressure had eased, it hadn’t disappeared entirely.

“I’m perfectly content,” I said, letting the hint of a smile soften the edge of my words. “And now that Karl and Sophie will be busy with their own lives, I’ll have plenty of time to focus on the pack.”

My mother’s lips pursed, just slightly. “Yes, well, leading is important, but so is living, my dear.”

“I do plenty of living.”

“Work doesn’t count, Adrian.”

“Work keeps the pack safe.”

My father chuckled, stepping forward and resting a firm, reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You’ve done well, son. More than we could have hoped. But your mother is right. Balance is important. Happiness isn’t a weakness.”

“I know,” I said, even though the words felt like an old, familiar script.

Because happiness wasn’t the problem. Control was. Stability. Order. Those were the things that kept the pack safe, kept everything in line. I could trust those.

I couldn’t trust chaos.

And somewhere out there, probably making some sarcastic comment and stirring up trouble, was Olivia—walking, breathing chaos in a leather jacket. A headache I didn’t need. And yet, I’d be stuck with her tonight.

“Come on,” my mother’s voice drew me back, her hand gently patting my arm. “Let’s head to the lounge. Sophie and Karl will be here soon, and I’m sure you could use something to drink.”

“Something strong,” I muttered, earning a soft laugh from my father.

We walked down the grand hallway, the soft glow of the chandeliers casting warm light on the old portraits. And with every step, I tried to shake the shadow of sharp, laughing eyes and a voice that seemed to dance between a challenge and a dare.