The Alpha Prince's Forbidden Mate.

The Creature At My Window

Lena

The thing outside my window growled.

I couldn't move.

Couldn't breathe.

For several seconds, I stood completely still beside my bed, staring at the darkness outside.

Two glowing eyes stared back at me.

Then—

Scratch.

I jumped.

The sound dragged across the glass again.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I slowly stepped backward.

Another growl came from outside.

Low.

Deep.

Not human.

Absolutely not human.

My mouth went dry.

"Okay," I whispered. "That's enough."

Scratch.

"Nope."

I turned toward my bedroom door.

"Lena."

I screamed.

The door opened.

And Adrian stood there.

I pressed both hands against my chest.

"What is wrong with you?"

His eyes narrowed.

"What is wrong with me?"

"Why are you walking into my room like that in the middle of the night?"

He looked past me.

Toward the window.

Then his entire expression changed.

"What?"

His eyes moved back to me.

"Move."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Lena. Move."

There was something in his voice.

Something that immediately made my body react.

I stepped aside.

Adrian crossed the room in three long strides.

He reached the window and looked outside.

I watched him carefully.

"Adrian?"

He didn't answer.

Another sound came from the darkness.

A low growl.

Adrian's entire body went still.

My heart stopped.

"What was that?"

"Go back."

I stared at him.

"Go back where?"

"Your bed."

I blinked.

"You can't just walk into my room, ignore every question I ask, and then order me around."

His eyes flashed.

"I can when something is outside your window."

I crossed my arms.

"That doesn't even make sense."

"Nothing about this place makes sense to you yet."

That shut me up.

Unfortunately.

Because he was right.

Since arriving at Mooncrest, absolutely nothing had made sense.

Students disappeared from class.

Everyone knew things they refused to explain.

There were whispers about bloodlines.

Something had followed me to the academy.

And now—

There was apparently a glowing-eyed creature standing outside my bedroom window.

I looked toward the glass.

"Is it still there?"

"No."

"How do you know?"

Adrian didn't answer.

Of course.

I sighed.

"What was it?"

"Nothing."

I stared at him.

"Something scratched my window."

"Go to bed."

"That's not an explanation."

"I know."

"Then explain."

"No."

I blinked.

"You are unbelievable."

Adrian finally looked at me.

"So I've been told."

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it.

Because I had literally told him that earlier.

His mouth twitched.

"Did you just make fun of me?"

"No."

"You did."

"Go to bed, Lena."

I narrowed my eyes.

"No."

Adrian sighed.

Actually sighed.

Then he turned toward the window again.

I watched him.

"Are you scared?"

His head turned slowly.

"What?"

"Are you?"

"No."

"You look scared."

"I don't."

"You do."

"Lena."

"What?"

"Stop talking."

I smiled.

"You're definitely scared."

"I'm not scared."

"Then why are you standing there like you want to fight the entire forest?"

His expression hardened.

"Because I don't like anything coming near you."

The words hit me harder than they should have.

My smile slowly disappeared.

I looked at him.

"Why?"

Adrian looked at me.

For once...

He didn't have an immediate answer.

The silence stretched.

Then he said:

"Because I said so."

I folded my arms.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting."

My eyes narrowed.

I had heard that exact sentence before.

I stared at him.

"That's what Evan said."

Adrian's expression immediately darkened.

"Of course it is."

I blinked.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing."

"Stop saying that."

He looked away.

I stared at him.

"Wait."

"What?"

"You were worried."

"No."

"You were."

"Lena."

"You came running into my room in the middle of the night."

"I heard something."

"And you thought I was in danger."

His jaw tightened.

I smiled.

"Aw."

"Don't."

"You were worried about me."

"I wasn't."

"You literally came to check if I was alive."

His eyes snapped back to mine.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Adrian said quietly:

"You were in danger."

My smile disappeared.

Something changed between us.

Because this time...

He didn't deny it.

I swallowed.

"But I'm okay."

"I can see that."

