Chapter 159 Return

Chapter 159 Return
Amelia's POV

Morning light filtered through the half-drawn curtains when I opened my eyes. The first thing I noticed wasn't the soft hotel sheets or the lingering scent of sex in the air—it was Alexander sitting on the edge of the bed, his broad back turned to me.

He was shirtless, the lower half of his body covered by the tangled sheets. A thin trail of smoke rose from the cigarette between his fingers. I couldn't help but stare at the defined muscles of his back, the memory of last night sending heat rushing through my body. The way he'd claimed me, marked me as his—it still felt surreal, like a dream I'd eventually wake from.

"Stop staring at me like that," Alexander said without turning around.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Like what?"

He turned slightly, giving me a view of his profile. "Like you're about to devour me." A smirk played on his lips. "Unless you want another round?"

"No!" I blurted out, then lowered my voice. "I mean... I need a minute."

My face burned as fragments of last night's memories flashed through my mind—his hands exploring every inch of me, his mouth hot against my skin, the way he growled my name when he finally surrendered to his release. The intensity of it all had overwhelmed me in the best possible way.

I shifted carefully and moved closer to him, resting my head against his thigh. The intimacy of the gesture felt foreign, yet strangely right. The warmth of his skin against my cheek brought comfort I hadn't expected.

"I'm not used to this," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

"To what?" His fingers absently stroked my hair, sending pleasant shivers down my spine.

"This. Being with you. Being able to touch you whenever I want." I looked up at him, taking in his chiseled jawline and the intensity of his blue eyes. "Thank the Moon Goddess for giving me such a handsome mate."

Alexander exhaled smoke, his expression unreadable. "Looks mean nothing compared to power."

"I disagree," I countered. "What if your mate wasn't me? What if she was hideous? Could you stand being with her?"

His body tensed, and he turned away to stub out his cigarette. The muscles in his jaw tightened, and I immediately regretted my words. I'd struck a nerve, though I wasn't entirely sure why.

I sat up, and the sheet slipped down to my waist. I gasped, quickly pulling it back up to cover myself. Despite everything we'd done last night, I still felt shy being naked in front of him in the light of day. There was something different about vulnerability in daylight.

Alexander's eyes darkened as they roamed over me, pupils dilating with renewed desire. He leaned closer, his scent—pine and smoke and something uniquely him—enveloping me like a warm blanket.

"Your scent drives me crazy," he murmured, his voice dropping to that husky tone that made my insides melt. "It's stronger now, after last night. After I made you mine."

"Alex..." I barely had time to breathe his name before his lips claimed mine.

His kiss was demanding, hungry, as if last night hadn't satisfied him at all. My body responded instantly, arms wrapping around his neck as he pressed me back into the mattress. His weight on top of me felt like sanctuary, like coming home after being lost for too long.

Hours later, with the afternoon sun now streaming through the windows, I finally pulled myself from the warm cocoon of Alexander's arms and began packing my small bag. My legs felt wobbly, my body deliciously sore in places I'd never been sore before.

We were scheduled to fly out tonight, leaving Azure Lake Pack territory behind. Part of me would miss this place—it had become the unexpected setting for a turning point in our relationship.

My gaze caught on the small packet of contraceptive pills on the nightstand. I'd taken one without hesitation.

I picked up the packet, turning it over in my hand. One day, maybe we'd have a child together. The thought of a little boy or girl with Alexander's blue eyes made my heart flutter in a way I wasn't prepared for. Would they have his strength? My stubbornness? I found myself smiling at the possibility before reality pulled me back.

My phone buzzed with a message from Alexander: Waiting outside. Car's ready.

With one last glance around the room—the rumpled sheets that held our scent, the dent in the pillow where Alexander's head had rested—I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. The hotel lobby was quiet as I completed checkout, my mind still replaying moments from our morning together.

Outside, Alexander sat waiting in Aiden's blue SUV. My luggage was already in the trunk. Alexander looked refreshed in a crisp black shirt, his hair still damp from a shower. The sight of him made my heart skip, a reminder that this powerful man was mine.

The driver jumped out and opened the back door for me. I slid in next to Alexander, aware of how normal this all felt now—being beside him, breathing his scent, feeling the heat of his body next to mine.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low enough that the driver couldn't hear. His eyes scanned my face with concern.

I felt my cheeks warm. "I'm fine."

His eyes held mine for a moment, and I knew he was checking for any signs of discomfort. I looked away, still not used to the intensity of his gaze or the way it seemed to see through every defense I'd built.

The landscape of Azure Lake territory slipped away through the window as we drove toward Alexander's private jet. Rolling hills gave way to small towns, then gradually to more developed areas.

The hour-long journey passed in comfortable silence, with Alexander working on his tablet while I lost myself in thoughts of our future—a future that seemed both thrilling and terrifying in equal measure.

---

What neither of us noticed was the man who entered the airport shortly after us. He wore a nondescript gray suit and dark sunglasses, blending perfectly with the business travelers around him. His movements were calculated and efficient as he maintained a careful distance.

The stranger's eyes never left Amelia as she walked hand-in-hand with Alexander through the terminal. He noted the way she leaned into the Alpha, the easy intimacy between them. His expression remained neutral, but his fingers tightened around the handle of his sleek briefcase.

When the couple disappeared around a corner toward their gate, the man removed his sunglasses briefly. His eyes—unnaturally pale—tracked the path they had taken. A slight smile curved his lips as he whispered, "Amelia Throne," the name rolling off his tongue like he'd been waiting to say it for a very long time.