Chapter 228 Need to protect her
Chapter 228 Need to protect her
Leaving Elena in my bed was a better start to my day than I expected. It was quickly becoming an addiction to have her at my side through the night. Even that first time we slept side by side, it had been incredibly easy to let myself relax in her presence, an unusual calm I didn’t often allow myself.
And fucking her first thing in the morning was better than a cup of coffee to start the day. There was an undeniable pep in my step and a ridiculous smile on my face as I watched the pack work on the new grounds for the territory. Even the low hum of activity and the rustle of the trees seemed sharper today, almost electric. Something instinctual, a wolfish awareness, kept me attuned to every movement around me.
I had the taste of Elena on my lips and more energy than I knew what to do with. What I wanted more than anything was to get to my ballerina again and…
Gods, I ran my hand through my hair and huffed to myself. After fixing my sunglasses, I rolled my eyes and turned away from the pack members. That woman was on my mind far too often, and I needed to get my thoughts under control.
She would be going with me to the meeting I have with other Alphas from different packs. Elena was the first human I’d be taking to meet them. My only worry was keeping her safe in a world she didn’t know existed, where loyalties could shift in an instant and instincts often spoke louder than words.
But luckily, they would sense a human and probably behave. The presence of Elena alone would keep most of the Alphas’ wolves in check, they wouldn’t dare test boundaries with someone so clearly under my protection. My wolf growled softly at the thought, a low, possessive rumble that only I felt.
Still, the thought didn’t stop my nerves entirely. Introducing a human into a council of powerful Alphas was risky, even if she didn’t know it. Every movement, every glance between them could carry more meaning than she’d realize. And yet, I couldn’t resist showing her this part of my life, this hidden world she had no idea existed.
On my way back home, I wondered what Elena had done today. What does the prima ballerina of New York do on her day off? I had to imagine it was something glamorous. That’s certainly what she deserved, in my mind.
The sight of her waiting for me in the living room was pleasant. Something about the view of her relaxed in my home doing something as simple as watching TV made coming home feel different. It stirred a sense of pride, a protective instinct that I didn’t often show even to my closest family—an instinct my wolf understood even before I consciously did.
“Elena.”
My arm bumped the door, and the sound of my watch hitting the wood startled her. She stiffened and turned to the side as if searching for a ghost. Her wide eyes were brilliant and gorgeous.
As soon as she realized it was me, she released the tension in her shoulders and sighed my name. “Andrey,” she spoke, then she smiled, and something in my chest twinged. “You startled me.”
“Apologies, didn’t mean to scare you.” She rose from the couch and clicked the TV off with the remote. My eyes followed the way her body moved through the cream-colored long sleeve dress hugging her like a second skin. “Are you ready to go?”
“You’re surprisingly light on your feet.” She giggled and stepped towards me. “Yeah, I’m ready to go.”
I didn’t want to leave at all. More than anything I wanted to lift that dress and take her over the back of the couch. My eyes lingered on her full lips as she spoke. She caught me staring.
“I’m surprisingly a lot of things,” I bragged. The moment she was within arm’s reach, I grabbed her, pulling her against my chest and capturing her mouth in an open kiss she wasn’t expecting. Her body melded into mine, and I couldn’t stop smirking against her lips at her response. My wolf growled softly in approval, though I suppressed it; she didn’t need to hear it, and I wasn’t ready to explain.
“You’re tempting me too much, baby. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late, and my aunt will hit me over the head.” I brushed back her hair, observing how she leaned into my palm on her cheek.
“I’m not tempting you. I’m just standing here,” Elena argued. “Maybe you deserve a smack to the head.”
Laughter burst from my lips, and I pressed my forehead to hers. She closed her brilliant blue eyes, and I inhaled her sweet perfume. “You’re probably right. I’m sure my aunt will smack me anyway. Come on, Antonio is downstairs waiting.” It took a lot of my willpower to pull away from her. More than it should have.
“Alright.” She grabbed her purse from the coffee table and followed me from the living room down to the first floor. It was a bit chilly outside, so I grabbed Elena’s coat from the front closet and tossed it over her shoulders.
There was surprise in her eyes as she glanced at me before quickly looking away. Antonio was waiting outside, and Elena greeted him with a wide smile. It made the corner of my lips jerk down momentarily, and I shook my head.
We sat together in the back seat of the car. In one hand I read emails on my phone, and at some point, the other found its way to Elena’s thigh. The fabric of her dress was soft, and the warmth underneath was like a magnet. Constantly drawing me in whether I wanted it or not.
I thought to myself that it would be safe to indulge while I could afford it. Right now, I absolutely could. When Elena was so receptive of my touch, it would be a shame not to quench this thirst I had to touch her. We both knew that she wanted my hands on her body and my mouth on her skin. I did too.
It was a quick drive through the forested outskirts of the city to the estate, I meet with others. There was a massive gate around the property, and I only saw one of the guards I knew would be posted around the grounds. Antonio drove through, knowing the way, and not asking questions. I felt the subtle surge of my wolf inside, alert, protective, and ready for any disturbance near my territory.
Elena leaned forward and peered through the window. Her petite hand curled around my pinky finger on her lap as her jaw dropped at the sight of the massive house. There was awe and wonder in her crystal eyes as she admired the sprawling grounds and the fountain at the end of the driveway.
She was a human and had to be surprised.
“What are you thinking, baby?” I held her hand, helping her from the car at the front door. Elena stared at the towering fountain as a gentle breeze lifted her golden hair and blew it around her lovely face. Something deep in me, human and wolf both, wanted to shield her from the world, though she didn’t even know she needed it.