I hesitated.

Then smiled slightly.

"Thank you."

Adrian frowned.

"For what?"

"For coming."

His expression changed.

Only slightly.

"Don't make it a big deal."

"I didn't."

"You are."

I smiled.

"You came to save me."

"I heard a growl."

"And?"

"And you were being stupid."

I stared at him.

"I was sleeping."

"Exactly."

I blinked.

"What does that even mean?"

"No awareness of your surroundings."

I laughed.

Adrian's mouth twitched.

I immediately stopped.

"Wait."

"What?"

"You almost smiled."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"No."

"Adrian—"

"Go to bed."

I pointed at him.

"You're avoiding the subject."

"You have no idea how annoying you are."

I smiled.

"There it is."

"What?"

"The insult."

He stared at me.

I stared back.

Then—

I stepped closer.

"Did you really think something happened to me?"

Adrian went still.

The teasing disappeared from my voice.

I wasn't sure why I had asked.

Maybe because I wanted to hear the answer.

Maybe because the look on his face when he had entered my room had stayed in my mind.

For a moment, he didn't answer.

Then—

"I didn't know."

My heart skipped.

"What?"

His eyes held mine.

"I didn't know what was outside."

The honesty caught me off guard.

And suddenly...

The teasing didn't seem important anymore.

"Adrian."

"What?"

"You came looking for me."

His eyes dropped briefly.

Then returned to mine.

"Obviously."

I smiled.

"Why?"

He stepped closer.

Too close.

"Don't push your luck."

I should have moved.

I didn't.

My back was only a few steps from the wall.

His eyes held mine.

My heart started beating faster.

Then his eyes dropped.

To my lips.

I stopped breathing.

Adrian's expression changed.

Something darker.

Something almost confused.

Then I lifted my hand.

"You've got something."

"What?"

I reached toward his shirt.

A small leaf was caught near his collar.

My fingers brushed against his chest as I removed it.

Adrian went completely still.

So did I.

My hand remained there.

For one second too long.

Then I slowly pulled away.

"Forest souvenir."

Adrian looked down.

Then back at me.

"You were looking for me."

It wasn't a question.

I froze.

"Maybe."

"Lena."

"You said you heard something."

"I was already outside."

My mouth fell open.

"What?"

"You were looking for me."

His expression remained completely serious.

"Don't make it sound romantic."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

"No."

"Then why were you outside my window?"

Adrian's jaw tightened.

I smiled.

"Oh my God."

"Go to sleep."

"You were worried about me."

"I was checking the perimeter."

I stared at him.

"That is the worst excuse I've ever heard."

His mouth twitched again.

I gasped.

"You did it."

"What?"

"You smiled."

"I didn't."

"You definitely did."

Before I could say anything else, Adrian suddenly reached toward me.

I stepped back.

"What?"

"Your hand."

I looked down.

"What about it?"

"Give it to me."

I slowly held it out.

Adrian took my hand.

His fingers wrapped around mine.

My heart stopped.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking."

"For what?"

He didn't answer.

Of course.

I looked down at our hands.

His fingers were warm.

Much warmer than I expected.

Adrian stared at my hand.

His expression slowly changed.

"Adrian?"

The air around us seemed to grow strangely quiet.

Then his fingers suddenly tightened.

A low sound came from his chest.

Almost a growl.

I froze.

He immediately released me.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

I stared at him.

"Did you just growl?"

"No."

"You did."

"I didn't."

"You definitely—"

"Go to bed."

I smiled.

"You're very strange."

"That's rich coming from you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

I laughed.

And somehow...

The tension disappeared.

Only slightly.

Enough for me to breathe again.

I climbed onto my bed.

Adrian remained near the window.

I pulled the blanket over myself.

Then I looked at him.

"Are you going to stand there all night?"

"If I have to."

My eyes widened.

"You really are staying?"

"I said nothing about staying."

"You literally just—"

"Lena."

I smiled.

"You're terrible at being nice."

