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23 Budding Warmth
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2024-12-27 23:46:00
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Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 24 Pleasant Dinner
AdashaWhen we arrived at the dining room, I saw there were four people present: Kai, Gabe, Darius—whom I now recognised as the Beta—and another man I hadn’t met before.I greeted everyone with the utmost respect, my voice steady, and they all responded. Though the new man’s reply was polite, there was something mechanical about it, as though he were being cautious.Understandable. Gabe and Darius seemed more comfortable with my presence now, but I wouldn’t expect the same from someone who hadn’t interacted with me before.I was about to take my usual seat beside Gabe when Kai cleared his throat.“Not tonight, Adasha. You sit here,” he said, gesturing to the seat closest to him.Darius and Gabe exchanged knowing glances, chuckling softly. I guessed they could sense my shyness and shock—or perhaps it was written all over my face.Arguing with an Alpha was never a good idea, so I nodded and quietly moved to the seat beside him.As I sat, Kai smiled warmly at me, his piercing green eyes
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 25 A Little Passion
Adasha “Hope you enjoyed dinner without my aunt around,” Kai said with a laugh, his tone lighthearted. I nodded, offering him a small smile. “The atmosphere was calm. Thank you,” I replied sincerely. He stepped closer, the space between us shrinking as his presence became all-encompassing. His hand gently cupped my chin, tilting my face toward his. “There’s so much sorrow in your eyes, Adasha,” he said softly, his voice carrying a depth of concern that made my chest tighten. “I don’t know how to take it away.” His words hung in the air, raw and unguarded, as he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on my lips. “You’re different,” he murmured, his gaze searching mine as though trying to decipher something unspoken. “I can feel it…” His words trailed off, almost as though he were talking to himself. My heart raced, the rhythm erratic and overwhelming. I wasn’t sure if I could handle such proximity, such intensity from a man like Kai. And yet, I found myself frozen in place, unab
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 26 Baring It All Part 1
Adasha“You have been kind to me, Alpha Kai,” I said softly, my voice trembling with both gratitude and fear. “But I don’t want to bring trouble to your doorstep. Just give me my bag, and I’ll leave. This isn’t your fight.”Kai’s jaw tightened, his green eyes flashing with determination.“But it is my fight, Adasha,” he said firmly. “I am making it my fight. Please, let me help you.”I shook my head, my resolve firm despite the quiet plea in his voice. “I can’t.”His expression shifted, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before it steeled into something more resolute.“Very well,” he said, his tone calm but deliberate. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll have to make my choice. But first, I want you to accompany me to the yearly Alpha Summit.”My eyes widened in fear, my heart nearly stopping.The Alpha Summit.Randy always attended alone, never allowing me to join him. He hadn’t wanted me to make any connections, to have any allies or opportunities to escape. The thought of being
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 27 Baring It All Part 2
AdashaKai’s eyes burned with a mix of anger and sorrow, but he remained silent, his grip on my hand a steady comfort.“Just for dancing and talking to that Alpha,” I continued, my voice breaking, “My husband made sure to discipline me that night. He didn’t care that it was innocent, that I was just trying to act like a proper hostess. All he saw was betrayal.”The memory made me shudder, and I couldn’t hold back the tears.“But the real danger came the next morning,” I said, choking on the words. “That Alpha... he called my husband. He ratted me out, told him I was trying to seduce him. And my husband—”I couldn’t finish the thought. The rage and humiliation Randy had unleashed on me were still too raw.Kai’s jaw clenched, his expression darkening further, but he didn’t interrupt.“He was furious,” I whispered. “But he had an important meeting that day. That meeting was the only thing that saved me. I knew I couldn’t wait for him to come home. If I did, I’d be dead.”I wiped at my te
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 28 Passion
AdashaKai slid off his shorts, leaving only his boxer briefs as he bent toward me, his lips pressing tenderly against my skin.His fingers traced every visible scar, every line on my body, as though they were treasures to be cherished.Each touch was paired with a kiss, and with every one, my breath hitched, my confidence blossoming under his gentle care.He unhooked my bra, freeing me from its constraints, and guided me to kneel with my back against him. His lips found my shoulders, warm and insistent, while his hands cupped my breasts, his fingers teasing my sensitive nipples.A wave of wild, unrestrained hunger coursed through me as his touch left undeniable evidence trailing down my thighs.My body ached for the reprieve he offered—a fleeting sanctuary from the storm I had endured for six long years.As I trembled with desire and anticipation, his fingers lightly traced my scars, his lips following close behind with reverent kisses.My back came alive with the fire he stoked, the
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 29 A Shift
KaiI woke up in Adasha’s bed, the faint glow of dawn just beginning to filter through the curtains. It was barely five in the morning—my training hour.She was still asleep, her expression peaceful, her delicate form curled up against the sheets. Watching her, I felt a pang of reluctance to leave. A part of me wanted to stay, to keep her in my arms and protect her from the world outside.But I had responsibilities—a routine to keep, and a lot to process.Her story replayed in my mind, each detail sharper than the last. Adasha wasn’t just running from any Alpha; she was running from Randy Olsen.The implications of that name alone shifted everything. A simple challenge wouldn’t suffice. Randy’s status as a Regional Alpha complicated things significantly. No wonder she had been so hesitant to tell me.I stood by the bed for a moment, watching her sleep. She looked so serene, so fragile, yet I knew the strength it must have taken for her to survive the hell she’d been through.This was
