Chapter 2

I slowly opened the door, not knowing what to expect. Why couldn't Adrian let me know before meeting with a friend so I didn't wait for him all day? I was slightly irritated at the fact.

My heart plunged to my throat as I saw Betty kissing Adrian.

My Adrian.

No, this can't be happening!

Adrian had Betty wrapped into an embrace and his lips pressed against her lips. His hand lazily stroked her back while they kissed with their eyes closed.

I tried to call out of them but only managed to let out a soft whimper. Betty suddenly opened her eyes. They turned wide as she finally saw me. She gasped, then pushed Adrian off. 

"Oh my god, Adrian. What do you think you are doing!" Betty cried out and pushed him again.

"Wha…what?" Adrian looked at her in confusion.

"Jesus, Adrian. How much did you have to drink?" Betty barked.

I stepped closer. I can't keep quiet anymore. "What is going on here?" I demanded to know.

"Shit, Lindsey, it's not what it looks like," Betty said.

"Then what is really going on, Betty? Explain yourselves," I said. I didn't want to believe that Adrian was cheating on me on our wedding night, but this sure did not look good.

"Adrian must have been drunk or something," Betty explained. "He mistook my room for your room and then just jumped on me. I guess he couldn't wait to be with his bride tonight," Betty giggled nervously.

I narrowed my eyes. "It didn't look like you were trying to resist him in the beginning," I said grimly.

Betty frowned. "He just caught me by surprise, that's all. I didn't have the chance to yell at him before you walked in. I swear, Lindsey. This is just a big misunderstanding!"

I took a deep breath and looked at Adrian. What did he have to say about this?

Adrian hesitated, then stepped toward me slowly. He cleared his throat and smiled. "I'm sorry, Lindsey. I'd been drinking way too much today. I have no control over myself sometimes. It won't happen again."

"So, you weren't hitting on Betty?" I whispered.

"Hitting on Betty? No, of course not. I married you, Lindsay. You've been my dream girl ever since I was young. I always knew we would be together one day," Adrian said.

"I am your dream girl?" I asked. I didn't know if I believed him. He never told me or even tried to show me that he cared about me.

"Yes, you are my dream girl, Lindsey. That's why I wanted to marry you. That's why I had to convince my father. I had to convince him to let me marry you instead of my brother. Do you realize how hard I had to try to get them to agree? They were really set on having you as Alvis's bride, but I begged and pleaded until they agreed. So please don't let this get between our relationship."

I stared at him dumbfounded. He sounded genuine, but I couldn't get the image of him kissing Betty out of my mind. "But then..."

Adrian took my hand and kissed my fingers, sending shivers down my spine. I always imagined what it was like to touch those lips of his. They looked soft and enticing. I wanted him to kiss me, feel my body, worship me. "You are the one I want, Lindsey. That's why I was so eager to see you. I didn't even realize I walked into the wrong room, and your cousin...well she has the same dark hair as yours, so I got confused. I deeply apologize, my beautiful bride," Adrian said huskily.

I swallowed hard. I needed to trust my husband if I wanted this to work. My dreams had finally come true as I was finally bound to Adrian, so I couldn't let this chance get away. "I believe you," I said quietly.

"Great, now both of you get out of my room," Betty giggled, then pushed us out of her room.

Adrian took my hand and then led me back to the bedroom. 

"I am exhausted. That was quite a day, huh?" Adrian smirked.

"Ye...yeah. So what happens now?" I asked nervously. I didn't want to seem too bold, but my body was eager for his touch. I didn't know how long I could wait until he made a move on me.

"I suppose we should kiss." Adrian chuckled, then leaned over to kiss me. 

I closed my eyes as he placed a soft peck on my lips, then moved back to look me in the eyes. His bright blue eyes reminded me of the ocean. I gaped at him, and it made him laugh even more. "What's wrong? Speechless?"

My cheeks warmed. Was he teasing me? "I...I've never done anything like this, so I am a little nervous."

"I see. Why don't we take it slow, then? How about you lie down next to me, and we talk for a bit? We don't need to rush into anything," Adrian said.

I was grateful. Adrian was being thoughtful. He knew my first night was terrifying to me, so he was being gentle. "Okay," I whispered and lay down next to him. I reached over and held his hand and waited.

"Adrian I..." I turned to him ,but stopped talking as I realized his eyes were closed.

