The Alpha's Reluctant Wife

Chapter 20: Chiara

Since Adrian had started suppressing her with the silver choker, my wolf had finally fully resurfaced for the first time ever.

This should've been a moment of celebration. However, I found it difficult to be happy as the main reason my wolf made her appearance was the woman humming in front of me.

And my wolf was beyond distressed.

I asked Samantha for a scent mask a while ago, but despite dousing myself and my room with the foul liquid, the smell of mint was still cloying. I just hoped my scent was masked since it would smell terribly bitter just by the way my wolf was bristling. She paced within me, growling and snarling at the other omega that had invaded our space.

Samantha was in my dresser, trying to make herself look busy. She had rearranged my clothes for who knew how many times already. Connor decided to join us as the peacemaker and sat on a couch in the open antechamber. He'd been trying to solve a Rubik's cube to no avail. I stayed near the windows, hoping that the breeze would at least blow away the other omega's scent.

As for the main cause of our dilemma, Miranda had been busy cleaning my whole room. It was Samantha's ploy to mess with her since my lead handmaiden was still annoyed that she wasn't updated about the acceptance of a new colleague. It effectively worked against her, and me by extension, when it spread Miranda's scent everywhere.

The other omega worked towards me, vacuuming the carpet while humming a tune. I watched her carefully, noting the grace and finesse in her movements. There was something odd about her, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Miranda bumped against a chair and moved to pick up the fallen blanket when my wolf suddenly surged.

The sensation of shifting waved through my whole body, sending goosebumps all over my skin before I could make her heel again.

"Stop!" I shouted.

Samantha, Miranda, and Connor looked at me with shocked faces. I dashed towards the blanket, threw it over my bed, and then covered it with my pillow.

Miranda carefully approached me. "Madam?"

"Stop!" I shouted again, then pointed at the far wall. "Stay right there. Don't come any closer. Please."

"I'm sorry. I don't know why–"

"Hush, just do it!" Samantha hissed, coming to my rescue. Miranda finally walked away as my handmaiden held me in her arms, massaging my trembling hands. "What happened?" She asked, whispering.

I saw Connor watching everything unfold from the sofa. When our gazes met, he raised a brow at me. I frowned at him and returned my attention to Samantha. "I don't know, actually..."

"Is it the blanket? What's up with it?" She asked.

"Nothing. It's just a blanket... from..." I stopped mid-way when realization dawned on me.

It was Lance's blanket.

The same one he had draped over my body.

It still had our scents mixed in with one another.

I cleared my throat and gave Samantha a tight smile. "It's from Adrian," I lied, then looked at Miranda, giving her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I acted on reflex, and I didn't mean to shout at you."

Miranda nodded. The smile she gave me was more genuine than mine. "I understand, don't worry. To be honest, I don't know what Men- Governess Menessa was thinking; sending me here as your handmaiden. She should've known how omegas interact."

"Right, right?" Connor butted in, laughing awkwardly. "The Governess is so weird... maybe you two need to give each other some space. How about we go outside? Walk for a bit?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "I still have some papers I need to review and submit to Pack Alpha Adrian for approval. I don't have much free time today."

Miranda tilted her head. "Don't Pack Lunas have the same authority as Pack Alphas? Why do you still need his approval?"

Samantha and Connor tensed upon hearing Miranda's question. I sighed and answered, "I'm not Galway's Pack Luna. I might be Adrian's wife, but I'm not his fated mate. As you know, the title is reserved only for the fated mates of Pack Alphas."

"Oh... that's... too bad," Miranda said. She looked away from me, the smell of mint becoming stronger. I thought that was the end of our conversation, but she suddenly whirled towards me and grinned, her earlier mood forgotten. "Hey, I can help you with the papework. I have some experience from working under Governess Menessa. Is that okay with you?"

It's not, but Connor was back trying to sway me to agree. He looked at me with big puppy eyes, begging me to accept Miranda's offer. He would've done it until I said yes if not for Samantha throwing a pillow at his face.

I sighed again but eventually yielded. "Alright. I accept your offer, Miranda."

The other omega cheered, bouncing on her toes excitedly.

***

Somehow, Miranda had become even more excited as we walked towards Adrian's office. She was very helpful with the task, and I found myself thankful that she offered her assistance. Still, her overall excitement confused me. It's not like Adrian had a bright reputation as a Pack Alpha. While it's true that Galway Pack was successful because of his and his family's legacy, his dark and violent tendencies were still widely known.

Miranda almost reminded me of Connor with her enthusiastic energy. Like the shifter, she was also prone to constant movement, especially when thrilled by something. Her happy demeanor hadn't abated until we reached Adrian's office doors and entered.

Unfortunately for me, I couldn't match her eagerness. As we crossed the threshold, bile rose up through my throat. I swallowed the bitterness coating my tongue and schooled my face.

Adrian smiled when he saw me. He put down the document he was holding, rose from his chair, and met me halfway. His hands immediately went around my waist as he kissed my lips.

The scent of mint and chocolate that filled the room was distracting.

Adrian pulled away and scrunched his nose. He looked over my shoulders to Miranda, who was trying to make herself appear as small as possible in the corner.

"The new handmaiden? From Hoult?" Adrian asked.

Miranda squeaked. "Y-yes, Sir—I mean, Pack Alpha, sir!"

Adrian ignored her after that, choosing to caress my face instead. I tried to put the files I was holding between us as a barrier, but Adrian plucked them away from my hands.

"Adrian, I need you to sign those," I said.

"That can wait," he drawled.

"Those are urgent. The other packs are waiting for—"

"I said, they can wait."

Adrian kissed me to emphasize his point, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips. My body locked up, but I willed it to calm down and stay pliant. The last thing I wanted was for Adrian to get angry while we had an audience.

Adrian traced the skin on my arms as we separated until he reached my hand. He raised it and kissed my knuckles. "Are you free tomorrow night?"

"I always am if you need me."

"Hmmm, then," Adrian held my other hand and kissed it. "Would you like to go on a date with me, my love?"

A date? With Adrian?

I barely stopped myself from scoffing. "You don't need to take me out on a date, Alpha. We're already married. I'm yours."

"Is that a no, hm?"

The sudden flare of ash and brimstone cut through the scent of mint in the room. I licked my lips and pressed my body against Adrian. "Of course not. I'm going with you."

Just like that, Adrian was back to smiling. "Wear something nice. Preferably... red. See you, Chiara."

He kissed me on the cheek one last time, and then I dragged Miranda out of the office. Her grip on my hand was tight and almost bruising. My wolf was snarling, a rabid sound that filled my head until it was pounding in pain.

I couldn't think.

I couldn't even breathe properly.

All I wanted was to be engulfed with the familiar scent of pinewood, my calm in the eye of the storm.