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 30 An Issue To Discuss
Kai“I need you two to stay calm,” I said, my voice steady but firm. “We need to think this through carefully.”Both Darius and Gabe exchanged glances, sensing the weight of what I was about to reveal.“Adasha finally came clean last night,” I began, and I saw curiosity spark in Darius’s expression.“I was right—her mate isn’t dead. She’s running from him. The cash she brought with her? She took it from him to help her settle wherever she ended up.”They remained silent, processing my words.“She’s been through hell,” I continued. “He was abusive—isolating her, controlling her. She had no one to turn to.”Gabe’s expression softened, and he shook his head in sympathy. “No wonder she’s timid,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “But... she stood her ground when your aunt tried to undermine her. Her Luna side came through.”He was trying to lighten the mood, but I didn’t laugh. I hadn’t told them the worst of it yet.“She’s from the West,” I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “And
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 31 Morning After Reflection
AdashaI woke up alone, the events of the night before lingering in the air like a whisper. The rough sheets against my bare skin were the only tangible reminder of what had transpired between Kai and me.I should have felt worried—perhaps even ashamed—but instead, a flutter of excitement stirred within me. His words, spoken in the heat of passion, replayed in my mind: I won’t let you go.Whether it was a fleeting promise or something he truly meant, it had defined my night. In his arms, I had felt something rare—wanted, valued. For once, the weight of my past had lifted, replaced by the intoxicating hope that maybe, just maybe, there could be more between us.But hope was a dangerous thing, and I knew better than to cling to it. My baggage was too heavy, my circumstances too complicated.Whatever this was, it wouldn’t last. Still, I resolved to savour it for as long as I could, to live in the moment until reality demanded otherwise. I had no secrets left to hide.I was about to rise
Last Updated : 2024-12-27
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Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 86 An Iron Fist
Adasha“Even you, Magnus?” Laura said, her voice trembling with disbelief as she turned to him.I had expected her to say that—Magnus was from Rivercreek, her home, after all.Magnus looked genuinely pained, his expression filled with regret, but he didn’t waver.“Sorry, Luna,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “But Alpha’s word is law.”Laura’s eyes darted back to Kai, searching his face for any hint of hesitation.“You’re serious about this,” she said, her tone incredulous. “You would actually throw me into a cell… for her?” She spat the word with venom, her gaze flicking to me with a mixture of contempt and desperation.But Kai didn’t respond.He didn’t even look at her. His silence was deafening, a clear statement that he was done talking. The weight of his unspoken words hung in the air, suffocating and final.“Malachi, this is extreme!” Ingrid interjected, rising from her seat. “Laura is legally your wife. You can’t humiliate her like this! What will her people say? This is wron
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 85 Know Your Place
AdashaThe room was deathly silent, but Laura wasn’t done. Her voice sliced through the tension like a jagged blade, oblivious to the storm brewing in front of her.I could feel Kai’s rage, simmering and raw, and I wondered how he would handle this. Laura, blind to the signs, pressed on, her words brimming with fury and indignation.“You brought this upon yourself,” she said, her voice trembling with both anger and unshed tears. “By the time I’m through with the Easterners in the South, you’ll regret what you’ve done to my people—simply because they refused to serve your whore.”The venom in her tone stung, but the room was charged with something far more dangerous. Kai was vibrating with fury, his jaw tight, his entire frame coiled like a predator about to strike.The foolishness of Laura’s inability to recognise the line she had crossed was staggering.“Darius,” Kai said suddenly, his voice so cold and calm that it sent a shiver down my spine. “Did you get that last part?”“Yes, Alp
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 84 Breakfast
AdashaBreakfast was served in the dining room, a larger, more formal setting than usual. Kai had insisted on addressing his officers after the summons, and though it made me uneasy to eat in a room with other people, I understood the necessity.Normally, Kai would have adjusted his routine for my comfort, but this was one of those times where duty took precedence.As we entered the room, I immediately noticed there were five people seated instead of the three I had expected. The extra two—Ingrid and Laura—were impossible to miss. My chest tightened at the sight of them, but I quickly reminded myself of Kai’s promise. His assurance was all that mattered.With measured composure, I took my seat beside him. Darius and Gabe greeted me warmly, their respect evident in their tone and demeanor.Magnus followed suit, though there was an unmistakable hint of confusion in his expression, as if he was piecing together a puzzle no one had explained to him.I returned their greetings, extending
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 83 His Promise
