Heart of the Wolf

Chapter Four

Adonis POV

I never thought I'd find myself working at Bloom & Grow, surrounded by roses and daisies instead of my pack. Yet here I am, carefully pruning a hydrangea while my mind wanders to the events that led me here.

It all started that fateful day I caught her scent on the wind. Sweet and calming, like lavender and honey. I followed it, my wolf Solomon urging me forward until I saw her. Lynn. My fated mate.

Her long brown hair was a mess, that rebellious cowlick refusing to stay down. But it was her eyes that captivated me - hazel with the tiniest flecks of gold. I knew then that my life would never be the same.

"Adonis, can you help me with these lilies?" my coworker called, snapping me from my reverie.

"Of course," I replied, setting down my shears. As I arranged the flowers, my thoughts drifted back to Lynn.

For weeks, I watched her from afar, torn between my desire to claim her and the knowledge that she was bonded to Alan. A human. An addict. The sight of them together made Solomon growl with frustration.

"Why don't we just take her?" he'd demand in my mind. "She's ours."

"It's not that simple," I'd argue back. "We can't force her. We have to be patient."

Patient.

That's why I took this job, to be close to her without overwhelming her. To protect her as best I could while she slowly withered before my eyes, caught in Alan's destructive orbit.

I finished with the lilies and moved to water the hanging baskets. The routine tasks allowed my mind to wander, remembering all the little things I'd learned about Lynn. Her love of raspberry-filled donuts with white icing. The way she'd force down those chocolate croissants her boss brought her, too polite to refuse.

She preferred her pastries filled with fruit and topped with icing. Never a plain cake donut or a donut with no filling. She loved chocolate, but not baked chocolate goods.

The majority of her diet consisted of pastries and fruit. That is when she did seem to give in and eat something.

I couldn't help but watch Lynn from afar, my heart aching with each passing day. Her involvement with Alan was like a thorn in my side, a constant reminder of the barriers between us. It wasn't just jealousy that gnawed at me; it was genuine concern.

"She's killing herself, Sol," I muttered to my wolf, feeling his restless agreement. "And that i***t is dragging her down with him."

The dark circles under her eyes grew more pronounced. Her once vibrant scent now carried undertones of stress and fatigue. It was clear that Alan's drug habit and the consequences of his selfishness were taking their toll on her.

A crash from the back room jolted me from my thoughts. Then I heard it - soft, heart-wrenching sobs. Lynn.

"Go to her," Solomon urged.

I hesitated, I was afraid of pushing too hard. But the sound of her pain was too much to bear.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the back room. Lynn was huddled in the corner, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her phone.

"Lynn?" I said softly. "Are you alright?"

She looked up, startled. "A-Adonis? I'm fine, really. Just... allergies."

I knelt beside her, my heart aching. "It's okay not to be okay, you know."

For a moment, she said nothing. Then, "It's Alan. He... He's my boyfriend of many years and... He's made a lot of bad choices and I shouldn't talk about it."

Anger surged through me, Solomon snarling in agreement. But I pushed it down, focusing on Lynn.

"I'm so sorry," I murmured. "Is there anything I can do?"

She shook her head, wiping her eyes. "No, I... I should go. My shift's almost over anyway."

As she stood, I made a split-second decision. "Wait. Let me at least get you something to eat. You didn't take your lunch break and haven't for a few days now."

Lynn hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Thanks, Adonis."

I smiled, heading to the break room to grab her favorite donut and some juice. It wasn't much, but it was a start. A chance to finally break down those barriers and show her a world beyond Alan. A world where she was cherished and protected. But realistically I knew there wouldn't be a world for her without her precious Alan. Cutting a bond with someone, magical or not shatters a part of their soul that never repairs unless they were the very lucky few who had a second chance mate or a second chance at love.

As I watched her nibble on the donut, I knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But I was prepared to do whatever it took to win her heart and bring her into my world. No matter how long it took.

"You work tomorrow right?" I asked as she wiped her hands on her shorts.

"Yeah, I think so," she muttered. "You?"

"Yup!"

My gaze flickered to the corner of her mouth, where a hint of creamy icing clung. My primal instincts stirred, urging me to grab fistfuls of her hair and lick away the sweet substance before claiming her soft, full lips with mine. A kiss from me could soothe away her pain and provide the safety and security she craved but couldn't find with Alan or anyone else.

I took in her skittish demeanor. She was a hot mess. Her disheveled appearance only added to her appeal, making my desire for her burn even hotter.

Suppressing my desires for her, I gently touched the corner of my mouth.

"You have some icing on your face," I said sheepishly.

Lynn's cheeks turned a delicate pink as she used the back of her hand to wipe away the frosting.

She mumbled a quick thank you and hastily gathered her belongings before heading out the door. The room suddenly felt empty and desolate without her presence. Despite the pain and suffering she brought with her, being near her also brought a sense of comfort.

"Keep an eye on her," I silently communicated with one of the other warriors from my pack who was keeping watch over her for me.

"Yes, sir."

I didn't want Lynn to think I was some kind of crazed stalker. She had enough stress to deal with as it is.