Page 8 of The Alpha’s Addiction (Night Grove Falls: The Alphas #1)

EIGHT

Rhodes

“So, what’s the plan today?” Cyrus asks as he falls into step beside me.

I sigh. “What are you doing here?”

“Helping you with your patrol. Also, being nosy.”

I roll my eyes, but truthfully, I don’t mind the company.

“How’s your mate?” he asks.

I smile. “Good. We’re going out again today.”

“Congrats.”

I catch a hint of jealousy in his tone. I’m not surprised. All shifters want their fated mates. I’m lucky I’ve finally found mine.

“Where are you taking her tonight?” Cyrus asks.

“I’m cooking for her.”

“Oh, no.”

I glare at him. “I’m not that bad in the kitchen!”

He shakes his head. “You are. You really, really are.”

“It will be fine.”

“I doubt it,” he grumbles.

“Cyrus,” I warn.

He holds up his hands. “I’m just saying. I thought you were trying to win your mate over, not scare her away.”

“I’m not going to scare her away! She said yes to a second date. We’re doing great.”

“Uh huh.”

“We are! She likes me, I can tell.”

“She’d like you more if she weren’t starving or choking down whatever you end up making her,” he mumbles.

“I’m telling her about shifters and fated mates tonight,” I say, ignoring his comments about my cooking skills. “I can’t do that in town where any tourist could overhear.”

“True. Plus, she might freak out on you and make a scene. Better to do that in private.”

My wolf growls, and I try to calm him.

“She’s not going to freak out,” I tell my wolf and Cyrus.

“Right. Seeing a guy turn into a wolf is nothing. She probably won’t even notice,” he deadpans.

“Go away,” I growl.

He claps me on the back. “Good luck,” he says before he veers left toward his pack’s land.

My wolf paces inside me, and I take a deep breath as we head back home.

She’ll be fine, I promise him. We’ll ease her into it, answer all her questions, and tomorrow, we’ll be able to claim her.

He nods but still paces inside me as we go inside to get ready for our date. I went shopping first thing this morning. I’m going to attempt to make steak and potatoes. If that doesn’t work, I bought a few frozen meals as plan B.

I shower and change, practicing what I want to say to Adeline as I make the short drive to her place. My heart races, and my wolf and I are on edge as I climb the stairs to her apartment.

I take a deep breath before I knock and wait for her to answer. The door swings open, and my wolf howls as my heart kicks against my ribs.

Fuck me.

Adeline is so damn beautiful. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have her as my fated mate.

“Hi,” she says shyly, tucking a strand of pale blonde hair behind her ear.

“Wow,” I whisper. “You always look gorgeous. Every time I see you, you take my breath away.”

Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. “Thanks.”

“Are you ready to go?”

Adeline nods, grabbing her purse and keys. She locks the door behind us, and I take her hand to lead her to my truck.

“What have you been up to today?” I ask as I help her into the passenger seat.

“Baking, mostly. I’ve been trying to spice up the routine a bit, so it was a lot of me looking at recipes and making grocery lists.”

“Sounds like fun. What can I expect to taste test in the next few days?” I joke as I climb behind the wheel and pull out into traffic.

“I’m making mini fruit tarts for the bookstore, lava cakes for Bellas Italia, stuffed cupcakes for the bistro, and two different types of brownies for the diner.”

“That all sounds delicious,” I tell her honestly.

She chuckles. “Hopefully, it all turns out right. The hardest part is timing everything.”

“I bet. You just have the one oven?”

“For now,” she says as I turn onto my street and into my driveway.

“Thinking about moving to a bigger place?” I ask as I park.

“No, there’s a commissary a few minutes from here. They have a spot opening soon, and I’m hoping I can get it. Then I’d be able to store my ingredients there and cook, too.”

“You know, my place has room for two ovens,” I tell her as I turn off the engine and climb out.

“Yeah? That’s nice.”

I don’t think she catches my meaning that I would change anything about my home to make it her dream place. That’s okay, I can spell it out for her later.

I open her door and take her hand, helping her out of the truck.

“This is your house?” she asks, taking in the two-story cabin.