AdashaKai’s eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and intense, as he gently brushed my cheek with his thumb. The touch was soft, almost reverent, but it carried a weight that made my heart ache.“You worry too much, Adasha,” he said, his voice steady, soothing. His gaze didn’t waver, as if he were trying to reach the deepest part of me, the part that was still scared, still unsure. “You need to learn to trust.”I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me.“I know you’ve been through so much,” he continued, his tone softening even further. “But not this. I’m not Randy, Adasha, and I never will be. I don’t aspire to be like him. What we have… it’s rare. Scarce. Ordained.” He let the words settle between us, his hand never leaving my face. “I’d be a fool to throw it away—or let anyone take it from me.”His eyes darkened, a fire kindling in their depths. “I’ll find a way to make this work, I promise. And I won’t have a Luna other than you, Adasha.”His words were a vow, s
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 82 Summon Outcome
AdashaMorning crept in, the soft light painting delicate patterns on the walls. Kai was still beside me, his presence a quiet weight on the bed. It was unusual—he was always the first to rise.Perhaps the journey had drained him more than I realized. My thoughts swirled around the summons he attended with Laura and Ingrid, and unease pooled in my chest.It had to be about his bond with Laura. The idea tugged at something deep within me, a quiet ache I tried to bury.I hated the helplessness of it all, the knowledge that this was beyond my control.I turned my gaze to him, his face soft in sleep, the tension he usually carried smoothed away. For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. I slipped out of bed carefully, the cool floor grounding me as I moved toward the shower.The steaming water offered a temporary reprieve, washing away the tangled emotions I couldn’t name. When I emerged, toweling my hair, Kai stirred. He blinked lazily, his sharp eyes focusing on me.“Why aren’t you in
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 81 Wicked
RandyMarvin’s tears flowed freely, his face a mask of despair. He knew—knew deeply—that he was in immeasurable trouble with me.He had violated our agreement, shattered what little trust I had given him, and, worst of all, placed a target squarely on Adasha’s back.If she hadn’t run away, none of this would have unraveled. I wouldn’t have needed to arrest Jason, wouldn’t have discovered the full extent of their treachery.These two were evil—loyal to no one but their own selfish interests. Adasha was no longer theirs.They had sold her to me years ago, and now they had tried to sell her again.They weren’t just failures—they were scum. Fraudsters. Betrayers.There was no excuse for what they had done.I shifted my gaze to Lois, who was trembling as she cried, and motioned for her to continue. I needed every piece of information before I decided how to act."Jason tried to get Marvin to tell him who the person was," Lois said, her voice shaking as she spoke. "But Marvin refused. He sa
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 80 Selfishness
Randy"So, you decided to reach out to your regional Alpha—me—and offer her to me for a fee, as if you were some bounty hunters," I said coldly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence."That way, you wouldn’t get in trouble for it… right?"Lois didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. Her silence was confession enough.The memory burned fresh in my mind.They’d offered her to me as if they were doing me a favour, presenting her as though she was a prize to be claimed.To them, she wasn’t a child—they saw her as a way to avoid danger and even profit. After all, the Twelve Families’ prerogative was clear: eradicate the Mad King’s bloodline at all costs.Adasha was no ordinary child. She was premium prey, a direct descendant of the Mad King himself.But when I laid eyes on her, everything changed.I knew, in that moment, that I couldn’t let anything happen to her. Not her.Instead of handing her over to the council, I did something I thought was right at the time.I paid Marvin and Lois mo
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 79 The Adoption
RandyI could see Lois was nervous, her hands trembling as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. But I didn’t interrupt her.She needed space to speak, to breathe.She knew she had no other choice—she had to tell the truth, and she knew it."The woman told us she could help us adopt," Lois began, her voice quivering. "She said there was a child available… but the child wasn’t in the system. I didn’t ask why."She paused, her gaze darting to Marvin before lowering to her lap."I guess… I guess my desperation clouded my judgment. She told us she could arrange everything—papers, custody—all of it. There was only one condition." Lois swallowed hard."We were never to return to the southern border. Ever."Her voice faltered, and she wiped her eyes again."At the time, it didn’t seem like much of a condition. We weren’t from the south. We had no ties there. It felt like such a small thing to agree to."I watched her intently, every word she spoke deepening the gravity of their situation."It
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow 78 Start Talking
Randy"I swear that’s the truth," Marvin said, his voice shaky, eyes pleading for mercy. I turned to Jacob, my expression unreadable."I’ll give you some time to think it over," I said coldly, releasing the chain in my hand. It clattered loudly, a sound that seemed to echo Marvin’s faltering confidence."In the meantime," I continued, my voice firm, "you’re going to tell me everything about how you adopted my wife. I want to know why you adopted her, which Alpha sanctioned it, and whether you’re still in contact with the people who gave her to you."I shifted my attention to Lois, her nervousness written all over her face."I’ll give you a chance to answer, Lois. And believe me, what’s about to happen to your husband for lying to me will happen to you, too, if you don’t start talking."Her eyes widened in terror, but the weight of my words didn’t seem to fully register until two guards stepped into the room, their presence commanding and grim.They moved with quiet efficiency, their i