I nearly groaned in frustration. Did my husband just fall asleep on our wedding night? I let out a big sigh, then closed my eyes. Before I knew it, I drifted into a deep slumber.

The next morning, I woke up in an empty bed. Adrian had already gotten up and left. 

I pouted. Why couldn't he wake me up too? We could've had breakfast together!

Doesn't matter. I will go find him and then scold him, I decided. I took a long shower and then put on my best dress from my closet. I tied my long black hair into a high bun, then headed toward the living room. I'd visited this house many times when I was little as I played with other kids that lived here, so I knew my way around.

"Sleep well?"

I halted. Keeping my eyes down, I slowly turned to the voice that spoke to me. 

"What's the matter? Don't feel like seeing my ugly face this morning?" he chuckled. 

I lifted my eyes and found myself staring at a pair of emerald green eyes. "Hello, Alvis," I said shyly.

Alvis looked me up and down and grinned. "You seem reserved this morning. Do I make you nervous, Lindsey?"

I shook my head no, even though, in reality, Alvis did make me nervous. He had grown more mature and handsome since the last time I saw him. He had deep green eyes and a high nose with sharp cheekbones. 

His voice was a smooth, dark chocolate baritone that quickened my pulse. He sounded powerful and authoritative. I knew he had his own pack, so he must make a terrifying Alpha of his pack, I thought to myself.

"D...do you know where Adrian is?"

Alvis's eyes darken. "Ah, the blushing bride can't wait to see her new husband."

Was that bitter undertone in his statement, or did I imagine that?

No, why would he sound bitter? Unless he didn't like me!

"He is at the packhouse. Go ahead and walk down there now. I am sure he'll be happy to see you," Alvis said grimly.

I nodded then and hurriedly walked out of the house. He made me so nervous I could hardly breathe!

~-~

"Ah, there you are," Adrian greeted me. He had a shadow looming over his face as if he was upset.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"My father...he is not feeling well."

"Alpha Dexter?" I looked at Adrian with surprise. I saw him at the wedding, and he seemed perfectly fine.

"Yes. His health is slowly deteriorating. I don't think he will make it much longer. He pushed through the wedding last night but fell ill this morning," Adrian looked distressed. I strode over to him and wrapped him in a hug. "Everything is going to be fine." I tried to reassure him, but he sighed deeply.

"I'm not so sure. Our pack isn't doing too well financially because he hasn't been able to watch over the family business. Our pack could use a new leader."

I stared at him intently. "What about Alvis?"

"Alvis has his own pack, so he can't always support us. I was hoping...well..." Adrian hesitated, so I touched his palm.

"What is it? You can tell me," I whispered softly.

"I was hoping your family would help us now that we are married."

I nodded and smiled as Adrian stared at me. "Yes, of course. I will tell my family to support you in any way they can. So please don't worry."

Adrian laughed in relief, then pulled me into an embrace again. I rested my head on his chest, smiling.

 I was happy to help. He was my husband, after all.

"By the way, your aunt begged me to give Betty a job, so I decided to hire her as my secretary."

I furrowed my eyes. I didn't know Betty needed a job. "Really?"

"Yes. That's okay, right? Unless you are still worried about what happened on our wedding night," Adrian said, then looked at me intently.

"N...no...but..."

Adrian cupped my face and looked me in the eyes. His bright blue eyes bored into my soul. 

"Nothing is going on between Betty and me, but I couldn't say no when her mother asked me. I figured we were all family now, so we should help each other. Also she is your cousin and your best friend, I thought you would be happy that I could help her. Am I wrong?" he asked.

"You aren't wrong. It was nice of you to hire her," I said quietly. Something still nagged at the back of my head to tell him I didn't like Betty working for him, but I ignored my negative thought. I should trust my own husband and definitely Betty, my best friend. She would never hurt me. 

Or at least, that's what I wanted to believe.

It didn't take long before Adrian got everything he needed with the help of my family. They were hesitant to help him at first, but when I begged them, they couldn't refuse me.

"I knew marrying you was the best choice I've ever made, Lindsey," Adrian said one day, his voice thick with emotion as he hugged and kissed me. He carried me to the bed so we could make love. 

He was overjoyed as he finally had the chance to become the Alpha of the Blood Crown Pack, and I was happy for him.

But at that time, I never expected my support would end like this.