"I wasn't being nice."

"Sure."

His eyes narrowed.

I looked away.

For several minutes, the room became quiet.

Adrian remained near the window.

Watching the forest.

I watched him.

Eventually, I said:

"Do you hate my mother?"

He turned.

"What?"

"You barely speak to her."

"That doesn't mean I hate her."

I raised an eyebrow.

"It kind of does."

"No, it doesn't."

"You also don't look at her."

"I look at her."

"Not nicely."

Adrian stared at me.

I smiled.

"You don't like her."

"That's different."

"How?"

"It just is."

I laughed.

"Another terrible answer."

Adrian looked toward the window again.

"I don't hate her."

The teasing disappeared from his voice.

I watched him.

"Then why?"

His silence returned.

I waited.

Eventually, he said:

"Things changed."

I tilted my head.

"When my mother married your father?"

"Before that."

I became quiet.

He continued staring outside.

Then I said:

"My mother changed too."

Adrian looked at me.

"How?"

I looked down at my blanket.

For a moment, I wasn't sure why I wanted to tell him.

Maybe because it was the middle of the night.

Maybe because I was tired.

Or maybe because for once...

Adrian wasn't arguing with me.

"My mother stopped smiling after my father died."

The room went quiet.

Adrian's expression changed.

Only slightly.

But enough for me to notice.

"You were young?"

"Very."

I looked toward the window.

"I don't remember everything about him."

Adrian watched me.

"Just little things."

"Like what?"

I thought about it.

"His voice."

Adrian became completely still.

I continued.

"I don't remember exactly what he sounded like. Just that I always felt safe when he spoke."

My throat tightened slightly.

"And his hands."

Adrian frowned.

"His hands?"

I smiled faintly.

"Large."

"That's what you remember?"

"He used to carry me on his shoulders."

Adrian looked at me.

For once...

He didn't make fun of me.

"He died?"

I nodded.

"That's what my mother told me."

Something changed in Adrian's expression.

I noticed.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why did you react like that?"

"I didn't."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Adrian."

"What was his name?"

I froze.

The question felt strange.

"Why?"

"Just asking."

I laughed softly.

"You never just ask anything."

He didn't answer.

I stared at him for a moment.

Then looked down.

"Daniel."

Adrian's expression became unreadable.

"Daniel Whitmore?"

I nodded.

"Yeah."

Silence.

"Do you remember him?"

Adrian looked at me.

"I've heard the name."

My stomach tightened slightly.

"From where?"

His jaw clenched.

"Mooncrest."

I frowned.

"My father never went to Mooncrest."

"I know."

That answer confused me.

But before I could ask another question, Adrian turned away.

I stared at his back.

Something was wrong.

He knew something.

I could feel it.

But for once...

I didn't push.

Instead, I pulled my knees toward my chest.

"My mother met your father a few years after that."

Adrian looked at me again.

"And?"

I smiled faintly.

"She started smiling again."

Something in his expression softened.

"That's why I couldn't hate her."

"For marrying my father?"

I nodded.

"I hated moving here."

Adrian's mouth twitched.

"I noticed."

"Of course you did."

"I tried to avoid you."

I stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Unfortunately, you kept appearing."

I gasped.

"I kept appearing?"

"Yes."

"You literally dragged me into a bathroom."

"You spilled coffee on me."

"You survived."

"Barely."

I laughed.

"Drama queen."

Adrian stared at me.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"No."

"Lena."

I smiled.

"You don't sound very scary right now."

"Good."

I blinked.

"What?"

He looked toward the forest again.

"Maybe you'll finally stop being terrified of me."

My smile slowly disappeared.

I stared at him.

Was that...

Was that Adrian trying to make me feel better?

I looked down quickly.

Because suddenly, my chest felt strange.

"Don't get excited."

His eyes returned to me.

"I wasn't."

"You looked like you were trying to be nice."

"I wasn't."

"Sure."

He stared at me.

I smiled.