I lead her to the front door. “Yeah, I thought I’d try to cook for you tonight.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Try?”

I laugh self-consciously as I unlock the door and wave her in ahead of me. “I’m not the best cook,” I admit.

“I can help,” she offers.

“Let’s see how it goes. Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

I lead her into the living room, and she smiles as she looks around the space.

“I like the hardwood floors,” she compliments.

“Thanks.”

“When did you buy this place?” she asks as I lead her up the stairs to the second floor.

“I built it a few years ago.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, this was where I lived with my parents, but the place burned down when I was away at college. I still owned the land, though, so I built a new house.”

“It seems like a great area. Peaceful.”

“Yeah, it is. These are the guest rooms.”

She pokes her head into the two bedrooms and nods. “Spacious. I think they’re bigger than my whole apartment,” she jokes.

“This is the bathroom, and here’s our— my room,” I correct.

“It’s nice. I like the bed.”

My wolf howls, pleading with me to toss her onto it now and mark her.

Tomorrow night, I tell him.

“And the kitchen is back downstairs.”

I squeeze her hand as we head down the back stairs and into the kitchen.

“Whoa,” she breathes, her eyes wide as she looks around the space.

My friends thought it was crazy when I built the kitchen the way I did.

It’s spacious with granite countertops and gleaming appliances.

It’s a chef’s dream, which is why it was weird.

I barely spend any time in the kitchen. Now, I guess I know why I designed it the way I did. It was for my fated mate.

“Hungry?” I ask, taking out the steaks.

“Yeah. What are we making?” she asks as she heads to the sink and washes her hands.

“I was thinking steak and potatoes? I bought stuff to make a Caesar salad, too.”

“Sounds great. What can I do to help?”

“Why don’t you rest? Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’m okay. Let me help,” she insists.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, Rhodes. I mean, this is what I love to do. I’m in my element here.”

“Okay, then, I’ll let you lead. Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”

“The steaks need to rest on the counter for a bit. Let’s season them and then start on the salad.”

We work together for a bit, and I watch my mate. She’s so happy, so confident in the kitchen. She’s always so pretty, but seeing her as she moves around in here, I’d swear she was almost glowing.

“I didn’t think about a dessert,” I say when she adds the steaks to the frying pan.

“That’s okay. I’ve been around them all day.” She laughs. “I’ve taste tested so many that I’m kind of sugared out.”

“Blasphemy!” I tease, and she laughs harder.

I set the table as Adeline finishes up the steak and potatoes. She makes our plates once that’s done, and we take our seats at the table across from each other and dig in.

“Oh, my god, this is so good,” I groan as I take another bite of steak.

“Thanks.” Adeline beams.

“Seriously, this is the best thing that I’ve ever eaten,” I gush.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s been a while since I’ve cooked for two. It’s nice. Sometimes, I’m so tired that I end up making a sandwich or Ramen or something for dinner.”

“Same, but for me it’s because that’s the only thing that I can make and still have it be edible.”

“I’ll have to give you some cooking lessons.”

“I’d like that.”

We finish eating, and I insist on cleaning up since she did most of the cooking.

Tell her now, my wolf urges me as I load the dishwasher.

I know I have to. I need to tell her about shifters and fated mates before the full moon tomorrow, so this is my last chance.

“What now?” Adeline asks.

I clear my throat. “There’s something that I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Uh-oh. This sounds serious.”

“It is,” I admit. “Here, let’s go into the living room.”

I can see my mate tense up, and I hate it.

Then tell her faster and get this over with! my wolf growls.

“Adeline, have you ever heard of a shifter?”

“Um, no?” she says in confusion as she sinks onto the couch.

“How about werewolves?”

She blinks. “Yeah, sure. Why? What’s this about?”

“I am one.”

We stare at each other in silence for a full minute.

Then she blinks again. “You’re what?”

“I’m a shifter. A wolf shifter. A werewolf.”

“You’re crazy,” she whispers, her eyes darting to the door, then back to me.

“I’m telling the truth. I promise. I’m a wolf shifter and the Alpha of my pack. I run the North section of the Night Grove Falls Pack,” I explain, scooting closer to her on the couch.

