Chapter 149: Afterglow and Absence

Amelia's POV

The tension between us was electric, our bodies pressed together in a perfect fit. Alexander's hands traveled up my sides, leaving trails of heat that burned through my clothes.

I gasped as his fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head back to expose my neck. The vulnerable position should have terrified me, but instead, it sent a thrill of excitement down my spine.

"Alex..." I breathed, my voice barely recognizable even to my own ears.

"Say it again," he commanded, his lips brushing against my pulse point.

I obliged, whispering his name like a prayer as his teeth grazed my skin. My wolf was practically purring, urging me to submit, to offer more. His scent enveloped me completely—intensifying with his arousal—making my head swim with primal need.

"We should move somewhere more comfortable," he suggested, his voice husky and strained. The knowledge that I could affect him this way, that the always-controlled Alexander Westbrook was struggling for restraint because of me, was intoxicating.

I boldly ran my fingers down his chest, feeling the hard muscles tense beneath my touch. "Why? Afraid someone might walk in and see the mighty Head Alpha losing control?"

His eyes flashed dangerously, pupils dilating until only a thin ring of blue remained. In one fluid motion, he lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me to the sofa. He sat down with me straddling him, our faces level, his hands splayed possessively across my lower back.

"I'm not the one who needs to worry about control," he murmured, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. "You're trembling, little wolf."

He was right. Every inch of me quivered with anticipation, my body betraying how desperately I wanted him. I leaned forward, brushing my lips against his ear.

"Maybe I don't want control," I whispered, feeling bold and reckless. "Maybe I just want you."

A low growl rumbled through his chest, vibrating against me. His hands tightened on my hips, and for a moment, I thought he might give in to the hunger I saw blazing in his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity of teasing and testing boundaries, Alexander finally pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine as we both caught our breath.

"We should slow down," he murmured, though his hands still gripped my hips possessively.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. My wolf whined in disappointment, but even she understood we were in foreign territory—literally and figuratively.

Somehow, I ended up nestled in his lap on the suite's plush sofa, my head tucked against his shoulder while his fingers traced soothing patterns along my spine.

The wild urgency had subsided into something warmer, more comfortable, but no less intimate. I breathed in his scent, memorizing it—sandalwood, pine, and something uniquely him—as if this moment might evaporate like morning mist.

"What are you thinking?" Alexander asked, his voice rumbling through his chest against my ear.

I was about to answer when three sharp knocks interrupted us. I jumped, scrambling off his lap with embarrassing speed, frantically smoothing my rumpled clothes and finger-combing my hair. Alexander watched me with amused eyes, looking infuriatingly composed as he stood and straightened his shirt.

"Relax," he said. "It's just dinner."

The young man who wheeled in our food cart couldn't have been more than twenty. His eyes widened comically when he recognized Alexander, and I watched his throat bob nervously.

"H-Head Alpha Alexander," he stammered, bowing his head slightly. "I didn't realize... The kitchen didn't mention..."

"It's fine," Alexander said, his voice transitioning seamlessly from the intimate tone he'd used with me to the commanding one I'd heard countless times in board meetings. "Just leave everything here."

The server nodded frantically, arranging covered dishes on the dining table with trembling hands before practically sprinting for the door. I bit back a laugh.

"You terrify people without even trying," I said once we were alone.

Alexander shrugged. "It's useful sometimes."

I moved to the table, instinctively picking up a plate and serving him first—a gesture that felt strangely domestic. We ate in comfortable silence, exchanging occasional glances that made my stomach flutter. This quiet intimacy felt almost more dangerous than the heated moments we'd shared earlier.

"This is nice," I said softly, immediately feeling stupid for stating something so obvious.

Alexander's lips curved in a rare genuine smile. "It is."

After dinner, he disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the shower running, and my imagination immediately conjured images I definitely didn't need right now. When he emerged twenty minutes later, he was dressed in a fresh charcoal suit that clung to his broad shoulders in a way that made my mouth go dry.

"You're leaving?" I asked, hating how disappointed I sounded.

"I need to check on the branch office here," he said, adjusting his cufflinks. "There are some issues that require my attention."

"Do you want me to come with you?" I offered, already knowing the answer.

He shook his head. "You should rest. It's been a long day." His fingers brushed my cheek, a fleeting touch that somehow felt more intimate than a kiss. "If you need anything, call me."

After he left, the suite felt cavernous. I wandered aimlessly before deciding to follow his suggestion and rest. The bedroom was luxurious, with a king-sized bed that practically swallowed me whole. I didn't expect to actually sleep, but exhaustion claimed me almost instantly.

I was jolted awake by the shrill ring of my phone. Disoriented and groggy, I fumbled for it on the nightstand, squinting at the bright screen. Mom's picture stared back at me. The digital clock beside the bed read 10:43 PM.

"Hello?" I answered, my voice thick with sleep.

"Amelia! Thank goodness you answered!" Mom's voice was tight with worry. "I've been calling for hours! You were supposed to text me when you landed!"

I sat up, guilt washing over me. With everything that had happened, I'd completely forgotten to let her know I'd arrived safely.

"I'm so sorry, Mom," I said, rubbing my eyes. "I was... distracted."

"Distracted? I've been worried sick! Are you okay? Where are you?"

"I'm fine, Mom. I'm sorry I didn't call earlier. I was so busy today."

"Where are you staying? Did you find a hotel? Please tell me you're not sleeping at the airport."

Before I could respond, I heard knocking through the phone.

"Oh, hold on, sweetheart. Someone's at the door."

I listened as she moved through the house, then heard her surprised exclamation.

"What is it?" I asked, grateful for the distraction.

"It's a delivery," she said, sounding puzzled. "From Pack House. There's a card... it says 'Birthday Wishes from the Head Alpha's Office.'"

"Birthday?" I repeated, my brain struggling to process. "Whose birthday?"

"Your boss," Mom said, as if it were obvious. "It's tomorrow. Didn't you know? The whole pack receives gifts on the Head Alpha's birthday—it's tradition."

My heart sank as realization dawned. Alexander's birthday was tomorrow, and I was completely clueless. While I'd been wrapped up in my own drama, I hadn't even known something this basic about him.

"No," I admitted quietly. "I didn't know."

I glanced at my phone, noticing a text notification I'd missed earlier.

Alex: Tonight I won't be returning. Pack business requires my attention.

I stared at the message, reading between the sparse lines. Whatever "pack business" meant, it was clearly more important than coming back to me. The rational part of me understood—he was Head Alpha, after all. But my wolf bristled with indignation.

Me: Okay.

I debated adding more but decided against it. What could I say? I miss you? I'm disappointed? Come back and finish what we started? None of those options seemed appropriate.

"Amelia? Are you still there?" Mom's voice pulled me back to our conversation.

"Yeah, sorry," I said, my mind racing. Alexander's birthday was tomorrow, and here I was, in his hotel suite, without a gift or even a plan.