"You're becoming predictable."

"You're going to sleep."

"Is that an order?"

"Yes."

I rolled my eyes.

"You're impossible."

His mouth twitched.

"That's what you say."

"And I'm always right."

"You're rarely right."

"Rude."

Silence settled between us again.

But it wasn't uncomfortable.

It was warm.

I looked at him.

"What about your father?"

Adrian's expression changed.

"What about him?"

"Were you happy when he married my mother?"

"No."

The immediate answer made me laugh.

"At least you're honest."

"You asked."

"I did."

I studied him.

"Why?"

He looked away.

"He's my father."

"That's not an answer."

His jaw tightened.

I immediately regretted pushing.

Then he said:

"That doesn't mean I know him."

I went quiet.

He continued.

"He's always been busy."

There was something sad in his voice.

Something I hadn't expected.

I looked down.

"Maybe you should try."

He stared at me.

"Try what?"

"Talking to him."

"About what?"

I thought about it.

"Anything."

He raised an eyebrow.

"That's helpful."

"Hello?"

Adrian stared at me.

I smiled.

"Start small."

For one second, he remained completely serious.

Then—

He laughed.

I froze.

My mouth fell open.

Adrian's laugh disappeared immediately.

"What?"

"Oh my God."

His eyes narrowed.

"What?"

"You can laugh."

"Go to sleep."

"I'm never forgetting that."

"You should."

"No."

"Then I will make you."

I pointed at him.

"That sounds like a threat."

"It is."

I laughed.

He looked at me.

And for one brief second...

He smiled again.

A real smile.

Not the small mouth twitch I always accused him of.

It changed his entire face.

Made him look younger.

Less dangerous.

And somehow...

Much more dangerous.

I quickly looked away.

"You should do that more."

"Do what?"

"Smile."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you keep talking about it."

I smiled.

"Maybe that's why."

Adrian stared at me.

Then shook his head.

"Impossible."

I pulled the blanket closer.

"That's what you keep saying."

"Because it's true."

My smile faded slightly.

Then I looked toward the window.

"Adrian?"

"What?"

"Are you going to leave?"

His eyes moved toward me.

I immediately regretted asking.

"I mean, you don't have to stay. Obviously. I was just—"

"Fine."

I blinked.

"What?"

"I'll stay until you fall asleep."

My heart skipped.

"Really?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

I smiled.

"Okay."

Adrian moved toward the chair beside my bed.

He sat down.

I stared at him.

"What?"

I quickly closed my eyes.

"Nothing."

"Go to sleep."

I smiled against my pillow.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

I could hear the faint sound of the wind outside.

Adrian's breathing.

The movement of leaves against the window.

I felt strangely safe.

Which was ridiculous.

Because three days ago, Adrian had been the person I feared most.

Now...

He was sitting beside my bed.

Protecting me from something outside.

"Adrian?"

"What?"

"Thank you."

Silence.

I thought he wouldn't answer.

Then—

"Sleep, Lena."

I smiled.

"Goodnight, Adrian."

"Goodnight."

I slowly drifted closer to sleep.

My eyes became heavy.

My thoughts blurred.

The last thing I remembered was Adrian sitting beside the bed.

Watching the window.

Watching me.

And for the first time since I had arrived at Mooncrest...

I didn't feel afraid.

Then—

The window rattled.

My eyes opened.

Adrian was already standing.

The sound came again.

Louder.

The glass shook.

A howl split through the night.

Deep.

Powerful.

And close.

Very close.

Adrian's expression changed.

"What is it?"

He didn't answer.

"Adrian?"

His eyes remained fixed on the window.

"What is it?"

The howl came again.

And this time...

Adrian's face went completely cold.

"Stay here."

My heart dropped.

"Why?"

He turned toward me.

For once...

There was no sarcasm in his voice.

No argument.

No teasing.

"Because whatever followed you to Mooncrest..."

Another growl came from outside.

Closer.

Adrian's eyes flashed.

"...has come back."