Chapter 20 Big Mouth
ADRIANA
Spending time with Leo was absolutely delightful. I couldn’t remember the last time I smiled this much.
We’d decided to play in the living room since the sky looked threatening and rain seemed inevitable.
I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until Elijah’s voice broke through our game.
“Alright you two, it’s bedtime.”
Had he been standing there watching us the whole time? I noticed Leo’s face fall immediately at his father’s announcement, so I picked him up and tickled him a little. He chuckled, the sound went straight to my heart. I didn’t know when I grinned back at him.
“Come on, let’s get you tucked in.”
We headed upstairs and he darted straight to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
When he emerged, he flashed me the brightest smile, showing off his teeth.
“Wow, they’re so white I think I’m going blind! Now let’s get you to bed.”
He hopped into bed eagerly and I sat down beside him, gently patting his back. Within minutes, his eyes closed and his breathing settled into a steady rhythm.
“Goodnight, sweetheart.” I kissed the top of his head and started to stand when something sharp scratched against my hand underneath his pillow.
He’d probably forgotten a toy under there. I reached around to find the sharp edge, but what my fingers touched wasn’t a toy at all. It was a photograph.
A picture of a woman holding Leo. I could see the resemblance between them immediately.
I flipped it over. On the back, someone had written “Miss you, mom.”
His mother. She had blonde hair and didn’t really look like him much. Elijah’s genetics were clearly dominant.
What had happened to her? Where was she now?
The way Betty had shut me down when I asked about her had been really strange. Why was it so forbidden to even mention her? Had she done something terrible?
“Where are you?” I whispered to the photograph like it would give me any response.
Leo shifted at the sound of my voice, so I quickly slipped the picture back under his pillow, gave him one more gentle pat on the head, and left the room.
I needed someone who would actually answer my questions. Maybe Hazel?
But Hazel was the Beta. She wouldn’t go against her Alpha’s orders. The maids were all too terrified to talk about anything related to him. What other options did I have?
Speaking of maids, my stomach grumbled. I was absolutely starving.
I hadn’t eaten anything in hours. Actually, I wasn’t even sure I’d eaten at all today. I picked up my pace and headed to my room, hoping Betty would be there waiting for me.
But she wasn’t.
Someone else was in my room, though.
I slowed when I saw Elijah’s large frame had completely taken over my bed. He appeared to be sound asleep. I closed the door as quietly as possible and walked over to him.
He didn’t even stir. From the sound of his breathing, I could tell he was exhausted. I wanted to ask what he was doing here, but I decided against it. Maybe I should just let him rest.
The rain had finally started, and it was getting quite cold. I grabbed my mother’s blanket and covered him with it. I could let go of everything else, but not this. It was the last and only thing I had left of her.
I couldn’t help studying his face as he slept. He looked so peaceful, almost childlike. He’d called me beautiful today. Now that I was thinking about it again, it made me feel strange. Happy, even.
My eyes drifted down to his lips and I found myself moving closer on the bed. They were right there, right in front of me. I couldn’t resist. The devil had to have taken over my body.
I leaned forward, and my lips had almost touched his when his eyes suddenly opened.
I jerked backward and jumped to my feet so fast it had to be some kind of record. God, I was so stupid. What the hell had I been thinking?
“Hey.”
I could hear the smile in his voice, but I refused to turn around and look at him. “Adriana, are you alright?”
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” I tried desperately to calm my racing heart as he sat there in my room, on my bed, half-asleep and looking absolutely incredible. “Anyway, what do you want?”
“Well, we were in the middle of a conversation when Leo came in earlier. I just wanted to finish it.” God, his voice was so deep and rich.
I sat down carefully on the edge of the bed, making sure to keep some distance this time.
“I’m listening.”
He shifted to face me, and it seemed like he’d moved slightly closer.
“Hannah is my former Beta’s sister. Liam was my Beta. He was killed in battle, and since he left her in my care before he died, I feel obligated to put up with her behavior. She’s young and immature. I hope you won’t take anything she does personally. She’s spoiled and doesn’t know better.”
Former Beta? So he felt responsible for her too?
“Why do you feel like you need to be responsible for everyone? Doesn’t it become exhausting eventually?” I really should learn to mind my business.
He seemed to consider my question for a moment, then shrugged.
“Not really. I actually enjoy it. I like taking care of people.”
Please take care of me, I thought.
“That’s very admirable of you. So who takes care of you then?”
He thought for a second.
“Leo?”
We both burst out laughing, and I realized this was the first time he’d really laughed with me. Usually only Leo got to see his smiles.
“You have a really wonderful smile.”
He’d stolen the compliment right out of my mouth. My smile? No, that was a gift from my mother. A reminder of her.
“Your injuries look pretty painful. I brought some ointment that might help. It’s what I use for mine.”
He pulled out a small tube and extended his hand, clearly expecting me to place mine in his. But there was absolutely no way I could do that.
Not that I didn’t trust him—I did. But I didn’t want to find out how his skin against mine would feel. Hell, I’d just tried to kiss him a few minutes ago while he was sleeping.
I clearly can’t be trusted in his vicinity.
He cleared his throat, pulling my attention back.
“Your hand.”
It didn’t sound like he was asking for permission this time, so I gave in and extended my arm.
The moment my hand touched his, I felt something tingly. Those ridiculous goosebumps that showed just how weak and vulnerable my body really was. It was like every nerve ending came alive all at once.
When I touched him this morning during training, I’d been wearing gloves so I hadn’t felt this. But now I couldn’t explain what was happening to me.
The way he focused so intently on applying the ointment, you’d think it was his life’s purpose.
Until he raised his head and caught me staring at him.
“Thank you.” My voice sounded so soft, I didn't know how he heard.
“No, I should be thanking you for spending the day with Leo. It made him incredibly happy.” His thumb was mindlessly stroking my knuckles. Each glide of his thumb against my skin made my breath hitch.
I’ve never reacted to any man this way. I felt like I was burning from the inside out.
“O-oh,” I stuttered before clearing my throat and trying again. “It was nothing. Leo is wonderful and such a joy to be around. You and the Luna must have raised him really well.”
His smile vanished instantly. It didn’t just disappear—it was replaced by a deep frown. I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves.
I regretted my words instantly.