Is It You

Malachi POV 10

I walked around the packhouse with Declan and Wildon trailing close behind me, hoping to take note of any new DXM users. A majority of the unchanged and changed wolves had been checked by the pack doctor, Sela and released that morning with clean results. Only the previous ten were still in surveillance and lockdown. I concurred that everyone else was good to go and Wildon agreed.

“Whenever one of the other boys snaps out of it, we’ll question them about the dealer,” Declan stated. “We need to get to the bottom of this asap”

I watched Sela walk over to us, finished with the checkups and pulling off her gloves. She was noticeably swaying her hips with each step and gave me a bright smile. She had returned a few days ago from her yearly Christmas trip, which she was lucky to enjoy since she had capable nurses in her stead. I gave her a tight smile and focused my attention to her face.

“Everyone checks out,” She confirmed. “Declan and I should be checking the current ten every twenty-four hours.”

I nodded at her and waved off the guys for the rest of the day. I started to move away but felt a tight grip on my right arm. I turned to see Sela giving me a pout and pulling me back to her. She squished my arm between her breasts.

“It’s so good to see you again Alpha Carson, I hope everything else has been good,” She spoke.

I pulled my arm away and took a step back. She normally pulled this stunt with me but being with Adira made me committed. I’d never gave in to her suggestion before but even more so now, I needed her to stop that behavior. As I looked at her, she gave me a quick flash of her chest in a purple low cut top. I averted my eyes and quickly met a pair of brown eyes to my left.

Shit.

Adira briskly walked over and stood between us, arms folded and looking like a wolf ready to pounce on her prey. She had been spending her time at the daycare center that morning, beautifully covered in a dark green wrap dress and sandals. The waistband stretched and molded to her curves, showing her hourglass figure more clearly. I eyed the few strands of hair sticking to her neck and brushed them away.

“Excuse me,” Her sharp tongue cut through the air, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Sela gave her a hard glare and folded her arms too. “I’m having a conversation with Alpha Carson”

“By flashing your t**s!?” Adira deadpanned.

Sela waved her comment off and focused on me.

“No,” I spoke up, “I won’t tolerate you disrespecting your Luna in that manner”

Sela’s face slowly morphed between confusion and regret when my words and its meaning finally sunk out.

“Oh my god,” She shakily laughed, “My deepest apologies Luna. I wasn’t aware that our Alpha had found his mate.”

She tried to apologize but Adira turned her back and decided to walk off, pulling me with her by the collar. I found my footing and willingly followed her through the villa until we stopped by the grocery store. Gina met us at the counter.

“Your scheduled order is ready for pick-up” She chirped from behind the counter.

Her assistant slipped three bags towards us and Adira took a quick glance in each.

“Remove the salmon,” Adira ordered.

Gina sputtered for a moment but smiled. “Alpha Carson has always taken salmon with his order”

“No he hasn’t” Adira countered. “We both actually hate seafood. Remove the salmon”

Gina’s face fell and she quickly ordered her assistant to take it out. 

“My apologies Alpha, I was pretty sure it was on your list of required things” Gina turned to me.

“You lost the list didn’t you?” Adira murmured. “If you had the list, everything wouldn’t look so jumbled. I’ll send Beta Wildon with a new list in the week. Please make a copy and adhere to the requests.”

She passed two bags to me and took one to her chest. She signaled it was time to go. I was surprised that she stood up to Gina and Sela, her strong nature coming out. I was also surprised at her knowledge about DXM. I was disappointed that her sister had to go through all of that because I failed to do my due diligence. She had been so near but I was crippled in my own depression that I didn’t find the courage to look.

We piled the bags into the backseat and climbed in.

“You’ve been very assertive today,” I teased.

She fastened her seatbelt and crossed her legs. “You said you were mine.”

I started the engine and looked at her.

“I don’t want anyone to take away what’s mine,” She mumbled the last part.

I pinched her cheek endearingly. The idea of us being together was starting to grow on her and I couldn’t have been anymore happier. Losing Adair was my fault but in the process I got to know another wonderful woman who didn’t fail to make me happy. We drove up to the house and started packing out the groceries. She slipped her shoes off in the living room and now stood barefooted next to me.

“I thought we’d give your parents a call tonight and find out how they’re doing” I suggested.

She finished emptying my snacks, stealing a bar of chocolate out of the bag for herself. “That’d be nice, I haven’t spoken to them in a while”

We both quickly showered, changed and settled in the living room. I opened the laptop and double-clicked FaceTime. It rang three times then the bright faces of both of her parents popped up on the screen.

“Hi sweetheart!” Laura greeted Adira.

“Hi mom, Hi dad,” She smiled.

“Alpha Carson, it’s lovely to see you as always. I hope you both are doing better” Ramos greeted.

The four chatted for a while until her father got down to business.

“Adair’s test results came back last week showing faint traces of a drug called DXM and high quantities of alcohol. We also received a confirmation from the Oracle that she was indeed your mate, not Adira. Everything checks out I suppose”

Adira gave me a sad expression and eased away from my body. Here we go again.

“Thanks for the update, Dad” She spoke softly. We waved them goodbye and disconnected the call. I pulled Adira into my lap and pushed her face into my neck.

“Please don’t pull away from me again,” I begged.

Marcel started whimpering in my head too and metaphorically touched me with his paw. Adira was tense in my hold but she remained quiet. Having her was one of the best things in my life and I wasn’t about to let her go.

“I’ve never met your sister and by the looks of it, I never will. But I met you. You gave me hope, you awakened me. Please do not push me away”

Her body slowly released its tension and I felt her fingers dig in my hair.

“I want you” I finalized. “Only you”