Page 11 of The Alpha’s Addiction (Night Grove Falls: The Alphas #1)

ELEVEN

Adeline

I never thought I’d be packing up my whole life in moving boxes again so soon and smiling while I did it. But here I am, kneeling on my kitchen floor, surrounded by half-sealed boxes and rolls of tape, trying to decide if I need three sets of measuring spoons. Spoiler: I do.

The last of the afternoon sun filters in through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the countertops where I’ve spent the last few months creating my desserts.

This little apartment, tucked on the edge of Night Grove Falls, has been my safe place since I moved here.

It’s where I rebuilt my life, grew my business, and discovered how strong I am.

It’s also where I fell for the Alpha of the North Pack.

I smile as I set aside the measuring spoons and reach for my phone. My fingers hover for a second before I open my contacts and hit call.

“Addy!” Holly answers on the first ring, her voice as bright and bubbly as ever.

“Hey,” I say, smiling as I lean back against the cabinet. “You busy?”

“Only mildly ignoring my inbox. What’s up?”

“I’m packing.”

A beat of silence.

Then: “Packing?”

“Yeah. I’m moving in with Rhodes.”

Cue the squeal that makes me pull the phone away from my ear.

“I KNEW IT! You’re nesting with your hunky shifter boyfriend! I’m so proud of you, Addy. Wait. Are you still in your pajamas? Please tell me you’re wearing your cupcake pajama pants and knee-deep in packing tape.”

I glance down and grin. “No comment.”

She laughs. “God, I love you. So, when do I get to visit the two of you?”

“Anytime. Rhodes said you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. There’s plenty of space.”

“Ooooh, don’t tempt me. You know I’ve been considering leaving Atlanta anyway.”

“I know. And we’d love to have you here. Really. Think about it?”

“I will. Promise. Now, tell me how it’s going with the big guy?”

My chest warms. “It’s good. Better than good. He’s… everything. Sweet, protective, respectful. It’s intense sometimes, but in a good way. Like I never have to doubt where I stand with him.”

“He still looks at you like you hung the moon?”

“Every single day.”

“Good,” she says softly. “Because you deserve that kind of love.”

I blink back the sudden sting of tears. “Thanks, Hol.”

We talk for a few more minutes, mostly about the logistics of moving and recipes I want to try in my new kitchen, before Holly says she has to go yell at a delivery driver. I hang up with a smile and glance around my kitchen.

Half-packed boxes, open drawers, a million things to do—yet, I feel peaceful. Happy. I’m building something real with Rhodes. And for the first time in my life, I’m not scared of what comes next.

A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.

I pad over and pull it open, grinning when I see Rhodes standing there in a black T-shirt and jeans with that crooked half-smile that melts me every time. He’s holding some cardboard boxes under one arm and balancing a large bouquet of wildflowers in his other hand.

“I come bearing gifts,” he says.

“Are those for me, or are you trying to bribe the moving gods?”

He grins and presses the flowers into my hands. “Both.”

I step back and let him in, my heart fluttering like it’s the first time he’s shown up at my door.

He takes a look around and smiles. “You got a lot of packing done today.”

“Not everything. There’s still time to change your mind,” I tease.

His head snaps around to look at me, his expression panicked. “No. Why? Do you not want to move in?”

“No, I just wanted to check, I guess.”

“Check what?”

“That you’re serious about all of this.”

He crosses the kitchen in three steps, cupping my face in his hands. “Adeline. I’ve been serious about you since the second I saw you bent over the backseat of your car.”

I laugh and swat at his chest. “You’re such a wolf.”

“Damn right I am. And you’re my mate. My home.”

My heart twists in the best way, and I lean up to kiss him. It starts soft and sweet, but his arms wrap around me, and I’m suddenly lifted off my feet. He spins me in a circle as I squeal and giggle, clinging to his neck.

“You’re ridiculous,” I murmur into his skin.

“And you’re mine,” he rumbles.

He carries me into the bedroom, setting me down gently at the edge of the bed. The sun slants through the curtains, casting golden light over the rumpled comforter and half-filled laundry basket in the corner.

I watch as Rhodes strips off his shirt, muscles rippling, green eyes locked on mine.

“The packing,” I remind him.

“In a bit. There’s not much left,” he says, reaching for his pants.

“It helps that I downsized when I moved here. Plus, I don’t have that much stuff to begin with.”

He nods distractedly as he prowls toward me, and I giggle as he strips off my clothes in record time.

“You’ve got sugar on your cheek,” he murmurs.

“Do I?” I ask innocently.

He leans in and kisses the spot before trailing his lips to mine.

I smile and wrap my arms around him as he eases me back onto the bed. “I can’t wait to build this life with you,” I whisper.

His smile softens into something reverent. “It’s already ours.”

And with his mouth on mine, his hands tracing every inch of my skin, I believe it with everything I have.

Our forever starts here.