She recoils, and it breaks my heart. My wolf howls in pain, and I grit my teeth.

“I can prove it to you,” I state.

She shakes her head. “I need to leave. I need to go home now. This was all a mistake.”

“No! No, it’s not a mistake. We’re meant to be. Please, just let me get through all of this. Just give me five minutes.”

She looks like she wants to bolt, but she remains seated. For now.

Tell her. Quickly, my wolf urges.

“I’m a wolf shifter, and you’re my fated mate.

We’re literally fated to be together. We’re made for each other.

You’re the only woman I’ll ever want, the only one I’ll ever love.

Shifters don’t date; they don’t need to.

We scent our fated mate, and that’s it. You being a human instead of a shifter changes that, but it doesn’t change the way that I feel. ”

She stares at me, unblinking.

“I wish that I could ease you into all of this, but we’re kind of on a clock. Tomorrow is the full moon, and I know how I’ll feel. You might feel it, too, and I wanted to explain what it was before it happened.”

She’s still watching me, frozen in place. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad sign.

My wolf whines inside me, and I lick my lips. “I know that this all sounds crazy, that it’s a lot to take in. I swear I’ll answer any questions that you have about it, about us. I’ll do everything I can to make you feel safe and secure with me. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

“And if I say no and want to leave?” she whispers.

“Then I’ll take you home and give you space. I’ll be here when you’re ready to listen.”

“I want to go home,” she says.

I nod. “There’s just one more thing I need to do.”

I push to my feet, and she watches me warily. Her eyes widen as I tug my shirt over my head and kick off my boots. When I reach for my pants, she jumps to her feet and backs away.

“Whoa! What are you doing?”

“I’m going to prove I’m not crazy, that I’m telling the truth. I’m going to shift for you.”

“Great, okay, cause it looks like you’re getting naked.”

“I am.”

“Why?” she asks in exasperation.

“I have to, otherwise I’ll rip my clothes.”

Her eyes flick to the door and then back to me. I push down my pants and boxers, then meet her eyes.

“Watch,” I beg.

Then, I shift.

My hair and teeth elongate as my bones and muscles shift. One second, I’m in my human form, and the next, my wolf is standing before her.

“Holy crap!” Adeline shouts, her eyes wide with shock and fear.

I take a step forward and instantly regret it. My mate’s eyes roll back in her head, and I shift, catching her unconscious form before she hits the ground.

Well, that didn’t go well, I think, as I lay her on the couch.

I check her pulse and breathing, ensuring she’s still alive and I haven’t scared her to death. Once my wolf and I are satisfied she’s still with us, I tug on my clothes and take a seat beside her.

Her eyes flutter open a moment later, and she looks confused and dazed.

“Hi,” I say gently.

“Can you take me home?”

I nod, my heart sinking in my chest. “Of course.”

She gathers up her things, and we head out to my truck in silence. The whole ride back to her place, she seems shellshocked. We drive in silence, and when we park outside her apartment, she turns to me.

“Tonight… that… It’s a lot,” she finishes.

“I know.”

“I just…need some time to process all of this.”

“I know. It’s okay, I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”

She nods, still looking like she’s in shock. “There’s more of you?”

“Yes. A lot of people in town are shifters. Some wolves, bears, rabbits, and big cats. Kind of a mix of a lot of animals.”

“And you all get along?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” She stares out the windshield of my truck. I can see her brain working overtime, and I know she needs to be alone to process all of this. As much as it kills me, I need to give her space and hope she comes back to me.

My wolf whines inside me as I hop out and open the passenger door for her. We head up to her apartment in silence, and she unlocks the door before turning back to me.

“Goodnight, Rhodes,” she whispers.

“Night, Adeline,” I say softly, leaning in and brushing my lips against her cheek. “If you need anything, if you have any questions, you can text or call me.”

She nods, steps into her apartment, and closes the door.

Fuck , I think as I head back to my truck.

She can’t reject us, my wolf says.

I nod, but I think that we both know it’s a real possibility—one we won’t be able to live with.

We have to fix things, but I don’t know how.

I don’t sleep a wink all night long.